Camping Río Ulla

It's a couple of kilometres to the coast and along a sandy causeway from here to reach Cortegada Island, an almost tidal isle making up part of the Atlantic Islands of Galicia National Park. The north side of the island is the site of the biggest bay laurel forest in Europe – and the last wild laurel forest of Galicia – while the islands in general are a Special Protection Area for birds: go to see what you can see flitting above the trees. Another island causeway, a bird sanctuary and more beaut beaches are at Arousa Island about 25 minutes' away, reachable this time by a car carriageway. It's well worth a wander around its sands and old fishermen's houses during the day, then staying on into the evening for a dinner of paella, salmon or other local dishes from one of the many excellently priced restaurants. Villagarcía de Arosa eight road kilometres away is a place for parties, with regular festivals in all seasons including the annual carnival early in the year, a music festival in June, a water festival in August and another festival dedicated to tasty clams, held for a couple of weeks each August. Province capital Pontevedra is about 35 minutes' drive away.