Atlantic Islands of Galicia National Park

Atlantic Islands of Galicia National Park is a maritime-terrestrial national park off the coast of Galicia in northwest Spain. It was designated a national park in 2002 and protects several Atlantic island groups and surrounding marine waters.

The islands have long been used for fishing and seasonal grazing; the protected area was created to conserve their ecological and cultural values and to regulate visitor use. Management focuses on balancing public access with protection of nesting seabirds, marine life and island vegetation.

The islands lie off the Rías Baixas on Galicia’s Atlantic coast near the cities of Vigo and Pontevedra. Ferries run from several coastal towns during the warmer months.

• Access and limits: Access is by scheduled ferries and private boats only; visitor numbers and activities are regulated seasonally to protect wildlife and habitats.
• Camping rules: Camping is allowed only in designated sites and usually requires a permit from park authorities during the high season.

What to See #

• Island groups: A group of four archipelagos - Cíes, Ons, Sálvora and Cortegada - that together form the national park and are managed for both terrestrial and marine conservation. Each group has distinct landscapes: Cíes is the most visited and contains the white-sand **Playa de Rodas**, Ons has a small fishing village and coastal trails, Sálvora features dunes and a lighthouse, and Cortegada is noted for its tidal oak and laurel forest.