We found this seaside resort a bit by chance, on a trip to the northern coasts of Spain. We are in Galicia, municipality of La Coruna, and in a wide and sheltered gulf it is located Porto de Vares. A fishing port where vacation homes have come up a bit haphazardly, with unpretentious cottages scattered along the beach and many colorful fishing boats. Here, in fact, is the beach. It is very large and shaped like a crescent because it occupies the entire gulf. The sand is very white and the sea is crystal clear. Being at the confluence of the Cantabrian Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, the water is cold, at least for us Mediterranean. However this place is lovely, because it is really out of the way and close to Faro de Vares which is the northernmost part of the Iberian Peninsula. With a nice walk you can reach the cape on which the lighthouse stands, and where there is also a luxury hotel.
In Porto Vares, on the other hand, we have experienced - I must confess a few years ago, although I understand that it is still possible - a fantastic free camping formula on the beach, authorized by the local authorities. The toilets are made available to everyone (they are located inside a sports facility) and are self-managed by campers, and I must say very clean. The beach as mentioned is a stone's throw away and the colorful boats are moored with long peaks in front of the houses near the sea; due to the phenomenon of the tide, the boats approach or retreat according to the time of day. The coast is cleaned every morning by municipal staff and the immense beach is totally free. Considering the free camping this location is really suitable for a low cost holiday. There is also a fish dinner in the good restaurant Marina located in Porto Vares: Galician cuisine is delicious and based largely on mariscos caught in the ocean.
