Sanxenxo, Spain. Four Days on Galicia's Coast That Flew By
After a few quieter days in Donón, I made my way to Sanxenxo, where I stayed from 9 to 13 June. Known as one of Galicia's most popular seaside destinations, Sanxenxo has a completely different atmosphere from the small coastal villages I'd visited earlier on the trip. There's a long sandy beach right in the centre of town, a lively marina filled with yachts, plenty of cafés and restaurants, and a promenade that's perfect for an evening walk.
For this part of my trip, I stayed at Hotel Silgar 92, just a short walk from Silgar Beach and close enough to explore most of the town on foot. It was a great base for discovering the area, and if you're wondering what the hotel was like, I've already shared a full review covering the rooms, breakfast, facilities and everything else you need to know.
Read my full review of Hotel Silgar 92 here: https://www.golfingwithchris.com/blog/three-4-star-hotels-in-galicia-that-quietly-stole-the-show
One thing I enjoyed about Sanxenxo was how easy it was to settle into a routine. Most mornings started with a walk along Praia de Silgar, watching locals out for a run or enjoying an early swim before the beach became busier later in the day. From there, I'd usually wander towards the marina, stopping to admire the boats before finding somewhere for breakfast. The town itself isn't packed with famous landmarks, but that's not really the reason people come here. It's somewhere to slow down, enjoy the coastline and spend a few days eating well while exploring Galicia's beautiful Rías Baixas region.
Like every stop on this trip, I found one café that quickly became my favourite place to start the morning.
1. Club del Café. The Morning Coffee Stop I'd Happily Return To
Image courtesy of Club del Café.
Rúa Joaquín Costa, 24, 36001 Pontevedra | Monday to Saturday 8:30am to 8:30pm | Around 18 minutes by car from Hotel Silgar 92
Although there are plenty of places to grab a coffee in Sanxenxo, I didn't mind making the short drive to Pontevedra after hearing so many good things about Club del Café. About 18 minutes from Hotel Silgar 92, it's the sort of café that's worth the extra few kilometres if you appreciate genuinely good coffee and a relaxed atmosphere.
From the moment I walked inside, it was obvious that coffee is the main focus here. Shelves lined with freshly roasted beans, baristas carefully weighing each espresso shot and the aroma of coffee filling the room gave the café a welcoming feel without trying too hard. The space itself is bright and modern, with wooden tables, large windows and just enough seating to feel lively without becoming crowded.
I found a table near the front window where I could enjoy my breakfast while watching Pontevedra slowly come to life outside. Around me were a mix of locals catching up over coffee, students reading and a few people working on laptops, creating the sort of atmosphere where it's easy to settle in for a while without feeling rushed.
The menu keeps things simple, offering specialty coffee alongside freshly baked pastries, cakes, toasted sandwiches and light breakfast options. I ordered a decaf flat white together with a toasted ham and tomato sandwich, finishing with one of the homemade pastries displayed beside the counter. The coffee was smooth, well balanced and easily one of the best cups I enjoyed during my time in Galicia. The sandwich arrived freshly prepared with quality ingredients, while the pastry was the perfect excuse to stay just a little longer before heading back towards Sanxenxo.
Breakfast here generally costs between €8 and €15, with coffee priced at around €2.50 to €4, making it excellent value considering the quality on offer.
If you're staying at Hotel Silgar 92 and don't mind a short drive, I'd happily recommend starting one morning here before spending a few hours exploring the beautiful streets of Pontevedra.
What I ordered: Decaf flat white, toasted ham and tomato sandwich, followed by a homemade pastry.
Price: €8 to €15.
Best for: Excellent specialty coffee, a relaxed breakfast and combining your morning with a visit to Pontevedra.
2. Taberna Villalustre. The Lunch I'd Recommend to Anyone Visiting Sanxenxo
Image courtesy of Taberna Villalustre.
