Best tours of Vigo

Vigo is a very interesting city located on the banks of the Vigo estuary. Although it's a small place, there are many things you can do in this city. Among these activities, the tours of Vigo stand out. You can choose walking tours through the streets to learn the stories and curious facts about the corners of this part of Galicia.

There are also tours where you can get to know the sea, have a romantic experience or learn how to cook. If you're going to spend more of your holidays in Vigo, I assure you won't get bored. You'll always find something fun to do in the city and there are even many excursions from Vigo that you can take as well.

A private walking tour of Vigo is one of the best ways to explore the city. With a walking tour you'll be accompanied by a professional guide. These tours are usually historical, so you'll get to know the most interesting facts and sights of Vigo. These tours usually have an average duration of two hours and an average cost of 60 €.

The schedule of these tours usually varies, as they are fully adaptable to your time. However, I recommend taking the tour during the afternoon. These tours usually start near the "Sireno" sculpture in the Plaza Fuente del Sol, in the centre of Vigo.

Afterwards, you can visit the San Sebastián Fortress. From there you can admire excellent views while your guide tells you about the history of this city. You can also visit El Olivo, a tree that over the years has become an icon. In fact, thanks to it, Vigo is nicknamed "the olive city".

Other sites that should be included in this tour are the Plaza de la Constitución, the Calle de los Cesteiros, the Plaza de la Iglesia and the Calle de las Ostras. Visiting all these sights will make you feel like a local as you will be able to see many locals as you walk around. If you still have time, ask your guide to take you to the Emigration Monument and Vigo's promenade, you won't regret it.

Interesting details

• Price: approximately 60 €.
• Duration: around 2 hours.
• Means of transport: walking tour.
• Advantages of this option: in a short time you will be able to see a large part of the city and learn facts you probably didn't know.
• Disadvantages of this option: it is not suitable for people who have difficulty getting around. In addition, it does not usually include breaks along the way.

Do you like Galician food? Can you imagine being able to prepare it at home? If you like the idea, I invite you to take a catamaran tour in Vigo with a Galician cooking class included. This type of tour has an average cost of 150 € and lasts approximately five hours. This way you'll have enough time to learn from a professional chef and taste your culinary creation.

This tour starts with a tour from the port of Vigo to the village of Cangas. The tour takes about 20 minutes. You can take advantage of this time to see the beautiful city of Vigo from the sea. You can also see the Cíes Islands and the Rande Bridge. In Cangas your guide will take you to the main market.

At the market you will be able to see the fresh seafood and fish of this area. In case you do this tour at night or on a Sunday, this visit would be changed to a walk around the port of Vigo. You can also stroll through the streets of the centre of Cangas and the new promenade. There you will be met by private transport that will take you and the rest of your group to the cooking school.

The dishes you will learn to cook are typical Galician dishes. The main products are mussels, sardines, clams and similar. At the end you will be able to eat what you have cooked while you watch the sea. In addition, you will be able to accompany your dish with typical wines such as Albariño and thus have a unique sensory experience.

Interesting details

• Price: approximately 150 €.
• Duration: around 5 hours.
• Means of transport: boat.
• Advantages of this option: on this type of tour you can do a gastronomic tasting and also learn how to do something new. A cooking class is one of the best souvenirs you can bring back from a holiday.
• Disadvantages of this option: if you find cooking too complicated, this may not be the best option for you. However, I recommend you try it and have fun doing something different.

Getting to know Vigo by night is an experience you should include in your Vigo day itinerary. These tours are usually done with a professional guide for an average cost of €30. The approximate duration is two hours or a little more. During the tour you'll learn about Vigo's legends and Galician mythology.

This type of tour, like the previous one, usually starts at the Puerta del Sol Square, right under the Siren sculpture. From here you'll begin to discover the secret of Galician mythology, starting with one of its iconic characters: the meigas. Besides them, you will also hear stories of the trasnos, vampires, lobishomes, mouras and many more. If you like these kinds of stories, you'd better pay close attention.

To learn a little about each of them, you'll have to walk through the streets of Vigo's old town. On these walks you'll hear the legend of the olive tree, the city's iconic tree. Very close to the port you'll find the famous Monument to Jules Verne, the visionary writer. Did you know that in his work "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea", the author dedicated an entire chapter to the bay of Vigo?

