Sanxenxo Holidays: Beaches, Weather and Getting There
Provincia de Pontevedra · Galicia · Spain · 17,212 residents · on the coast
Sanxenxo is a coastal town of around 17,000 people in the Provincia de Pontevedra, on Galicia's Atlantic side of north-west Spain. It sits just 11 metres above sea level, and its appeal is easy to explain: three family-friendly beaches, Playa del Silgar, Panadeira and Lavapanos, all lie within about a quarter of a mile of the centre. Summer is the time to come. August brings highs of 25°C and only three rain days on average. Santiago de Compostela airport, with direct flights from the United Kingdom, is under an hour's drive away. Fishing villages and the old town of Pontevedra are all within a dozen miles, which makes Sanxenxo a practical base for a beach holiday in Galicia.
Why go
- Playa del Silgar, Panadeira and Lavapanos beaches are all within a quarter of a mile of town.
- August averages 25°C highs with just three rain days, the driest month of the year.
- Santiago de Compostela airport has direct UK flights and is roughly 56 minutes' drive away.
Top sights in Sanxenxo
Beaches on Sanxenxo's Doorstep
The headline attraction is Playa del Silgar, the best-known beach in town and about a quarter of a mile from the centre. It is the one most visitors head for first, and it suits families well.
Two smaller beaches sit just as close. Panadeira is also around a quarter of a mile out, and Lavapanos is a touch nearer at roughly 0.2 miles. Both are family-friendly, and having three beaches within a short walk means you can move between them as the day goes on.
Beyond the sand, tours and tickets for activities in and around Sanxenxo can be booked directly on this page.
Tours & tickets in Sanxenxo
Guided tours, day trips and tickets in and around Sanxenxo can be booked in advance, priced in GBP.
See tours & tickets (opens GetYourGuide in a new tab)Where to stay in Sanxenxo
Choosing a Base in Sanxenxo
Sanxenxo is compact. All three of its main beaches lie within about a quarter of a mile of the centre, so staying in town puts you within walking distance of the sea wherever you choose. Families who want to walk to the beach without a car will find the area around Playa del Silgar the most convenient.
If you would rather be somewhere smaller, Portonovo is just over a mile away and has a population of around 2,200. It makes a quieter alternative that is still close to Sanxenxo. This page shows live hotel prices for your dates, so you can compare options in both.
Hire a car
The easiest way to reach Sanxenxo and the villages around it is a hire car from Santiago de Compostela (SCQ), about 56 min away.
Best time to visit Sanxenxo
When to Visit Sanxenxo
- 14°CJan253 mm
- 15°CFeb119 mm
- 15°CMar258 mm
- 18°CApr109 mm
- 19°CMay130 mm
- 22°CJun80 mm
- 24°CJul37 mm
- 25°CAug20 mm
- 22°CSept147 mm
- 20°COct407 mm
- 18°CNov234 mm
- 14°CDec171 mm
Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
July and August are the best months by a clear margin. July averages highs of 24°C with seven rain days, and August is both the warmest and the driest month, at 25°C, around 20 mm of rain and just three wet days. June comes close behind at 22°C and nine rain days, and it is a reasonable choice if you prefer the start of summer.
This is the Atlantic coast, and the rest of the year is far wetter. October is the rainiest month, with roughly 407 mm over 19 days, and March and November are also very wet. Winter highs sit around 14°C to 15°C, so outside summer Sanxenxo suits a mild, showery break rather than a beach holiday.
