# Granite, spray and the Way of St James – by camper through Galicia from Ribadeo to Vigo

> From Ribadeo via Viveiro, Cedeira and A Coruña to the Costa da Morte, on to Fisterra and Santiago de Compostela and then through the Rías Baixas to Vigo…

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/guides/rf-045-galicia/

**At a glance:** 8-day road trip of about 460 km (286 mi) with 12 stops, from Ribadeo to Vigo. About 6 h 21 min of driving in total. From Ribadeo via Viveiro, Cedeira and A Coruña to the Costa da Morte, on to Fisterra and Santiago de Compostela and then through the Rías Baixas to Vigo: around 640 kilometres at the Atlantic end of Spain, where tides, fog and coastal protection rules shape the planning.

| | |
|---|---|
| Distance | 460 km (286 mi) |
| Driving | 6 h 21 min |
| Suggested days | 8 |
| Stops | 12 |
| Route | Ribadeo → Vigo |
| Countries | Spain |
| Updated | September 30, 2026 |

*From Ribadeo via Viveiro, Cedeira and A Coruña to the Costa da Morte, on to Fisterra and Santiago de Compostela and then through the Rías Baixas to Vigo: around 640 kilometres at the Atlantic end of Spain, where tides, fog and coastal protection rules shape the planning.*

## The spirit of the route

Galicia smells of eucalyptus, salt and wet granite. The coast is more ragged than anywhere else in Spain: deeply cut rías, headlands with lighthouses, beaches that are twice as wide at low tide as at high tide. In the north the cliffs of the Serra da Capelada stand in the wind, on the Costa da Morte waves break on rocks where ships were once wrecked, and on the Rías Baixas the hórreos, the stone granaries on stilts, stand right at the water’s edge. From your sliding door you see fishing boats, mussel rafts in the bay and, in the morning, often fog that does not lift until midday. Then there are the pilgrims on the paths to Santiago, whom you keep overtaking or crossing along the way. This route is green, damp and slow – good rain gear and plenty of time belong in your luggage.

## Stage-by-stage plan

### Stage 1: Ribadeo to Viveiro (approx. 60 km)

- **The drive:** From Ribadeo on the border with Asturias take the N-642 to Foz and continue on coastal roads to Viveiro; the A-8 motorway runs parallel. Mostly wide and well built, narrow through the villages, with views of the ría alternating with eucalyptus forest. Around an hour of pure driving time; with the detour to Praia das Catedrais and a walk on the beach, considerably more.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Praia das Catedrais near Ribadeo: rock arches and grottoes on the beach, accessible only at low tide; check the tide table beforehand.
  - Ría de Ribadeo with the bridge between Galicia and Asturias and the old centre of Ribadeo.
  - Viveiro: the medieval Puerta de Carlos V and the harbour on the ría.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** For Ribadeo and Viveiro the OpenStreetMap data lists campsites (Camping Ribadeo, Camping Viveiro) and an área de autocaravanas in Viveiro; check facilities, season and terms with the operator or in the pitch apps beforehand. Book in good time in high season.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** At the Catedrais and on the beaches of the Rías Altas, coastal protection and local bylaws apply; overnighting in beach car parks is often prohibited or monitored. Only parking and resting in the vehicle without camping behaviour is conceivable, though this is not binding – heed the signs and the local police.
- **Insider tip for campers:** For Praia das Catedrais, a free online permit from the Xunta is required in 2026 from 1 July to 30 September (and during Holy Week), bookable up to 30 days in advance; check the periods and procedure on the official websites beforehand and plan around low tide. Clarify parking options for large motorhomes in advance.

### Stage 2: Viveiro to Cedeira (Serra da Capelada) (approx. 90 km)

- **The drive:** From Viveiro via Ortigueira and the coast towards Cabo Ortegal and the Serra da Capelada, then down to Cedeira. Here the coastal road becomes narrow and twisting, in places with fog and no guardrail at the drop; Ortigueira and Cedeira have tight approaches. Allow a good 2 hours of driving time without stops.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Serra da Capelada and Garita de Herbeira: sheer cliffs that are among the highest on the European mainland, with views over the Atlantic.
  - Cabo Ortegal: lighthouse and rock formations at one of the distinctive headlands of the Galician north coast.
  - Cedeira: a town on the ría with a sheltered sandy beach and steep coastline in the surrounding area.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Around Cedeira, Valdoviño and Ortigueira the OSM data lists campsites (such as Camping Valdoviño) and a few pitches for motorhomes, including the A Frouxeira Camper Park near Valdoviño; check location, opening times and length limits beforehand on park4night or with the tourist office.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** The Serra da Capelada and Cabo Ortegal lie in protected areas; camping is prohibited there, and viewpoint car parks are often meant for daytime only. Free-standing with camping behaviour is monitored on the coast.
- **Insider tip for campers:** The mountain road to the Garita de Herbeira and the side road to San Andrés de Teixido are narrow, steep and unpleasant in fog; rather unsuitable for large motorhomes – if in doubt, leave the camper below and go up in a smaller vehicle or on foot. Fill up in Viveiro or Ortigueira before this stretch.

