I’ll level with you. Vigo wasn’t the port I was most excited about on my cruise on the Bay of Biscay.
It doesn’t have fado bars of Lisbon or Santander’s spectacular bay, so I didn’t have high hopes when I stepped off the ship. But by the time I was back on board – having walked a significant portion of a medieval hill town and eaten the best octopus of my life – I was over the moon that my expectations had been exceeded.
Here is exactly how I spent my one day in Vigo from a cruise.
Getting from the Vigo Cruise Terminal to the Old Town
Ships dock at Estación Marítima de Vigo, a super convenient location at the foot of the old town.
Vigo is entirely walkable from the cruise terminal, but it is extremely hilly. However, there are a few ways to minimise huffing and puffing your way up its steep streets:
- Use the pedestrian bridge to bypass the steepest bit. Walk into the A Laxe shopping mall beside the terminal, take the lift to the top floor, and cross the footbridge directly into the old town. Wheelchair users: this is your route.
- Use the free public escalators built into the hillside within the old town itself.
Taxis wait outside the terminal gates if you need them — a ride into the old town costs under €10 — but there’s no real need for one.
Before you head out: Useful things to know
- Currency is euros. ATMs are available near the terminal and throughout the city.
- Siesta hours: most smaller shops close between 1.30 pm and 4 pm. Time your shopping accordingly.
- Museums are generally closed on Mondays.
- The local languages are Galician and Spanish. ‘Grazas’ (thank you) will be warmly received.
- Free Wi-Fi is available in the A Laxe shopping mall and in many cafes throughout the city.
- Seagulls are everywhere and won’t hesitate to help themselves to your lunch.
One Day in Vigo from a Cruise Ship: Suggested Itinerary at a Glance
Morning: Walk from the terminal to Porta do Sol (10-15 mins). Join the free two-hour walking tour covering the merman statue, the Opera House, the escalator to upper town, Praza da Constitucion, Castelo de San Sebastian viewpoint, Taberna Eligio, Basket Weavers Street and the Cathedral.
Midday: Lunch on Rua de Canovas del Castillo. Order the octopus and pair it with Albarino wine.
Early afternoon: Walk the waterfront promenade to the Jules Verne monument.
Late afternoon: Browse Rua dos Cesteiros for crafts, return to Taberna Eligio for a final glass, or simply sit by the water and watch the port. All are good uses of your remaining time.
Back to the ship: The terminal is directly at the foot of the old town. You will not get lost.
Morning: Vigo Walking Tour
I’m a huge fan of city walking tours, and joined this one to make the most of my time ashore. It was a great decision.
Vigo’s main sights were covered in a logical, well-paced loop, and Borja, our guide, knew his material inside out. It operates on a tip basis: you pay nothing upfront, and you decide what it is worth at the end. As a ballpark figure, €5 to €10 per person is reasonable; €15 if they were excellent.
If you want to map the wlaking route out, here’s one I made earlier. Click here to send to your phone and for step-by-step directions.
Porta do Sol: The Starting Point and the Merman
El Sireno, the striking merman statue, dominates Porta del Sol. Half man, half fish, he is Vigo’s relationship with the sea made physical. From here, the pedestrianised Rua do Principe shopping street stretches out ahead, and the old town rises above.
Policarpo Sanz Street and the Opera House exterior
We continued along Rúa Policarpo Sanz, one of Vigo’s gracious 19th-century thoroughfares, before reaching the exterior of the Teatro Garcia Barbon, Vigo’s Neoclassical opera house. It’s a reminder that this city, despite its working-port reputation, has always had cultural ambitions.
Taberna Eligio: The Oldest Tapas Bar in Vigo
Taberna Eligio has been trading since 1920 and is widely considered the oldest tapas bar in Vigo. The tapas — octopus, grilled prawns, croquettes and scallops — are made from scratch daily. You can return later, but at a minimum, note its location.
Castelo de San Sebastian Viewpoint
If you visit just one place during your day in Vigo, make it this spectacular viewpoint. Looking out over the estuary, with the green hills of Galicia in the distance and the Cies archipelago on the horizon, you understand why Jules Verne chose this bay as the setting for Captain Nemo’s adventures. It’s worth every step of the climb.
Praza da Constitución: The Old Town’s Living Room
Praza da Constitución, an arcaded square with the old city hall on one side and cafes on the others, has been the neighbourhood’s social centre for centuries. Sit for five minutes with a coffee if you can. The square deserves it.
The Basket Weavers of Rua dos Cesteiros
Artisans have sold handmade wickerwork, baskets and woven goods from pavement stalls on Rua dos Cesteiros for generations. It looks exactly as it would have looked fifty years ago. If you want a non-tatt souvenir, this is the place to buy it.
