Spain is still home to some secret paradises still unknown to foreign tourists: this is the case of this archipelago, where the wild nature is preserved thanks to a drastic restriction of visitors.
Far from the crowded beaches of the Balearic Islands or the Costa Brava, there are hidden gems in Spain that locals love but are ignored by mass tourism. To enjoy one of these little paradises, you must reserve your place on one of the ferries, the only authorized means of access.
Once there, a change of world is guaranteed: no car or pet, but 4.5 km of virgin nature to explore on foot. The landscapes follow each other, between granite chaos sculpted by the elements, fragrant undergrowth of pine and eucalyptus, carpets of flower broom and secret coves.
The sea is never far away, with its intense blue reminiscent of Brittany and blending with the sky. Birds are also at home: cormorants, seagulls, gulls… Their colonies nest on the cliffs and their cries provide the soundscape! To observe them, go to the Peito Lighthouse north of Monteagudo, an ideal vantage point for these protected species. A timeless place, cut off from the world, where we become aware of the fragile beauty of nature when we leave it in peace.
To preserve these exceptional places, the authorities have established strict attendance quotas. So this is the case of this Cies archipelago, on the coast of Galicia, which accepts only 1,800 visitors per day in the high season. Faro and to the south the discreet San Martiño.
They were declared a natural park in 1980 and then integrated into the Atlantic Islands of Galicia national park in 2001, forming a precious reserve of biodiversity. With its long sandy beaches and crystal clear waters, the archipelago has nothing to envy in the Caribbean. The famous daily newspaper The Guardian even placed Les Cies in its ranking to choose Rodas beach as the “most beautiful beach in the world”.
Les Cies also harbors remnants of a rich past that saw the Celts, the Romans and pirates succeed each other. To visit them, the ideal remains spring with the first flowers or autumn. In all cases you will need to book your ticket and get authorization from the national park. In the summer it is better to book early, because the 1,800 daily tickets go very quickly!