Ultimate Sanxenxo Guide – Galicia’s Chic Surf Town
Sanxenxo is one of our favorite surf towns in Galicia. It’s glitzy, yea, but it’s charming, characterful, and on the doorstep of beaches and breaks that can suit all level of surfer.
An introduction to Sanxenxo
Sanxenxo might just be the best surf town in Galicia.
We say “might” because there are some pretty stiff competition here…
A Coruna has down-to-earth vibes and access to both west and north-facing beaches. Ferrol is sleepy, chilled, rich in naval history, and right on the edge of the glorious Costa Ártabra coast, where some of the region’s very best surf spots – Pantin, Valdoviño – are in attendance.
But our eye is constantly drawn back to Sanxenxo. Sometimes called “The Beach of Madrid,” it’s a well-known vacation escape for dwellers in the capital come the summer. Long, arcing beaches like A Lanzada stretch along the shoreline just north of town, but there are umpteen coves and inlets to sunbathe and surf and relax in – more Blue Flag options than anywhere in Galicia, in fact.
Back in the town center and Sanxenxo flaunts a hint of Biarritz, a touch of San Sebastian. It’s glitzy and glamourous but not overly so. Fancy apartment blocks line the lovely sand run of Silgar (the town’s main urban beach) and a sunny promenade runs all the way along, linking up the old town areas where bars and tapas joints spill onto the sidewalks.
We’ve always LOVED coming here. Yes, it’s a touch showy. Yes, you might see celebs and Spanish glitterati about the place. But there’s a buzz about it and some of the finest surfing beaches in the whole of Spain beckon within 10-30 minutes’ drive.
This ultimate guide to Sanxenxo will run through everything you need to know about planning a surf trip (or just a trip) to the city. It’s got info on the very best places to surf, the best seasons, the top beaches, the finest hotels, and more. Let’s go…
We might use affiliate links in this post. Basically, you click em’ and we get a little something from your booking or purchase. They help us keep offering more and more in-depth surf guides to awesome places all around the globe. So, thanks for that!
This guide is just one part of our complete guide to surfing in Spain
What’s in this guide to Sanxenxo?
Where is Sanxenxo?
Sanxenxo is located on the northwest coast of Spain in the province of Pontevedra, Galicia. It sits along the Rías Baixas, a series of estuarine inlets known for their scenic beauty and mild climate.
The closest major city is Pontevedra, some 13km to the east. Madrid, the capital of Spain, is some 300 miles away to the southeast, though motorway connections are generally very good!
Sanxenxo isn’t actually sat on Galicia’s exposed surf coast. It’s tucked into a river inlet but is less than 10 minutes’ drive to some of the best west-facing beaches. That means you’ll largely be doing to the north of town, though there are other spots to the south if you fancy an adventure.
How to get to Sanxenxo?
Loads of Spanish holidaymakers shift from the cities of the south and center of the country to Sanxenxo when the hottest months roll around. Most of them will drive or catch the train. We like the drive or the fly-and-drive option, because having your own car here can make a big, big difference.
- Plane – Fly into Vigo Airport (45 minutes away) or Santiago de Compostela Airport (1 hour away). Both airports have car rental services and taxi options, not to mention low-cost links with fliers like Ryanair and Vueling. Talking of car rentals…we think a hire for a trip here is a top idea since it means you’ll be free to visit all the various surf spots near and far – driving the coast to seek out hidden surf spots is one of the great joys of a Galician surf trip! Use Kiwi to search for flights – we think they’ve got one of the best engines around.
- Car – From Vigo, take the AP-9 highway towards Pontevedra, then follow the PO-308 coastal road to Sanxenxo. From Santiago, also take the AP-9 southwards, exit at Pontevedra, and continue on the PO-308. Spain has very good motorways generally.
- Train – Take the train to Pontevedra from major cities like Madrid or Santiago. There are high-speed RENFE connections from the capital that take under 4 hours (they’re around $80-100 per person but the journey is a gorgeous one through the heart of northeast Spain). Once in Pontevedra, catch a bus or taxi to Sanxenxo, which is about 20 minutes away. Book with RailEurope if you want to get tickets online with ease.
- Bus – Numerous bus services run from major Galician cities like Vigo, Santiago, and A Coruña directly to Sanxenxo. The journey offers scenic views of the Galician countryside. There will also be Flixbuses and other cross-Euro coach services into those regional hubs, though we’d say trains are MUCH comfier and not all that more expensive in Spain.
Should you rent a car? Yes – probably. And certainly if you plan on surfing. As you’ll see below, some of the best things about the Sanxenxo region are within 10-20 mins drive of the town, plus the best surf spots are all located outside of the center, so having wheels at hand will be a gift.
