Pembrokeshire is preparing to welcome El Galeón Andalucía, the spectacular replica of a 17th-century Spanish galleon, for a highly anticipated visit next week.

El Galeón Andalucía will dock in Fishguard Harbour on Wednesday, October 8 and will be open to visitors from 10am to 8pm Thursday, October 9 to Sunday, October 12, before setting sail again on Monday, October 13.

To create even more of a buzz in the town, the ship’s visit coincides with the much lauded Fishguard Food Festival – promising a weekend filled with history, culture, fine food and community spirit. For ticket prices and more information about both events, visit visitfishguard.co.uk .

Jeremy Martineau, Honorary Secretary of North Pembrokeshire Trade and Tourism, was part of the team instrumental in securing the visit:

“We are absolutely thrilled to be welcoming El Galeón Andalucía to Fishguard Harbour this October. The remarkable ship is not only a striking reminder of our shared maritime history, but also a wonderful opportunity to showcase North Pembrokeshire to visitors from near and far.

“After the disappointment of a cancelled visit, securing her return feels especially rewarding. Thanks to the efforts of North Pembrokeshire Trade and Tourism, Fishguard now joins just a handful of Welsh towns to host this iconic vessel.”

An impressive 55-metre-long vessel, the Galeón is built from iroko and pine wood and carries nearly 1,000 square metres of sail across seven sails. Constructed in Punta Umbría (Huelva) with meticulous historical accuracy, the replica galleon has sailed more than 100,000 nautical miles and visited close to 100 ports worldwide. She now serves as a floating museum with five decks open for public tours, offering a vivid insight into life aboard the great ocean-going ships of the Age of Discovery.

Launched in 2023 and now a firm fixture in Fishguard and Goodwick’s autumn calendar, the Fishguard Bay Food Festival celebrates the best of local flavour, sustainability and community spirit. Over a weekend, visitors can wander a producers’ market brimming with stallholders from across Pembrokeshire and neighbouring counties, enjoy live cooking demonstrations, take part in workshops around wellbeing and sustainable food, and immerse themselves in outdoor entertainment, guided walks and live music. The festival is run by the volunteer-led Fishguard Bay Sustainable Food Initiative, whose mission is to encourage locally and sustainably produced food in the area while bringing people together.