Vigo

[asda]

can anyone give me some ideas what we can do in vigo. and what the weather is like in october.? thanks

[Jackthemonkey]

Not a lot going on in vigo, maybe grab a taxi and go to the beach

[Host Sharon]

You can wander round the shops or try an oyster bar (local delicacy), or IMO best to go on an excursion - Santiago de Compostela is beautiful.

[davecttr]

I am going to Vigo on Ventura in September and decided not to take a excursion. As the ship docks right there in the city centre I intend to take a walk up the hill to the old fort viewpoint which is surrounded by a park and gardens. Then a wander back down the hill and through the old town and back to the ship for lunch. The place to aim for is Parque Charlie Rivel.

[kevinyork]

Done Vigo. Walked through the town and up the hill. For me a fairly grey, uninteresting place. I would definately go to Santiago de Compostela next time. I dont go on cruises to wander round a pretty ordinary town.

[DamianG]

In Vigo we usually take a stroll in the old town (Casco Vello) and enjoy a meal in one of the restaurants such as Picadillo, Calle Fermin Penzol 10. There's also oyster sellers at the roadside if that's your thing, but the restaurants have plenty of choice and the seafood platters are fantastic, best washed down with some local Albariño wine which is one of our favourites.

Some other comments are on this thread: http://cruiseforums.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1399034&highlight=vigo

Enjoy.

Damian

[bogofman]

A few words of warning, We found Vigo to be the worst destination we have ever been to.

 

We decided to walk upto the Castle and found some steps that appeared to lead up towards the walls.

 

We started up the steps only to find syringes/needles lying on the ground, stepping over these a few steps further up and there were pools of blood and tissue covered in blood,:eek: We decided to make a hasty retreet, luckily whoever had been there had gone but it was a very worrying time in this enclosed walkway. Ideal mugging site for someone in need of money for drugs.

 

We walked back through the town which was very grey and uninspiring, we were back on the ship asap and looking forward to leaving.

 

I cannot believe so many ships stop at this port, next time if the ships stops at Vigo we may well stay on board.

[Brayman]

. . . . . next time if the ships stops at Vigo we may well stay on board.

 

Our thoughts exactly.

[tom_uk]

We've been to Vigo twice, both times on Ventura. On our first call we enjoyed it: we walked up to the castle. On our most recent call we went to Santiago de Compostela, which we didn't enjoy so much. Other people on that cruise did an excursion to the Cies islands, which apparently they very much enjoyed.

[Thejuggler]

BOGOFMAN - exactly what we found too - those steps are quite intimidating. We were there on a Sunday which meant most of the town was shut.

[daiB]

BOGOFMAN - exactly what we found too - those steps are quite intimidating. We were there on a Sunday which meant most of the town was shut.

 

 

On the other hand we like Vigo. Now that they have built the shopping centre next to the berth you can use it via the lifts to get to the upper levels of the town. You go into the centre find the lifts go to the top and you find a bridge which takes you up to the town, an easy walk. I have a scooter and it is just fine.

 

The town is not a tourist trap and therefore is totally Spanish. The shops close at 13.30 for the afternoon. The cafes do not.

 

You can return to the ship further to the east and it brings you down on to the marina. There is a promenade which leads you back to the ship.

 

We call it real Spain. Very near the ships berth there are a number of very good sea food resturants.

 

 

:):)Happy Cruising:):)

 

 

 

:cool:

 

 

Dai

[pinkfloyd4]

Santiago de compastela is a must ,till you see this cathedral you have not seen one of the best.it is truly one of the best

Dave

[bogofman]

BOGOFMAN - exactly what we found too - those steps are quite intimidating. We were there on a Sunday which meant most of the town was shut.

 

 

There may be more steps, the ones we found were at the top of the hill behind some buildings, there was a sign that said castle (in spanish)

 

it would not have been too bad if it had not been recently used for drugs, we were wearing open shoes and it sends silvers up the spine just thinking about the needles and blood all over the floor. good job i look where i'm treading.

[Denarius]

I am going to Vigo on Ventura in September and decided not to take a excursion. As the ship docks right there in the city centre I intend to take a walk up the hill to the old fort viewpoint which is surrounded by a park and gardens. Then a wander back down the hill and through the old town and back to the ship for lunch. The place to aim for is Parque Charlie Rivel.

 

When we did this some time ago we passed through an area frequented by ladies who stood in their doorways with red lighting behind.

[bogofman]

When we did this some time ago we passed through an area frequented by ladies who stood in their doorways with red lighting behind.

 

LOL

 

we wandered down a side street off las Ramblas in Barcelona mid afternoon to be met by ladies in thier underwear

[davecttr]

On the other hand we like Vigo. Now that they have built the shopping centre next to the berth you can use it via the lifts to get to the upper levels of the town. You go into the centre find the lifts go to the top and you find a bridge which takes you up to the town, an easy walk. I have a scooter and it is just fine.

 

The town is not a tourist trap and therefore is totally Spanish. The shops close at 13.30 for the afternoon. The cafes do not.

 

You can return to the ship further to the east and it brings you down on to the marina. There is a promenade which leads you back to the ship.

 

We call it real Spain. Very near the ships berth there are a number of very good sea food resturants.

