Vigo, Spain
 

I never before considered going to Vigo, but it is now a possibility ( in order to accomodate a FF free ticket for our return to US).

I would be going by train or bus from Santiago and spending one evening there. Are there interesting things to see in Vigo to occupy a few hours on a Saturday?

Thanks for any comments.

Vigo is the largest city in Galicia but its historic quarter is nice for strolling around.
http://www.galiciaguide.com/Vigo-opinion.html

Vigo is also the perfect place to "pig out" on shellfish. Suggested restaurant:
http://www.o-pescador.com/web/carta.asp

Hi cruiseluv,
I wrote a note about Vigo on your Iberia thread, but I'll just add here the Santiago-Vigo Sat. bus schedule, in case you hadn't already seen it.

http://tinyurl.com/6rap29

Thank you Revulgo and Maribel for your very useful tips! Unfortunately, it now seems the possibility of leaving from Vigo will not materialize. However, I'll keep this info as I'm sure it will come in handy at some point in time!

There's hourly (TRD) Regional Train service between Vigo & Santiago. You might look at Vigo as a gateway to Pontevedra (Baiona, la Guardia, etc.).
There's an Irish Pub called Dublin in Vigo: a nightclub by my standards, because it doesn't open during the daytime. It's only a few blocks from the Renfe station.

Vigo is a modern City w/sculptures along the main streets but all the one-way streets make it difficult to navigate.

A cousin who lives in nearby Rosal (la Guardia) advised us to not use Vigo's airport. It's in a basin (Bowl, like Bilbao) and morning fog doesn't dissipate very quickly.

We have stayed at Bahia Vigo and at Hotel America, both near the Port and la Pedra (marketplace). There's an amazing fish market some 50m west from Bahia Vigo.

The Cies islnds are beautiful. The boat ride is a bit expensive, if I remember correctly about $18 round trip.

http://www.turismodevigo.org/cies_en.php

cruiseluv,
For a future trip to lands below Santiago...
Just like to second Aduchamp's recommendation of a boat ride to the Cíes Islands-another reason you can feel better about postponing your trip to this part of Galicia until a summer vacation. The boat from Vigo runs only in the summer, from 1st week of June through 1st week of Oct. (also runs from Baiona starting July 1).
www.mardeons.com/


And from there, as NED suggests,
you can then bus down to Baiona and maybe stay at the WONDERFUL Parador, and even take an Alsa bus (since you don't usually rent a car) down to Portugal Lover Fodorites' favorite town, Viana do Castelo, which is as charming as they come. And the Pousada do Monte de Santa Luzia high above the city with sea views is another absolute delight, whether as just a place for a leisurely lunch when staying elsewhere, or a truly memorable, splurge overnight. So think about these ideas for a future trip, since they're doable by bus!

After reading Ned's post about the fog issue I'm glad I'm not using Vigo as gateway for this trip. Kids have to get back to school Monday so it wouldn't be a good time to miss a flight!

Thanks Aduchamp for the Cies islands suggestion.

Yes Maribel, I think I better save that part of Galicia for the summer months and combine it with Portugal as you suggest. Maybe I could even fly out of Lisbon, which I have never visited.

Thanks all!

BTW, Cruiseluv: Cousin in Rosal (la Guardia) who told us about Vigo's 'fog problem' is a licensed pilot.

Did you check a'Corunha airport for flights back to Madrid? A friend flew into & out of a'Corunha when he went to visit family in Lugo. It's another possibility ..

Hi Ned,

Thanks. I had the same thought about Coruña and checked, but Air Europa does not fly between there and Madrid.

if you want to fly from Portugal, then you need to use Oporto not Lisbon, it is much nearer to Vigo. Plus regular bus service between the two.
However Vigo, IMHO is not worth the side trip.
You cannot get the Islas except during the summer season and Easter weekend.
I hate to suggest them but Ryanair have just open a route between SdC and Madrid. I warn you that if you do use them be very careful and read the T&Cs before booking.