Samil Beach commonly features on the list of blue flag beaches in Pontevedra province. It’s paradise for people who love to swim and be by the Atlantic Ocean from the moment the sun comes up, and indeed anyone who enjoys a stroll with a unique backdrop like the Cíes Islands.
- Description and location of the beach
- Samil Beach: appearance and facilities
- Activities on Samil Beach
- Where to eat at Samil Beach
- More beaches near Vigo
- Where to stay in Vigo
Description and location of the beach
Samil Beach is the largest beach in Vigo; it’s just over 1 km long and 15 m wide. Its fine, white sand has led many to describe it as the “Galician Caribbean”, provided the sun is out of course!
The beach is surrounded by an enormous promenade where you’ll see people doing sports, taking a stroll and simply enjoying one of the most incredible views in the area of the Cíes Islands lying out to sea.
This fantastic setting means you don’t even have to leave your towel to experience one of the most magical moments on Samil: the sunset. And if you’re ready to move off the sand, you can also watch it from the promenade or a terrace. It’s the perfect place to bid the day farewell while the sun dips behind the famous Galician islands, taking its time, just like everything seems to do on this side of the Atlantic.
Samil Beach: appearance and facilities
Samil Beach is only bordered by the promenade wall and is one of the most popular beaches in summer thanks to its extensive facilities. It has a large swimming area, white sand, is easy to get to and has plenty of parking – ticking four boxes of things that families look for in a beach, so it’s usually full of children and young people.
But it’s certainly not forbidden territory for couples, who often come here in the afternoon to enjoy the magnificent sunset.
Samil has all the facilities you’d expect at one of the best beaches in Galicia: toilets, changing rooms, showers and a lifeguard service. There are also three free swimming pools for children.
Activities on Samil Beach
The main thing people come to Samil Beach to do is have fun in the water and out of it. Some burn off their energy by walking or running along the promenade, a green space lined with palm trees that tempts you to discover other natural spaces in the area. Others have fun going for a bicycle ride, or taking a dip in the sea which is highly refreshing in all seasons.
As well as the promenade, the beach also has basketball courts and a roller rink so it’s a popular spot in both summer and winter.
Children will love it here because they can enjoy the three municipal pools, playgrounds and water slides, so it’s a fantastic place for children and adults alike.
And if you’d like to do something different that doesn’t involve swimming, there are two museums nearby that will fit the bill: the Verbum Museum, with exhibits related to communication, and the Sea Museum, which contains a fascinating aquarium.
Where to eat at Samil Beach
Samil promenade is packed with terraces where you can have something to eat and drink in both summer and winter. In fact, it’s a typical place to visit at aperitif time, especially when the sun comes out.
Two of the most popular restaurants are Camaleón and Marina Cíes Beach Club. You can enjoy artisan ice cream at Di San Remo or, if you’d like something more upmarket, try O Croque, which is right by the beach.
More beaches near Vigo
There are over a dozen blue flag beaches near Vigo each year, demonstrating the quality of its coastal areas in general. Some of the most famous include O Vao, in front of Toralla Island, and Canido, which is also very long and has white sand.
It’s well worth visiting O Adro, close to the marina in the coastal neighbourhood of Bouzas, where you’ll see lots of locals fishing in the lagoons that form here.
Where to stay in Vigo
One of the best accommodation options in Vigo is the Occidental hotel. It’s right in the city centre with views over the estuary, and very close to the shopping district, so you can easily reach most of the city’s attractions on foot.
It has 104 quiet, comfortable rooms that are perfect for guests of all kinds, from couples to families.
It also has fantastic facilities for events and business meetings, with the sea as the backdrop, and is well connected by train and road.