### Stage 3: Cedeira to A Coruña (approx. 85 km)

- **The drive:** From Cedeira via Ferrol and the Rías de Ferrol and Betanzos to A Coruña. After Ferrol the road becomes wider; the AP-9 motorway is toll-charging, while the parallel country roads are slower but toll-free. A good 1.5 hours. Dense city traffic around A Coruña.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Torre de Hércules in A Coruña: Roman lighthouse, UNESCO World Heritage Site, with a coastal park and sculpture trail.
  - Paseo Marítimo in A Coruña: seafront promenade around the peninsula.
  - Old town of A Coruña with the Praza de María Pita and the glazed galleries of the Avenida de la Marina.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** In the surrounding area the OSM data lists Camping Bastiagueiro in Oleiros (open from June to September according to the operator’s website) and a small área de autocaravanas in the Elviña district; check facilities, opening times and capacity beforehand. For sightseeing in the city, a site on the outskirts with a bus connection is more practical than the city centre.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** In A Coruña, overnighting in the vehicle within the city is not advisable; the city regulates parking areas strictly. Daytime parking is possible in designated areas, with height limits in multi-storey car parks.
- **Insider tip for campers:** There were no access restrictions based on environmental stickers in A Coruña at the end of 2025 (the focus is on pedestrian zones); a Zona de Bajas Emisiones is planned in Ferrol – check the current rules beforehand. The best way to explore the city is by city bus or on foot from the outskirts.

### Stage 4: A Coruña to Muxía (Costa da Morte) (approx. 110 km)

- **The drive:** From A Coruña on the AC-552 (alternatively on the toll AG-55) to Carballo, via Ponteceso to the coast, then via Laxe and Camariñas to Muxía. The road is mostly well built but narrow and twisting in the coastal villages; with photo stops it takes until evening. A good 2 hours of driving time.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Laxe with its fishing harbour and long sandy beach.
  - Camariñas: bobbin lace-making (Encaixe) and the Cemiterio dos Ingleses on the headland, a memorial to the British ship HMS Serpent (1890).
  - Muxía: the Santuario da Virxe da Barca right on the rocks and the lighthouse at Punta da Barca.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** In Muxía there is, according to OpenStreetMap, a small área de autocaravanas (around 15 pitches); check facilities and terms beforehand. Near Ponteceso, Corme Porto and Vimianzo the data lists further áreas and campsites, including Camping Costa da Morte; ask about season and facilities beforehand.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** The Costa da Morte is coastally protected, and camping on the beach or at the lighthouse is monitored. Under the “pernocta” principle, sleeping in a properly parked vehicle is conceivable where parking is allowed and no municipal bylaw says otherwise; awning and furniture are taboo.
- **Insider tip for campers:** After the sinking of the “Prestige” in 2002, the coast is a sensitive area; do not leave plastic waste or pollution behind. In fog and storms avoid the coastal roads; the waves on the coast are dangerous in a storm, so keep away from the rocks.

### Stage 5: Muxía to Fisterra (approx. 30 km)

- **The drive:** A short stage along the coast: from Muxía via the AC-440 and AC-445 to Fisterra, with a stop at the cape. Twisting; a good half hour without stops.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Cabo Fisterra: lighthouse at the cape and a trail to “Kilometre 0” of the Way of St James.
  - Praia do Rostro and Praia de Langosteira: long beaches towards Fisterra.
  - Fishing town of Fisterra with harbour and market.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Área de Autocaravanas de Fisterra (around 30 pitches according to OSM); check facilities, season and terms beforehand. Nearby the data lists several campsites, including Cámping Ruta Finisterre; Camping San Francisco lies further south near Carnota.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** At the cape itself coastal protection applies; parking at the lighthouse is possible during the day, but overnighting is not intended. In the coastal area only “pernocta” without camping behaviour, and only where no municipal bylaw says otherwise.
- **Insider tip for campers:** Many pilgrims and coaches gather at Cabo Fisterra; come early or late in the day. In clear weather the sunset at the cape is worthwhile; the road to the lighthouse is narrow in the dark, so plan your way back.

