Turismo de Galicia

We should not forget that Galicia was one of the few regions in Spain that continued to hold carnivals despite the ban. Today, Entroido is so important that eight Galician carnivals proudly hold the official rating of 'Festival of Tourist Interest'. Over 175 municipalities in Galicia have declared public holidays on Carnival Monday or Tuesday or on Ash Wednesday. It is a big celebration where everyone can get involved.

Yes, you can wear whatever fancy dress ! Here, the spirit of getting involved and the desire to have fun are what count the most. If you come without fancy dress, you run the risk of being hit with a whip; having flour or live ants thrown at you; or having to buy the next round of wine! It’s the law!

Another law strictly adhered to is that of gastronomic feasts. In Galicia, O Entroido always comes with good food. A feast of succulent dishes, perfect for refuelling, with pork as the main ingredient, and potatoes, turnip greens and chickpeas as accompaniments. For dessert, 'filloas', 'orellas', 'bica' are served; and to top it all off, a good coffee liqueur. The best in the world.

In Galicia there are nine carnivals that are recognised as being of tourist interest:

• One is a Festival of International Tourist Interest: Entroido de Xinzo de Limia (with 'pantallas').
• Another is a Festival of National Tourist Interest: Entroido de Verín (with 'cigarróns').
• Nine of them are recognised as Galician Festivals of Tourist Interest: Entroido de Cobres (with 'damas' and 'galáns'), Entroido de Laza (with its peliqueiros), Entroido de Viana do Bolo (which has ‘boteiro' as its main character and shares the limelight with the promotion of the gastronomic product 'androlla'), Folión Tradicional do Entroido de Manzaneda (with 'mázcaras'), Xenerais do Ulla and Entroido de Maceda (with 'felos'), Entroido de Vilariño de Conso (with 'boteiro' as the star of the show), Entroido de Foz  and Enterro da Sardiña en Marín.