Hotel Bahía de Vigo
Vigo - Cánovas del Castillo 24
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Vigo is not a city with which one falls in love at first sight, but those who have been there and have had the time to get to know it find it one of the most ‘real’ places in Spain, where life still has a slow pace and one can enjoy good food and good music in the tapas bars, restaurants and clubs of the centre.
Strategically located for maritime trade, on the southern shore of the ría Vigo (a kind of fjord or estuary), it is a city that has seen strong development over the last 150 years and has become the city with the highest population in Galicia. The economy revolves almost entirely around the sea and this has left an indelible imprint on its traditions, cuisine and art.
Vigo’s charm lies in the scenic beauty of the estuary, with the breathtaking view of the nearby Cies islands and the characteristic streets and squares of the old town, but the busy port area, with its commercial and tourist zone, also exerts a special attraction.
It is a must-see stop on any itinerary in north-west Spain: wonderful walks, afternoons by the sea and some of the tastiest fish dinners of your life await you. You cannot come to Vigo and not feast on fresh oysters, fried fish, fish tapas and other mouth-watering shellfish and fish dishes.
Vigo and the sea, an indissoluble bond that becomes evident just by glancing at the list of the city’s main tourist attractions, all somehow linked to the beautiful estuary landscapes, fishing, sailing.
The Casco Vello (historic centre) of Vigo is a labyrinth of narrow, steep streets that wind their way from the port area upwards towards the top of the city. This recently restored district retains the authentic atmosphere of the old fishing port, with traditional stone houses and cosy little squares.
The Praza da Constitución is the heart of the district, surrounded by historical buildings and lively cafés. The surrounding streets, such as Rúa dos Cesteiros and Rúa Real, are home to numerous seafood restaurants and places to sample Vigo’s famous oysters.
You can sample the local delicacy, oysters from the estuary, in the lively Calle de las Ostras, lined with wooden tables where lively vendors will offer you fresh oysters, to be eaten on the spot without much ceremony!
The monumental Lonja de Vigo , on the other hand, is the huge building where the fish market is held, which it is no exaggeration to call the most important fish market in Europe.
It is a place with a very special atmosphere, which experiences hectic hours in the early morning when the buying and selling takes place. To get an idea of the size and liveliness of this market, one only has to think that fishing is an activity that employs 6,000 people, with more than 350 operators and a turnover of more than 3 million euro a year.
Tourists can watch the auctioning of fresh fish, upon request to the local tourist office. It is a unique experience worth doing, despite the early morning rise!
Monte do Castro is the vantage point par excellence in Vigo. This hill, overlooking the city centre, is home to an archaeological park with the remains of an ancient castro (Celtic settlement) and a 17th century fortress. The well-kept gardens offer breathtaking views of the Ria and the Cíes Islands.
The park is an ideal place for a relaxing walk, with shady paths, picnic areas and an interpretation centre that tells the thousand-year history of the site. The fortress walls and historic cannons testify to the important strategic role Vigo has always played.
If you want to fully immerse yourself in the maritime atmosphere of Vigo, spend an afternoon in Bouzas, a quaint waterfront neighbourhood where the pace is slow and it feels like stepping back in time without the stress of modern life.
It can be reached on foot by walking through the picturesque cobbled streets of the Old Town and then along the waterfront promenade, with enchanting views of the Vigo estuary. It is forbidden to leave before admiring the sunset, perhaps enjoying one of the traditional tapas, fish-based of course.
Nor could a reference to the sea be missed at Porta do Sol, the nerve centre of city life, an artery linking the old city with the Ensanche, a commercial area once separate from the city.
It is a modern area full of museums, art galleries and art installations, including Francisco Leiro’s sculpture The Little Mermaid, a metaphor for the union between man and the sea, just to reiterate, if it wasn’t clear yet, that Vigo is a city of the sea.
The Rúa do Príncipe is the main commercial artery of Vigo. This pedestrian street, together with the surrounding streets, forms the heart of the city’s shopping scene, with a mix of local shops, international chains and historic cafés.
The area is particularly lively in the late afternoons and at weekends, when Vigo residents enjoy the traditional paseo. The area is also home to some of the city’s most interesting modernist buildings.
The city’s beaches often lack character and tranquillity, but in Vigo you will be surprised how it is possible to find beautiful beaches so close to the city centre, perfect for some relaxation after sightseeing.
Here are the three most beautiful beaches in Vigo:
The spectacular Cies Islands are the main tourist attraction of Vigo. The archipelago, located on the Vigo estuary, comprises three main islands: Monte Agudo, O Faro and San Martiño. The first two are connected by a long sandy isthmus known as Roda Beach, voted the most beautiful beach in the world by the British newspaper The Guardian.
They are islands of still wild beauty, where the dominant colours are the blue of the sea and the green of the trees, thanks to the establishment of the Atlantic Islands National Park, which has safeguarded the delicate ecosystem of the area.
The Cies Islands are ideal for relaxing days sunbathing on paradisiacal beaches, but also for more active days. Walking enthusiasts will find easy hiking trails surrounded by landscapes of rare beauty; it is also possible to go diving, and if you are lucky you may spot some arroaces, a native species similar to dolphins.
During the summer months and at Easter, you can easily take a ferry that takes you to Monte Agudo and O Faro in just 40 minutes. During the rest of the year (or if you want to visit the third island, San Martiño), the only option is to hire a private boat.
Remember that the Cies Islands are part of a marine park, so if you want to reach them by private boat, you will need to apply for an anchoring permit.
If you want to take a ferry instead, keep in mind that there is a maximum number of visitors per day and that the islands are a popular tourist destination, so it is advisable to book your boat passage in advance.
Once disembarked, you can escape the crowds by not stopping at Roda Beach and continuing on to other, less famous beaches, such as Figueiras Beach.
In the following map you can see the location of the main places of interest mentioned in this article.
Vigo boasts a large number of international chain and luxury hotels; there is also a good choice of hotels in the budget price range, characterised by good value for money. The Old Town and the harbour area offer a prime location for exploring the city on foot. Here you will find boutique hotels in historic buildings and tourist flats that allow you to experience the authentic atmosphere of the old town.
The area of Plaza de Compostela and Porta do Sol represents the modern heart of the city. This area offers hotels of different categories and is within easy reach of both the historical centre and the shopping areas.
Vigo is not connected by international flights, so the options are to fly with a stopover, presumably via Barcelona or Madrid. Another option is to land in Madrid and drive to Vigo in a rented car. The drive along the A-6 and A-52 motorways is quite pleasant, with green scenery gradually opening up before you, contrasting with the arid plains of Castilla León that you leave behind. Calculate about six hours of travel time.
If you prefer to travel by public transport, you will have no difficulty finding direct trains or buses from the main Spanish cities. Remember that Vigo has two train stations, both located in the city centre.
What's the weather at Vigo? Below are the temperatures and the weather forecast at Vigo for the next few days.
Vigo is located in the Spanish region of Galicia, on the north-western tip of the country. It is located in the extreme south-east of the region, facing the sea, the southern edge of the road to La Coruna via Pontevedra and Santiago de Compostela.
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