Explore Galicia
Atlantic inlets, fishing villages and green countryside set the pace in Spain's northwest.
About Galicia
Galicia, in Spain's green north-west corner, faces the Atlantic. Its coast is cut by deep inlets called rías, with beaches, fishing villages and islands, and it is known throughout Spain for its seafood. The region has three very different cities. Vigo, the largest, is a busy port with the Cíes Islands just offshore. A Coruña is a lively city with a long seafront promenade and the Roman Tower of Hercules. Santiago de Compostela, the end point of the famous pilgrim route, has a historic centre listed by UNESCO.
High-speed trains have linked Galicia with Madrid since 2021, and each of the three cities has its own airport.
Prices are among the lowest of any coastal region in the north: A Coruña asks around €3,260/m² and Vigo around €2,602/m². The transfer tax is 8%.
What to know first
- An Atlantic coast of rías, beaches and islands
- Three cities with very different characters: Vigo, A Coruña and Santiago
- Some of the lowest prices on the northern coast
- High-speed trains to Madrid and three airports
- Transfer tax of 8% on resale homes
Asking prices compared
Ranked on asking price per m². Municipalities and sub-municipal entries are listed apart, because a district cannot be ranked against the municipality that contains it.
| Place | Asking price / m² | Population | Price tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whole municipalities | |||
| A Coruña | €3,260/m² | 251,277 | Mid |
| Vigo | €2,602/m² | 295,735 | Mid |
| Santiago de Compostela | €2,240/m² | 100,842 | Mid |
How the prices spread
A Coruña is the most expensive of the three cities, followed by Vigo. Santiago de Compostela, inland, is the cheapest. All three are well below San Sebastián, Bilbao and Santander.
The table shows average asking prices, not sale prices. Within one town, prices can vary a lot from one area to the next.
Who each part suits
A city on the seafront
A lively city with a long promenade, beaches in the centre and its own airport.
A port and islands
Galicia's largest city, with a busy port, beaches and the Cíes Islands offshore.
History and university life
A UNESCO-listed historic centre, a large university and the lowest prices of the three.
Cities in Galicia
Browse properties by city
A Coruña
Galicia
€3,260/m² · Population 251.277
Santiago de Compostela
Galicia
€2,240/m² · Population 100.842
Vigo
Galicia
€2,602/m² · Population 295.735
The case for
- Low prices
Among the most affordable cities on Spain's coast.
- Seafood and food culture
Galicia is known throughout Spain for its seafood and markets.
- A beautiful coast
Deep rías, long beaches and islands such as the Cíes.
- High-speed trains
Fast trains to Madrid since 2021.
- No extreme heat
Summers are mild and pleasant.
The case against
- The rainiest part of Spain
Especially in Santiago, rain falls on many days of the year.
- Cool sea water
The Atlantic stays cool, even in summer.
- Few international buyers
Fewer services in other languages than on the Mediterranean coasts.
- Two languages
Galician is widely used in schools and local government, alongside Spanish.
- Mostly domestic flights
The three airports have few international routes.
Questions buyers ask
- What taxes do I pay when buying?
- On a resale home, 8% transfer tax. A main home can qualify for a reduced rate if your assets are modest, and large families can pay less still, subject to conditions. New-build homes pay VAT instead of transfer tax. Ask a tax adviser about your situation.
- Which city suits me?
- A Coruña for city life by the sea, Vigo for a port city near beaches and islands, and Santiago for history, university life and the lowest prices.
- How do I get there?
- Vigo, A Coruña and Santiago each have an airport, mainly with flights within Spain. High-speed trains run to Madrid.
- What is the climate like?
- Mild and green, with pleasant summers, cool winters and a lot of rain, especially inland around Santiago.
- Do I need to speak Galician?
- No. Everyone speaks Spanish, but Galician is widely used in schools and local government.
- Where is it cheapest?
- In Santiago de Compostela, followed by Vigo.
Where you might be better off elsewhere
If you want a similar green coast a little closer to Madrid, Asturias is worth comparing. If you prefer a more international place with more services in other languages, look at the Basque Country, at higher prices. And if sun matters more than greenery, the Mediterranean coasts are the alternative.