Vigo

Introduction

Vigo

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Vigo is the largest city in the Spanish region of Galicia, and the capital of the province called Pontevedra. It is however not the capital of Galicia, making it the largest city in Spain that is not a regional capital. Vigo is an important port town, and has the largest fishing port in Europe.

Neighbourhoods

The city has 23 neighbourhoods, or parroquias, as they are called in Galicia (meaning roughly the same as Parishes).

Sights and Activities

• The old historic centre of the city.
• Atlantic Islands of Galicia National Park, including the Cíes Islands.
• The Port
• Co-Cathedral of Santa Maria de Vigo.
• Romanesque church of Santa Maria de Castelos.
• Church of Santiago de Bembrive.
• Church of San Salvador de Coruxo.
• Museum of Castrelos.
• Museum of Contemporary Art.
• Catch a football game at Balaídos Stadium, home of Celta de Vigo.

Events and Festivals

Weather

The weather of Vigo is typical of Galicia, meaning that it rains a lot. In June, July and August you can expect the lowest rainfall (still around 30-40 mm per month). But from October to January this can be multiplied by 4 or 5 times this amount. In summer the average temperature in Vigo is around 24 °C - 25 °C. In winter the temperatures don't go below 6 °C at night, and around 12 °C during the day. This is a bit warmer than other towns in Galicia.

Getting There

By Plane

Vigo Peinador Airport (IATA: VGO, ICAO: LEVX) is situated 8 kilometres to east of the city centre. Flights are carried out by Iberia or its sister company Air Nostrum. Others includeAir Europa, Vueling, Spanair and Air France. It is possible to fly to Vigo from Madrid, Valencia, Tenerife-South, Bilbao, Barcelona and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. The only international cities linked to Vigo so far are Paris and Brussels.

By Train

For information and timetables, check the website of Renfe.

By Car

Vigo is linked to the centre of Spain by the A-52 motorway, which connects to the A-6 that leads to Madrid. The AP-9 leads to Santiago de Compostela and A Coruña. The A-55 connects to the border with Portugal, where it continues as the A-3 to Braga and Porto.

By Bus

By Boat

Getting Around

By Car

By Public Transport

By Foot

By Bike

Eat

Drink

Sleep

Budget

Mid-Range

Upscale

Work

Learn

• Vigo University

Keep Connected

Internet

Phone

See also International Telephone Calls

Post

If you want to post a card, you can head to the post office (Correos). The Spanish post is not yet as efficient as colleagues in other countries so receiving a card can take a bit longer than the number of days that it should take. On the website of Correos, you can find the locations of nearby post offices.
Post offices are generally open from 8:30am to 2:00pm, although times can vary and the main post office usually is open until the early evening. Most will also open again on Saturday mornings, but in the smaller towns will close as early as 12 noon. When posting a letter, look for a yellow box and, if possible, post at the post office itself where there will also be divisions for local, national and international mail. Be prepared for long queues at the post office. This is why tobacco shops sell stamps and many will also have the facility to weigh packages.
Standard letters/postcards of up to 20 grams sent within Spain are €0.34. However, non-standard letters/postcards of up to 20g are €0.39. Letters/postcards of 20 to 50 grams are €0.45. In the case of international shipping, the price is €0.64 to most countries within Europe for standard envelopes (letters/postcards) up to 20g, for a few European countries and outside Europe it is €0.78.