Car Rental Vigo

Vigo is a real treat for those on vacation or anyone visiting on business. From the historic old town to a foodie’s paradise, there’s plenty here to keep you occupied.

The steep and winding streets in the center of the old town (casco vello) are largely pedestrianized, so it’s a good idea to park in one of the many parking lots and garages that are dotted around the city center and head in on foot.

The Museo do Mar de Galicia is around a 15-minute drive out of the center of the city and is where you’ll learn all about the people of the area. From the museum, Avenida Samil runs south, hugging the beautiful coastline and giving access to Vigo’s fantastic beaches.

The AP-9 freeway will take you into the heart of Vigo and also towards the border with neighboring Portugal. Northbound, across the Vigo estuary, this road will take you to the historic town of Pontevedra, a 30-minute drive from Vigo.

There are three types of main road in Spain. Carreteras nacionales (prefixed with an ‘N’) are toll-free national roads, autovías are toll-free divided highways (prefixed with an ‘A’) while autopistas are tolled highways (prefixed with ‘AP’ or ‘E’). Spain’s toll roads can be costly but are usually much quieter.

Autovías and autopistas both have a speed limit of 120km/h (74mph), while in built-up areas this drops to 50km/h (30mph). Wherever you’re traveling to in Vigo or the wider Spanish area, you’ll need to keep to the right-hand side of the road.

Vigo may not be the best known of Spain’s sun-kissed destinations, but its charms are undeniable. Wander the winding streets, soak up the atmosphere in the bustling squares and take it easy on the fantastic beaches.

Explore the heart of the city

The best place to get your bearings in Vigo is in the Casco Vello, which rises behind the city’s busy commercial port. This charming neighborhood is a maze of narrow, winding streets lined with traditional buildings and punctuated by attractive squares. The largest, Praza da Constitución, is a great place to sit with a coffee at one of the cafés and watch the city go by.

Discover the city’s history

South from the old town is the Parque del Castro, a pleasant park and botanical garden with partly reconstructed Roman remains dating from the 3^rd century BC. The park is topped by the Castelo do Castro, a castle built in the 17th century for Felipe IV as part of Vigo's defenses. The best time to come here is at dusk when the sun slides spectacularly into the ocean behind the Illas Cíes – a trio of spectacular islands a 45-minute ferry ride away.

West of the center is the excellent Museo do Mar, housed in a former canning factory. Part aquarium, part museum of social history, it explores Vigo's long and eventful relationship with the sea in fascinating style.

Sample the finest seafood

As home to the world’s largest fishing port, it’s hardly surprising the city boasts some of the best seafood in Spain. The old town is crammed with traditional old tapas bars offering the ubiquitous octopus (pulpo), as well as baby squid, grilled sardines and chinchos (small fried fish).

There are a host of great spots to sample, but for some of the best food in town try Taberna a Pedra on Rua Cesteiros for delicious sardines and moreish desserts. Follas Novas, on Rua Serafin Avendano, makes an ideal spot for dinner with its selection of excellent Galician cuisine, though it’s best to reserve a table in advance.

Enjoy the best beaches in Spain

Stretching south-west from Vigo’s port you’ll find 10 miles of sandy beaches. Best of the bunch is the mile-long Praia de Samil, which lies about three miles from the city center. Backed by a long promenade lined with bars and restaurants, it offers great views of the Illas Cíes. A little further along is the quieter but equally beautiful La Fontaíña.

Take a boat to an island paradise

Lying offshore, at the mouth of the Vigo estuary, are the stunning Cíes islands, a three-island archipelago that forms part of the Atlantic Islands of Galicia National Park. The islands – Monteagudo, San Martiño and Do Faro – are reached from Vigo via a 45-minute boat ride and are well worth the effort.

Their pine and eucalyptus forests are fringed by dazzling white-sand beaches and steep, rocky cliffs. The islands and are an unspoiled paradise for hiking, scuba-diving and bird watching, or simply swimming in the crystal clear waters and spending time on what many consider to be some of the finest beaches in Spain.

Car rental in Vigo gives you the freedom and convenience to explore this stunning Spanish city and beyond.