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Beach · Vigo, Galicia
Praia de Samil
Urban beach of about 1.7 km south of Vigo's centre, with a promenade, pools, sports areas and views of the Illas Cíes.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Praia de Samil
Praia de Samil is Vigo's most visited beach, about 6 km south of the centre, at the mouth of the ria. It has roughly 1.7 km of light, fine sand, with generally calm seas and cold water, as along the Galician coast.
The promenade along the beach has palm trees, bars, restaurants and leisure facilities: outdoor pools open in summer, sports courts, a skatepark, playgrounds and a bike lane. On the horizon the Illas Cíes appear at the mouth of the ria.
Samil fills up on summer weekends, when residents of Vigo and the surrounding area head to the beach. Outside summer, the promenade is used for walking and running.
Nearby are other smaller beaches, such as O Vao, with the castro of Punta do Muíño, and Canido, as well as the Museo do Mar de Galicia in the Alcabre neighbourhood. City buses from the centre stop along the promenade.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
From 2 hours to half a day.
Best time
From June to September for swimming in the sea and the pools. In the late afternoon, the sun sets behind the Cíes.
How to get there
It is about 6 km from the centre. City buses leave the centre and take around 25 minutes; by car there is parking along the beach.
Tip
Combine the beach with the Museo do Mar de Galicia, 2 km along the promenade. Bring a jacket for the late afternoon: the Atlantic wind cools quickly.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Praia de Samil
Is the water at Samil cold?
Yes. The Atlantic water in Galicia is usually cold even in summer. The promenade’s pools are an alternative.
How to get to Samil by bus?
City buses depart from central Vigo and arrive in about 25 minutes.
Can you see the Cíes from Samil?
Yes. The islands appear on the horizon at the mouth of the ria.