Europe > 🇪🇸 Galicia
The city by city Car or no Car advice for Galicia can be broken down into three similar questions - do you need a car in Galicia; is it worth it (based on costs), and ultimately - should you rent one? (a balance of the two).🚆 🚌⛴️ Do we need to rent a car in Galicia?
These scores are based on the quality of public transport and other travel options. If these are good enough to see the main points of interest, then you don’t need to rent a car.
💰💶💳 Is it worth hiring a car in Galicia?
These scores reflect the practical factors that affect whether renting a car is convenient, good value, and stress-free.
🏙️ Main Cities in Galicia
| CITY | IATA | Score |
|---|---|---|
| A Coruña | LCG | 5 |
| Alicante | ALC | 5 |
| Almería | LEI | 7 |
| Barcelona | BCN | 2 |
| Bilbao | BIO | 3 |
| Ceuta | JCU | 9 |
| Córdoba | ODB | 3 |
| El Hierro | VDE | 9 |
| Fuerteventura | FUE | 8 |
| Girona | GRO | 6 |
| Granada | GRX | 5 |
| Las Palmas | LPA | 6 |
| Ibiza | IBZ | 7 |
| Jerez | XRY | 7 |
| La Gomera | GMZ | 9 |
| Lanzarote (Arrecife) | ACE | 8 |
| La Palma | SPC | 7 |
| La Seu d’Urgell | LEU | 7 |
| Madrid | MAD | 2 |
| Malaga | AGP | 6 |
| Melilla | MLN | 8 |
| Menorca | MAH | 7 |
| Murcia | RMU | 8 |
| Palma | PMI | 6 |
| Reus | REU | 7 |
| Santander | SDR | 6 |
| Santiago de Compostela | SCQ | 4 |
| Seville | SVQ | 4 |
| Tenerife North | TFN | 6 |
| Tenerife South | TFS | 7 |
| Valencia | VLC | 3 |
| Vigo | VGO | 5 |
| Zaragoza | ZAZ | 6 |
Should You Rent a Car in Galicia? 🚗🌊
Galicia, in northwest Spain, is famous for its rugged Atlantic coastline, misty green hills, traditional fishing villages, and the iconic pilgrimage city of Santiago de Compostela. Public transport connects major cities, but many of Galicia’s most beautiful landscapes lie off the main routes. So, should you rent a car in Galicia? It depends on whether you want to explore beyond the cities and into the countryside.
🚶 When You Don’t Need a Car
If your visit focuses on the main cities or you plan to walk the Camino de Santiago, a car is not necessary.
| Destination | Why a Car Isn’t Needed | Best Transport Option |
|---|---|---|
| Santiago de Compostela | Compact, walkable historic centre | Walking or taxi |
| A Coruña | Good transport links | Train or bus |
| Vigo & Pontevedra | Urban centres with local buses | Walking and taxis |
| Camino pilgrimage route | Designed for walking travel | On foot |
➡ Major cities are well connected by rail and bus networks.
🚗 When Renting a Car Is the Best Option
To discover Galicia’s full charm—wild coastlines, lighthouses, Celtic ruins, vineyards, waterfalls, and remote beaches—a car offers maximum freedom.
| Benefit | What You Can Explore |
|---|---|
| Scenic coastal routes | Drive along the Costa da Morte and Rías Baixas |
| Authentic villages | Visit fishing ports and inland towns |
| Natural landscapes | Access waterfalls, forests, and viewpoints |
| Flexibility | Stop in wineries, monasteries, and hidden coves |
Highlights Best Reached by Car
| Route/Area | Key Attraction | Driving Note |
|---|---|---|
| Rías Baixas | Albariño wine region, beaches | Easy coastal driving |
| Costa da Morte | Cliffs, lighthouses, shipwreck history | Stunning ocean views |
| Ribeira Sacra | Canyon scenery, monasteries | Winding mountain roads |
| Cíes Islands access | Ferry port towns | Drive to departure ports |
🚦 Driving in Galicia – What to Expect
-
You drive on the right-hand side
-
Motorways are modern and well-maintained
-
Many rural roads are narrow and winding
-
Parking in cities can be limited, but rural parking is easy
-
Toll roads are rare compared to other parts of Spain
Car Rental Availability
You can rent vehicles at Santiago de Compostela Airport, A Coruña Airport, and Vigo Airport, as well as in major city centres. Companies such as Europcar, Hertz, Avis, and local agencies are widely available.
🚕 Alternatives to Renting a Car
| Transport Type | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Train | Between major cities | Fast and convenient |
| Bus services | Rural connections | Good coverage but slower |
| Guided tours | Coastal routes & wine regions | Transport included |
| Taxis | Short trips | Available but more costly than renting |
🧭 Conclusion
Renting a car is the best option if you want to immerse yourself in Galicia’s dramatic coastal scenery, traditional villages, and natural landscapes at your own pace. However, if your visit is centred around Santiago, A Coruña, or the Camino pilgrimage, you can easily explore without a vehicle. The right choice depends on whether your Galicia experience is about coastal exploration and countryside adventure, or urban culture and spiritual routes.