### Stage 6: Fisterra to Santiago de Compostela (approx. 110 km)

- **The drive:** From Fisterra along the coast via Carnota and Muros to Noia and from there inland to Santiago. The coastal road is twisting; the last kilometres to Santiago are wide. A good 2 hours of driving time.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Hórreo de Carnota: one of the longest granaries in Galicia, a landmark at Praia de Carnota.
  - Noia and Muros: old harbour towns with arcades and lanes.
  - Santiago: cathedral, Praza do Obradoiro and old town, easy to explore on foot.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** In Santiago the OSM data lists the private Área de Autocaravanas dos Salgueiriños (around 80 pitches) and Camping As Cancelas (open all year according to the operator’s website) as well as Cámping San Marcos; check facilities, opening times and terms beforehand. For the old town, a site with a bus connection is suitable, because a camper has no business in the old town.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** In Santiago, overnighting within the city outside designated sites is not advisable; access to the historic old town is heavily restricted, so do not go in there with a motorhome. On the coastal stretch the usual coastal protection rules apply.
- **Insider tip for campers:** The old town of Santiago is largely closed to car traffic; park outside and go on foot or take the bus. On the day of the Pilgrim’s Mass and in the week around 25 July the city is very crowded – book in good time.

### Stage 7: Santiago de Compostela to O Grove (Rías Baixas) (approx. 80 km)

- **The drive:** From Santiago via the motorway or country roads into the Ría de Arousa to Cambados and on via A Toxa to O Grove. Wide roads, only the approaches into the town centres are narrow. A good hour.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Cambados: Albariño wine town with the Pazo de Fefiñáns and wine cellars; tastings are possible in many places.
  - A Toxa: small island with a chapel made of scallop shells, reached by a bridge.
  - Mussel farming in the ría: the bateas (farming rafts) can be seen from the viewpoints; mussels and seafood in O Grove.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** On the Ría de Arousa the OSM data lists Camping Ría de Arousa and several sites near O Grove (including Praia Paisaxe and Camping Siglo XXI) as well as áreas in Vilagarcía, Caldas de Reis and Sanxenxo; check location, season and facilities beforehand. In summer the sites are heavily booked.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** The Rías Baixas are densely populated; beaches and viewpoint car parks are often subject to bans. Only “pernocta”, where allowed; in protected areas (such as the Illas Atlánticas National Park) camping is prohibited.
- **Insider tip for campers:** Watch out for festivals: around the Fiesta del Albariño in Cambados and the mussel festivals in O Grove the area is full. If you cook for yourself, buy mussels and seafood fresh at the harbour.

### Stage 8: O Grove to Vigo (Cíes Islands) (approx. 75 km)

- **The drive:** From O Grove along the Ría de Pontevedra via Combarro and Pontevedra to Vigo. Twisting coastal roads in Combarro, wide motorway from Pontevedra. A good hour.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Combarro: fishing village with hórreos right at the water’s edge and narrow lanes.
  - Pontevedra: old town, largely car-free, with its squares and churches.
  - Cíes Islands: boat trip from Vigo (or Baiona) to the Illas Atlánticas National Park.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** In Pontevedra OSM lists an área de autocaravanas; near Vigo, Nigrán and Baiona several campsites (including Camping Playa América and Camping Praia de Baiona). On the Cíes there is the Camping Islas Cíes, by online reservation only (it provides the access permit for the ferry) and with arrival by boat, without a vehicle; check the season (according to the operator roughly May to September) and terms with the operator beforehand.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** National park rules apply on the Cíes: access is limited, and in high season (Easter and 15 May to 15 September) a free permit from the Xunta is needed in advance; no camping outside the campsite. In Vigo, overnighting within the city is not advisable.
- **Insider tip for campers:** The number of visitors to the Cíes (and to Ons) is limited daily; the permit is valid only briefly after the reservation (about two hours), so book boat tickets straight afterwards and check the rules of the Xunta and the national park. The camper stays on the mainland; ferries leave from Vigo, Baiona and Cangas. The Ribeira Sacra with its Sil canyons lies around 100–150 km inland and can be added as a separate trip.

## Camping practice & local rules

### Wild camping & overnight parking

- Spain distinguishes between “pernocta” (sleeping in a properly parked vehicle) and “acampada” (awning, table, chairs, stabilisers, grey water): the former is allowed where parking is allowed, the latter is prohibited. Municipal bylaws can restrict overnighting further.
- Galicia protects its coast and natural areas strictly; in the Illas Atlánticas National Park, in nature parks and on many beach car parks, camping and overnighting are prohibited. Fines can be considerable; the exact amount depends on the municipality and protected area.
- You can overnight legally on campsites and the municipal áreas de autocaravanas, which are numerous in Galicia. Useful apps: park4night, Campercontact, Áreas AC.
- Fires in forests and near forests are prohibited during the wildfire season; Galicia has suffered severe wildfires in recent years; the high-risk period runs in 2026 until 15 October (extended by the Xunta) – avoid fires and heed local rules.

