BAIONA TRAVEL GUIDE

What things to do in Baiona?

Baiona is a beautiful coastal town and municipality located in Pontevedra, Galicia, Spain. Situated in the southern region of the Rias Baixas next to the most inhabited city in Galicia, Vigo, with more than 300,000 inhabitants. Surrounded by Vigo Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, with a port full of colorful small fishing boats and luxury yachts. A great destination to visit with family and friends all year round because of its mild climate and its numerous Blue Flag beaches, some of the most popular beaches that you can find in Baiona are Santa Marta, Ladeira, the Barbeira beach located near the Fortress of Monterreal, Ribeira, Concheira and Os Frades. These last two, are peculiar for being rocky and with shells and from where you can see an impressive sunset. There are many things to do in Baiona, for example, this town is famous for the arrival on the 1st of March 1493 of the ship Carabela La Pinta with news of the discovery of America which is why Baiona celebrates the "Festa Arribada" (Arribada festival) every year the first weekend of March honoring this important event in the city's history. From Baiona you can also pick up and follow the Portuguese Coastal Way path of the Camino de Santiago (Way of St James) since is one of the stops of this famous worldwide religious-spiritual pilgrimage route.

A Quaint Old Town with A Maze of Cobblestone Streets

The town's old quarter was declared a Site of Historic-Artistic Interest in 1993 for its narrow cobbled streets and historic buildings. Along its old town, you will have the opportunity to discover the local cuisine and gastromy at numerous bars and restaurants mostly concentrated in Rua Ventura Misa Street with the best fish and fresh seafood from the bay, not forgetting about the excellent Albariño white wine of the Rias Baixas region. Among the things to do in Baiona, you can also enjoy a relaxed walk reliving its past through its streets admiring the wonderful architecture of the buildings, seeing a few small churches, and learning about the city's history.

Best Places to Visit & Things to do in Baiona

There are many places of historical interest in this coastal town that is worth seeing and visiting while you are exploring this part of Galicia. Some of  the highlights and main historical attractions of Baiona are:

• Monterreal Fortress: One of the most emblematic historical sites of the town, it consists of a massive fortress that was built in the 11th century and even dates back to the 2nd century BC. A 3 km walled fortress that defended the city from attacks with cannons, gates, bastions, and watchtowers. This fortress houses the Parador of Baiona known for being one of the best in Galicia to spend the night.
• Cruceiro de Trinidade (Trinity Cross): Gothic cross from the 15th century decorated with the biblical figures of Christ and the Virgin. It is considered one of the few in Galicia covered by a Renaissance canopy. It is located on an ancient Roman road and in the current Portuguese Way of the Coast.
• Ex-Collegiate Church of St. Mary: Romanic Ex-Collegiate church built in the 13th century, known for being one of the most important religious temples to visit in Baiona. Its beautiful Romanesque rose window and its breathtaking main façade stand out.
• Virgen de la Roca (Virgin of the Rock): It consists of a 15-meter-tall granite statue built in 1930 by two Galician sculptors Antonio Palacios and Angel García. It is located at the top of Monte de San Roque Hill, 100 meters above sea level. The statue represents the Virgin holding in her right hand a boat that you can access by climbing upstairs and where you can enjoy amazing views of  Baiona and its bay.
• Monte de A Groba: Where the garrano horse lives in freedom, native to this mountain. From the top of A Groba or from the O Cortelliño viewpoint we have a spectacular view over the bay of Baiona, Val Miñor, Cíes Islands, Ría de Vigo and, on clear days, you can see several of the estuaries located to the north from that of Vigo.
• Estación rupestre Outeiro dos Lameiros:  One of the most peculiar sets of rock engravings and petroglyphs in the south of Galicia, highlighting a large vertical panel that shows us different elements embodied in the Bronze Age.
• Cabo Silleiro: Spectacular coastal area is where the current Silleiro lighthouse and the remains of the old one, from the 19th century, are located. In its mountains, we can find an old cannon battery and, in the coastal area, the peculiar Playa de los Cristales that is created with the sediments that the sea expels.
• Foz del río Miñor: Marsh that forms at the mouth of the Miñor river in the Baiona cove, at the height of Ladeira beach. It has been declared a Site of Community Interest for its flora and fauna and its great natural and scenic value.
  
• Paseo Monte Boi: It surrounds the Monterreal Fortress on the outside giving access to several of the beaches.
  
• Baiona's coast: It can be explored both on foot, along its promenades, and by bicycle using the dedicated bike lane.

Our food experts have chosen the best tour operators offering tours with food, wine, and walking holidays in Baiona. You can check our full list of things to do in Baiona: top food tours to Baiona and top boutique hotels in the sections of the travel to Baiona destination guide.

Population: 12,154 inhabitants (2023)