Vigo is the largest city in Galicia and the heart of the Rías Baixas. Without a doubt, this is a lively city that offers a multitude of activities for all tastes. If you are going to visit for a weekend, we tell you the must-visit places of this jewel of the Atlantic.
Which areas of the city of Vigo you must visit
Get yourself a pen and paper because, with this list of places that we suggest you visit in Vigo, you will be able to visit the city in just two days.
For the first day, we recommend you visit the most charming parts of the city and, for the second, that you enjoy the nature and relax on its beautiful beaches. That way, you will have a full weekend.
To start your urban visit, we recommend you visit the city’s historic centre, since this is where most of the shopping, cultural and leisure opportunities can be found. On the one hand, in the Ensanche area, you will find stately Vigo, with its wide streets and elegant 19th century buildings. In this area, you will find lots of shops and cafés. In addition, you will be able to enjoy the green areas, including the park of Alameda, where you will find a stunning botanical garden with hundred-year-old trees and seasonal flowers.
One of the busiest streets of the Ensanche area is calle Príncipe. This pedestrianised street is an outdoor shopping area where you can find all types of shops. At the bottom of this street, you will find the “Puerta de Sol”, where you can see the sculpture of “El Sireno” (male mermaid) by Cambados-born sculptor Francisco Leiro, an emblematic figure of the city which is used as a meeting place among its inhabitants.
On one side of the square you will find the main entrances to the city’s historic quarter, also known as Casco Vello. The old city of Vigo was situated in this neighbourhood, with a wall surrounding it that protected the city from the looting of the area. Its cobbled streets, surrounded by historic buildings from the Renaissance merge in Plaza de la Constitución (Constitution Square), one of the most emblematic places in the city. The town hall once stood in this square and, currently, you can visit the numerous craft shops and bars that serve typical food from the area.
If you are wondering what to visit in Vigo’s Casco Vello, we recommend you go to the church of Santa María, the city’s Co-cathedral. We also recommend you head to the Plaza de A Pedra lookout point and take a look at the beautiful Vigo coastline. From there, you will be able to go to the A Laxe shopping centre, via a walkway that will give you access to the Estación Marítima del Muelle Transatlántico (Transatlantic Quay Maritime Station).
If you fancy something to eat before you reach this area, you will find a variety of streets in the historic quarter that are full of restaurants where you can enjoy wine and tapas, as well as good fish and seafood.
After eating, we recommend you take a walk around the port. At the Maritime Station, you will have a stunning panoramic view of the mouth of the Ria de Vigo and the port. During your walk, you will be able to enjoy a privileged view of the Atlantic. In the port, you will find the pier from which the boats leave to go to the Cíes Islands and the Islands of Ons. You will also come across a monument to Jules Verne. The French novelist visited Vigo on several occasions and a chapter of the book Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea is set in the city.
After dinner, we recommend you have a drink in the bars on Plaza Compostela or calle Rosalía de Castro, for example.
Enjoy Vigo’s natural areas and coastline
As a city, Vigo has it all. You can find everything that a large, dynamic and cosmopolitan city has, while also being able to switch off and relax in its natural areas, such as its mountains or beaches.
One of these places is Monte de O Castro, situated in the heart of the city. One of the highest points, with spectacular views from the top. At O Castro, the city’s first inhabitants settled in the 2nd and 3rd centuries BC. In addition to enjoying the views, those who visit this wonderful place will be able to see the archaeological sites found from this ancient civilisation.
If the sun is shining and you would prefer to enjoy a day at the beach, Vigo also offers you this option. The best-known beach is Samil, situated in the area of Navia and has been awarded a blue flag. Being a city beach, it has the advantage of having shops and restaurants nearby.
Another good option is the beach of O Adro in Bouzas or the beach of Alcabre, where you will be able to enjoy a day at the beach with multiple options: you can hire a boat at the port, sunbathe and go fishing, all in one day.
However, the most popular plan with the option to visit the beach and relax, and where you will enjoy an unforgettable experience is the Cíes Islands and the Islands of Ons, of great historic and environmental value and with a unique beauty. Indeed, if you decide to visit them, remember to book in advance as visits are limited and it is a very popular trip.
In order to fully enjoy the beaches of the Ría de Vigo, hundreds of people head to Cangas do Morrazo, a town on the other side of the ria which can be reached by boat or by crossing the Rande bridge. Along its coastline, you will find clear waters and white sand to relax on.
As you can see, Ría de Vigo offers a variety of options. Don’t worry if you don’t have time see everything in a weekend, you can always come back again.
We hope you have enjoyed our recommendations about what to see and what to visit in Vigo in a weekend. We want you to enjoy your experience to the maximum and hope you come back and visit this beautiful city again soon.
