Vigo Car Hire

Guide of Vigo

History

Prior to its peaceful prominence as a busy port, Vigo had a tumultuous history. It was attacked many times by Vikings in the early Middle Ages when it was little more than a village and tough times continued by the time it was a larger town in the 16th and 17th centuries. During this time it was raided by Francis Drake and attacked by a Turkish fleet, with King Phillip IV building the city walls in response in 1656. Scuffles with the English navy and Napoleonic Empire followed, but Vigo continued to grow as a commercial centre regardless, with rapid expansion in the post-WWII years helping it to position itself as a major centre for automotive and shipbuilding industries as well as fishing.

Culture in Vigo

Vigo has an interesting culture that blends historic and modern attractions. If you’re a fan of architecture, the city’s university has an attractive contemporary campus around 15 minutes out of town, and despite the buildings looking so modern, they blend beautifully with the natural surroundings. The Quinones de Leon Municipal Museum is also worth a visit – housed in a lovely 17th century building, it hosts interesting archaeological artefacts and is surrounded by beautiful gardens. Meanwhile, the MARCO Vigo Museum of Contemporary Art covers video, design, fashion and digital art – an inspirational space where you can explore the leftfield tradition of Galician art through the works of established and current exponents.

Alternative Vigo

During the heady 1980s that followed General Franco’s death, Vigo was home to A Movida Viguesa, a postmodern music movement driven by dissatisfied and disenfranchised youth left unemployed after the decline of the city’s traditional industries. With a similar impact to punk in 1970s UK, bands like Aerolineas Federales, Golpes Banjo and Siniestro Total railed against the status quo and had a seminal influence on the subsequent development of contemporary Spanish music. More recently, the 2002 movie Mondays in the Sun follows a group of men as they navigate life after being left jobless following the closure of the city’s shipyards. With sharp social commentary and cool creativity, it’s always a pleasant surprise when a city like Vigo has an unexpectedly edgy side to its culture.

Things To Do in Vigo

Explore Islas Cies

The Cies Islands (Islas Cies) are an archipelago located off the Pontevedra coast and they’re part of the Vigo municipality. With beaches, nature walks and stunning views, they’re always worth a visit. Praia de Rodas has been rated as one of the best beaches in the world and its sweeping stretch of sand is popular with pleasure-seekers, but Praia de Figureiras is quieter although a little further out. If you’re feeling energetic, hike through the verdant forest interior to reach scenic viewpoints like Alto del Principe, and you’ll enjoy bracing fresh air to accompany the views. There are regular ferry services from Vigo to Islas Cies, so you won’t struggle to make it across and back in the same day.

Visit Castro Fortress

If you’re feeling reasonably fit, visiting the commanding 17th-century Castro Fortress is the best way to get your bearings. From its elevated position, you can gaze across the harbour, old town, mountains and Cies Islands. Originally designed as an artillery placement to defends against the British back in the day, it’s a fascinating place to visit and now has perfectly manicured lawns and stunning floral displays within its walls. A must-see for history buffs and anyone who loves panoramic views, you’ll love Castro Fortress.

Discover the Ensanche

Another industry which boosted Vigo’s fortunes in the 19th-century was canning and lots of the residents who made their fortunes in this industry invested in plush Belle Epoque buildings which can still be seen in the swish Ensanche area. It’s also the hub for shopping and nightlife in Vigo and hosts Almeida Park, which is the perfect place to take a break with a cool drink and indulge in some people-watching. When you want to roll like a local in Vigo, Ensanche is an excellent choice.

Eating Out in Vigo

Galician gourmet

Fancy some mouth-watering Galician fare served with a contemporary twist? Marsalu & Bambu serve the likes of oversized scallops with fresh salad, veggie falafels with healthy yogurt and the signature salad with avocado, orange and mango. If you’ve got a sweet tooth, satisfy it with delish desserts like home-made lemon pie or tiramisu. When you’re yearning for authentic local food and a varied menu, Marsalu & Bambu fits the bill, and the waiting staff are warm and friendly.

Sublime seafood

With its pedigree as Europe’s foremost fishing port, you’d expect there to be some seriously good seafood restaurants in Vigo. O Porton is one of the best – their generous seafood platters are big enough to sink a galleon, and they specialise in shellfish like clams, crab and clams. Located in the heart of fishing territory at Calle Pescaderia, this is your chance to enjoy Galician seafood as it has been savoured for generations.

Country style

If you want a farmhouse-style meal in an authentic setting with wooden beams and roaring fireplaces, make a beeline for Asador Soriano. Wood-fired cooking is the speciality here and the signature dish is lechazo (roast lamb), but you can also try the special beef steak and various delectable fish dishes. The views across the city from this terrace-type restaurant are also lovely – relax and soak them in with some fine wine and good company.

Transport

Airport

The nearest airport to the city is Vigo (VGO). It’s 7km from the city centre and offers routes to destinations like Madrid, Gran Canaria, Bilbao and Barcelona, through carriers like Iberia and Ryanair. You can pick up your car here if it’s more convenient than a downtown outlet and you’ll be in the city in no time at all.

Public transport

The public transport network in Vigo predominantly consists of the bus service, which is reasonably reliable. The service company Vitrasa offers routes across the city, and you can check timetables on their website or app. Taxis are also widely available if this is your preference (on a night out, for example).

Driving

Hiring a car is the easiest way to get around Vigo and its surrounding area and driving here is safe provided you observe the rules. Carry your full UK driving license whenever you get behind the wheel and remember that you drive on the right and overtake on the left. Seatbelts should be worn front and back and the international three-colour traffic light system is also in use. 20km/h is the speed limit here for residential areas, 50km/h in built-up areas, 90-110km/h outside built-up areas and 120km/h on motorways.