Cambados Holidays: Galician Coast Travel Guide for UK
Provincia de Pontevedra · Galicia · Spain · 13,708 residents · on the coast
Cambados is a coastal town of around 13,700 people in the Provincia de Pontevedra, on the Atlantic side of Galicia in north-west Spain. It sits just 14 metres above sea level, and it is small enough to feel local rather than resort-like, yet it has a cluster of seaside towns within a short drive, with O Grove only 3 miles away and Sanxenxo about 8 miles off. Getting here from the UK is simple: Santiago de Compostela airport, with direct flights from the United Kingdom, is roughly 34 miles away. Come prepared for real Atlantic weather. Summer is warm and dry, peaking in August, while autumn and winter bring heavy rain.
Why go
- August is the driest, warmest month, with highs around 27°C and only about four rainy days.
- Santiago de Compostela airport has direct UK flights and is under an hour's drive away.
- O Grove is just 3 miles away, with Sanxenxo, Combarro and Portonovo all around 8 miles off.
Top sights in Cambados
Things to Do in Cambados
Cambados is a coastal town, and much of its appeal lies in the Atlantic setting and the ring of neighbouring towns within easy reach rather than in a long list of headline sights. It makes a relaxed base for a holiday on this stretch of the Galician coast.
There are around 15 bookable activities in and around the town, and tours and tickets can be booked directly on this page through the cards shown below, so you can plan your days before you fly.
We are still mapping the sights for this town.
Tours & tickets in Cambados
Guided tours, day trips and tickets in and around Cambados can be booked in advance, priced in GBP.
See tours & tickets (opens GetYourGuide in a new tab)Where to stay in Cambados
Where to Stay in Cambados
With a population of around 13,700, Cambados is a modest-sized town rather than a large resort, so expect a quieter pace than in bigger coastal centres. Staying close to the water suits travellers who want the coast on the doorstep, while a base in town keeps you near everyday local life.
If you want a livelier scene, Sanxenxo, the larger town about 8 miles away, is the obvious alternative, and Pontevedra, a city of over 80,000 people, is around 11 miles off. This page shows live hotel prices for Cambados so you can compare options for your dates.
Hire a car
The easiest way to reach Cambados and the villages around it is a hire car from Santiago de Compostela (SCQ), about 47 min away.
Best time to visit Cambados
Best Time to Visit Cambados
- 14°CJan259 mm
- 16°CFeb130 mm
- 16°CMar267 mm
- 19°CApr115 mm
- 20°CMay145 mm
- 24°CJun116 mm
- 25°CJul47 mm
- 27°CAug18 mm
- 23°CSept148 mm
- 21°COct439 mm
- 18°CNov275 mm
- 15°CDec195 mm
Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
August is the standout month. Daytime highs reach about 27°C, rainfall drops to around 18 mm and there are typically only four rainy days. July is also pleasant at about 25°C with eight rainy days, and June reaches around 24°C, though it is noticeably wetter.
The Atlantic shows its other face from autumn. October is by far the wettest month, with around 439 mm of rain over some 21 days, and March is similarly rainy in frequency. Winters are mild rather than cold, with January highs around 14°C and lows near 7°C, but grey, damp days are the norm. For a beach-focused holiday, aim firmly for high summer.
Full monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 14°C | 7°C | 259 mm | 6 h |
| Feb | 16°C | 7°C | 130 mm | 8 h |
| Mar | 16°C | 9°C | 267 mm | 7 h |
| Apr | 19°C | 10°C | 115 mm | 10 h |
| May | 20°C | 12°C | 145 mm | 11 h |
| Jun | 24°C | 16°C | 116 mm | 13 h |
| Jul | 25°C | 16°C | 47 mm | 12 h |
| Aug | 27°C | 17°C | 18 mm | 12 h |
| Sept | 23°C | 15°C | 148 mm | 10 h |
| Oct | 21°C | 14°C | 439 mm | 6 h |
| Nov | 18°C | 12°C | 275 mm | 6 h |
| Dec | 15°C | 7°C | 195 mm | 6 h |
Averages 2015–2024. Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
Getting there from the UK
Getting to Cambados from the UK
Santiago de Compostela (SCQ) is the most convenient gateway for UK travellers. It has direct flights from the United Kingdom and lies about 34 miles from Cambados, roughly a 47-minute drive. A Coruña (LCG) also has direct UK flights; it is around 59 miles away, about an hour and 25 minutes by car.
Vigo (VGO) is the closest airport at about 22 miles, roughly 31 minutes by road, but it has no direct flights from the UK, so you would need to connect. Car hire at the airport is the simplest way to reach the town and explore the coast.
Driving from home is possible but long: the route from Calais takes around 18 hours behind the wheel, so most people will want to break the journey over two or more days.
By air
- Santiago de Compostela (SCQ)34 miles, about 47 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- A Coruña (LCG)59 miles, about 1 h 24 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Vigo (VGO)22 miles, about 31 min by road
By car and ferry
Driving from Calais takes roughly 17 h 54 min without stops.
Around Cambados
Day Trips from Cambados
The coast around Cambados is dotted with towns close enough for an easy outing. O Grove is the nearest at just 3 miles, while Sanxenxo, Combarro and the small town of Portonovo all lie about 8 miles away. Palmeira is around 9 miles off.
For a change from the seaside towns, Pontevedra, the provincial capital and the largest place nearby, is roughly 11 miles away. Further along the coast, Bueu is about 13 miles away and Moaña around 17 miles, both comfortable half-day or full-day drives.
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Tips from Robin
Practical Tips for Your Visit
Pack for rain outside high summer. Even in spring and September, Cambados sees a dozen or so wet days a month, and October and March can bring rain on most days, so a waterproof is essential whenever you travel.
A hire car pays off here. The nearby towns, Pontevedra and the airports are all a short drive apart, and with Vigo lacking direct UK flights, flying into Santiago de Compostela and driving down is usually the smoothest plan.
August is the best-weather month and therefore the busiest time on this coast, so it is worth booking accommodation and car hire well ahead if you plan to visit then.
Questions people ask
What is the nearest airport to Cambados with direct UK flights?
Santiago de Compostela (SCQ) is the nearest airport with direct flights from the United Kingdom. It is about 34 miles from Cambados, roughly a 47-minute drive. A Coruña (LCG) also has direct UK flights and is about 59 miles away.
Can I fly into Vigo for Cambados?
Vigo (VGO) is the closest airport, about 22 miles or roughly 31 minutes by car, but it has no direct flights from the UK. You would need a connecting flight, so Santiago de Compostela is usually the more practical choice.
When is the best time to visit Cambados?
August offers the best conditions, with highs around 27°C, only about 18 mm of rain and roughly four rainy days. July and June are also warm, but autumn is very wet, with October bringing around 439 mm of rain.
Does it rain a lot in Cambados?
Yes, outside summer. Cambados sits on Galicia's Atlantic coast, and October and March each see around 21 rainy days. Even spring months average 11 or 12 wet days, so summer, particularly August, is the reliable dry window.
How long does it take to drive to Cambados from Calais?
The drive from Calais to Cambados takes around 18 hours. Most travellers split it across at least two days. There are no ferry options listed for this route, so flying to Santiago de Compostela is far quicker.
What towns can I visit on a day trip from Cambados?
O Grove is just 3 miles away, and Sanxenxo, Combarro and Portonovo are all about 8 miles off. Pontevedra, the largest nearby city, is around 11 miles away, while Bueu and Moaña are about 13 and 17 miles respectively.