The Cathedral: Where Jules Verne Also Visited
Concatedral de Santa Maria was the final stop on our Vigo walking tour.
The exterior of this Neoclassical / Baroque church is relatively modest by Spanish cathedral standards, but it’s worth taking a peek at its spacious, light-filled interior. Jules Verne visited this very church during his first trip to Vigo.
Lunch in Vigo
After the walking tour, I was ready for lunch. On our guide’s advice, we beat a path to Rúa de Cánovas del Castillo, took a seat at one of the restaurant terraces and ordered pulpo a feira. This is octopus prepared the Galician way, sliced, dressed with olive oil, coarse salt and smoked paprika, and served on a wooden board.
Paired with a glass of cold Albarino from the local Rias Baixas region, it was divine.
The oyster sellers of A Pedra market are also worth knowing about. These women shuck and sell fresh Galician oysters from granite slabs just outside the terminal area every morning. If you want something before the walk, or a lighter snack, half a dozen oysters with crusty bread costs very little.
Afternoon: Modern Sculptures in Vigo Port Area
Jules Verne Monument
Jules Verne visited Vigo in 1878, sailing in on his yacht during a storm, and returned six years later. This 2005 bronze sculpture by artist José Molares depicts the author perched on a giant, curling octopus tentacle. It celebrates his connection to the city and the mention of Captain Nemo’s visit to the Vigo estuary in his novel, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.
The statue is on the Montero Rios promenade by the waterfront, a ten-minute walk from the cruise terminal (location here).
The Swimmer
Nearby, there’s El Nadador (The Swimmer), a set of bronze sculptures by Francisco Leiro that seem partially submerged in the pavement of Vigo’s port area.
If You Have More Time: Day Trips and Extras from Vigo Cruise Port
This itinerary fills a comfortable four or five hours, which works well for most cruise port days. If your ship docks early and you have a longer stretch ashore, here are the options worth considering:
The Cies Islands
Cies Islands are an Atlantic nature reserve with white-sand beaches that have been ranked among the finest in Europe. Ferries from Vigo port take about 45 minutes each way and must be booked in advance, especially in summer. This is a half-day commitment at minimum, so only attempt it if you have six or more hours ashore.
Santiago de Compostela
The famous Spanish city is about 90km north of Vigo and easily reached by train or organised excursion. If your ship docks early and you’re prepared to move efficiently, it’s viable as a day trip, though you’ll want at least four hours in the city itself to make the journey worthwhile.
Monte do Castro
Climb to the hilltop fortress of Castelo do Castro above Vigo’s old town for panoramic views of the city, bay and islands in all directions. It’s a steeper walk than the old town circuit, but is worth the effort if your legs are up to it.
Vigo Cruise Port: Quick Questions Answered
Is Vigo worth visiting on a cruise?
Yes, and considerably more than most people expect. The old town is compact and walkable, the food is outstanding, and the combination of history and waterfront culture makes for a satisfying day ashore.
Can you walk from the Vigo cruise terminal to the old town?
Easily. It’s 10 to 15 minutes on foot from Estación Marítima de Vigo.
What food should you try in Vigo?
Octopus — pulpo a feira — is the dish that matters most. Galician oysters from the A Pedra market stalls are also exceptional. Drink Albarino wine.
Is Vigo hilly?
It is. The old town climbs a steep hillside. However, there are free public escalators at the key inclines, and the cruise terminal is at the bottom, so the walk back to the ship is always downhill.
Is a day trip to Santiago de Compostela possible from Vigo?
Yes, but it requires an early docking time, fast transport (the train is around 25 minutes) and realistic expectations. Your cruise line is likely to run an organised excursion, which will take the timing pressure off you.
Final Thoughts on Vigo as a Cruise Stop
Vigo works because it isn’t performing for tourists.
The basket weavers are there because they’ve always been there. Taberna Eligio has been serving the same food since 1920 and does not need to update its concept. The Jules Verne monument is wonderfully eccentric, and the octopus is exactly as good as anyone who has eaten in Galicia will tell you.
It’s a better day than many ports will give you.
Looking for more cruise port guides?
To help you make the most of your time ashore, I’ve also written these guides to spending a day in Lisbon and what to do in Santander, Spain.
Interested in what life was like on board? Check out my no-holds-barred P&O Ventura review, or Bay of Biscay cruise tips.
About Bridget
Bridget Coleman has been a passionate traveller for more than 30 years. She has visited 70+ countries, most as a solo traveller.
Articles on this site reflect her first-hand experiences.
To get in touch, email her at hello@theflashpacker.net or follow her on social media.