Car Hire Vigo - Mini guide to Vigo

Vigo, a city which has it roots firmly intertwined with the resources of the Atlantic Ocean, is Spain’s largest fishing port. It is located in Pontevedra, Galicia, in the northwestern corner of the country.

The remains of St James are buried in Vigo, and the city has long been visited by pilgrims who stop here to pay their respects to the saint and to visit the impressive Roman Catholic cathedral.

Vigo’s historical quarter is permeated with an unmistakable maritime flavour, owing to the town’s beginnings as a humble fishing village. The highlight of its network of tiny streets is the neoclassical figure of the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria, which was built on the site of a Gothic cathedral that was burned down by the pirate Francis Drake.

Another must-see in the old town is the charming do Pedra market, an excellent place to taste and purchase delectable Galician oysters. The newer area of Vigo, though very different to the historical section, is also worth a wander. Strolling along the wide, tree-lined avenues will take you past some impressive architectural buildings.

Just outside the city, the unspoilt coastline offers some spectacular beaches for sun-worshippers to enjoy. There is also a golf course in the area for the more active spirits. Culinary cravings are easily satisfied in the restaurants scattered throughout the town. You can sample a selection of international dishes, as well as incomparably delicious Galician fare - including seafood straight from the Atlantic waters.

Vigo is an excellent base from which to explore the treasures of Galicia, including the famous city of Santiago de Compostela, the third most important site of Christendom in the Middle Ages after Jerusalem and Rome. The Cies Islands, only an hour’s trip from the mainland, make up part of the National Park of the Atlantic Ocean. The sheer cliffs and dunes of this island wilderness are home to vast numbers of migrating birds and a plethora of plant life.

Madrid is linked to Vigo by the northwest dual carriageway. Trains and buses run between Vigo and cities nearby, as well as to Madrid and Barcelona. Peinador Airport lies 10kms away, and has scheduled charter flights as well as standard local and international flights.