Hello adventurers around the world! On this new post we are going to get to know the city of Vigo. It is located in the province of Pontevedra, in the autonomous community of Galicia and it is one of those cities that you have to know from beaches to history and enjoy all the beautiful landscapes from above. Here we tell you a little more about places not to get lost and tips to fully enjoy your trip to Vigo.

— Para leer esto en español aquí —

My first visit was in September, the trip was quick since we didn’t spend the night. We were on our way from Santiago de Compostela to Porto and we only stopped for a couple of hours to have lunch and see some points. Excellent trip by the way. From Vigo, the border with Portugal is about 33 km north.

For the 2nd time I visited, we did take the time to explore the city more. It was Easter, April, I was with a friend in Ourense and we spent about 3 nights in Vigo. On that trip, we also went to see Baiona, which it is another beautiful town in Galicia. I have fallen in love with Galicia and I still have so many places that I need to explore.

We start our trip relaxing in the famous Samil Beach, an extensive strip of golden sand bordered by the crystal clear waters of the Atlantic. Of course, Vigo has so many beaches along the coast, so if you visit during a good/warm season, try to visit as much as you can.

Samil Beach is one of the busiest and best-known beaches in the Galician Rías Bajas, not only is it very beautiful, but it also offers so many activities. The path right in front of the sea makes the perfect spot to go for a nice stroll while enjoying the view. Here you will find basketball courts, showers, places to sit for a snack or picnic, public swimming pools, playgrounds, a skating rink, a service for bathing in the sea for people with physical disabilities and I am sure there’s much more. Apart from restaurants and hotels across the beach on Samil Avenue.

We toured around the historic center of Vigo among shops and beautiful squares. The city really has several very nice squares and parks to sit, rest and enjoy the atmosphere for a while. Between those squares and gardens we passed by Alameda da Praza de Compostela, Praza da Constitución, among others.

And speaking of beautiful landscapes, don’t hesitate to visit Parque Monte do Castro. It is an urban park that offers stunning panoramic views of the city and the sea. It sits on top of a hill with prehistoric stone ruins and remains of a fortress built during the Middle Ages. Here you will find Santa Maria do Castro Fortress, Rande Galleon Monument, viewpoints and pleasant pathways to go for walk under the shade of the trees.

Other points to visit is the area where the Real Club Nautico de Vigo is located, right in front of Xardíns das Avenidas, which has several monuments. A few steps away is the A Laxe Shopping Center and there, although I did not see it (or it wasn’t there) when I visited, El columpio de Vigo, a big swing on top of the building.

Really, Vigo, although it was a short time to explore, is worth adding to the places to visit in this region of Spain. The truth is, there are many points in this country that I fall in love with and it is always among my favorites to visit without getting tired and continue exploring.

Below is the video that covers both trips: (CC for subtitles in English)