Rúa dos Cesteiros, 2, 36960 Sanxenxo | Lunch & Dinner Daily | Around 12 minutes' walk from Hotel Silgar 92
After spending the morning walking along Silgar Beach and wandering around the marina, I was ready for a proper lunch. I wasn't looking for anything fancy, just somewhere serving authentic Galician food with generous portions and plenty of local character. After reading countless positive reviews, I made my way to Taberna Villalustre, and it turned out to be one of the highlights of my stay.
The restaurant has a warm, traditional feel from the moment you walk in. Stone walls, wooden tables and shelves lined with local wines give it plenty of personality without feeling overly formal. There are a few outdoor tables, but I chose to sit inside where the dining room had a relaxed buzz with a mixture of locals, families and visitors enjoying long lunches together.
The menu focuses on classic Galician cooking using fresh local ingredients. Seafood is understandably popular, but there are also excellent meat dishes if, like me, you're in the mood for a good steak. I ordered the Galician beef sirloin with roasted potatoes and a mixed salad, and it arrived exactly as I'd hoped. The steak was tender, full of flavour and cooked just right, while the potatoes were crisp on the outside and soft in the middle. Looking around the room, every table seemed to have something different, from grilled octopus to seafood rice, which is usually a good sign that the kitchen does everything well rather than relying on one signature dish.
Lunch here generally costs between €20 and €35 per person, depending on what you order, and I thought it offered excellent value considering both the quality of the food and the generous portions.
What I ordered: Galician beef sirloin with roasted potatoes and a mixed salad.
Price: €20 to €35 per person.
Best for: Traditional Galician cooking, generous portions and a relaxed lunch close to the beach.
3. Restaurante O Barco. A Relaxed Dinner by the Marina
Image courtesy of Restaurante O Barco.
Paseo do Mar, Sanxenxo | Lunch & Dinner Daily | Around 6 minutes' walk from Hotel Silgar 92
For my final dinner in Sanxenxo, I wanted somewhere close to the waterfront where I could enjoy a good meal without the formality of fine dining. O Barco was exactly the sort of place I had in mind.
Located just a short walk from the marina, the restaurant has been welcoming locals and visitors for years and is known for serving fresh Galician dishes in a casual setting. I arrived just before sunset and managed to get a table outside overlooking the promenade. It was one of those evenings where there was no reason to rush. People were strolling along the waterfront, boats gently rocked in the marina and the whole town seemed to slow down as the day came to an end.
The menu features plenty of fresh seafood alongside grilled meats, salads and traditional Galician favourites. I started with homemade croquettes, which arrived golden, crisp and full of flavour, before ordering the grilled beef entrecôte with roasted potatoes and seasonal vegetables. The beef was cooked exactly as requested, nicely charred on the outside while remaining tender in the middle, and the roasted potatoes were every bit as good as I'd hoped. It wasn't an overly complicated meal, but it didn't need to be. Quality ingredients prepared well are often hard to beat.
Dinner here usually costs between €25 and €40 per person, depending on your choice of dishes, and between the location, atmosphere and consistently good food, it's somewhere I'd happily return.
What I ordered: Homemade croquettes followed by grilled beef entrecôte with roasted potatoes and seasonal vegetables.
Price: €25 to €40 per person.
Best for: Casual waterfront dining, Galician favourites and relaxed summer evenings.
Is Sanxenxo Worth Visiting?
I'd say yes, especially if you're looking for a few days by the coast without feeling like you need to rush from one attraction to the next. Compared with some of Galicia's smaller villages, Sanxenxo has a livelier atmosphere, but it still feels relaxed enough that you can enjoy long walks along the beach, good food and slow mornings with a coffee.
Staying at Hotel Silgar 92 made everything easy, with the beach, cafés and restaurants all within walking distance. Four days gave me enough time to settle into the rhythm of the town, and by the time I left, I understood why so many people return year after year.
If you're planning a road trip through Galicia, I'd definitely make room for Sanxenxo. Bring comfortable walking shoes, an appetite and don't be surprised if you end up extending your stay.
