Vigo Galicia. Vigo is the Atlantic gateway to Spain. Main attractions. What to see
Vigo is the largest city in Galicia, located on shore of a picturesque bay Atlantic Ocean. The first mention of the city dates back to 1097 - in those days it was a simple fishing village. However, the favorable location in the bay, suitable for navigation, contributed to the transformation of the village into a seaport. Today Vigo is one of the largest fishing ports not only in Spain, but also in the world, as well as –
crowded tourist center.
City of the Islands
luxury cruise ships moored in the ports of the city,- it's a common thing here. Travelers are attracted by the Islas Cies Islands located in Vigo Bay. The archipelago of 433 hectares is a popular holiday destination with fantastic beaches and at the same time a natural protection zone, where cormorants nest, seagulls and gray herons.
The beaches of the island of Ilha Norte are included in the top ten beaches in the world by the British daily The Guardian. Islas Cies can be reached every day by ferry or tourist yacht, but with the onset of the evening you will have to leave the islands: it is forbidden to be in the protected area at night.
Attractions Vigo
But not only Islas Cies attract the attention of tourists visiting Vigo.
In the city is the only one in Galicia Zoo with an area of 45,000 sq. meters, located on a mountain with a height of 240 meters. It contains about 600 animals.
In Vigo, you can visit the old Castro fortress in the southern part of the city, the Ponte de Rande suspension bridge connecting the shores of a deep bay, the Garcia Barbón Theater - one of the most beautiful and magnificent buildings in the city, and the castle-museum of Quinones de Leon.
Art and science lovers will be interested in the museums of Vigo: the Museum of Nature with interactive expositions, the Museum of the Sea, the Museum of Modern Art, the Pinacoteca, the Center for Photography of Galicia, the Ethnographic Museum and others.
An interesting fact is that the oldest newspaper in Spain and Portugal, Faro de Vigo, is published in Vigo, the first issue of which was published on November 3, 1853.
Sport and climate in Vigo
Vigo is visited by numerous fans of sailing: more than 40 sandy beaches in the bay and natural and climatic features create ideal conditions for surfing and kiting.
Vigo has a temperate, humid climate with mild but rainy winters and warm summers, partly due to the mountains around the city.
How to get to Vigo
Getting to Vigo by any means of transport is not difficult. In addition to regular bus and train connections, the Peinador local airport receives domestic and international flights from many cities in Spain and Europe. The distance from Vigo to the center of Galicia, the city of Santiago de Compostela, is approximately 90 km, to Madrid - 600 km.
Sights of Vigo. The most important and interesting sights of Vigo - photos and videos, descriptions and reviews, location, sites.
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There are enough museums in Vigo: the Museum of the Sea, the MARCO Museum of Contemporary Art, the Verboom Science Museum and, of course, the wonderful Quiñones de Leon, where you can first admire Goya for free, and then take a walk in the best park in the city. But still, the main attractions of Vigo are not inside the buildings, but on the streets, in the port, off the coast and even on the islands.
The Puerta del Sol is the center and heart of Vigo, where the Old Town meets the Ensanche. Here you will find museums, funds, cultural centers and the sculpture of a merman that has become the hallmark of the city. "El Sireno", the fish man, was created by the contemporary sculptor Francisco Leiro and is a metaphorical expression of the union of man and the sea, that is, what Vigo has been based on for many centuries.
Vigo's coastal region, Buzas, has its own particular vibe: here the city's fast pace slows down and tourists feel transported back in time. Walking through the narrow cobbled streets of the Old Town and being on the Buzas promenade, you can admire one of the best views of the Vigo Estuary. Plus, there are a lot of lively pleasant terraces where it is customary to contemplate the sunset, enjoying seafood or empanada.
On Oyster Street, it is customary to do this: you buy oysters directly from the merchants on the street and sit next to them at long tables to eat them. No Michelin stars, but the taste and freshness are excellent.
