Spanish islands near Portugal
Spanish Islands Near Portugal – Complete Guide
Portugal has fantastic beaches, but many don't realize that, just a few hours away, some of the most beautiful islands in Europe are waiting — and they're in Spain. The Atlantic Islands of Galicia, right next to Portugal's northern border, hide white sand beaches and crystal-clear water that have more than once been named among the most beautiful in the world.
In this guide, we've gathered the Spanish islands closest to Portugal that are truly worth visiting, with all the practical information you need: distances, routes, mandatory permits, ferry prices, and the best time to visit each one.
Unlike many tourist destinations, these islands are protected areas with limited access, so planning ahead has never mattered more if you don't want to be left on the mainland.
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spanish islands near portugal
1 - Why Visit the Spanish Islands Near Portugal
Galicia, in northwestern Spain, is the Spanish region closest to Portugal, and it's also home to the Atlantic Islands Maritime-Terrestrial National Park, which brings together four archipelagos: Cíes, Ons, Sálvora, and Cortegada. Just a few hours' drive from Portugal's northern border, these islands offer beaches with crystal-clear water, often compared to the Caribbean, despite being washed by the North Atlantic.
Beyond the islands of the National Park, the Ría de Arousa is also home to Arousa Island, the largest inhabited island in Galicia, connected to the mainland by a bridge, ideal for those who'd rather not depend on a boat.
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spanish islands near portugal
2 - Cíes Islands – Rodas Beach
The Cíes Islands, at the mouth of the Ría de Vigo, are Galicia's most sought-after island destination, and for good reason. Rodas Beach, which connects the islands of Monteagudo and Faro, has been named by the British newspaper The Guardian as one of the best beaches in the world, with fine white sand and turquoise water reminiscent of the Caribbean.
Access to the Cíes Islands is capped at 1,800 visitors a day, which makes a prior permit mandatory and booking ahead essential, especially in July and August. Overnight stays are also possible, but only camping, with a limit of 600 spots.
Distance from Porto: About 150 km to Vigo — roughly a 2-hour drive via the A3 and AP-9, plus a 40-minute ferry.
How to get there: Ferry from Vigo (40 min), Baiona (35 min), Cangas (45 min) or Sanxenxo/Portonovo (55 min); round-trip tickets between €24 and €28 per adult.
Permit required: Yes, free, issued by the Xunta de Galicia at autorizacionillasatlanticas.xunta.gal, up to 90 days in advance.
Facilities: Walking trails, viewpoints, an official campsite, no fixed dining options — bring water and food.
Description: A wild, largely untouched archipelago, also recognized as a Starlight destination for its night-sky quality, ideal for hiking, birdwatching and swimming in crystal-clear water.
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spanish islands near portugal
3 - Ons Island
Ons Island is the only still-inhabited island of the National Park, with a small village, O Curro, home to the only restaurants available on Galicia's Atlantic Islands. At the mouth of the Ría de Pontevedra, it has one of the largest lighthouses in Spain and trails that cross the island from north to south.
It's a quieter alternative to the Cíes Islands, with equally beautiful beaches and less demand, though it also requires a prior permit from the Xunta de Galicia.
Distance from Porto: About 180 km to Sanxenxo — roughly a 2h15 drive, plus a 35 to 40 minute ferry.
How to get there: Ferry from Sanxenxo and Portonovo, operated by companies such as Cruceros Rías Baixas, Mar de Ons, and Nabia.
Permit required: Yes, free, mandatory to visit, arranged on the same site as the other National Park islands.
Facilities: Local restaurants, a lighthouse you can visit, marked trails, no cars — walking only.
Description: Ideal for those seeking Galician authenticity, with quiet beaches, views over the Ría de Pontevedra, and a still very present local life.
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spanish islands near portugal
4 - Sálvora Island
At the mouth of the Ría de Arousa, Sálvora Island is the wildest and least visited of Galicia's Atlantic Islands, with a daily cap of just 250 visitors. Here, the legend of the mermaid Mariña gives its name to a statue that greets visitors by the pier, and access to the island's interior is only allowed with a National Park-authorized guide.
Unlike Cíes and Ons, there's no regular daily transport to Sálvora. Visits are made through organized excursions, usually lasting about 4 hours, including a guided walk and free time at Almacén Beach.
Distance from Porto: About 200 km to O Grove — roughly a 2h30 drive, plus about a 45-minute boat ride.
How to get there: Only via organized excursion, departing mainly from O Grove, and also from Ribeira, Vilagarcía de Arousa, and A Pobra do Caramiñal.
Permit required: Yes, free, handled directly by the shipping company running the excursion.
