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Sanxenxo lies on the northern shore of the Ría de Pontevedra, in the Rías Baixas, and has been Galicia’s leading beach destination for decades. Its coastline is a succession of urban beaches, rocky coves and, at its western end, the long stretch of A Lanzada, open to the Atlantic.
In summer, it fills with families and sailing enthusiasts; out of season, it returns to the pace of a fishing village. We’ve brought together six places to stay that we hand-pick, from seaside hotels to a villa near A Lanzada.
How to choose an area
The municipality is long and narrow, and each stretch of coastline has its own character:
- Sanxenxo centre: the promenade, marina and Silgar and Panadeira beaches. The liveliest area, with nightlife in season.
- Portonovo: the fishing village to the west, with its fish market and sheltered beaches such as Caneliñas, Canelas and Major. More family-friendly.
- Noalla and A Lanzada: towards O Grove, with Montalvo, Foxos and Areas Gordas. Houses, villas and pine groves; a car is almost essential here.
- Nantes, Dorrón and Areas: the more residential eastern side, close to Combarro and Pontevedra.
If you want to get around on foot and go out at night, choose the centre; with children, choose Portonovo; and for a group, a house in Noalla. On the Sanxenxo page, you’ll find all the places to stay we’ve selected in the municipality. You can also browse places in Portonovo and A Lanzada.
Where to stay in Sanxenxo
Here are the six we recommend, from the Silgar promenade to the beaches facing A Lanzada.
Hotel Mardevela
A simple hotel right by the beach: rooms with balconies look out to sea, and the 24-hour reception is handy if you arrive late. Free Wi-Fi is limited to the communal areas, and private parking costs extra; spaces can’t be reserved.
Loft Mardevela
One- and two-bedroom apartments for four or six people, with a terrace, bar and Carabuxeira beach less than 300 metres away. Pets are welcome at no extra charge if you ask in advance. It’s a place to relax: parties aren’t allowed, and quiet hours start at 9 pm.
Apartamentos Onzamar
Designed for families arriving by car: free private garage, an outdoor pool with a garden, and apartments sleeping up to six, with fully equipped kitchens. Silgar beach is just over a kilometre away, a good distance for alternating between the pool and the sand. A minimum two-night stay is required.
Hostal Casa Aurita Adults Only
Adults-only, with a garden, terrace, spa with a hot tub and continental breakfast, around 650 metres from Panadeira beach. A good fit for couples who want to combine beach time, snorkelling and water sports with relaxed afternoons. There’s no parking, and the minimum stay is three nights.
Hotel A Bota
A three-star hotel in the Portonovo area, close to Canelas and Caneliñas, with air conditioning and free Wi-Fi. Rooms with sea views have a terrace; standard rooms have a garden-facing balcony. An adapted room is available. Breakfast costs extra, as does parking, which must be reserved.
Mardesía
On the A Lanzada side, 700 metres from Foxos beach and close to Areas Gordas: a garden, hot tub, fully equipped kitchen and free parking with no reservation needed. Pets are welcome, a plus on this stretch of coast. Not all units are wheelchair accessible, so ask in advance if you need this.
Things to see and do in Sanxenxo
The beach is the main reason to visit. In 2026, Sanxenxo had 18 Blue Flag beaches, more than any other municipality in Spain, from Silgar and Panadeira to Montalvo and Pampaído, which received the award for the first time that year.
In the centre, the Silgar promenade leads to the Madama sculpture on the rocks and the marina. To the west, A Lanzada draws surfers to its dunes and Romanesque chapel, beside the remains of a defensive tower.
Boats to Ons Island, part of the Atlantic Islands National Park, leave from Sanxenxo and Portonovo. During Easter week and from 15 May to 15 September, entry is limited to 1,300 visitors a day. You’ll need a free permit from the Xunta, which you can request when buying your ticket.
Nearby trips
Less than half an hour by car, you’ll find the granaries over the sea in Combarro and Pontevedra’s old town. To the west are O Grove and A Toxa Island; to the north, Cambados and its Albariño wineries.
When to visit Sanxenxo
July and August are peak season: there’s plenty going on, but prices and traffic are also at their highest. June and September bring long days and much more room on the sand.
The pilgrimage of Our Lady of A Lanzada takes place on the last weekend of August, with the midnight Saturday swim through nine waves, a ritual associated with fertility. From October to May, many businesses close or reduce their opening hours, but it’s a good time for seafood and uncrowded walks.
Getting there and getting around
The nearest train station is in Pontevedra, around 20 kilometres away. In summer, the Xunta adds more direct buses between Pontevedra and Sanxenxo via the AP-9; they continue to Portonovo, stopping at the market and in Baltar.
The most convenient airports are Vigo, the closest, and Santiago. You can explore the centre and Portonovo on foot along the coast; for Noalla, A Lanzada and day trips, a car is useful, although parking in the centre is difficult in August.
Sanxenxo is one of the stops in our guide to where to stay in Galicia. If you’re travelling around the Rías Baixas, see where to stay in O Grove, where to stay in Pontevedra and where to stay in Vigo.
Frequently asked questions
Here are the questions we’re most often asked by people planning a few days in Sanxenxo.
What’s the best area to stay in Sanxenxo?
It depends on your trip. The centre, between Silgar and Panadeira beaches, is the best choice if you want to do everything on foot: stroll along the promenade, visit the marina, eat out and enjoy the summer nightlife. Portonovo, to the west, is more family-friendly, with a fishing port and sheltered beaches such as Canelas. If you’re travelling as a group or looking for a house with a garden, Noalla, towards A Lanzada, offers more space, but you’ll need a car.
Is it better to stay in Sanxenxo or Portonovo?
Portonovo is part of the municipality of Sanxenxo and very close to the centre, so the choice is more about atmosphere than distance. The centre has more bars, shops and nightlife, as well as the urban beach of Silgar. Portonovo retains the feel of a fishing village, with a fish market, seafood restaurants and sheltered beaches that are handy with children. You can walk along the coast between the two.
How do you get to Sanxenxo without a car?
The easiest option is to take the train to Pontevedra, on the Vigo–A Coruña line, and continue by bus. In summer, the Xunta adds more direct services via the AP-9 between Pontevedra and Sanxenxo, continuing to Portonovo. Timetables change each season, so check the Galicia public transport website. The nearest airports are Vigo and Santiago.
When is the best time to visit Sanxenxo?
July and August are the liveliest months, but they’re also the busiest, with more traffic and higher prices, so it’s worth booking ahead. June and September are usually the best options: long days, quieter beaches and almost everything open. The pilgrimage of A Lanzada takes place on the last weekend of August, with the nine-wave swim. From October to May, many businesses close or reduce their opening hours.
Can you visit Ons Island from Sanxenxo?
Yes. Boats to Ons, in the Atlantic Islands National Park, usually leave from Sanxenxo, Portonovo and Bueu. During Easter week and from 15 May to 15 September, the island admits a maximum of 1,300 visitors a day. You’ll need a free permit from the Xunta, which you can arrange when buying your ticket. For the rest of the year, visits are available in organised groups with a guide.
