VIGO | A Weekend Guide to Spain's Best-Kept Secret
A hidden gem in Galicia: seafood, sunsets & slow living.
Have you ever traveled to a new city and just instantly fall in love?
Well, that’s exactly what happens each time we visit Vigo, Spain.
What’s Love Got to Do With It? In the Case of Vigo, Everything
A Local’s Paradise
This beautiful coastal city is nestled in Galicia, Spain (the country’s western most region, home to verdant landscapes that produce its world-renowned beef, wines, and cheeses).
Josh and I had a hankering for a weekend getaway that would delight our tastebuds and only one city fit the bill: Vigo.
One Friday morning, we headed northbound for the 1h10 min drive to Spain; as we neared the city – with faces pressed firmly against the window – we found ourselves in awe, yet again, of the deep blue waters and Spanish-tiled roofs that adorn almost every home.
Arriving in the city center we were giddy with delight - the weather gods blessed us not only with the clearest skies but a crisp seabreeze too. We were there to soak in the sights but above all, merrily eat and drink our way through town. All. Weekend. Long.
It’s a Vibe
I like to think of Vigo as San Sebastián’s more laid back yet equally charming younger sibling. Aside from the cuisine, perhaps what I appreciate most is its architecture, which spans the spectrum of Gothic to Eclecticism to Modernism.
Best of all, unlike many other European cities, Vigo doesn’t suffer from over tourism. It feels like a distinctly local’s paradise (the only language you hear spoken is Spanish) – where they relish in everyday delights, whether that’s savoring a coffee at a nearby cafe before work, or treating themselves to a delicious pastry at the neighborhood pastelería, or enjoying an afternoon siesta before meeting friends for aperitivos before dinner.
They’ve mastered the art of living. Isn’t that why millions of people visit Europe every year after all? In hopes of achieving the same, be it through osmosis or, at the very least, gelato?🍦
If you’re looking for a charming city to visit in Europe — away from the crowds — then Vigo is it; in this post, I’m covering all the details about:
Getting There
Since Vigo is so close to our home in Braga, we were able to take the Flixbus there, which only cost €30 round trip per person – a steal.
I always appreciate the ease of bus (and train) travel. It definitely beats flying, especially for quick trips like this.
The ride itself included complimentary WiFi as well as electrical outlets, which (as we all know) is a godsend when traveling.
💡Noteworthy:
If you are flying to Europe, Vigo does have an airport (VGO) you can fly in/out of.
Alternatively, there’s also Porto airport (OPO) in Portugal, about 1h30 away and you can rent a car for the trek. If you take this route, the Verde toll pass (which you may get from the car rental company) doesn’t work in Spain so you’ll need to use a credit card to tap and go.
Oddly, Vigo is in a different time zone from Portugal so if you come from that direction, be sure to mind the clock depending on your travel plans.
Where to Stay
Previously, we stayed at Gran Nagari (while the highest rated hotel in the city, it’s a tad dated); this time we opted for an Airbnb located slightly more inland.
The space itself was well-designed and the location couldn’t be beat with tons of restaurants, wine bars, and cafes surrounding the area.
Moreover, we adored the family-friendly feel of the neighborhood – full of jungle gyms and open spaces where kids could be heard laughing joyfully and playing hide-and-seek with friends.
We loved nothing more than sitting on a nearby bench, watching locals stroll by while listening to the hum of conversation; the sounds of Vigo served as a soundtrack to the start of our adventure-filled afternoons.
What to Do
During the day, we could be found exploring the city - bobbing and weaving our way through the streets. I am pretty sure Josh and I both developed buns of steel because Vigo’s hills rival those of Lisbon’s.
Some of our favorite experiences included:
Port of Vigo:
Snagging a view of the Atlantic waterfront is always top of our list when we’re in town, if only to take in the fresh ocean smells and pretty water views.
Interestingly, Vigo is one of the most popular starting points for the famous El Camino walk to Santiago de Compostela where an apostle is said to be buried in the ornate cathedral. It’s a pilgrimage that spiritual seekers walk (or bike) and, depending on the route, can take upwards of 400 miles and 30 days to complete (there are many different starting points so the length and timing vary).
Praza Porto do Sol & El Sireno:
This bustling promenade and plaza are the epicenter of Vigo with tons of eateries and even more shopping, which must explain why the Spaniards are so damn stylish; the men are dapper with their skinny scarves and man-buns while the ladies are head-to-toe chic in eye-catching ensembles. In fact, one woman I saw was decked out in a zebra print fur coat and black-and-white polka dot sunglasses while rocking snow white hair (she was probably in her 70s or 80s). I am not doing her outfit any justice but trust me, she was the epitome of fabulous.
Punctuated by the abundance of retail outlets is the well-known El Sireno sculpture. Created by Galician artist Francisco Leiro, Vigo’s Tourism site says:
“The sculpture was installed in 1991 and represents an imaginary character, a hybrid of fish and man. Since then, it has become one of Vigo’s most representative monuments due to its striking modernity and how it reflects the city, which it monitors from its elevated location.”
Rúa de García Barbón
Without a doubt, this has to be one of the prettiest streets in Vigo with a very similar look and feel to Las Ramblas in Barcelona (see video above). Regal buildings line the avenida whisking you back in time to another era.
Alameda da Praza de Compostela:
This lush promenade is a secret garden located directly in front of the Gran Nagari Hotel. It’s beautifully landscaped with statues, fountains, and lovely flower beds - an oasis near the waterfront.
Fortaleza de O Castro & Monte de Guía:
Fortaleza de O Castro is a 15th century fortress used to defend against English forces while Monte da Guía is a small mountain that sits above Vigo (crowned by a church at its center). They are on opposite sides of the city but offer spectacular views of Vigo Bay.
