Vigo, Galicia » Entertainment » Attractions

Vigo is a major industrial city in Galicia. It has some Romanesque churches and Roman ruins located a few kilometres away from the city. Vigo's notable Romanesque churches are Santa María de Castrelos, Santiago de Bembrive etc.

Top 10 Landmarks of Vigo

Islas Cíes 

Las Islas Cies (The Cies Islands), is a cluster of islands situated just off the coast of Pontevedra in Galicia, Spain. These islands were declared a nature reserve in 1980 and included in the Atlantic Islands of Galicia National Park in 2002. The islands consist of a nudist beach and famous camping area, but the tourists have to get permission from the Vigo port authority for camping, sailing, anchoring or skin diving in the Cies Islands. The boat trip from Vigo takes 45 minutes to reach the island.

Playa Samil Beach

La Playa de Samil is Vigo's largest beach and is the Lagares River's mouth. The Cies Islands provide an exquisite backdrop against the white sand of the beach. The 1700m long beach is well connected to the urban public transport network with special privileges for the disabled and elderly. It offers leisure facilities such as public swimming pools, garden areas, basketball courts, tennis and paddle courts, and a skating rink and terraces. Other services include catering, clubs and cafés.

Berbés Quarter

The Berbés Quarter came into existence as a small fishing village near the sea, but it has spread more in the mountain's direction with time. At present, it stands like the relics of a fishing quarter with narrow-fronted houses and arcades where long ago they sold fish. However, many taverns and the Stone market are restored to their original state - these places offer tasty seafood to visitors.

Porta do Sol

The Porta do Sol is a shopping centre cum historical quarter and has many cultural centres, modern museums and art foundations in Vigo. The Porta do Sol includes a cast-iron figure on the top of two columns, which resembles an imaginary figure, a hybrid of fish and man looking out to sea. Called El Sireno (The Merman), it is one of the modern symbols of Vigo.

Museo do Mar de Galicia - Galicia Marine Museum ( visit site )

The Museo del Mar de Galicia is a modern museum extending into vast outdoor areas, surrounded by a wall and the Atlantic Ocean. The museum offers a vision of both past and present fishing and highlighting the marine life of Galicia with several demonstrations. The museum also has a small lighthouse where one can have an incredible view of the Ria of Vigo.

Fortress of O Castro

In 1665, the Castro Fortress was constructed to protect the city from the British Navy's continuous attacks. During that time, the Castro, the San Sebastian Fortress and the city wall were all the city's defences. Still, unfortunately, they didn't prove very useful as they couldn't stop hostile interventions. At present, the fortress has become a famous tourist attraction because of the beautiful gardens, open spaces and superb views of Vigo.

Santa María Collegiate Church (The Church of Santa María)

The Santa María collegiate church is the city's most visited church situated in the old town. Dating back to the Middle Ages, it is dedicated to Cristo de la Victoria (the Christ of Victory). The church's present building was built in the 19th century when demolished and rebuilt on the original place of worship. The church has three barrel-vaulted naves, wherein the outside naves are narrow while the central one is wide. These naves are separated by the twelve Doric columns, offering a great view.

Verbum - Casa das Palabras

The Verbum, Casa das Palabras is designed by Cesar Portela, a Galician architect. It is an interactive museum located opposite Samil beach. The museum has four floors - semi-basement, ground floor, first floor and terrace. All floors are unified by a lightbox, which relates to each other uniformly. Also, the stairs and lifts of the museum are kept in the lightbox structure. The museum is theme based on four subjects - languages, sciences, literature and technology.

Parque del Castro

The Parque Del Castro is an inner-city park situated in the centre of Vigo. The park consists of a large stone cross, a monument and the ruins of a pre-Roman settlement. Because of its position on a hilltop, the park offers a spectacular view of the city. Many visitors get attracted to its sandy paths, palm trees, mossy embankments and stone benches. It has a small section, which comprises the remains of a great fort known as the San Sebastian.

Calle de las Ostras

Officially called Pescadería Street, the famous Calle de las Ostras or Oyster Street is a narrow pedestrian street. The area has many restaurants that serve the superb Vigo estuary oysters along with a chilled glass of Rías Baixas (DO) - white wine.

Beach of A Punta

It is also called the Beach of A Punta Timoeiro. Located at the Parish of Teis, it is 127m wide. It offers facilities like life-saving equipment and guards, and first aid equipment. It has a promenade, showers, drinking fountains, public telephone, small car park and Red Cross.

Rias Bajas (Rías Baixas)

Located in the southern part of Spain's Galicia region, Rias Bajas is a part of Costa del Morisco, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Also known as Lower Rias, it is the southern part of the Province of Coruña and the entire Province of Pontevedra. It's bordered by the Portuguese coast in the south and ends at Cape Finisterre to the North.

Pazo de Castrelos

Pazo de Castrelos has been classified as a historical-artistic monument since 1955. It is a 17th-century building, but today it is home to the Quiñones de León Municipal Museum, featuring archaeology and painting collections. The structure of the monument mainly consists of a rectangular bay surrounded by two towers. In the front, there is a large courtyard with a circular pool.

La Toja (A Toxa)

Located on the road that passes through Pontevedra, this is one of the most attractive little towns on Spain's northern Atlantic coast and sits at the tip of a peninsula.

Candean-Vixiador

Candean-Vixiador extends over an area of around 184,878m. One of the best spots for a picnic with a nice bar, restaurant, drinking fountain, viewpoint, and many more.

Church of Castrelos

This ancient church was constructed in 1216. It is 20m long, 7m wide and 7m high, with a semicircular apse at the sanctuary and a straight and semicircular stretch. Every year the Church of Castrelos is the venue of the feasts of San Brais and As Candelas, with devotees attending the liturgical services, in line with tradition, to make votive offerings to cure their illnesses.

Vigo Zoo ( Visit Site )

Galicia's only zoo, Vigo Zoo, is ideal for spending an afternoon with your family, learning about different animal species and the local ecosystem. Located about six miles from the city centre in Madroa, the zoo cares for all kinds of animals, from lions, tigers and bears to the curious primates. The zoo offers various exciting programs throughout the year for all ages. So, enquire about their current activities available during your stay.