Free walking tours in La Toja and what to see

Must-sees

La Toja, A Toxa in Galician, is a small island joined to O Grove by a bridge. You can explore it on foot or by bike at an easy pace. Its best-known image is the shell chapel, its walls covered in scallop shells. The island has lived from its thermal waters since the late 19th century, and its spas and hotels set the tone: calm, well kept and green with pines.

It is worth walking round the island on the path along the estuary, with views of O Grove and the mussel rafts. Across the bridge, O Grove has a fishing harbour, plenty of seafood and nearby beaches such as A Lanzada, long and open to the Atlantic. The Arousa estuary offers several short outings.

Free tours and guided visits

There are hardly any free tours on La Toja: the island is small and self-explanatory. What works well are the catamaran trips on the Arousa estuary from O Grove, with an explanation of mussel farming on the rafts and often a tasting on board. It is the most popular guided activity in the area.

If you want a pay-what-you-wish free tour, look in nearby cities such as Pontevedra or Santiago de Compostela, where they are common. Other interesting trips are Cambados, home of Albariño, with a winery visit, and Combarro, with its granaries by the sea. Both fit into a morning.

How long to spend

The island itself takes half a day. Most people stay two or three days and combine rest, the spa and outings in the area. One day can be for La Toja and O Grove with the catamaran trip, another for A Lanzada and Cambados, and a third for Combarro and Pontevedra. Leave some leeway, because the weather in Galicia changes fast.

Where to stay

Sleeping on the island is the quietest option: the hotels have spas or access to the thermal waters and there is hardly any traffic. If you prefer more atmosphere and a range of prices, stay in O Grove, near the harbour. From there you walk across to La Toja, seafood restaurants are close at hand and the boats leave for the estuary. In summer, the San Vicente do Mar beach area also works well.