Full monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 14°C | 9°C | 253 mm | 6 h |
| Feb | 15°C | 8°C | 119 mm | 8 h |
| Mar | 15°C | 10°C | 258 mm | 7 h |
| Apr | 18°C | 11°C | 109 mm | 11 h |
| May | 19°C | 13°C | 130 mm | 12 h |
| Jun | 22°C | 16°C | 80 mm | 13 h |
| Jul | 24°C | 16°C | 37 mm | 12 h |
| Aug | 25°C | 17°C | 20 mm | 12 h |
| Sept | 22°C | 15°C | 147 mm | 10 h |
| Oct | 20°C | 15°C | 407 mm | 7 h |
| Nov | 18°C | 12°C | 234 mm | 6 h |
| Dec | 14°C | 8°C | 171 mm | 6 h |
Averages 2015–2024. Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
Getting there from the UK
Flying and Driving from the UK
Santiago de Compostela is the most useful airport. It has direct flights from the United Kingdom and lies about 40 miles from Sanxenxo, roughly 56 minutes by car. A Coruña also has direct UK flights, but it is further away, at around 66 miles or about an hour and a half's drive.
Vigo is the closest airport, only about 15 miles away and around 21 minutes by road, but it has no direct flights from the United Kingdom, so you would need to connect. Car hire from any of the three makes onward travel simple.
If you are driving all the way, allow roughly 18 hours behind the wheel from Calais, which makes it a journey to split over two or more days.
By air
- Santiago de Compostela (SCQ)40 miles, about 56 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- A Coruña (LCG)66 miles, about 1 h 34 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Vigo (VGO)15 miles, about 21 min by road
By car and ferry
Driving from Calais takes roughly 18 h 2 min without stops.
Sanxenxo is good for
Around Sanxenxo
Day Trips Around the Rías
Portonovo is the nearest neighbour, just over a mile away. Combarro and Bueu are both about 6 miles off, and O Grove, with around 10,700 residents, is roughly 7 miles away.
Cambados is about 8 miles from Sanxenxo. Pontevedra, the provincial capital with a population of nearly 83,000, and Moaña are both around 9 miles away. For a proper city day, Vigo is about 12 miles away and, with almost 294,000 people, is the largest place in the area.
.jpg/500px-Catedral_de_Santiago_de_Compostela_agosto_2018_(cropped).jpg)
Tips from Robin
Practical Tips for Your Stay
Pack a waterproof even in summer. July averages seven rain days, and conditions turn much wetter from September, so a light rain jacket earns its place in the suitcase.
Check which airport you are flying into. Vigo looks closest on the map, but only Santiago de Compostela and A Coruña have direct flights from the UK. For most travellers, Santiago is the better choice.
Sanxenxo is a town of about 17,000 people, and its beach-and-family character makes it very seasonal. Book July and August stays early, and hire a car if you want to explore the neighbouring towns.
Questions people ask
What is the nearest airport to Sanxenxo with direct UK flights?
Santiago de Compostela is the nearest airport with direct flights from the United Kingdom. It is about 40 miles from Sanxenxo, roughly 56 minutes by car. A Coruña also has direct UK flights but is around 66 miles away, about an hour and a half's drive.
Can I fly into Vigo for Sanxenxo?
Vigo airport is the closest, about 15 miles away and roughly 21 minutes by road. However, it has no direct flights from the United Kingdom, so you would need a connecting flight. Most UK travellers find Santiago de Compostela more convenient.
What is the weather like in Sanxenxo in summer?
Summer is the best time to visit. July averages highs of 24°C with seven rain days, while August reaches 25°C with only around three rain days and about 20 mm of rain. That makes August the warmest and driest month of the year.
Is Sanxenxo good for a family beach holiday?
Yes. Its three main beaches, Playa del Silgar, Panadeira and Lavapanos, are all family-friendly and lie within about a quarter of a mile of the town centre. You can reach the sand easily on foot without needing a car each day.
When is the rainiest time in Sanxenxo?
October is the wettest month, with around 407 mm of rain over 19 days. March, January and November are also very wet. If you want dry beach weather, aim for July or August rather than spring or autumn.
How long does it take to drive to Sanxenxo from Calais?
Allow roughly 18 hours of driving from Calais to Sanxenxo. Most people split the journey over two or more days. Flying to Santiago de Compostela and hiring a car is considerably quicker for a typical week or fortnight away.