Renting a villa or casa in Galicia

Although Galicia is well serviced by hotels, an alternative way to experience all that the region has to offer is to rent a house (usually called a casa or villa).

This option gives you maximum independence and may also allow you to locate yourself in a more rural country setting. A Villa or house found off the beaten track is often described as a casa rustica.

If you choose this accommodation option, the numbers of villas available (and companies offering them) will seem limited when compared to some of Spain's more southerly resorts. You may also find that not all of these casas offer maid service and laundering, but this will be stated in the properties description.

The location of villas for rent

As an area famed for its scenery, many rental villas in Galicia find themselves situated in a rural rather than a coastal setting. That said, the beach is usually not too far away and having a location close to a town, or with a nearby shop, may be a bigger priority for regular villa goers.

Houses available for holiday renting are dotted across galicia with most only a short drive from a beach or fishing village. Those in more urban locations tend to be in, or very close to, a major city like Santiago de Compostela or Pontevedra, although some are in the smaller and more rustic towns.

I you consider taking a villa holiday in Galicia a car will be essential. The best way to see the region is to explore and, if you do not opt for a guided tour, independent transport is a must. Roads are generally very good and although road signs are now only in the region's native language of gallego, you can usually make an educated guess as to the Spanish equivalent.

What you should and should not expect

With a 4 season climate and a cooler ambient temperature than southern Spain, swimming pools are a less common villa attribute in Galicia and green Spain than they are in Benidorm or Murcia. Even so some houses do have them.

Facility wise, a property in Galicia should have every creature comfort you would come to expect from anywhere else. Most houses have large airy rooms and good sized gardens. Gas cooking may not be an option in some locations as natural gas is not available everywhere, but that is your only likely limitation.

Finding a villa

This is probably going to be your biggest problem. There are not too many around and many of the owners are Spanish and advertise on none English language websites.
Good luck.