💡Noteworthy: Although we have yet to take a day trip to the stunning Cíes Islands (a small archipelago off of Vigo), we’ve earmarked it for our next visit.
Where to Eat
Culinary treasurers abound in Vigo. Not only is every type of cuisine at your fingertips, but aperitivo culture reigns supreme.
Aperitivos are delicious small bites that accompany your drink at a bar or cafe (meant to whet your appetite); they may consist of anything from lighter fare like olives and cheeses to heartier indulgences like Tortilla Española (a potato and egg pie).
But there’s much more to Vigo’s food scene than these tiny morsels.
So, where did we eat exactly? I’ve rounded up our favorite spots (from both trips, some of which we recently revisited) and broken them down below:
Best Breakfasts & All-day Treats:
Since we took an early bus from Braga, we opted to eat breakfast once we arrived in Vigo and enjoyed our first meal at 3Granos (which is exactly what we did last year too) - a cute little spot up a narrow alley. It’s owned by a lovely gentleman who is passionate about his coffee. Now, I am no coffee connoisseur but I know good coffee when I taste it. And the cappuccino was, hands down, one of the best I’ve ever had (the owner imports his beans from Colombia and slow-roasts them in-house). Not only was the coffee sublime - hitting a perfect nutty flavor - but so was the egg and Manchego avocado toast (an absolute flavor explosion bite after bite).
The smell wafting from Cantina Argentine could wake the dead; this joint had everything - I’m talking BBQ; I’m talking pumpkin and gorgonzola; I’m talking caprese. As you can imagine, our mouths were watering as we waited to be served. Ultimately, we chose cheese and chorizo (on both visits); let me tell you, it did not disappoint — creamy, salty, and flaky, the empanadas will leave you dreaming for more long after you leave.
We’re suckers for a good pastry. When we went to Copenhagen a few years ago, I think we visited about 6 different spots over the course of a short weekend; Vigo was no exception.
El Atelier is (way) off the beaten path but well worth the trek; walking in was like a feast for the senses with the most vibrantly colored artisan pastries displayed in glass cases, which was only second to the most delicious aroma of baked goods swirling through the air. When I laid my eyes on a custardy fruit tart, I just couldn’t resist; it’s my Kryptonite. The buttery shortbread melted in my mouth with the first bite and the silky custard was the perfect companion to the glossy berries that looked more like jewels than fruit - it was total perfection!
Lunch & Dinner Spots You Can’t Miss:
A trip to Spain isn’t complete without indulging in the best of its culinary delights. When we saw Crudeza received 4.9 star reviews on Google, we knew we had to try it. We sat outside with a glass of wine and enjoyed, possibly, the most exquisite ceviche - it was the “classico” version with oodles of tangy lime, fresh red onions, yummy white fish and the perfect blend of crunchy salty corn nuts; simply outstanding.
Good Mexican food is hard to come by in Braga so we were overjoyed when we came across Ix-Chel. Y’all - it was FANTASTIC (there’s a reason they have over 80 five-star reviews)! We’ve tried everything from the mushroom to carne asada to chicken tacos; each one handmade by a chef with roots in Mexico and packed with the freshest ingredients. If we could have eaten 100 more tacos, we would have.
We earned our spot in the Clean Plate Club after our meal here 🏆. This intimate restaurant specializing in Galician gastronomy is up there as one of our favorite meals in Vigo; we enjoyed the Tacos de Mar with beer-battered sea bass and the Rodaballow con Pasta — a white fish mafaldine pasta alongside cherry tomatoes. I’m pretty sure they didn’t even need to wash our dishes because there wasn’t one iota of food left on either plate. We polished the meal off with Lego de Chocolate - a chocolate mousse inside edible toy shapes, paired perfectly with Guinness cake and Bailey’s cream; it was out of this world (and all for €50 with two glasses of wine; can you believe!?).
A Guide to the Best Drinks & Aperitivos
We love a good nightcap after dinner and Craft was always our final stop on both trips. This lively medieval-style bar has wood beams that line the ceiling, exposed brick on the wall, and a floor-to-ceiling selection of premium international beers; it’s a beer-lovers haven. Josh savored the Gulden Draak 9000 Quad - a full-bodied Belgian beer with wine yeast added during the secondary fermentation phase, giving it a deep, stout-like flavor.
💡Noteworthy: Gulden Draak Quad has an 11% ABV so, as a word to the wise, pace yourself. 🙃
Around the corner, past a bustling square, was a quiet alley lined with stone-clad buildings, home to a series of wine bars that offer the best grape varieties in the city. Beldar, the first one we popped into, was adorned with the prettiest green walls and wine barrel tables that enhanced its cozy decor. I ordered a red from the Douro Valley while Josh opted for Godello (a smooth, fruit-forward Spanish white, which has a fascinating history).
We also tried A Lareira, right next door, for an after dinner drink one night. We sat outside enjoying the brisk air — by that point, the alley was coming alive with folks smoking and chatting and drinking with friends.
Following our nightcap Saturday evening, we headed back to our Airbnb since we were shipping out early the next morning to Braga.
Our mission this weekend was clear: eat, drink, and be merry. Did we succeed? You betcha!
What’s funny is that before our first trip to Vigo last year, we honestly didn’t expect much other than a sleepy seaside city. But what we found was a beautiful, vibrant, well-heeled town. I suppose in the grand adventure that is travel, the most unexpected places are the ones that steal our hearts.
Vigo was no exception - it fed both our belly and our soul.
So, my friends, if you ever decide to visit this coastal gem, my best advice is to (1) bring a good appetite and (2) pack comfortable walking shoes; Vigo will take care of the rest.