Vigo, Spain

Lying on the rugged Atlantic coast, Vigo is one of the main industrial cities of Galicia and a major fishing port located on the western coast of Spain. Its geographical position and interesting tourist offer make Vigo one of the most popular and visited cruise ship ports in Spain. The cruise terminal is located a 10-minute walk away from the city center, on the Muelle de Trasatlanticos, and offers facilities such as security screening, wheelchair assistance, a shop, and a small bar. 
When you step out of the terminal building, there is a beautiful marina dominated by the modern building of the Centro Commercial – a shopping mall, where you can go shopping or enjoy Spanish coffee or tapas in several cafes outside the mall. The mall has a nice rooftop dining area, offering panoramic views of the city and its marina, and shortcut access to the city center using a bridge built for that purpose. 

However, if you decide not to go to the city center through the shopping mall, you can simply start your walk along the beautiful waterfront promenade situated across your ship and after 5 minutes you’ll reach Mercado da Pedra, a fresh seafood market, very popular among tourists. The market is full of charming restaurants and tapas bars, but you can also buy fresh fish and seafood, especially oysters, as Vigo boasts the best oyster farms in Galicia. Your walk will continue uphill, and you will soon get to the main pedestrian zone where you can find designer stores, gift shops, restaurants, bars, banks, ATMs – practically everything you might need.

Vigo has a rich cultural and historical heritage, and on your way to the pedestrian area, you’ll come across beautiful squares and facades of old buildings, nowadays housing numerous tapas and wine bars. There are also some historical monuments to be found here, such as the Cathedral of Santa Maria de Vigo dating from the 19th century, located on the Praza da Igrexa. One of the main highlights of Vigo is the 17th-century citadel – Castro’s fortress, located a 20-minute walk (mostly uphill) from the cruise terminal (1,4 kilometers). The fortress was built on a hilltop overlooking the city, and nowadays is a wonderful park where you can walk, relax, or even workout. 

However, if you decide to spend your day at the beach, Samil beach might be the best option. The beach is located 6,5 kilometers from the cruise terminal in Vigo and is one of the most beautiful sandy beaches in Galicia. It has a nice promenade alongside, boasting restaurants, bars, shops, and watersports facilities. 

Last but not least, the capital of Galicia, Santiago de Compostela, is also possible to be visited during your stay in Vigo. The city has been one of the most important pilgrimage sites for the European Christians over centuries and is located 96 kilometers from Vigo (1 hour 15 minutes drive). Sometimes there are shore excursions organized to get you there, but you can also visit it on your own. Vigo has many choices to offer, and it’s up to you to get the most of it. For further information on the Spanish cruise ports, please visit adventourbegins.com