There are few things as beautiful in Spain as the fishing villages of the Rías Baixas. Its traditional appearance, its granaries and docks facing the sea, its little boats dancing to the rhythm of the waves. It is an idyllic postcard, or at least, it was when my grandfather took me to this coastal town as a child. Spoiler: I'm not coming back, what a burden.
When we were little we went to Portonovo a lot, a town in Sanxenxo that was one of the most beautiful in Galicia. I remembered it as magical, so my expectations were very high when I returned with my partner. But the romantic getaway turned out poorly and it has been a rather disappointing trip. Be careful, the place is beautiful and the food exceptional, but I would not return.
The fault that the experience was not perfect is, once again, the excess of tourism. The overcrowding we found there was barbaric. Saturated beaches that blur the landscape, streets crowded with people, full restaurants and very expensive hotels due to high demand. In the end the local charm is completely diluted and you go from that calm, fishing essence to a nightmare of noise and queues.
Since it has so many tourists and is a small town with an old layout, the traffic jams that form or the attempt to park is simply impossible. During the day it is packed with cars and when night falls there is a lot of noise and partying, so I don't recommend it as a getaway to disconnect and rest.
In short, it is not the place to be if you are looking for a quiet and authentic experience of the Rías Baixas. At least, at the end of summer like I went. What at other times of the year is a charming fishing town, in summer it transforms into a place crowded with tourists, with an atmosphere that is much more touristy and commercial than authentic.
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