Vigo's main shopping street is the Principe, named after the son of Isabella II. Here you can find a maximum of goods in one place: clothes, handicrafts, waffles, shoes, jewelry... If choice is important to you, you are here. If the price is important to you, you should go to the A-Pedra market, which is nearby, in the Old Town. If fish is important to you, head to the O-Progress market, where they sell it at retail.
After visiting the market in the morning, by lunchtime you should settle on Oyster Street (“Calle de las Ostras”). This is one of the main tourist attractions of the modern city: the whole street from beginning to end is one continuous restaurant. Here it is customary to do this: you buy oysters directly from the merchants on the street and sit next to them at long tables to eat them. No Michelin stars, but the taste and freshness are excellent.
The best beach in Vigo (if you do not take into account the incomparable Cies archipelago and its "Rodas") is the beach "Samil". The white sand and silhouetted islands on the horizon add to the fact that Vigo's mild winters and warm summers make it the sunniest and least rainy region of Galicia.
If you don't drive over the famous Rande bridge, your experience of Vigo will not be complete. The bridge offers wonderful views of the San Simon Islands, the Cies archipelago and the Vigo Estuary in general. The bridge, opened in 1981, is crossed by about 50,000 cars every year, and its appearance makes it one of the most recognizable in Spain.
Spain - charming vigo- located on the rugged western coast of the province Galicia in a deep bay like a fjord. Vigo definitely loves its cruise ship guests because the entire port area has been remodeled and is a stunning experience.
Boats moor at the Muelle de Transatlanticos, which is right in front of the walled city. Just cross Avenida del Castillo, a very busy coastal boulevard lined with palm trees, and you will be there. In the cruise terminal you can find several small shops and cafes with Wi-Fi on the ground floor.
Note: Since Vigo is also an important fishing port, seagulls are a must-have... you can find them anywhere, even on the balcony of your cabin.
What to see in Vigo on a cruise
Galicia's cool and humid climate has earned it the nickname "Green Spain" and made it a popular haunt for Spaniards looking to escape the sweltering summer heat, enjoy the lush rustic scenery and sample some of the freshest and most delicious seafood in the world.
For cruisers, this means: Vigo is a must-see if you want to see "real" Spain, get to know the locals and explore the area, almost unaffected by mass tourism. Adventures begin right on the embankment, from where a multi-tiered Old Vigo rises to ElCastro- one of the three citadels that originally protected the Spanish city.
Samil beach(Playa de Samil), located just a few miles south of Vigo, is considered the best beach near the city. On this long stretch of coastline covered with golden sand, you can bask in the sun and plunge into the sea, because here the mouth of the river serves as a protection from the oncoming waves. Take a walk along the white promenade that stretches behind the beach, or relax in one of the many cafes that welcome you with ice cream and soft drinks. There is also a bus stop with free entry and exit, which will be discussed below.
The new tourist office is located directly opposite the cruise terminal. You can also buy ferry tickets there.
Routes, excursions, transport in the port of Vigo
Buses with free entry and exit leave from the entrance to the port, but they run very rarely. Good alternative - busC1, moving on a circular route through the city. The stop is located on the main road on the other side of the tourist office. Pay the driver 1.4 euros in cash for a single trip ticket.
Taxi line up right outside the port gates. All of them are equipped with a counter (a green light serves as a signal that they are ready to take a passenger).
Another option is to travel to ferry to a small and carefree town Kangas located on the other side of the bay from Vigo. The journey takes 15 minutes, ferries leave every quarter of an hour, the cost of a round trip ticket is 4 euros. The ferry terminal can be found 100 meters from your mooring.
The surrounding landscape is magnificent. Ships may offer trips to mountain biking and walking tours.
If Vigo has become famous throughout Spain for something, it is the ability to make surprises. Tourists do not flood it with the start of the holiday season, although there are no less than 45 beaches on the coastline of Vigo, which are considered the best in Galicia. Vigo is not known as the best place for a family vacation, despite the fact that here is the only and, accordingly, the best zoo in the entire region with one and a half thousand animals.