Interesting details

• Price: approximately 30 ¤.
• Duration: around 2 hours.
• Means of transport: walking tour.
• Advantages of this option: a night tour is the best option to enjoy a full day in Vigo. Since it's at night, you'll be able to do other activities during the day and continue your day at night.
• Disadvantages of this option: after a long day, you may not have much energy or energy at this time of day, which can be counterproductive to enjoying the tour.

Traveller tip
If you decide to go on a night tour in Vigo, I recommend checking the temperature for that night. That way you'll know whether to take a warm jumper or wear cool clothes. This depends a lot on the season you decide to travel. Winter nights are much colder than summer nights.

One of the things you can do in Vigo at night if you're travelling with your partner is a romantic cruise. This tour usually includes dinner and a bottle of white Albariño wine to enhance the experience. They usually last an average of 12 hours and cost approximately €350, and are usually for an overnight stay.

For this tour you'll meet the skipper of the sailboat in the port of Vigo. From here you'll embark on a scenic adventure to take in the views from the deck. You'll be able to see the beautiful coastline of the Vigo estuary and the city as it is bathed in the colours of the sunset.

After this tour of at least one or two hours, you'll return to the port. There the skipper will disembark so you can enjoy an intimate and romantic dinner with your partner. This dinner usually includes a variety of typical Galician recipes such as Carballo pasties. These include potato dumplings with tuna, smoked salmon canapés, among others.

On this tour you have the opportunity to spend the night on the sailing boat. You will enjoy a cabin with clean sheets. Towels and toiletries are also included for your comfort. The next morning you can continue enjoying Vigo.

Interesting details

• Price: approximately 350 €.
• Duration: around 12 hours.
• Means of transport: sailing boat.
• Advantages of this option: on this tour, as well as enjoying a trip along the coast of Vigo, at the end of the tour you'll be able to enjoy the sailing boat just for you and your partner.
• Disadvantages of this option: you must plan your itinerary very well so that you can enjoy this tour at the end of the day.

Mussel farming in Galicia is a system that has been used for decades. On a mussel farming tour in the bay of San Simón you will learn about the whole process of mussel farming. You will also learn about harvesting, breeding, splitting, packaging and even marketing. This type of tour usually lasts two hours and has an average cost of 40 €.

This tour takes place in a boat that will take you to see the different panoramic views of San Simón Bay. This area has a high ecological value thanks to its flora and fauna. You'll depart from the fishing port of Cesantes, north of Vigo. As you sail, you'll be able to discover the numerous farm ponds where this food is cultivated.

In addition to learning about mussels, you'll discover different fishing techniques , a very popular tourist attraction in Vigo. You'll also hear about historical events that took place in this area. You'll pass under the Rande Bridge and disembark in front of the Meirande Museum, which used to be the German canning factory. There you will enjoy a guided tour.

Interesting details

• Price: approximately 40 ¤.
• Duration: around 2 hours.
• Means of transport: boat.
• Advantages of this option: on this type of tour, in addition to being able to ride a boat and see the city from the sea, you'll have the opportunity to learn something new and typical of Vigo.
• Disadvantages of this option: this type of tour doesn't include any snacks.

When you come to Vigo, I recommend you prepare for the temperatures. Summer is usually the best time to visit, especially if you want to take sailing tours or go to the beach. You'll be able to enjoy the sun and the sea breeze in peace and quiet.

However, if you're travelling in a cold month you should bring your coat as the temperature can drop as low as 7 °C (45 °F). So it is best to prepare yourself with adequate clothing and choose the best season according to the activities you have in mind. Keep in mind that walking tours tend to be better in cooler months such as September.

As a tourist, you'll often want to see all the places hidden in the city you're visiting. However, being new there's a high probability of getting lost. My recommendation is to go out and see as much as you can on a guided tour. That way you'll make the most of your time and you'll be able to plan where you're going with more certainty.

The other alternative is to create an itinerary by researching all the places to enjoy the best of Vigo. Although it's feasible, you should be much more organised and always have your mobile phone handy to see the map. Personally, I don't recommend this unless you have a lot of time and very specific interests, as the best thing about a holiday is to disconnect and live in the moment.