Recently we visited Vigo, Spain. Tucked along the sparkling shores of Spain’s Atlantic coast, Vigo is a vibrant seaside city in the heart of Galicia’s Pontevedra province. This beautiful city is known for its seafood. While tourism is not very big in Vigo, there is rich maritime and roman history and more to do than we originally anticipated. One of Vigo’s sweetest surprises? Some streets are lined with fragrant orange trees. These citrus beauties, introduced in the 19th century during the city’s modernization, were brought in from the Mediterranean.
We were on a cruise, so once we arrived in port and was able to disembark, we immediately saw an open air tour bus, we hopped on (They take credit cards) and it took us up to the top of Vigo to visit The Fortress of El Castro; a fortification built in 1665 by the Spanish Empire during the Portuguese Restoration War to defend the region from potential attacks by English forces. The fort was beautiful, and well kept, with gardens, a fountain, and the most spectacular views of Vigo. We also noticed many locals came here to let their dogs run around the open courtyard.
Tip: The bus only allows 10-15 min in the fort, and we never saw another bus come up that we could jump on to go to the next location it would take us too when we decided to spend more time enjoying the fort.
There is a Cafe right outside of the fort (where the bus drops off) and you can get some delicious ice cream, water, little bite to eat and oddly enough they even had a cigarette machine. (I haven’t sene one of those since I was a kid! fascinating lol)
After having some ice cream and hydrating we started back down (many steps) toward the main parts of the city. It was quite a hike but beautiful.
By this time we were of course starving, and one of my bucket lists things was to have Paella in Spain, and so we did. We went to Marqués de Cáceres for lunch and had an amazing spread of cured meats, Scallops, and of course Paella. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone visiting Vigo, it was absolutely delicious. I also had a nice glass of Spanish local wine.
Strolling through the streets of a place we visit is one of our favorite things to do, so
from there we strolled through the hilly streets in the historic quarter of Cidade Vella, we did some shopping, and just enjoyed what Vigo had to offer in architecture, history and culture.
Vigo isn’t just in Spain, it’s in Galicia, a region with a rhythm all its own. With its own language, deep-rooted traditions, and a cultural blend shaped by both Portuguese neighbors and ancient Celtic influences, Galicia feels like Spain with a soulful twist.
Ready to vibe in Vigo? With its salty sea breeze, rich culture, and coastal charm, this hidden gem invites you to experience Spain off the beaten path. Whether you want to sail in style with a cruise that docks in this gorgeous Galician gem, or you’d rather dive deep into the city with a custom land itinerary.. sun-soaked streets, fresh seafood, and Celtic charm included, we’ve got you covered. Let us plan your perfect getaway to Vigo, Spain!
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