The city does not enjoy the glory of a historical monument, and yet on every street at least one old mansion lurks here, and Vigo itself is surrounded by powerful fortress walls of the 17th century. More and more ancient buildings were razed to the ground by pirates led by Francis Drake, in this bay priceless trophies from America went to the bottom. Vigo has reserved all the beauties for those who prefer to lay new routes on the map of Spain, rather than follow the already beaten paths.
Flights to Vigo
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How to get to Vigo
By plane
Vigo-Peinador Airport is located eight kilometers east of the city center. It does not accept direct flights from Russia, so Vigo has to be reached with two transfers in Helsinki and Madrid (Finnair and Iberia), with one transfer in Madrid (Aeroflot), Paris (Air France). A shuttle bus runs from the airport to the city.
By train
You can get from Madrid to Vigo by bus: the journey will take from six and a half to nine and a half hours and will cost 57.50 €, from Valencia - more than ten hours, from Barcelona - at least 13 hours. Even from the closer Oviedo, it will take about nine hours to get to Vigo. It is most convenient to search for tickets on the Renfe train website.
Hotels in Vigo
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Hostal Real overlooking the port of Vigo offers a single room with a shared bathroom for 20 €. The hostel is a 5-minute walk from La Piedra Market and a 10-minute drive from Puerta del Sol Beach.
The two-star Hostal Casais rents a single room with all amenities for 25 € per night. It is closer to the historic quarter and the train station.
If you want to stay closer to the city center, then Hostal la Colegiata is suitable. Double room will cost the same 25 €. Nearby are La Colegiata Cathedral, La Piedra Market and the marina.
Hotel Oca Ipanema is located in the heart of the city, although some of the rooms offer sea views. It is 700 meters from the Museum of Modern Art and 150 meters from El Cortes Inglés Outlet. A night in a double room costs 40 €.
Shopping in Vigo
The markets of Vigo are also a kind of city attraction. The covered market of La Pedra (Mercado de la Pedra) is located on the square of the same name (Plaza da Pedra). There is a huge selection of marine reptiles of all varieties, and, they say, oysters are especially good (for tasting they are given a glass of white wine in addition). However, with regard to bags and clothes, one must remain vigilant, as fakes of famous brands are most often sold here. Another large fish market is located in the Berbes area (La Lonja de Berbes). There is nothing surprising in such an abundance of fish establishments - it is not for nothing that Vigo has gained fame as perhaps the main supplier of fish to Europe.
The most popular souvenir in Vigo is the wicker basket. Before they became a decorative item, local fishermen carried freshly caught fish into them. Wicker items of all kinds - from baskets to dishes - can be picked up on Cesteiros Street (Calle de los Cesteiros). Here, wicker works of art for every taste are displayed at the door.
Vigo beaches
Among all the beaches of Vigo, the best known are Rodas and Baluarte. The first is not located within the city, but on the North Island of the nearby Cies archipelago. Getting to the beach, named by the British newspaper The Guardian as one of the best in the world, is worth it. Turquoise water, white sand, legends about pirates that once lurked here - Rodas (Praia das Rodas) really can provide everything you need for a beach holiday. If you want to stay here, then only camping in the national park is at the service of tourists. But you can refresh yourself here without any problems - the restaurant next door has a large selection of seafood.
Baluarte beach is located near Rua Canido. With the purity of the sand and the transparency of the water, it is not inferior to Rodas; it lacks only remoteness from the bustle of the city.
Vigo is the largest city in the Spanish autonomous community of Galicia. It is located at the mouth of the Vigo River, among wooded hills, on the shores of the Gulf of the Atlantic Ocean. The shores of Vigo Bay are connected to each other by means of the famous suspension bridge Ponte de Rande. Nature itself took care of protecting these places: on the one hand, the city covers the sea and a group of islands, and on the other, mountain ranges. Currently, Vigo is considered the safest place on the coast during severe storms, it is here that small ships take shelter from bad weather.
