Arriving by sea makes for a splendid welcome to Vigo, a port city in Spain's north-west set scenically on the bank of Ria de Vigo estuary, facing the Atlantic. Surprisingly the world's largest fishing port, Vigo enjoys fine seafood in its highest concentration, and offers it up upon first request at restful local taverns. The wildly beautiful Cies Islands, along with one of the world's finest beaches, Rodas, are only a short ferry trip away.
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.Read More
