Vigo

Vigo, Spain

Vigo, a port city in Spain's north-west set scenically on the bank of Ria de Vigo estuary, is the world's largest fishing port. Vigo enjoys fine seafood fresh from the Atlantic, as evident in its numerous cozy taverns. The wildly beautiful Cies Islands, along with one of the world's finest beaches, Rodas, are only a short ferry trip away.

Population:

293,642

Currency:

1 euro = 100 cents

Emergency Numbers:

EU Emergency: 112
Police: 091
Guardia Civil: 062

Opening Hours:

The 2.30 to 5pm siesta is widely observed; most shops are closed on Sunday, and some do not open on Saturday evenings.

Newspapers:

Faro de Vigo (Spanish)

The City

Arguably the underdog of Galician cities, Vigo is surprisingly the province's most populous, and one that can - given the chance - easily entice both city breakers and beach vacationers over to its side. Vigo's indisputable winning cards are its excellent seafood (it is, after all, the world's largest fishing port) and easy access to the stunningly beautiful Cies Islands, dubbed by the Romans "the islands of the Gods". There is a limit of 2200 daily visitors to the islands for preservation purposes, so booking a spot in advance is highly recommended (especially so during the summer).

The town itself is appealing in equal measure. Alongside plenty of shopping and dining opportunities, there are a few museums worth checking out, and a good many hiking routes - the city's highest points are the O Castro, with its 2000-year-old archaeological site and panoramic public park, overlooking the Vigo estuary, and the Monte da Guía, just north along the coast. What the city may lack in architectural uniformity (its 20th-century growth happened rapidly) it more than makes up for with vibrancy of spirit, natural beauty, and a thriving nightlife.

Do & See

More often than not used as a transit base or intermediate point between destinations elsewhere on the mainland and the magnificent Cies Islands, Vigo has much more to see than you might have expected. With art museums, some of the world's finest seafood, breezy seaside promenades and an attractive old town, Vigo is worth lingering in for quite a while.

Dining

As one might well-expect from the world's largest fishing port, seafood reigns supreme in Vigo, and is best enjoyed as part of traditional Galician offerings such as "polbo á feira" (or "pulpo a la gallega", octopus dusted with red paprika and sprinkled with oil). There is plenty beyond fine seafood, however - "lacón con grelos", for example, is traditional pork leg with greens, and Galician "empanadas" (or meat pies).

Cafes

Whether it's traditional Spanish churros served with hot chocolate, a fine coffee brew or traditional Galician desserts that you're after, rest assured you'll find exactly what you're looking for at one of Vigo's many cafe hideaways.