The Cies Islands are Spain’s hidden paradise
The Atlantic Islands National Park in the northern Spanish region of Ras Baixas is a priceless natural beauty. It consists of the Ons, Sálvora, Cortegada, and Ces archipelagos.
The Cies Islands are the most beautiful and well-known of the four. In particular, Rodas Beach has been called “the best beach in the world” by the British daily The Guardian.
North or Monteagudo, Del Medio or Faro, and South or San Martin make up the three islands that make up the Cies archipelago, which is tethered to the coast of the Atlantic Ocean.
Only private boats may reach the third, whereas public transportation serves the other two. The most beautiful and well-known beach in the area, Rodas, connects the two.
This group of islands is a verdant canvas against the deep blue of the Atlantic Ocean. One of the best places to see the stars is from the middle of the ocean because of the lack of light pollution.
SUSTAINABLE CIES ISLANDS
There is no denying the islands’ ecological significance and marine diversity. Recent years have seen an uptick in attempts to preserve this area as an exemplar of conserved biodiversity. Cies, together with Sálvora, Ons, and Cortegada, is one of four archipelagos that have all been protected as National Parks since 2002.
No automobiles, no hotels, and no noise can be found on the tranquil Cies Islands. You can experience nature in its most pristine form there. Because of this, camping is the only option for spending the night on the island. Here, you may relax in peace and wake up to breathtaking scenery.
In addition, there are some off-limits spots. Either they are particularly vulnerable, like seagull and cormorant nesting places, or they have significant ecological importance. The Ces Yellow-legged Gull Colony is the largest of its kind in the world.
In reality, the seagulls here are the true island masters, so exercise caution around them lest they help themselves to your lunch. We must never forget that we are the ones trespassing on their land.
WHAT TO DO IN THE CIES ISLANDS
Activities in the Cies Islands range from trekking to exploring secluded beaches, scuba diving to birdwatching. The information booth at the end of the Rhodes pier has all this and more.
HIKING TRAILS IN THE CIES ARCHIPELAGO
The best way to get to know the island is to go for a hike along one of the many trails that cross it before giving in to the temptation of the beach’s peace and quiet. From the information desk at the island’s main gate, hikers can access all of the island’s trails.
Mount Faro is the island’s tallest peak, and the trail to its summit is the most traveled on the island. Leaving Rhodes’s most famous beach, we embark on a 7-kilometer-long (round-trip) hike.
The ascent to the lighthouse, perched 175 meters above the water, is very easy until you reach the zigzagging section near the top. The rewarding views of the ocean and surrounding islands make the climb worthwhile.
The island’s other three trails are all considerably shorter but no less rewarding. The path to Faro da Porta runs parallel to the water all the way down to the island’s southern tip.
Another popular hike that will take you over the island and its cliffs is the Alto del Prncipe path. At the northern estuary entrance, the lighthouse do Peito stands guard.
BEACHES ON THE CIES ISLANDS
Paradisiacal beaches, especially Rodas Beach, are a major draw for visitors to Cies. The British newspaper “The Guardian” named this breathtaking stretch of sand and ocean as the best in the world.
The crescent shape of the islands of Monteagudo and Faro is completed by Rhodes. Its waters are so frigid that only the most hardy souls ever venture in.However, the Ces Islands are home to a plethora of lovely beaches where you can relax on your towel in peace. Figueiras, a nudist beach, is as stunning to nearby Rodas but only a fraction of the visitors. Bolos, Canteira, and Margaridas are three further beaches worth seeing.
