In the waters where the best raw material grows to produce exceptional canned fish, there’s a natural paradise and one of our treasures: Cies Islands, located in the Ría de Vigo. Cies, which belongs to Parque Nacional Illas Atlánticas, was declared Natural Park in 1980 and for some years struggles to enter the exclusive group of treasures World Heritage. The Romans called them ‘islands of the gods’, and they were not very misleading.
Three islands form this archipelago: Monte Agudo, O Faro and San Martiño. The first two joined by the beach of Rodas, which in 2007 was considered the best beach in the world by The Guardian.
Crystalline waters, fine white sand, and great fauna and flora of high ecological value, make these three small islands a magical enclave. Going to the beach, hiking the island or snorkel are some of the activities you can practice in this paradise of Vigo.
Main you, the only way to get to the Cíes Islands is by sea, using the ferries that operate in Ría de Vigo and surroundings. Because it is a protected natural space, access to the park is limited to 1,800 visitors daily, so it is advisable to book in advance.