Canexol beach in Ons
There, the sea defines everything, from landscape to gastronomy , which brings together the main sources of wealth in the area, such as **fishing and shellfishing **. Nature imposes itself and also adds to its important geological and cultural heritage.
The island offers the characteristics of a small typical coastal town of Galicia , with an island landscape that is well worth a visit and all your attention.
Arrival at Ons and its wild nature
Strategically located, protecting the ** Pontevedra estuary ** from strong Atlantic storms, the ons island had many owners until in 1940 it was expropriated by the State . The evolution of this piece of land six kilometers long by less than 1.5 km wide has origins that date back to the Paleolithic.
The historical tour allows us to know parts of castros that still survive , Roman remains, medieval kings and bishops, German battles and sieges, Goths, Normans, pirates... A lot to choose from. Are you willing to stop the time machine?
And why would we recommend a day, a week, or a lifetime on the Illa de Ons?
For many things but, above all, for what is not there: noise and lighting at night. Of course, if we add to this that in the past It was a town of more than five hundred inhabitants , you'll want to buy your ticket now to see for yourself how they have lived and how they continue to live on a small piece of land in the middle of the Atlantic, just over two miles from Bueu.
So, if what you are looking for is a special place where you can isolate yourself from the world and surround yourself with nature, with unique flora and fauna, Ons Island is THAT PLACE . It offers you everything, yes, without the typical comforts of other summer resorts, since the camping area is located at the top of the island.
Las Dornas beach and port
The camping , previously free, was inaugurated in 2015 and is the first to receive the Galician sustainable distinction , since it works with photovoltaic panels and respects the natural environment in which it is located.
Although if what you need is total relaxation, you can also stay in one of the accommodations that are very close to the pier .
It does not matter where you decide to sleep because in the end you will live an unforgettable experience in the great unknown of the National Park of the Atlantic Islands of Galicia , just reserve a place and take the boat.
HOW TO GET TO THE ISLAND
To land on Ons, the last inhabited and wildest island in Galicia, you can only do it while the summer season lasts . You just have to go to some of the mentioned towns and from its port you will be able to travel to an idyllic world full of peace, silence and tranquility. ** Sanxenxo , Portonovo, Bueu and Vigo ** have their fleet ready since mid June to mid September so you can embark on this adventure.
And there you can't get lost, or yes, in fact, that's the idea: get lost in the silence of the island. A luxury that you can enjoy just 30 minutes by boat from the nearest port.
If you have a bike, take it with you on the boat and without paying an extra, and tour the island without any problem . In fact, if you only have one day in paradise, you can get to know every corner of the area. Do your four routes in a single day and walking is not so viable . That's why we recommend you a whole weekend , to be able to do it in a relaxed way and make the trip worthwhile.
When you disembark at the dock of the island you will come across its most 'transformed' part, with a slope of 20 meters , on whose sides are the two main restaurants, Casa Checho and Casa Acuña . Facing each other and run by two island families who have ever had clashes over the division of the business, which in addition to the restoration includes the transportation and accommodation.
MIX OF HIKING AND BEACH
As we said, four routes run through the island , but the bulk of tourists prefer stay on the beaches , somewhat less crowded than those of the Pontevedra estuary.
the of Melide, to the north, was a nudist in the past , but now it has already been assimilated by the rest of the bathers. Undoubtedly, the best is a combination of hiking and beach . All the routes start from the information booth, they are circular and the estimated time to complete them is between 40 minutes and 3 hours.
Canexol Beach
But if you are looking for a quiet walk with the whole family, you can start the Route of Castelo in the rest area near the As Dornas beach , name given to the traditional fishing boats used by fishermen.
This path borders the eastern coast and enters a small forest of willows to reach the Castelo viewpoint . From this old coastal battery -unfinished- there are some excellent views of the estuary, and a few meters below you can discover a curious fauna.
If you fall into the group of daring and experts in hiking, the north route or also called naturist route is yours . Bordering the cliffs of the east coast, it ends in the famous Melide beach , and from there you will have to turn off to get to the viewpoint of centolo tip , an ideal place to observe birds and their nesting areas.
also the precious Lighthouse Route what happens to him Cucorno neighborhood and reaches the Ons Lighthouse , a building dating from 1926 and one of the few in Spain that still cared for by a lighthouse keeper . In addition, before reaching the lighthouse you can see the best views of the Island near the Heliport.
The Lighthouse route, an essential
ONS IN ONE DAY
But if you only have one day, either because your vacation doesn't last long or because you made up your mind late and there is no longer a place to stay even one night, The basic thing is to spend the afternoon on its best beach, Melide and walk part of the route that leads to Buraco do Inferno , an impressive geological formation of 70 meters of horizontal development and a drop of 43 meters.
And as a must-see also on the same route is the Fedorentos viewpoint, a hole with an unfathomable bottom in the extreme south, on the edge of the knife-cut coast, and that offers us a spectacular panoramic view of the Onza Island, the Cíes Islands, the Costa de la Vela and the Aldán estuary . This is the southern route, which passes through the Pereiro beach , where you can take a bath, to continue your way totally fresh.
Cross next to Buraco do Inferno in Ons
EAT AND ENJOY THE NIGHT
If you have already decided to stay there for one or a thousand nights, you cannot miss out on visiting any of the main beaches, with fine white sand and crystal clear water, such as Area dos Cans, Canexol beach, Pereiró beach, Melide beach or Dornas beach.
And the best way to end the day is at the beach bar that is located in front of the Area dos Cans beach , where you can watch the sunset with an Estrella Galicia in hand and flooded by an absolute silence that has left the departure of the boats full of tourists late in the afternoon.
Eating at Ons is synonymous with octopus in caldeirada and homemade desserts. But afterwards, you should head to Casa Checho, where there is a great atmosphere in the evenings; above all, weekends.
Another way to enjoy the night can also be watch the perseids or, if you're lucky, take a bath in a sea of ardora . This island is one of the perfect places for this adventure.
RETURN 'TO THE MAINLAND'
This island continues to maintain everything that a typical Galician village has but in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean and with the ideal tourist attractions for a vacation: party, amazing beaches, cliffs to see incredible sunsets, exceptional people, nights of music under the moon.
So, after your stay there, you will return to the mainland, as they call it, totally renewed, in body and mind.
View of Ons from Cabo Udra, Bueu