Castro, Lugo holidays: inland Galicia travel guide
Provincia de Lugo · Galicia · Spain · 5,822 residents
Castro is a small town of around 5,800 people in the Provincia de Lugo, deep in inland Galicia. It sits at 667 metres (roughly 2,190 feet), well away from the coast, and its climate follows a clear pattern. Most of the year is cool and often wet, then July and August bring dry, warm weather, with August highs reaching about 26°C. For British travellers the practical appeal is access. Santiago de Compostela and A Coruña airports both have direct flights from the UK and are each under 90 minutes' drive away. That makes Castro a quiet rural base, with the city of Lugo and the market town of Sarria close by.
Why go
- Direct UK flights land at Santiago de Compostela, only about an hour's drive from Castro.
- July and August are dry and warm, with highs of 24°C to 26°C.
- Lugo, Sarria and Monforte de Lemos are all within 17 miles for easy day trips.
Top sights in Castro
Activities around Castro
Castro is a small inland town, and the most useful way to plan your days is to treat it as a base for the wider Provincia de Lugo rather than a place packed with sights of its own. Most of what you will want to see lies in the towns a short drive away, covered in the day trips section below.
Around 20 tours and activities in the area can be booked in advance, and you will find them in the booking cards on this page with live availability and tickets.
We are still mapping the sights for this town.
Tours & tickets in Castro
Guided tours, day trips and tickets in and around Castro can be booked in advance, priced in GBP.
See tours & tickets (opens GetYourGuide in a new tab)Where to stay in Castro
Choosing a base near Castro
With a population of around 5,800 and no coastline, Castro suits travellers who want a quiet, rural stay at altitude rather than a resort atmosphere. Expect a calm pace, especially in the evenings.
If you prefer more choice and a livelier town around you, Lugo, with nearly 100,000 residents, is 17 miles away, and Sarria is just 9 miles off. This page shows live hotel prices for Castro and its surroundings so you can compare options.
Hire a car
The easiest way to reach Castro and the villages around it is a hire car from Santiago de Compostela (SCQ), about 1 h 1 min away.
Best time to visit Castro
When to visit Castro
- 9°CJan150 mm
- 11°CFeb78 mm
- 12°CMar146 mm
- 16°CApr74 mm
- 17°CMay101 mm
- 21°CJun94 mm
- 24°CJul19 mm
- 26°CAug14 mm
- 21°CSept112 mm
- 18°COct231 mm
- 14°CNov132 mm
- 9°CDec86 mm
Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
July and August are the best months. August is the warmest, with highs around 26°C and lows of 14°C, and it is also the driest month at just 14 mm of rain over about five days. July is similar, at around 24°C with only 19 mm of rain.
The rest of the year is markedly wetter. October is the wettest month, with about 231 mm of rain across 18 days, and March and November are also damp. Winters are cold for Spain, with January and December highs near 9°C and lows of 2°C. As Castro is inland, there is no sea temperature to consider.
Full monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 9°C | 2°C | 150 mm | 6 h |
| Feb | 11°C | 2°C | 78 mm | 8 h |
| Mar | 12°C | 4°C | 146 mm | 7 h |
| Apr | 16°C | 6°C | 74 mm | 10 h |
| May | 17°C | 8°C | 101 mm | 11 h |
| Jun | 21°C | 11°C | 94 mm | 12 h |
| Jul | 24°C | 13°C | 19 mm | 13 h |
| Aug | 26°C | 14°C | 14 mm | 12 h |
| Sept | 21°C | 11°C | 112 mm | 10 h |
| Oct | 18°C | 11°C | 231 mm | 7 h |
| Nov | 14°C | 7°C | 132 mm | 6 h |
| Dec | 9°C | 2°C | 86 mm | 6 h |
Averages 2015–2024. Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
Getting there from the UK
Getting to Castro from the UK
Santiago de Compostela (SCQ) is the nearest airport, 43 miles away and roughly an hour's drive, and it has direct flights from the UK. A Coruña (LCG) also has direct UK flights and is 55 miles away, about 1 hour 20 minutes by car. Asturias (OVD) is a third option with direct UK flights, 96 miles off and around 2 hours 15 minutes' drive.
Car hire is the practical choice for reaching Castro and exploring the surrounding towns. If you would rather drive from home, allow just under 17 hours of driving from Calais, best split over two or more days.
By air
- Santiago de Compostela (SCQ)43 miles, about 1 h 1 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- A Coruña (LCG)55 miles, about 1 h 17 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Asturias (OVD)96 miles, about 2 h 16 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
By car and ferry
Driving from Calais takes roughly 16 h 43 min without stops.
Around Castro
Day trips from Castro
Sarria is the closest larger town, only 9 miles away, while Samos is 13 miles off. The provincial capital, Lugo, is 17 miles away, as is Monforte de Lemos.
Further afield, Lobios and Quiroga are both about 25 miles away, Lalín is 28 miles and Castro Caldelas around 29 miles. All are easy to reach in a day with a hire car.
Tips from Robin
Practical tips for Castro
At 667 metres, Castro is cooler than you might expect for Spain, and nights stay fresh even in summer, with August lows around 14°C. Pack a warm layer whatever the month.
Rain is a serious factor outside July and August, so bring waterproofs for spring or autumn trips. And because Castro is a small town of around 5,800 people, plan on driving to Lugo or Sarria for a wider choice of shops and services.
Questions people ask
What is the nearest airport to Castro, Galicia?
Santiago de Compostela is the nearest, about 43 miles away and roughly an hour's drive. It has direct flights from the UK. A Coruña, 55 miles away, and Asturias, 96 miles away, also have direct UK flights.
When is the best time to visit Castro?
July and August are best. August averages highs of 26°C with only about 14 mm of rain, and July reaches around 24°C with 19 mm. Other months are noticeably cooler and wetter, with October the wettest.
Is Castro near the beach?
No. Castro is an inland town at 667 metres in the Provincia de Lugo, so it does not have a coastline. It suits travellers looking for a quiet rural base and easy access to nearby towns such as Lugo and Sarria.
Can you drive to Castro from the UK?
Yes. The drive from Calais takes just under 17 hours, so most travellers split it over two or more days. Flying to Santiago de Compostela and picking up car hire is the quicker alternative.
How far is Castro from Lugo?
Lugo is about 17 miles from Castro, making it an easy day trip. Monforte de Lemos is a similar distance, while Sarria is closer at just 9 miles.