Sanxenxo and Praia de Silgar (Rías Baixas)

Sanxenxo is one of the busiest beach towns in Galicia, and Praia de Silgar is its town beach: 600–750 m of fine white sand with calm water, right in front of the seafront promenade and next to the marina. Sanxenxo lies on the north shore of the Ría de Pontevedra, reached from Pontevedra on the PO-308 or via the AP-9 motorway and the O Salnés expressway; the bus station is 700 m from the beach. Silgar has a Blue Flag, lifeguards, showers, toilets and access ramps. It suits families and anyone who wants a town beach with everything at hand; skip it in July and August if you want space or quiet, because the town rates summer occupancy as high.

Quick facts

• Names: Sanxenxo is the official Galician name; the Spanish form Sangenjo was official from 1877 to 1982 (Spanish Wikipedia); the beach is Praia de Silgar in Galician, Playa de Silgar in Spanish.
• Where: south-western coast of O Salnés, Pontevedra province. The municipality has 36 km of coast, from Punta Santa Mariña on the Ría de Pontevedra to A Fianteira on the Ría de Arousa (Concello de Sanxenxo).
• Coordinates: 42.4005, -8.8125 (middle of Silgar beach, OpenStreetMap).
• Silgar length: 600 m (Turismo de Galicia), 700 m (Concello de Sanxenxo) or 750 m with a width of 80 m (Spain.info). Fine white sand, calm water.
• Flags: Blue Flag and the Q tourist quality flag.
• Summer occupancy: high.
• Entry: free.

Access and parking

By car: the town hall names two main routes: the AP-9 motorway linking to the O Salnés expressway, or the PO-308 coast road from Pontevedra. Combarro and Pontevedra lie on the way in along the PO-308.

Parking: the nearest car park on OpenStreetMap is the paid underground Fonte de Ramos car park, about 300 m from the middle of the beach. Free car parks are marked further east, about 800 m away.

By bus: Sanxenxo bus station, served by Monbus, is at the Arnelas roundabout on the ring road, about 700 m north of the beach. The town hall says regular lines link Sanxenxo, Portonovo and other parishes with Pontevedra and Vigo, and that extra summer lines run from Pontevedra to the beaches. We could not check timetables.

By air: the nearest airports are Vigo (Peinador) and Santiago (Lavacolla).

What to expect

Silgar is a straight, sheltered urban beach between the old town and the marina. The Concello de Sanxenxo describes white, fine sand and calm water ideal for swimming, with a seafront promenade busy all year round. Spain.info calls it the biggest beach in Sanxenxo, with a long wall along the back of the sand and the promenade ending at the yacht club.

On a rock in the water stands the Madama de Silgar, a sculpture by Alfonso Vilar Lamelas. Along the promenade, OpenStreetMap marks more public art, a memorial to the aviator Piñeiro and, near the marina, the Pazo de los Duques de Patiño.

The town hall’s water-sports page lists sailing, catamaran trips, surfing, canoeing, water-skiing, kayaking and diving near the Atlantic Islands National Park; boat trips around the ría and catamarans to Ons Island also leave from Sanxenxo. At night, bars line the seafront from Silgar to the entrance of the port.

Practical details

Facilities at Silgar listed by the Concello de Sanxenxo:

• Parking, showers and toilets.
• Lifeguard post.
• Beach kiosk.
• Bins and daily beach cleaning.
• Access ramps for people with disabilities.

Spain.info adds sunshade, sun lounger and water-craft rental, and a tourist office nearby; OpenStreetMap places the tourist office near the marina, about 700 m east of the middle of the beach. The town hall’s page describes the Sanxenxo marina as having 400 berths, a shopping area with restaurants and covered parking; this information is from an older page and may have changed.

Accessibility and safety

Best time to visit

Outside July and August for swimming with fewer people. July and August are peak season, with summer bus lines from Pontevedra and a full calendar of local fiestas. The town hall’s list includes the San Ginés feast and Tourist Day in Sanxenxo on 25 August, and fireworks for Santa Rosalía on 4 September; dates may move to the nearest weekend. The promenade is busy all year.

Nearby alternatives

• A Lanzada Beach, 7.5 km away: 2.3 km of open Atlantic sand with dunes and stronger waves.
• Combarro, 9.5 km away: the village of hórreos on the same ría.
• Ons Island, 10 km away: the national-park island, with catamarans from Sanxenxo and a free Xunta authorisation required.
• O Grove and A Toxa, 11.5 km away: seafood town and spa island.
• Pontevedra Old Town, 14 km away: the car-free granite historic centre.

Distances are in a straight line from the middle of Silgar beach.

FAQ

Is there parking at Silgar beach?

Yes. The paid underground Fonte de Ramos car park is about 300 m from the beach, and OpenStreetMap shows free car parks about 800 m east.

Can you swim at Silgar?

Yes. It is a Blue Flag beach with calm water and a lifeguard post.

How do I get to Sanxenxo without a car?

By bus from Pontevedra or Vigo to Sanxenxo bus station, about 700 m from Silgar. Extra summer lines run from Pontevedra to the beaches.

How long is Silgar beach?

Between 600 and 750 m depending on the source; Spain.info gives 750 m long and 80 m wide.

Can you go to Ons Island from Sanxenxo?

Yes. The town hall lists catamaran trips to Ons. You need a free Xunta authorisation before booking the boat.

Sources and freshness