Visiting Restaurante Rodas first requires understanding how a trip to the Cíes Islands works. It’s not a destination you can simply show up to: access is regulated, schedules are fixed, and the day is organized around transportation.
The only way to reach the islands is by sea. Boats depart from Vigo, Cangas or Baiona, with routes operated by different ferry companies depending on the season.
During the busiest months, it is mandatory to request prior authorization before buying your ticket. This access control is part of the National Park’s protection measures and limits the number of daily visitors.
Once you have your authorization, you can buy your ferry ticket for the time that best fits your visit.
Departures and return times are not flexible. Each boat has a specific time, and that completely defines your planning.
This is where many people get it wrong: they book the first available boat without thinking about how they are going to organize the rest of the day.
The Cíes Islands have a very clear layout, but if you are not familiar with it before arriving, it is easy to get disoriented or fail to make the most of your time.
The archipelago is made up of three islands:
Monteagudo
This is the northernmost island. Here you will find quieter, less crowded areas, such as Figueiras Beach, as well as some of the most accessible routes for a first introduction to the surroundings.
O Faro
This is the central island and the most visited one. From here, the most popular routes begin, including the path to the Cíes Lighthouse, one of the highest points with the best views of the archipelago.
San Martiño
This is the southernmost island. Unlike the other two, it is not part of the usual visitor routes and access is restricted. It can be seen from various points across the archipelago.
As a visitor, your experience will mainly take place between Monteagudo and O Faro, which are connected by Rodas Beach. This sandy beach acts as a natural link between both islands and, at the same time, as the central point from which the whole visit is organized.
Everything in the Cíes Islands is organized around Rodas.
It is the point where most of the activity is concentrated and from which the visit is structured, both practically and in terms of routes. This is where:
This means Rodas is not just another beach along the route, but the axis around which the whole experience revolves.
Any journey you make, whether towards Monteagudo or O Faro, will start here or end here.
Arriving, putting down your backpack and staying directly on the beach.
That is what most people do. And it is what keeps the visit at its most basic level.
As soon as you disembark, it is best to move around a little before stopping.
A short walk or an initial move allows you to:
It is not about setting off on a long route right from the start, but rather about not consuming the island from the very first minute as if it were just a beach.
A well-planned visit usually follows this structure:
This simple structure helps avoid the kind of improvisation that often goes wrong: rushing, choosing the wrong routes or not having enough time to truly enjoy the surroundings.
The Cíes Islands are not meant to be “done in a single day.”
The routes vary in length, the heat can be intense, and your time is shaped by transport schedules. Trying to do too much is usually the most common mistake.
Take it easy—there will always be another chance to come back, and we’ll be happy to welcome you again.
Rodi is the assistant that accompanies you before and during your visit to the Cíes Islands. If you are not sure what to do, where to start or how to organize your day, just ask him.
