The Curious Town in Galicia Where Luis Zahera Takes Refuge When He Wants to Escape Madrid

Luis Zahera is one of the most recognized Spanish actors of the moment, but when Madrid overwhelms him, he takes refuge in Isla de Arosa, a Galician village where he connects with his roots. With a career marked by the intensity of his roles, the actor has revealed that there, surrounded by nature, calm, and sea, he finds the balance that the capital can't offer.

His bond with Galicia is deep, almost sacred. Born in Santiago de Compostela, the actor has confessed that he has been spending summers on Isla de Arosa since he was eight years old, and that this corner of western Pontevedra is his "second home." But what does this small Galician island have that captivates one of the most popular faces of Spanish fiction?

Luis Zahera Doesn't Forget His Roots

Luis Zahera was raised in a humble environment, the son of a civil guard and a mother devoted to her family. He grew up in Santiago de Compostela, with a strong religious education, so much so that he was almost a priest. Today, after a life of work, effort, and firm convictions, he is still known as "Jose" among the neighbors of his neighborhood.

Before winning over the general public, Zahera worked as a painter, bricklayer, and even collected debris in New York after the fall of the Twin Towers. His path to acting was long but always steady. At every step, Galicia has accompanied him as a compass and refuge.

Despite being one of the most recognized actors in film and television in Spain, Luis Zahera keeps his feet on the ground. His rise to fame hasn't erased his roots or his identity. In his most intimate environment, he is still Jose, Lecha's son, the one who helped at home, and the one who inherited his stage name from a family anecdote.

"My mother always asked me if I was having fun. She was very focused on that and on how I was dressed. She had a clothing store and every time I left the house, there was a ceremony to see how I was going," he recounted in Todo sobre tu madre.

His artistic surname also comes from her, a mix of affection and chance. His sister María Dolores was registered with an "h" added by mistake, a letter that also ended up marking the actor's career.

Despite his commitments in Madrid, the actor acknowledges that he only lives there in winter. As soon as the temperatures rise, he packs his bags and returns to the sea, to tranquility, to the island. "I still have 80% work and 20% leisure," he admits, but with each escape to Galicia, he seems to renew his vital energy.

This Is Isla de Arosa, the Curious Village in Galicia Where Luis Zahera Takes Refuge from Madrid

Isla de Arosa, located to the west of the province of Pontevedra, is not just any place. With just over 5,000 inhabitants, this island-municipality is a natural enclave of great beauty, surrounded by the sea, with virgin beaches and protected parks. For Zahera, it is much more than a vacation spot: it is a spiritual and emotional home.

"Of the 58 years I have, I have spent 50 summers on Isla de Arosa," he declared to La Voz de Galicia. So much so that he has already acquired a property there: "a small thing," as he describes it, but enough to retire in his time. "My work is very urban, but what I am clear about is that the place where I want to live in a few years is not there, I want to be on the Island," he assured.

Every summer, the actor immerses himself in its waters. As he himself recounted, he has a clear routine. "I exercise first thing in the morning; when there's no one, I go to Área da Secada with 5.5 lbs. (2.5 kg) weights to give it a go, and then, like the Arousans, I dive into the sea," he explained.

Besides physical exercise, Zahera has confessed his passion for the Carreirón Natural Park, the green lung of the island. "I really like going to Carreirón, to the Natural Park, being able to go by bike. Since I also enjoy solitude, I really enjoy going there and exploring the area," he expressed in an interview.

As for his favorite beaches, Zahera has no doubt: Milhomes. "I've gone all my life and it has a pretty funny and peculiar name," he comments. The small sandy area, barely 66 ft. (20 meters), is located in a quiet area surrounded by rocks.

Luis Zahera has found in Isla de Arosa something that the hustle and bustle of Madrid can't offer him: peace, roots, and authenticity. This small village in Galicia is not only his retreat but also a living testimony of who he really is, beyond the spotlights and applause. Perhaps, as he himself has said, the secret lies in always returning home.