Illas Atlanticas National Park

The Parque Nacional Illas Atlánticas (Atlantic Islands National Park) is an incredible marine-terrestrial park formed by a chain of islands that run from the Arosa estuary to the Vigo estuary; a natural paradise of steep cliffs and protected seabeds of exceptionally rich marine life.

The National Park is 8,480 hectares in size, over 1,000 of them on land, and its main attraction are the Cíes Islands, an archipelago where all natural systems linked to coastal areas and the Eurosiberian region continental shelves are represented.

Thickets, dunes, beaches, rich seabeds… make up an impressive natural mosaic with over 200 species of algae that coexist with a wide variety of fish, shellfish, and sea birds that nest on the cliffs of the Cíes.

Cíes Islands – The islands of the gods

The Cíes Islands are the Vigo estuary’s greatest treasure: an amazing national marine-terrestrial park and one of the country’s most beautiful places, which is why the Romans named them the islands of the gods.

The Cíes archipelago is made up of three islands: Monte Agudo, O Faro and San Martiño. The first two are connected by a long strip of sand: Rodas Beach, the best beach in the world, according to The Guardian.

The Cíes are part of the Atlantic Islands National Park, a beach paradise with crystalline waters, in a natural environment that makes it a unique wildlife observatory.

A visit to the Cíes is ideal for hiking with your family or for a getaway in search of quiet and unspoilt beaches. You can take a day boat trip to the Cíes or rent a yacht in Vigo. Or, if you prefer, spend a weekend camping in the Cíes Islands. It’s also a great place for diving in the Vigo estuary and, with a bit of luck, you can swim surrounded by arroaces (native, smaller sized dolphins).