Palmeira Holidays: Galician Beach Village Guide
Provincia da Coruña · Galicia · Spain · 1,894 residents · on the coast
Palmeira is a small coastal village in the Provincia da Coruña, on the Atlantic side of Galicia, home to fewer than 2,000 people. Its own beach, Playa Palmeira, sits a few hundred yards from the centre, a second beach lies about a mile away, and the Isla Rúa Lighthouse stands roughly two and a half miles off. Summer is short and mild here, with August averaging 25°C and barely any rain, while autumn and winter bring heavy Atlantic downpours. Santiago de Compostela airport, with direct flights from the United Kingdom, is under an hour's drive, and the coastal towns of O Grove, Cambados and Sanxenxo are all within easy reach for days out.
Why go
- Playa Palmeira is only a few hundred yards from the village, so the beach is a short stroll.
- August is reliably fine, averaging 25°C with around four rainy days and just 20mm of rain.
- Santiago de Compostela airport has direct UK flights and is about 49 minutes away by car.
Top sights in Palmeira
Beaches and the Isla Rúa Lighthouse
The most notable sight near Palmeira is the Isla Rúa Lighthouse, about 2.4 miles from the village, a natural draw for couples and anyone who enjoys a coastal outlook. It makes a good focus for an afternoon outing.
Closer to home, Playa Palmeira is the village beach, roughly 0.2 miles from the centre and well suited to families. A second family-friendly beach lies about a mile away, useful when you fancy a change of sand.
There are dozens of tours and activities in the wider area, and you can book tours and tickets directly from the cards on this page.
Tours & tickets in Palmeira
Guided tours, day trips and tickets in and around Palmeira can be booked in advance, priced in GBP.
See tours & tickets (opens GetYourGuide in a new tab)Where to stay in Palmeira
A quiet base by the beach
With a population of under 2,000, Palmeira is a quiet place to stay rather than a resort town. Almost anywhere in the village puts you within walking distance of Playa Palmeira, so the choice is less about coast versus centre and more about how peaceful you want your evenings to be.
If you prefer a bigger town around you, Sanxenxo, with over 17,000 residents, is about 15 miles away, and O Grove and Cambados are closer still. This page shows live hotel prices so you can compare options for your dates.
Hire a car
The easiest way to reach Palmeira and the villages around it is a hire car from Santiago de Compostela (SCQ), about 49 min away.
Best time to visit Palmeira
When to visit Palmeira
- 14°CJan197 mm
- 15°CFeb99 mm
- 15°CMar232 mm
- 18°CApr100 mm
- 19°CMay117 mm
- 22°CJun80 mm
- 23°CJul53 mm
- 25°CAug20 mm
- 21°CSept123 mm
- 20°COct371 mm
- 17°CNov209 mm
- 14°CDec164 mm
Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
August is the standout month: the warmest of the year at around 25°C by day and 18°C at night, with only about four rainy days and 20mm of rain. July is a close second at 23°C, though with roughly twice as many wet days, and June averages 22°C.
This is the wet Atlantic coast, and it shows outside summer. October is by far the wettest month, with around 371mm of rain over 20 days, and March is nearly as unsettled, with rain on about 21 days. Winter highs sit around 14°C to 15°C, mild but damp, so a beach holiday really belongs to high summer.
Full monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 14°C | 9°C | 197 mm | 6 h |
| Feb | 15°C | 9°C | 99 mm | 8 h |
| Mar | 15°C | 10°C | 232 mm | 8 h |
| Apr | 18°C | 12°C | 100 mm | 11 h |
| May | 19°C | 13°C | 117 mm | 12 h |
| Jun | 22°C | 16°C | 80 mm | 13 h |
| Jul | 23°C | 17°C | 53 mm | 12 h |
| Aug | 25°C | 18°C | 20 mm | 12 h |
| Sept | 21°C | 16°C | 123 mm | 10 h |
| Oct | 20°C | 16°C | 371 mm | 7 h |
| Nov | 17°C | 13°C | 209 mm | 6 h |
| Dec | 14°C | 10°C | 164 mm | 6 h |
Averages 2015–2024. Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
Getting there from the UK
Flights and driving from the UK
Santiago de Compostela (SCQ) is the most convenient airport, about 35 miles from Palmeira and roughly 49 minutes by car, with direct flights from the United Kingdom. A Coruña (LCG) also has direct UK flights; it is about 58 miles away, around an hour and 20 minutes' drive.
Vigo (VGO) is actually the closest airport at about 29 miles, or 42 minutes, but it has no direct flights from the UK, so it suits travellers connecting elsewhere.
Driving all the way is possible: from Calais, allow roughly 18 hours behind the wheel, best split over two or three days. Car hire from either Santiago or A Coruña is the simplest way to explore the coast once you arrive.
By air
- Santiago de Compostela (SCQ)35 miles, about 49 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- A Coruña (LCG)58 miles, about 1 h 22 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Vigo (VGO)29 miles, about 42 min by road
By car and ferry
Driving from Calais takes roughly 17 h 55 min without stops.
Palmeira is good for
Around Palmeira
Day trips along the Galician coast
O Grove is the nearest town, about 7.5 miles away, with Cambados around 9 miles off. A little further, Muros and the small village of Portonovo are both about 14 miles away, and Sanxenxo, the largest town nearby, is around 15 miles.
Combarro lies about 16 miles from Palmeira, while Carnota and Padrón are each around 18 miles, so even the furthest of these makes a comfortable day out by car.
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Tips from Robin
Practical tips for Palmeira
Pack a waterproof whatever the month. Even July averages eight rainy days, and outside June to August rain is frequent and heavy, so plan indoor or town-based days as back-ups.
Palmeira is a village of under 2,000 people, so expect a low-key stay; for a wider choice of places to eat and shop, nearby towns such as Sanxenxo, O Grove and Cambados are within a short drive. A hire car makes a real difference here, both for the airport run and for reaching the lighthouse and surrounding towns.
Questions people ask
What is the nearest airport to Palmeira with direct UK flights?
Santiago de Compostela (SCQ) is the nearest airport with direct flights from the United Kingdom. It is about 35 miles from Palmeira, roughly a 49-minute drive. A Coruña (LCG) also has direct UK flights and is around 58 miles away.
When is the best time to visit Palmeira?
August is the best month, averaging 25°C with only about four rainy days and 20mm of rain. July and June are also warm, at 23°C and 22°C, but wetter. Autumn is very rainy, with October the wettest month.
Does Palmeira have a beach?
Yes. Playa Palmeira is the village beach, only about 0.2 miles from the centre and suited to families. There is a second beach roughly a mile away, and the Isla Rúa Lighthouse is about 2.4 miles off.
Is Palmeira lively or quiet?
Palmeira is quiet, with a population of under 2,000. It suits travellers wanting a calm beach base. For a bigger town, Sanxenxo is about 15 miles away, while O Grove and Cambados are within 9 miles.
Can you drive to Palmeira from the UK?
Yes. The drive from Calais takes roughly 18 hours, so most people split it over two or three days. There are no ferry ports listed nearby, and flying to Santiago or A Coruña with car hire is quicker.
What day trips can you take from Palmeira?
O Grove (7.5 miles) and Cambados (9 miles) are closest. Muros, Portonovo and Sanxenxo are all around 14 to 15 miles away, while Combarro, Carnota and Padrón lie between 16 and 18 miles from Palmeira.