Galicia's largest city, Vigo

Vigo is the Galician city with the largest population and there is still plenty of bad feeling between it and the provincial capitol of the much smaller, geographically and economically less important Pontevedra. Vigo does however have the upper hand when it comes to economic power.

General information about Vigo

Vigo is a relatively short distance from Pontevedra city and lies on the coast. It is probably Galicia 21st century commercial centre although it attracts little in the way of foreign tourism. The Spanish though love it and it is renown for having its own unique micro climate with ambient air and sea temperatures that are higher than those of Galicia's other major cities. That big population is still only approximately one third of a million, offering an indication of the sparse population and massive open spaces that Galicia has to offer.

Buildings and historic monuments in Vigo

Fact 1. The many Spaniards who holiday in Vigo do so to escape the oppressive heat of the central and southern parts of the country. They see Vigo as having a culture and climate that is very different to that of Spain's south.

Fact 2. Vigo and the towns close by can certainly claim to be in possession of some great beaches with long sandy streches and a protected climate. Whether you like your beaches deserted or packed, Vigo can deliver.

Fact 3. Vigo is famous for the knight Templars, the guardians of the Roman Catholic religion and the cities symbol is the olive tree which they bestowed upon it. Although history now questions this story, the people of Vigo beleive it to be true.

Fact 4. Vigo is the most modern forward looking and future embracing city in Galicia and many attribute this to its economic success.

Commuting to Vigo and beyond

There is an airport close to Vigo that offers a Ryan Air flight to and from Liverpool England.

Alternatively, you can reach Vigo via Pontevedra and travel from the UK by plane arriving at either Santiago de Compostela or la Coruna airports. Vigo has major highway routes not just to the other big cities of Galicia, but also to Madrid and Barcelona.

Foreigners to Vigo are few, but most like the city which is serviced by a railway network.