The itinerary, which allows travelers to admire the beauty of camellias in full bloom, has sold out all its seats and marks the beginning of a season with more routes and a broader tourism offering.

The new edition of Galicia’s Tourist Trains is now underway. The Director of Tourism of Galicia, Xosé Merelles, officially launched the 2025 season by participating in the first of the two scheduled departures of the Camellia in Bloom Route. The journey began in Santiago de Compostela, the starting point of the itinerary, and took travelers to Vilagarcía de Arousa to visit the gardens of Pazo de Rubiáns.

This route, part of the Galicia Tourist Trains program promoted by Turismo de Galicia in collaboration with Renfe and the Ourense Institute for Economic Development (Inorde), offers participants the opportunity to discover the region’s botanical and cultural heritage. During the journey, Merelles highlighted the uniqueness of the experience, which combines observing a wide variety of camellias with the chance to visit remarkable historical buildings and enjoy local wine and gastronomy.

Attendees explored the gardens of Pazo de Rubiáns, home to more than 4,500 camellia specimens, before continuing the route with stops at Castelo de Soutomaior and Pazo de Quinteiro de la Cruz, where, in addition to visiting the gardens, they could taste and purchase products made from camellia oil. This initiative was launched in 2023 with the aim of making the most of the blooming season of this species, which lasts from December to April. The second departure is scheduled for March 22 and, just like the first one, is already fully booked.

A 2025 Season with More Routes and Greater Capacity

This year, the Tourist Trains program expands to a total of 13 routes, two more than in the previous season, with a 35% increase in available seats. Tickets for the upcoming routes will go on sale starting in May, with scheduled departures from June to October. The last expedition will take place on October 4 with the Cheese Route.

The program continues to focus on unique experiences that combine nature, heritage, culture, gastronomy, and craftsmanship. Among the available routes, travelers can explore the northern coast with the Lighthouse Route, learn about Galicia’s wine appellations through the Ribeira Sacra, Ribeiro, Monterrei, and Valdeorras train routes, and discover some of the region’s most iconic pazos, castles, and monasteries. Additionally, using trains as a means of transport reinforces the commitment to sustainable tourism.

The 2024 edition reached a 97.5% occupancy rate, with September standing out at 99.4%, underscoring the importance of this initiative in the tourism seasonality strategy promoted by the Xunta de Galicia.

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