Canto de Area, White sand beach in Oia, Spain

Canto de Area is a white sand beach along the coast of Oia, stretching approximately 120 meters with a width of about 20 meters. The shoreline slopes gently into the water and overlooks the surrounding bay and open sea.

Canto da Area, also called Barreiros beach, belongs to the parish of Oia in the municipality of Vigo, on the left bank of the Centro Oceanográfico de Vigo. The cove lies beside the Canido football pitch, and its access road follows the sign for the Instituto Español de Oceanografía, at whose foot the beach sits.

The beach is also called Praia de Barreiros, after the parish of Oia where it lies. At low tide it uncovers a wide rocky shelf rich in fish and shellfish, which locals come to gather, and dogs are allowed on the sand.

The beach provides ample space for visitors and is straightforward to reach from the main coastal road through Oia. During summer months, arriving early in the morning or later in the afternoon helps you avoid the busier periods.

At low tide the beach uncovers a wide rocky shelf on its south-west-facing shore that is rich in fish and shellfish, which is why locals come here to gather seafood rather than simply to sunbathe.