### Waste disposal & supplies

- Filling and emptying facilities are called “área de autocaravanas” or “punto de vaciado” in Spain; many stations charge a fee, often by coin machine or app.
- Tap water is drinkable in most places; look for “agua potable”.
- Gas: Spanish cylinders can only be exchanged in the country; German cylinders cannot be exchanged. Autogas (LPG) is available at many filling stations, usually with a dish adapter; bring refillable tanks.
- Damp climate: ventilating and dehumidifying the motorhome is part of life on the Galician coast; laundry dries poorly.

### Vehicle size & traffic rules

- Speed limits: motorhomes up to 3.5 t generally 90 km/h outside built-up areas, 120 km/h on motorways and autovías; over 3.5 t 80 km/h outside built-up areas, 90 km/h on motorways. Vehicle-and-trailer combinations 80 km/h outside built-up areas and 90 km/h on motorways. In built-up areas 30 km/h on roads with one lane in each direction, otherwise 50 km/h.
- Since 1 January 2026 the connected V16 warning light is mandatory and replaces the warning triangle; a high-visibility vest is compulsory when leaving the vehicle on the road.
- Tolls: the AP-9 (Ferrol–A Coruña–Santiago–Vigo–Tui) is a toll road, as is the AG-55 (A Coruña–Carballo); the coastal roads are toll-free. Check the amount and method of payment on the spot.
- Low-emission zones (ZBE): Spanish cities are introducing Zonas de Bajas Emisiones; as of the end of 2025 they applied in Galicia in Pontevedra (without sticker restriction) and Ourense, in Santiago (old town), Vigo and Ferrol they were planned, and in A Coruña the focus was on pedestrian zones; check the rules before the journey. Fines arrive by post.
- Alcohol limit 0.5 ‰; using a phone while driving is prohibited. In fog use dipped headlights and fog lights, and adapt your speed on coastal roads.

## CampingSpirit packing & preparation checklist

- Rain jacket and waterproof shoes – Galicia is often wet even in summer, and fog arrives quickly.
- Tide table (Tabla de mareas) for the Catedrais and beaches – accessibility depends on low and high tide.
- V16 warning light and high-visibility vest – mandatory in Spain from 2026.
- Dehumidifier or drying agent for the motorhome – humidity is high in the Atlantic climate.
- Sun protection and windbreaker – the wind blows hard on the headlands and on the Cíes, and the sun can be intense despite the fog.

_As of 2026-09. Closures, fees and booking rules change: check official sources before you go._

## Sources

- [DGT – Dispositivos de preseñalización V16](https://www.dgt.es/muevete-con-seguridad/tecnologia-e-innovacion-en-carretera/Dispositivos-de-presenalizacion-V16/)
- [Xunta de Galicia – Parque nacional das Illas Atlánticas](https://patrimonionatural.xunta.gal/es/parque-nacional-illas-atlanticas)
- [Parque Nacional Illas Atlánticas – Visit the Park](https://illasatlanticas.gal/en/visit-the-park)
- [Camping Islas Cíes](https://www.campingislascies.com/)
- [Xunta de Galicia – Monumento natural Praia das Catedrais](https://patrimonionatural.xunta.gal/es/praia-catedrais)
- [Xunta de Galicia (DOG) – Decreto 159/2019, ordenación de los campamentos de turismo](https://www.xunta.gal/dog/Publicados/2019/20191227/AnuncioG0535-131219-0001_es.html)
- [Camping As Cancelas – Santiago de Compostela](https://www.campingascancelas.com/en/inicio.html)
- [Concello de Santiago de Compostela – Acceso ó casco histórico](https://sede.santiagodecompostela.gal/sta/CarpetaPublic/doEvent?APP_CODE=STA&PAGE_CODE=CATALOGO&DETALLE=6269000926176759499500&lang=ES)

## Stop-by-stop itinerary

1. **Ribadeo** (Spain)
2. **Viveiro** (Spain)
3. **Cedeira** (Spain)
4. **A Coruña** (Spain)
5. **Laxe** (Spain)
6. **Muxía** (Spain)
7. **Fisterra** (Spain)
8. **Santiago de Compostela** (Spain)
9. **Cambados** (Spain)
10. **O Grove** (Spain)
11. **Combarro** (Spain)
12. **Vigo** (Spain)

## FAQs

**How long is Granite, spray and the Way of St James – by camper through Galicia from Ribadeo to Vigo?**
8-day road trip of about 460 km (286 mi) with 12 stops, from Ribadeo to Vigo. About 6 h 21 min of driving in total.

**How many days do you need for Granite, spray and the Way of St James – by camper through Galicia from Ribadeo to Vigo?**
We suggest 8 days: about 6 h 21 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.

**Where does Granite, spray and the Way of St James – by camper through Galicia from Ribadeo to Vigo start and end?**
It starts in Ribadeo and ends in Vigo.

**Which countries does Granite, spray and the Way of St James – by camper through Galicia from Ribadeo to Vigo pass through?**
Spain.