Hotels in Sanxenxo

Located on the east side of Spain on the Atlantic coast, Sanxenxo is a small town in Galicia, part of the province of Pontevedra. It is just 60 kms from the nearest large city – Vigo – which is less than 100kms from the northern border of Portugal.

Sanxenxo might not be a very well known resort but it is popular with Spanish and Portuguese holidaymakers. The town enjoys a beautiful location and its advantages have earned some high profile international events. It was used as a base in the Volvo Ocean Race in 2005/6 and an end point in a stage of La Vuelta (the Tour of Spain bicycle race).

Although widely regarded as the best and certainly the most exclusive and expensive beach resort in Galicia, there are still affordable hotels in Sanxenxo.

Neighbourhoods of Sanxenxo

The more interesting parts of the town include:

• The Marina: The port area of Sanxenxo has very much been designed with tourists in mind. There are plenty of places to eat and drink in this picturesque part of town, with tourist yachts mixing it up with local fishing boats.
• The Old Town: It’s a bit grandiose to call it an old town because before the tourist development, Sanxenxo was a small fishing village. The village remains on the fringe complete with the little fishermen’s houses and a quaint ambience of times gone by.
• The Beaches: The beaches of Sanxenxo are pristine and manicured (like the whole resort). The main beach in town is Playa de la Lanzada a swathe of sand that stretches for nearly 4 kms. There is a chapel next to the beach which is believed to be a traditional sanctuary for women as the waters have a reputation for being able to influence fertility! It’s also a popular beach with surfers. Paxariñas is a little gem hidden and nestled among rocks, and Bascuas is a small nudist beach.

What to see and do in Sanxenxo

Being relatively small scale in comparison to some Spanish resorts, Sanxenxo’s main attractions and things to do are based on the beach and the ocean. If you want a sand and sun holiday, it is fabulous. Some of the more interesting things to do away from the beach is the walk along the seafront to the neighbouring town of Portonovo passing some amazing statues on the promenade and a ferry trip to the Atlantic Islands of Galicia National Park. The town sits in the Rías Baixas wine region so a visit to the Adega Eidos vineyard makes for another great trip out.

What to eat in Sanxenxo

Each Spanish region has its own take on cuisine with some interesting and unique additions. Some of the dishes that are synonymous with Sanxenxo and surrounding wider area include mejillones al vapor which are steamed mussels, cocido Gallego which is a type of traditional Galician stew, and leite frita which is battered and fried milk custard treat. Local wines are a treat.

Typical events and festivals in Sanxenxo

Just like nearly all popular Spanish cities and towns, Sanxenxo likes to celebrate multiple different festivals and events across the year. Some of the most popular among both tourists and residents include some of the traditional nationwide celebrations such as Carnival and Holy Week, along with some more unique and localised events such as the Maestral Music Festival.

How to move around in Sanxenxo

The best way to travel in and around Sanxenxo is via the network of local buses. The well maintained and frequent services offer lines throughout the region. Many of the central sights and all the beaches are navigable on foot, and there are also taxi services.

The climate in Sanxenxo

Sanxenxo experiences a mild to hot climate all year round. The driest and hottest months are June, July, August, and September, where temperatures are in the mid to high 20s. Holidaymakers should take note that ‘rainy season’ occurs from January to April and October to December, so the ideal time for holiday planning is definitely those hot, dry summer months.