7 Most Popular Festivals in Baiona, Galicia, Spain.

Baiona is a beautiful coastal town located in Pontevedra, Galicia, Spain. Situated down the southern coastal region of the Rias Baixas. It has a picturesque bay facing the Atlantic Ocean, with a port full of colorful small fishing boats and luxury yachts. A great destination to visit with family and friends all year round because of its mild climate and its numerous blue flag beaches, with some of the most popular beaches in Galicia, Spain.

There are many local festivals in Baiona and also interesting traditional fairs, but the most famous is for the arrival on the 1st of March 1493 of the ship Carabela La Pinta with news of the discovery of America which is why Baiona celebrates their most important festival "Festa Arribada" (Arribada festival) every year the first weekend of March honoring this important event in the city`s history. From Baiona you can also pick up and follow the Portuguese Coastal Way path of the Camino de Santiago (Way of St James) since is one of the stops of this famous worldwide religious-spiritual pilgrimage route. On the streets of the old quarter, you will find numerous restaurants and bars to taste the amazing Galician Gastronomy. From seafood platters offering the freshest fruits of the sea, to just some relaxed tapas and wines at the tapas bar.

The best sunsets can be seen from the fortress walls, so why not treat yourself to staying a few nights at the spectacular Parador de Baiona within these historic walls? A great base to explore Baiona and the nearby wine country of O Rosal, a sub-zone of the D.O. Rias Baixas.

Below we have a list of the 7 Most Popular Festivals in Baiona, Galicia recommended by our E&W Destination Experts. When you plan your next holiday to Baiona why not come to one of these popular festivals:

Here are the 7 Most Popular Festivals in Baiona, Galicia, Spain:

1. Festa da Arribada da Carabela Pinta en Baiona (Festival of the Arrival of La Pinta Caravel in Baiona)

They celebrate every year the first weekend of March, La Arribada (The Arrival), which is a festival of International Tourist Interest and is one of the most important festivals in Spain. It brings the whole village of Baiona back over 500 years to medieval times!

It was Christopher Columbus that set sail from Puerto de Palos de la Frontera, Huelva, Spain with 3 Caravel ships: La Pinta, La Niña, and the Santa Maria in August 1492. When they came back to bring the word of the discovery of the Americas, it was La Pinta that arrived the fastest and came into the bay of Baiona arriving at Praia Ribeira on March 1st, 1493. at the festival, you will see the re-enactment of the arrival and the replica of La Pinta in the harbor. The streets of the old quarter will have numerous stalls with the local gastronomy of Galicia and artisan goods.

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2. Fiesta de la Virgen del Carmen (Festival of the Virgin of Carmen)

On the 16th of July every year, they celebrate this festival to honour the Virgen del Carmen, adopted by fishermen and sailors as their patron saint, and ask for her protection against the most habitual dangers of the sea, such as storms, etc... During the festival you will see a colourful procession of boats parading around the bay of Baiona, a tribute to those brave fishermen who have died at sea. The celebration also includes; a religious ceremony, music, dancing, etc... more info here on the Turismo de Baiona website.

3. Curros de Monte a Groba (Horse Corrals of Gorba Mountian)

For over 4,000 years indigenous wild horses have roamed the A Groba mountain range, which joins the town councils of Baiona and Oia. It is one of the few places in the world where curros or rapa das bestas (the corral of the wild horses) are still celebrated. Thousands of wild horses run freely in A Groba Mountain, but are herded down the mountain in a corral every year and are branded, as well, they get a haircut, before being let free to run up the mountain again. Although they live freely, the horses belong to neighboring mountain communities.

The big day of this festival is on Sunday, after the corraling of the wild horses, everyone enjoys some of the local gastronomy at the different stalls offering delicious homemade bread, octopus, and empanada pie, all accompanied by the Galician wines! Here you can read more about this festival.

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