- Area: 109 km²;
- Timezone: UTC+1, summer UTC+2;
- Population: 229,100.
A bit of history
For the first time the city was mentioned as a small fishing village in 1097. Over time, a favorable geographical location and the presence of a nearby bay suitable for navigation played a role and contributed to the creation of a seaport in the settlement. Today, Vigo hosts a transatlantic seaport and has its own ship repair and shipbuilding yards. At the moment, it is one of the main centers of shipbuilding and the main fishing center in Europe. In the port of the city there are warehouses of the fishing company - "Peskanova", which is the largest in the world. The importance of this port was confirmed by the opening in Vigo of the headquarters of the European Fisheries Control Agency. 
general information
The city is quite crowded - the permanent population is about 300 thousand people - with a well-developed tourist infrastructure. Huge cruise ships moor here with a mass of travelers who are attracted by Islas Cies, located in the bay, belonging to the National Park of the Atlantic Islands of Galicia. The archipelago of more than 400 hectares is a popular holiday destination with ideal sandy beaches, considered among the best in the world, and a protected area where gray herons, cormorants and gulls build their nests. Islas Cies can be reached at any time of the day by tourist yacht or ferry; in the evening and at night, being in the protected area is prohibited. 
Weather
The region enjoys a mild Mediterranean climate, with cool weather in the winter months and warm weather in the summer. December and January are considered the coldest - the air at this time warms up to an average of + 11 ... + 12⁰C. At the same time, the maximum amount of precipitation also occurs in these months. Summer in this area is dry and moderately warm, with maximum temperatures of +24…+26⁰C in July-August.
Thanks to the natural and climatic conditions, lovers of surfing and sailing come to Vigo. Also here are the official representative offices of large yacht clubs: Liceo Miritimo de Buzas and Real Club Notico de Vigo. 
Transport
Getting to the city is not difficult - it has its own airport serving both domestic and international flights, a railway station and a developed network of intercity bus routes. 
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What to see
In addition to the famous islands of Islas Cies, there are other attractions in Vigo. Almost the entire city is represented by interesting and original modern buildings, combining different architectural styles and trends. Among other things, there are a lot of sculptures and statues made in both abstract and realistic styles: a composition of rearing bronze horses; "Monument to Labor", depicting heroically built fishermen pulling nets from the sea; The visiting card of the city is the El Sireno sculpture, which is a man-fish and symbolizes the union of man and the sea. 
Fans of ancient monuments and sights also have something to see. The ancient and medieval buildings of Vigo were destroyed by numerous fires arising from internecine wars, pirate raids, and various epidemics. The historical center of the city today is represented by the district of Casco Velho, formed in the 16th century, with narrow, winding and paved streets. 
In the southern part of the city, on a hill 140 meters high, to protect and defend the city from the Portuguese troops, the Kastro fortress was built in the 17th century. It has reached our days in a dilapidated state and today it is surrounded by a beautiful park with lots of greenery, decorated with sculptures and fountains. From the observation deck of the fortress, a stunning view of the bay and the surroundings of the city opens up, almost every tourist takes memorable photos against this picturesque background.
The main cathedral of Vigo is the church of St. Mary. The first temple was erected in the 12th century, then the cathedral was rebuilt several times, and in 1809 it was completely dismantled due to a powder warehouse that exploded nearby. The new neoclassical church was built in 1838. It is this building of the 19th century that has survived to this day. 
Fans of cultural entertainment can visit one of the museums in Vigo: the Museum of the Sea, the Ethnographic Museum, "Verbum" - the Science Museum, MARCO - the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Museum of Nature presenting interactive exhibitions and the castle-museum of Quiñones de Leon.
You can admire nature in the largest park in the city, surrounding the Art Museum, located in the building of the Quiñones de Leon castle. And on a hill about 240 meters high, there is the only zoo in all of Galicia, on a huge area of \u200b\u200bwhich is home to about 600 animals.
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