Use RentalCars to hire in Spain – we think they’re the cheapest around, plus they often allow you to cancel up to 24 hours before.
Surfing in Sanxenxo
iStock.com / Javier García BlancoNotice we call Sanxenxo a surf town in the title of this guide. People might scoff at that because it’s not traditionally listed up there with A Conuna or Ferrol or Vigo as the best base for surfing in Galicia.
To that, we say this: Sanxenxo has balance.
To put it another way, this town has a proper holiday vibe, rich history, and fine wine, all with access to a series of beaches and breaks that work for all levels, and have such good consistency that they’ll even work in the peak summer months.
Let’s take a look at all the most popular surf spots around town to see what you can look forward to and why, exactly, we consider this one to be a pretty versatile base for surfers heading Galicia way…
Lanzada
Lanzada is a very long scythe of whitish sand that’s considered by many to be the very best in Galicia. It’s backed by a nature reserve and is so big that there’s rarely an issue with either crowds or localism (and the latter can be a specific problem in this part of Spain).
You can roughly break Lanzada up into three surf areas: North, South, and Central.
North and South are the more protected parts of the bay. Depending on swell angle, they’ll usually have the smaller sets. If it’s a big NWerly, then head north and wait for the wraparounds. If there’s more W or SW in the swell direction, then the south part of the bay is better. Both areas are sand-bottomed and each has their own dedicated surf school, which usually have a presence in the nearby car parks or on the sand.
The centre of Lanzada beach, running south from the main car park for a few hundred meters, is the swell magnet of the beach. It gets arguably the most swell of any point in the Sanxenxo region, which means good size in the winter. Because it’s sandbanks the whole way, it can’t handle more than 8 foot really, but they can be quality. We’re talking nice A-frame peaks with long, inviting lefts and steeper rights that can hollow or give airs. It’s very good fun down there when things shape up.
A strong W onshore will ruin the whole thing so beware of that!
Foxos
Two headlands around from Lanzada and closer to Sanxenxo center, the gorgeous bay of Foxos tends to be a playground for surf schools during the summer. There’s good protection from S and N winds since the rocks extend out quite far, but you get a similar exposure to W swells as on the beaches further north.
There are days, usually in the winter, when Foxos will muscle up. If it’s 5-8 foot, then there can be frothing lefts off the south rocks that are good fun, often quite fat, but still rippable and fast.
Montalvo
Directly west of the town center, Montalvo occupies a breathtaking corner of the peninsula where dunes merge with high cliffs studded with villas. The spot gets some wonderful surf but very rarely. It’s the fickle beast of the region. When it does come to life – usually with big 5-10 foot winter swells – it can throw out pumping beach break barrels that are like mini versions of Supertubos. It’s only for advanced surfers really.
Canelas Beach
Canelas Beach faces due south just three bays along from the center of Sanxenxo. For most of the summer, it will be flat as anything, and it’s usually just for sunbathing and swimming. Big winter S swells can bring it to life, but anything with W or NW in the compass will need to be huge to get it working.
If you do find dominant west swells in the 8-10 foot range than Canelas might just be the best place to learn to surf in the Sanxenxo area, often offering crumbly 2-foot bumps for total beginners. Ask about it at your surf school.
When to surf in Sanxenxo?
Sanxenxo is actually an all-year surf destination, like the rest of Galicia. Generally, the winter has the biggest swells and the summer has the smallest. That means the months of April-August are best for learners and beginners, while Nov-March is better for advanced surfers.
We’d actually reccomedn surfing here in the shoulder seasons of spring or fall. The big low-pressure winter storms that hover over the Bay of Biscay can throw down some heavy N or W winds, which can ruin the offering on the Sanxenxo beaches.
It’s better to hold out for calmer days in April and May, September and October. During those times, the NW swell channels in the Atlantic are still doing their thing, but winds are low or come from the S and E, which is offshore on the best beaches here. You’ll also find it WAAY less busy, as the holidaymakers will have departed for the season.
Top things to do in Sanxenxo
Surfing is popular on this coast and in Sanxenxo but it’s by no means the only thing to do. Spectacular beaches, enchanting old town areas, and some of the finest white wine in Spain is also on the menu. Here’s what to do when you’re not in the water…
Laze on Silgar Beach
Silgar Beach is very much the beating heart of Sanxenxo. It runs between two rocky outcrops in the middle of the town and has a bustling atmosphere all summer long.
It’s hard not to love, what with its golden sands and crystal-clear waters. Perfect for sunbathing, swimming, and people-watching, the 700-meter-strand is surrounded by a lively promenade filled with cafes, shops, and restaurants.
