O Grove, Galicia: Beaches, Aquarium and Getting There
Provincia de Pontevedra · Galicia · Spain · 10,700 residents · on the coast
O Grove is a coastal town of around 10,700 people in the province of Pontevedra, on Galicia's Atlantic side, sitting just 13 metres above sea level. It suits families and beach lovers. Praia Cruz das Animas is barely a mile from the centre, and the long sweep of A Lanzada beach is about 3 miles away. Closer to town, the Acuario do Grove gives children something to look forward to, while the old necropolis of Adro Vello adds a quieter, older layer to a day out. Santiago de Compostela airport, served by direct flights from the United Kingdom, is under an hour's drive. That makes O Grove an easy choice for a week or a fortnight by the sea.
Why go
- A Lanzada, the area's best-known beach, lies about 3 miles from town and suits families.
- The Acuario do Grove, around 1.5 miles away, makes an easy rainy-day or family outing.
- Santiago de Compostela airport has direct UK flights and is roughly 51 minutes' drive away.
Top sights in O Grove
Beaches, Aquarium and Ancient Graves
The headline sight is the Beach of A Lanzada, about 3 miles from O Grove and the most widely known spot on this stretch of coast. It is a natural choice for a full beach day with children. Nearer the centre, Praia Cruz das Animas is just over a mile away. It is handy for a morning swim or an evening stroll without getting the car out.
For something beyond the sand, Adro Vello is an archaeological site about 3.5 miles away in San Vicente do Grove. It is a necropolis and gives a sense of how long people have lived on this shore. Families will also want the Acuario do Grove, an aquarium around 1.5 miles from town.
Tours, tickets and activities in and around O Grove can be booked directly on this page. There are currently 26 to choose from, shown in the booking cards.
1beach
2archaeological site
3aquarium
4beachPraia Cruz das Animas
1 mile from the centre · Photo
Tours & tickets in O Grove
Guided tours, day trips and tickets in and around O Grove can be booked in advance, priced in GBP.
See tours & tickets (opens GetYourGuide in a new tab)Where to stay in O Grove
Choosing a Base in O Grove
O Grove is a small coastal town, so most places to stay are within easy reach of both the centre and the water. Staying close to the centre puts Praia Cruz das Animas and the aquarium within a short hop. Basing yourself on the side towards San Vicente do Grove brings you nearer to A Lanzada and Adro Vello.
With a population of around 10,700, the town has a more relaxed pace than larger resorts nearby such as Sanxenxo. That suits families and travellers after a quieter holiday. Live hotel prices for O Grove are shown on this page, so you can compare options for your dates.
Hire a car
The easiest way to reach O Grove and the villages around it is a hire car from Santiago de Compostela (SCQ), about 51 min away.
Best time to visit O Grove
Getting there from the UK
Flying and Driving to O Grove
The most convenient gateway from the United Kingdom is Santiago de Compostela, which has direct flights from the UK. It is about 36 miles from O Grove, roughly a 51-minute drive. A Coruña airport also has direct UK flights. It sits about 61 miles away, around an hour and a half by road.
Vigo is the closest airport, at about 22 miles and a 31-minute drive. However, it has no direct flights from the UK, so reaching it usually means changing planes. Car hire at the airport is the simplest way to reach the town and explore the beaches around it.
If you would rather bring your own car, the drive from Calais takes around 18 hours of driving time. Plan it as a multi-day trip through France and northern Spain. There are no ferry ports listed for this part of the coast.
By air
- Santiago de Compostela (SCQ)36 miles, about 51 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- A Coruña (LCG)61 miles, about 1 h 27 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 58 min without stops.
O Grove is good for
Around O Grove
Day Trips Along the Coast
Cambados is only about 3 miles away, close enough for a lunch trip or an afternoon wander. A little further on, Sanxenxo, Portonovo and Palmeira are each about 7.5 miles away. Sanxenxo is the largest of the three, with around 17,000 residents, and offers a livelier change of scene. Combarro is roughly 9 miles away.
For a proper town day, Pontevedra lies about 12 miles from O Grove and is the provincial capital, home to over 80,000 people. Bueu is also around 12 miles away. Moaña, at about 16 miles, is the furthest of the easy outings and makes a good half-day drive.
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Tips from Robin
Practical Tips for Your Stay
Although Vigo is the nearest airport, check flights into Santiago de Compostela or A Coruña first. Both have direct services from the UK, and the extra drive time from Santiago is only around 20 minutes.
O Grove is a small town, and its best-known sights are spread out. A Lanzada and Adro Vello are both more than 3 miles away, so car hire makes beach days and day trips far easier, especially with children.
The town sits right at sea level on the Atlantic coast. Pack for the seaside rather than the city, and keep a layer handy for evenings by the water.
Questions people ask
What is the nearest airport to O Grove with direct flights from the UK?
Santiago de Compostela is the nearest airport with direct flights from the United Kingdom. It is about 36 miles from O Grove, roughly a 51-minute drive. A Coruña also has direct UK flights but is further, at about 61 miles.
How far is A Lanzada beach from O Grove?
The Beach of A Lanzada is about 3 miles from O Grove. It is the best-known beach in the area and is well suited to families. Praia Cruz das Animas is closer still, at just over a mile from town.
Is O Grove good for a family holiday?
Yes. Families have two beaches close by, Praia Cruz das Animas and A Lanzada, plus the Acuario do Grove aquarium about 1.5 miles away. As a town of around 10,700 people, it has a calmer pace than larger resorts nearby.
Can I fly into Vigo for O Grove?
Vigo is the closest airport, about 22 miles or a 31-minute drive away. It has no direct flights from the UK, though, so you would need to connect. Santiago de Compostela is usually the easier option from Britain.
What day trips can I take from O Grove?
Cambados is about 3 miles away. Sanxenxo, Portonovo and Palmeira are around 7.5 miles away, and Combarro is roughly 9 miles. For a larger town, Pontevedra and Bueu are both about 12 miles away, and Moaña is around 16 miles.
Do I need a car in O Grove?
It helps. The main beach, A Lanzada, and the Adro Vello necropolis are both over 3 miles from town. Nearby towns such as Cambados and Pontevedra are also easiest by car. Car hire from Santiago de Compostela airport is a practical choice.