 

 

:):)Happy Cruising:):)

 

 

 

:cool:

 

 

Dai

Can't find it on the google map. Can you give directions

[shoreham01]

We loved Vigo, did not do an excursion but just wandered around the town. Did not find it threatening at all, infact we thought it felt so much better than other parts of Spain we have visited. We did not go up the steps as our knees would not take it but just wandering around looking at the buildings and shops. We actually thought we would like to return there one day. They also seemed really pleased to see the tourists.

[LibraLass41]

A few words of warning, We found Vigo to be the worst destination we have ever been to.

 

I cannot believe so many ships stop at this port, next time if the ships stops at Vigo we may well stay on board.

 

 

I think the ships stop there for cheap oil,(they refuel here) sundries, and booze for the staff lol....

[LibraLass41]

I have gone into town a few times, there are plenty of shops and a marina along side the berth to walk by on the prom, and also did a p&o trip to Santiago de Compostela ...

Unfortunatley for us it was the worst trip we have ever done.... OK the Cathedral is very nice, but we were very unlucky with the weather, we left in sunshine, the weather turned en-route to very very very heavy storms and poured with rain non-stop rain all day...(and we had no coats or even a umbrella) after taking refuge in the packed Cathedral with 1000's of other very wet tourists, we attempted to walk around the city which was full of religious themed shops - bible shops, and tacky gifts such as jesus and mary statues and their images on everything from oven gloves to teapots... As it is a place where the pilgrims head for from all over Spain and Europe.

 

So I would say unless you are very interested in a Cathedral or religion give it a miss. Ofcourse the rain made it worse for us, but I wouldn't return there personally.:(

[tartanexile81]

Davetheroad, You won't need directions for the shopping centre. You really can't miss it as it is a very large building right in front of you at the port gates.

 

Here are 2 more votes for cruisers who don't like Vigo. The first time we docked there we went to Pontevedra on an excursion. Lovely town and very Spanish in its feel. The next time we went on our own by bus to Baiona - happy to tell you more if anybody is interested. On another cruise we went to Santaigo and liked the parador more than the cathedral. We've also done a walking tour of Vigo and kept waiting to see something interesting. However, it definitely seems to be a place you love or hate because others at our table told us they'd had a lovely day in Vigo. This corner of Spain is very green and gets quite a lot of rain so be prepared.

 

We leave on our next cruise in 9 days and we've downloaded the timetable for the ferry to the Cies Islands which leaves from very close to the ship. There was an article in The Guardian which said they were amongst the 10 best beaches in world!!!!:)

[jocap]

We were with Tom UK on the cruise this June, and took the Cies islands tour- and now we're hoping to take another cruise which includes Vigo, so that we can return to the islands.

We went on P&O tour, but found that it's easy enough to do on your own....to the left of the moored ship, past the fallen man statue, is the ferry dock. Check the times- the price includes entry to the island, which is a nature reserve.

It is all white beaches at one side, and Atlantic cliffs at the other.

There are walks of different lengths; 2 cafes with loos, a camping site and first aid post. No vehicles, apart from the ranger, and no motor boats except the ferries or docking only at the pier.

Quiet, very Spanish (few signs in English), mainly a chill-out spot....sat with a sandwich and a beer after exploring.

Lovely!

Jo.

[tom_uk]

We were with Tom UK on the cruise this June, and took the Cies islands tour- and now we're hoping to take another cruise which includes Vigo, so that we can return to the islands.

We went on P&O tour, but found that it's easy enough to do on your own....to the left of the moored ship, past the fallen man statue, is the ferry dock. Check the times- the price includes entry to the island, which is a nature reserve.

It is all white beaches at one side, and Atlantic cliffs at the other.

There are walks of different lengths; 2 cafes with loos, a camping site and first aid post. No vehicles, apart from the ranger, and no motor boats except the ferries or docking only at the pier.

Quiet, very Spanish (few signs in English), mainly a chill-out spot....sat with a sandwich and a beer after exploring.

Lovely!

Jo.

 

Nice pictures, Jo.

 

We were very tempted by the Cies Island excursion, but so many people had said how amazing Santiago de Compostela was that we went there instead. We wish we'd gone to the islands.

[DamianG]

We too were slightly disappointed with the P&O excursion to Santiago de Compostela, apart from the parador and Cathedral I cannot actually recall what else we saw.

However a few years later we took a coach tour of Galicia which included a visit to Santiago de Compostela and it was fantastic. The local guide took us on a walking tour which included several tourist attractions, the market and lunch in a typical Galician restaurant.

It's a shame that the P&O excursion does not do the same.

Damian

[tartanexile81]

We were with Tom UK on the cruise this June, and took the Cies islands tour- and now we're hoping to take another cruise which includes Vigo, so that we can return to the islands.

We went on P&O tour, but found that it's easy enough to do on your own....to the left of the moored ship, past the fallen man statue, is the ferry dock. Check the times- the price includes entry to the island, which is a nature reserve.

It is all white beaches at one side, and Atlantic cliffs at the other.

There are walks of different lengths; 2 cafes with loos, a camping site and first aid post. No vehicles, apart from the ranger, and no motor boats except the ferries or docking only at the pier.

Quiet, very Spanish (few signs in English), mainly a chill-out spot....sat with a sandwich and a beer after exploring.

Lovely!

Jo.

 

Thanks Jo- it sounds a whole lot better than just wandering round Vigo.