From cabins to bubbles... here are the most original places you can stay in Galicia

In Galicia you can of course spend the night in a hotel, though you can also stay in an hórreo (a traditional mill), a palloza (a traditional thatched house typical of the region), or even in a lighthouse on an island or in an old monastery in the heart of the beautiful Ribeira Sacra region.

More and more travellers are not just looking for a roof over their head, but want their accommodation to be an authentic experience in itself, and there is definitely something for everyone in Galicia. You can find some truly original experiences in the region, from transparent bubbles in which you can marvel at the night sky as you relax in a whirlpool bath, to cabins nestled among the trees, or quaint little houses from right out of The Hobbit. 

Bubble domes for sleeping under the stars

Can you imagine sleeping —quite literally— under the stars, but warm and sheltered from the rain? This is only possible in a transparent bubble dome and in Galicia you have several options. The Luzada skylight bubbles in Xove, or the Albarri bubble domes in Sanxenxo and Oleiros, are among the most popular, because they also include a telescope, whirlpool bathtub and homemade breakfast, as if the experience wasn’t enough in itself.

Cabins in the middle of nature

They hit the scene just over ten years ago as an exciting new accommodation option and have become increasingly popular ever since. While there are now dozens to be found across the region, perhaps one of the best known sites is Cabañitas del Bosque in Outes, which is camouflaged among the treetops for those seeking absolute disconnection and peace. The Cabañas de Fisterra cabins are also an excellent choice due to their unrivalled views, and while you’re there you can also enjoy a relaxing massage or a mariscada (seafood platter).

Sleeping in a 6th century monastery

This novel accommodation is located in the heart of the Ribeira Sacra region and was once the monastery of Santo Estevo. It has since been converted into a Parador hotel under the same name, with a spa and 77 rooms, each of them different, but with one thing in common: spectacular views out over the Sil Canyon.

A hobbit house in Viveiro

Half-buried and with green roofs, these three unique buildings are strongly reminiscent of the hobbit houses fondly described in The Lord of the Rings saga. Indeed, they look like a mini Hobbiton, except that the ones in A Mariña come with an internet connection, microwave, fridge and flat-screen TV. They are also bioclimatic and built into the natural environment, making them perfect for outdoor activities.

Lighthouse of Illa Pancha

Not only is the lighthouse of Illa Pancha, in Ribadeo, a guiding light for sailors, it is also now a fascinating accommodation option for tourists. The firm Eirobra fitted out the old lighthouse, which now features a cafeteria and two tourist apartments, able to sleep up to eight people. Both lodgings come with a TV and a fully equipped open-plan kitchen with fridge freezer, microwave, induction hob, coffee maker, juicer and toaster.

Palloza de Baltasar

This original thatched accommodation could not be in any other place than the beautiful village of Os Ancares. This pre-Roman house, located in the heart of the mountains of Lugo, has been converted into a tourist lodging, though without losing any of its charm. It features three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a living room and a garden and is able to sleep up to six people.

Cabanas de Vendaval

Azul, amarillo, verde, gris y rojo. Esos son los llamativos colores de estas cinco casetas de madera al lado del mar en Malpica, en las que, entre otras cosas, puedes ver las estrellas desde una bañera de hidromasaje. Además, con su amplio jardín, su parque infantil, sus hamacas y su zona de barbacoa es un destino ideal para viajar en familia.

“Glamping”, a winning combination of camping and luxury

Yes, they are tents, but they include almost as many amenities and creature comforts as a hotel room. This kind of lodging has become hugely popular across of all Galicia as you have —aside from comfortable mattresses and proper beds with box springs— a fan, mini-fridge, bedside tables with light, mirrors and wardrobes.

Windmills with the river as a soundtrack

Right in the heart of the Camino de Santiago is an old mill that has been moonlighting as a fabulous accommodation option for the last 20 years. Molina Catasol can be found in Melide and was lovingly restored in 2003, while respecting the original construction. It can sleep up to six people and has a large garden with a small river running through it. Yet the owners are not the only ones to have come up with this novel idea. Other options include the Muíños do Maizoso rural houses in Paderne, which are surrounded by a two-hectare estate in the Chelo nature reserve, right next to the river Mandeo.

Spending the night in an hórreo

About ten years ago, someone had the bright idea of converting an hórreo (traditional granary) into tourist accommodation and this trend has caught on in a big way, with more and more owners choosing to convert their homes into rural tourism lodgings. There are now many to choose from across all of Galicia, with notable examples including Casa Entremuros (Carballo), Lar de San Adrián (Coristanco) and Costa Caión (A Laracha).

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