Vigo Local Attractions

Vigo is in the Galician province of Pontevedra It has the Casco Vella historic quarter around the old maritime quarter of O Berbés near the port. With the Plaza de la Constitución at its heart it is full of tiny streets where most façades have glass-encased miradors.

Monuments here include the Collegiate Church of Santa María and the Cathedral of Vigo-Tui which is neoclassical in style,constructed on the remains of a Gothic church burned down by the pirate Francis Drake. Also worthy of visit in this area is the do Pedra market which is a place for buying and sampling Galician oysters.

The newer part of Vigo occupies a triangle formed by the Puerta del Sol, Colón and Urzáiz. Lining the wide avenues are majestic buildings including the García Barbón Cultural Centre designed by Antonio Palacios. The modern sector contains one of the best miradors over the Vigo estuary, the Monte do Castro mount.

In the surrounding hills and forests of Vigo you will find the remains of the hill-forts that constituted the early settlement, as well as the ruins of the 10th-century O Penso Castle with a 17th-century tower which is still standing.

The large Municipal Park of Castrelos is located on what once was the estate of the Quiñones de León country house. It has Neoclassical gardens and ancient trees housing an interesting collection of Roman steles, furniture and statuary, and an art gallery exhibiting European works from the Baroque period as well modern works by Galician artists. It also has an open-air auditorium where key music events are held.

The Santa Maria Cathedral in the historical quarter is the best known church in Vigo with a revered sculpture of the Christ of Victory. The church was burned during Francis Drake's raid in 1589 and rebuilt in the early 19th century. Only a Gothic tympanum and a relief representing the Adoration of the Magi have been preserved. The Romanesque Church of Castrelos dates back to the 13th century and the feasts of San Brais and As Candelas are held there every year. Pazo de Pastora is an impressive rectangular building with two towers which used to be the residence of the General Inquisitor under King Felipe III.

Final mention goes to The Horses by Xoan Xose Oliveira in Plaza de Espana, which is a beautiful sculpture of five horses set in a circular pond, and the Door of the Atlantic by Silverio Rivas in Plaza de America which is an arch symbolizing a gate in the middle of a pond.

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