The park is home to the world's largest population of the Iberian subspecies of the yellow-legged gull (Larus michahellis).
Rodas Beach was named the 'best beach in the world' by The Guardian in 2007.
The Cíes Islands are essentially the submerged peaks of a drowned mountain range, forming the mouth of the Ría de Vigo.
The island of Cortegada contains one of the largest laurel forests in Europe, a relic of ancient climatic conditions.
The park serves as a migration bottleneck, making it a globally significant site for ornithological observation.
Underwater visibility around the islands can reach up to 20 meters, supporting complex benthic communities.
The islands are largely car-free, preserving an environment where light pollution is minimal, ideal for stargazing.
Sálvora Island is home to wild horses that have adapted to the insular environment over centuries.
The Parque Nacional Marítimo-Terrestre das Illas Atlánticas de Galicia is Spain's only maritime-terrestrial national park, encompassing the archipelagos of Cíes, Ons, Sálvora, and Cortegada. The park protects 1,200 hectares of land and 7,200 hectares of marine environment within the Atlantic Ocean. The Cíes Islands are famous for their quartz-sand beaches, most notably Rodas Beach, which connects the islands of Monteagudo and Faro. The terrain varies from high maritime cliffs to dunes, scrubland, and small patches of autochthonous forest. It is a critical sanctuary for seabirds, hosting one of the world's largest colonies of yellow-legged gulls. Access is strictly regulated by a daily visitor quota managed by the Xunta de Galicia. The marine ecosystems support high biodiversity, including dense forests of kelp and diverse cephalopod populations. Archaeological remains, including Roman salting factories and ancient settlements, are present across the islands.
The viewpoint at Alto do Príncipe on the Cíes Islands for a panoramic shot of the beach and lagoons.
Obtain your visitor authorization permit online well in advance of your trip, especially for summer dates.
Carry all your trash back to the mainland; there are no waste disposal bins on the islands.
Bring sufficient sun protection and water, as natural shade is extremely limited on the Cíes Islands.
Do not attempt to visit without a pre-authorized permit, as ferries will not transport passengers without one.
Daily quotas are strictly enforced; ferry services are significantly reduced or suspended during the winter months.
Strict 'leave no trace' policy; camping is restricted to designated areas and requires special permits; drones are prohibited.
