Vigo Area Guide

Vigo is situated on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean in the Galician province of Pontevedra. Its fishing origins have left the legacy of an historic quarter with a strong maritime flavour in stark contrast with the modern facilities of its marinas. This city is an excellent base from which to visit the towns and villages along the Vigo estuary and the Cíes Islas that form part of the National Park of the Atlantic Islands.

The port of Vigo is one of the finest natural ports in the world surrounded by major historic buildings and wide tree-lined avenues. The Porta del Sol is officially the centre of the city with the tall sculpture Sireno, which is gilded figure by Paco Leiro which is half man and half sea creature.

The city's origin can be traced back to a Celtic village and Roman settlement. During the Middle Ages it was attacked repeatedly by the Vikings and remained a small settlement until the 15th century. Sir Francis Drake raided it twice in 1585 and 1589 and a Turkish fleet attacked it shortly afterwards. To protect the population from further attacks the city walls were built in 1656 and part of them have been preserved and can still be seen today.

The mountains of A Madroa and A Guía that surround the city of Vigo are great places to explore with a zoo on Mount A Madroa and a Municipal Park with the hermitage of Nosa Señora da Guía.

Vigo was one of the last Spanish cities to be incorporated in the Napoleonic Empire in the early 19th century, and the first city of Galicia to be freed from the French. The 19th and the 20th centuries were marked by rapid growth making Vigo the leading industrial area in Galicia.

Well preserved historical buildings along with modern architecture, beaches and natural parks attract visitors to Vigo. To find our more visit our guide to local attractions in Vigo.

The coast of Galicia is peppered with bays and inlets called "rias". On a map the land line appears rugged, but at ground level it offers a myriad of picturesque bays and beaches.

Vigo has over a dozen beaches within the city limits. To find out which are the best ones for you visit our guide to beaches in Vigo.

Vigo has three excellent golf courses in its immedaite environs. All offer excellent amenities and relaxing games with spectacular views. to find out more about what is on offer and details on how to book a tee time visit our guide to golf courses in Vigo.

 

The Rías Baixas provide hake, turbot and sea bass as well as a whole range of shellfish including goose barnacles, oysters, clams, mussels and cockles. These raw materials are served in stews and pies, on their own or combined with other flavours and textures. Veal and Galician potatoes, known as "cachelos" are used in the tastiest of dishes

Our guide to restaurants in Vigo tells you about the local Galician cuisine and the best places to go to sample it.

To find out the best places to shop in Vigo and when and where the markets are held both in the city centre and surrounding area, visit our guide to shopping in Vigo.

 

If you are planning to explore the area outside of the city centre and play some golf or go to some of the more out of the way beaches then you might consider hiring a car . There are a number of car hire firms based at Vigo Airport who will be pleased to have a vehicle awaiting your arrival. This also cuts down on transfer costs for you and your family.

We also provide information on other sporting and leisure amenities in Vigo including an Area Guide to Vigo which contains information on Vigo local attractions, golf courses in Vigo, good places to shop in Vigo and where the best Vigo beaches are. We have also included a list of recommended Vigo restaurants