It’s an ideal spot for families and those looking to soak up the sun and enjoy the vibrant local culture.
Just be aware that there’s ZERO surf in Silgar. There’s just too much protection from the headlands to the west – no W or NW swell is strong enough to push in here, and it’s usually flat even in the winter time.
Explore the Marina
The Marina of Sanxenxo sums up the glitz of the town. It’s picturesque enough and a hub of activity all day long. We like to go and spot the luxury yachts we could have if we didn’t waste (AKA not waste) all our money on surf trips.
Take a leisurely stroll along the waterfront, dine at one of the upscale restaurants, or simply enjoy the stunning views of the sea – it’s sorta’ what evenings in Sanxenxo are all about!
A Lanzada Beach
A Lanzada Beach is located just 10 minutes’ drive to the north of Sanxenxo itself, so drive up or grab a taxi (they cost about $20, which is fine if you share with a few people).
It’s probably the most famous beach in the whole of Galicia. We can see why – it’s 2.5 miles of pure white-yellow sand backed by undulating dunes and a coastal lagoon. What’s not to love?
Well…for us, the crowds. Summers bring gazillions of people here and the place loses a touch of its charm. Remember this is Galicia – a 20-30 minute drive away from where you are and you can all but guarantee a totally empty beach with wild cliff scapes and clear seas.
It’s a great option for families, though, with a car park right by the sand and even a couple of surf schools on site.
Which brings us to our main note: A Lanzada is THE top surf spot in Sanxenxo. It’s uber-reliable and has all sorts of peaks with different shapes and angles to cater to a wide group of people. (Check our in-depth surf guide above for more info).
The Sanxenxo Old Town
Sanxenxo is actually pretty modern. The main beach is fronted by new-build condos and whatnot, though they’re charming and handsome and tastefully done.
That said, there is an older quarter, or, we should say, quarters, here that deserve some attention. The first is located about 30 minutes’ walk from Silgar Beach on the rocks above Portonovo port. It’s a maze of Galician townhouses and boutique hotels.
Closer to the heart of Sanxenxo proper, you’ll find a smaller clutch of old buildings at the western end of Silgar beach. That area features quaint stone buildings, traditional shops, and beautiful squares. There are cafes on most corners and it’s prime for people watching and relaxing in the shade of some authentic Galician architecture.
Day trip to Cambados
Not all that many people (especially not surfers) visit Cambados but we think that’s a bad idea. This is the home of the most gorgeous white wine on the whole planet – at least in our humble, non-sommelier opinion. Yep, Cambados is the birthplace of Albarino, a dry, crisp, citrusy Spanish white that pairs perfectly with super-warm summer days in Galicia.
It’s only 20 minutes by car from Sanxenxo. Easy to plan. Wine tasting spots EVERYWHERE!
Where to stay in Sanxenxo?
Sanxenxo has no shortage of stays, for both city breakers and surfers. What the town does exceptionally well is self-catering apartments and villas, which stud the gorgeous coast and the promenade from tip to toe.
There are some places – and we’ll make an effort to highlight these below – that put you within walking distance of surf spots. The downside with picking them is that you won’t be in the town center itself but you will be right on the waves. We will almost always make that choice.
However, staying in Sanxenxo center doesn’t mean forgoing the surf. There are either paid surf lessons that will transport you to the breaks, or, better, have a hire car and drive yourself to the waves whenever you want to surf – all of the spots listed above are less than 15 minutes’ drive from the town.
Anyway, here are our top hotels…
- Gran Talaso Hotel Sanxenxo – This is the piece de resistance of luxury hotels in Sanxenxo. An artful mix of modern and vintage, it’s got 50s styled rooms with sweeping 180 views of Silgar beach. There’s a stunning pool and walking access to the promenade, not to mention a Thalasso spa! If you can afford it, this one will make it a surf trip to remember.
- Villa Montalvo Beach – On the shoreline just above Montalvo Beach, this five-bedroom villa has jaw-dropping views and interiors laced with Portuguese tiles and real-wood. There’s a pool in the garden and you can walk to some of the more advanced surf spots, or drive 5 mins to find beginner surf.
- Hotel Delfin Azul – Facing the south side of Lanzada beach, Delfin Azul is a much-loved hotel with modern suites and a lovely onsite café-breakfast area. It’s a solid choice for all sorts of travelers – from couples to families – but is 10 minutes from the town center, nearer the surf than the sights.
Want more? Location is key in Sanxenxo if you want to be near the main surf beaches, so try searching for hotels using Booking.com’s cool map feature.
We might use affiliate links in this post. Basically, you click em’ and we get a little something from your booking or purchase. They help us keep offering more and more in-depth surf guides to awesome places all around the globe. So, thanks for that!