Facilities: No restaurants or public restrooms; two marked trails to the lighthouse and the old village.
Description: The most untouched of Galicia's Atlantic Islands, with dunes, a working lighthouse, and a fascinating history tied to shipwrecks and maritime legends.
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spanish islands near portugal
5 - Arousa Island
Unlike the other islands in this guide, Arousa Island requires neither a boat nor a permit: it's been connected to the mainland by a bridge since 1985, making it the simplest and most accessible option of all. It's the largest inhabited island in Galicia, known for mussel and oyster farming, with beaches like Ladeira and Salinas.
It's a great option for those traveling in low season, when access to the other National Park islands is more limited, or for anyone who'd simply rather not depend on ferry schedules.
Distance from Porto: About 200 km — roughly a 2h20 drive, with direct access via bridge, no boat required.
How to get there: By car, via the Arousa Island Bridge, from Vilanova de Arousa.
Permit required: No permit is required to visit Arousa Island.
Facilities: Restaurants, accommodation, parking, and all the services of an inhabited town.
Description: Ideal for a low-effort getaway, with quiet beaches, good local seafood cuisine, and landscapes typical of the Rías Baixas.
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spanish islands near portugal
6 - How to Get to the Atlantic Islands from Portugal
All of these islands are in Galicia, the Spanish region closest to northern Portugal, which makes them surprisingly accessible. From Porto, the drive to Vigo takes about 2 hours via the A3 and AP-9, and there are also direct buses from Braga, Guimarães, and Viana do Castelo. From Lisbon, the fastest option is a flight to Vigo, whose airport is just 15 minutes from the port, or to Porto, followed by a drive.
Whichever island you choose, the ideal starting point is Vigo, Baiona, Sanxenxo, Portonovo, or O Grove, depending on the island, so it's worth booking accommodation in one of these towns to make an early-morning departure easier.
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spanish islands near portugal
7 - Permits and Bookings: What You Need to Know
With the exception of Arousa Island, every island in this guide is part of the Atlantic Islands Maritime-Terrestrial National Park of Galicia and requires a prior permit from the Xunta de Galicia — free, but mandatory — to control visitor numbers and protect the ecosystem.
The permit can be requested at autorizacionillasatlanticas.xunta.gal, up to 90 days in advance, and is required to buy your ferry ticket — the process generates a pre-booking number that you'll need when purchasing the ferry ticket. Many shipping companies, such as Mar de Ons or Cruceros Rías Baixas, handle the permit automatically when you book your ticket directly with them.
During peak periods — Easter week and from May 15 to September 15 — spots sell out weeks in advance, especially for the Cíes Islands. Book as far ahead as possible.
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spanish islands near portugal
8 - Best Time to Visit
Peak season for these islands runs from May 15 to September 15, plus Easter week, when there are regular daily ferry connections from every port. Outside these dates, access is more limited, usually only on weekends, or exclusively through organized excursions.
For those who'd rather avoid crowds, June and September offer a good balance between boat availability, pleasant temperatures, and smaller crowds than July and August. Arousa Island, since it depends on neither a ferry nor a permit, can be visited year-round.
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spanish islands near portugal
9 - Frequently Asked Questions About the Spanish Islands Near Portugal
Which Spanish islands are closest to Portugal?
The Cíes Islands, Ons Island, Sálvora Island, and Arousa Island, all in Galicia, are the Spanish islands closest to northern Portugal, about 2 to 2.5 hours' drive from Porto to their respective departure ports.
Do you need a permit to visit the Cíes Islands?
Yes. Access to the Cíes Islands is capped at 1,800 visitors a day and requires a free permit from the Xunta de Galicia, which must be requested in advance at autorizacionillasatlanticas.xunta.gal.
Which island is easiest to visit from Portugal?
Arousa Island is the simplest, since it's connected to the mainland by a bridge and requires neither a boat nor a permit. Among the National Park islands, the Cíes Islands have the widest choice of ferries and the shortest crossing, from Vigo.
How long does it take to get from Porto to the Cíes Islands?
About 2 hours by car from Porto to Vigo, via the A3 and AP-9, plus roughly a 40-minute ferry ride to the islands.
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spanish islands near portugal
Conclusion
The Spanish islands near Portugal prove that you don't have to travel to the other side of the world to find postcard-worthy crystal-clear water and white sand. Just a few hours from northern Portugal, Galicia's Atlantic Islands offer a different kind of getaway, wilder and less obvious than the usual beach destinations.
Save this guide, sort out your permit in advance, and start planning your next trip to these Spanish islands that are so close to home.
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