Where is Vigo, Spain? & The Best Way to Get There

If you’re searching for a place that gives you nostalgic vibes of the Pacific Northwest in the early 80s, then you’ve found where Vigo, Spain is. Vigo has it all: mountains, pristine beaches, quaint towns nearby, and it’s sure to have you forgetting about Santiago de Compostela. The more and more people come to Galicia, the more they are captivated by Vigo’s beauty and culture. 

Vigo is a vibrant city, situated in Galicia, boasts a rich maritime history (it is the largest fishing port in Europe after all), stunning natural landscapes, and a lively cultural scene.

Whether you’re planning a trip or simply curious about this mesmerizing destination, this comprehensive guide will help uncover where Vigo, Spain is and provide you with all the information you need to get there. Join me as I take you on a journey to discover the charm and allure of Vigo, Spain.

Where is Vigo, Spain?

If you’re wondering where in the world is Vigo, Spain because you’ve never heard of it, well you aren’t alone. Many times while traveling around Spain, I’ve been asked by Spainairds, “Where is Vigo, Spain? As an American, I don’t judge them too hard as we’re not known for being very geographically competent ourselves. 

But just to clarify for everyone here is where Vigo is: 

• Located on the Northwest coast of Spain.
• Vigo is a vibrant coastal city situated in Galicia, known for its stunning landscapes and rich cultural heritage.
• Vigo is nestled along the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, in the province of Pontevedra. (Pontevedra is also the name of a city in Galicia and province, a little confusing I know) 

The city is surrounded by the lushest green hills you’ve ever seen (which is why I fell in love with Vigo in the first place) and is part of the Rías Baixas, a series of estuarine inlets that are a distinctive feature of the Galician coastline.

Fun fact: 

• Many Galicians claim that when God created earth, he placed his hand down right here in Rías Baixas and that’s how and why the Rías Baixas are in the shape of a hand print. 

There are quite a few noteworthy neighboring cities: 

•  Santiago de Compostela: Roughly an hour’s drive north and is famous for its cathedral and as the end point of the Camino de Santiago route. 
• To the south, you’ll find the Portuguese border, making Vigo an excellent starting point for border hopping. 

Is Vigo, Spain worth visiting?

The short answer is, Yes. Vigo has plenty of attractions and things to do no matter what season you come to visit. Unlike a lot of bigger cities in Spain like Valencia and Barcelona, Vigo maintains its cultural heritage and uniqueness.

Vigo still feels like a Galician city which thankfully hasn’t been changed too much by tourism. While strolling through the narrow, cobblestone streets of this historic city, you’ll encounter traditional Galician architecture and vibrant local markets. 

One of the must-see attractions in Vigo is to visit the stunning Cíes Islands which is a protected National Park. You can enjoy the aqua colored ocean and white sandy beaches for the day or hike around the island and visit the lighthouse. 

Insider’s tip: 

• While visiting Cies Islands be sure to go to Playa de Rodas, in particular. It’s won awards as being one of the best beaches in the world!

Or if you’re a foodie like me, then Galician cuisine is worth the visit alone. Seafood lovers won’t want to pass up dishes like pulpo a la gallega (Galician-style octopus), fresh oysters, and locally cultivated mussels. The city’s culinary scene is not to be missed, which is a blend of traditional flavors and innovative gastronomy.

How do I get to Vigo, Spain?

Planning your trip and wondering how to get to Vigo, Spain? Here’s everything you need to go about getting to Vigo. 

By Air

 Vigo Airport (VGO) is convenient for domestic flights and easy to get in and out of. 

The airport is located about 9 kilometers from the city center and is served by several airlines, including: 

• Iberia, Air Europa, and Vueling. 

Major connecting cities with direct flights to Vigo include: 

• Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao, and Lisbon. 

From the airport, you can reach the city center via taxi, rental car, or public bus services (VITRASA).

Alternatively, you could fly into Porto, Portugal’s airport (OPO).

The Porto airport is located 145 kilometers from Vigo and is served by several airlines including:

• TAP Air Portugal
• Ryanair
• easyJet
• Lufthansa
• British Airways

Then you will need to take a bus from Porto airport to Vigo.

Travel Tip:

• I suggest booking with FlixBus which picks you up directly at Porto airport and brings you to the Vigo bus station.
• Flixbuses are super comfortable, offer wifi, and if you need to cancel your booking they will give you a voucher to use on your next trip.
• I always us FlixBus when I’m traveling to and from Porto airport.

From Porto airport to the Vigo bus station, it’s about a 1 hour and 45 minute ride. 

Personally, when I fly internationally into Vigo I fly from Madrid airport to Vigo as the prices are usually a bit more affordable. But either way, it’s pretty straightforward and easy. 

By Train

Vigo is well-connected by Spain’s national railway network, RENFE. 

The city has two main train stations: Vigo-Urzáiz (which is located in the new shopping center, Vialia) and Vigo-Guixar. High-speed AVE trains provide direct services to major cities such as Madrid, with a travel time of approximately 5-6 hours. 

Regional and intercity trains also connect Vigo with other cities in Galicia and beyond, making train travel a convenient option.

By Bus

Bus travel is another efficient and affordable way to reach Vigo. Several operators, including ALSA and Monbus, offer extensive services to and from Vigo, with routes connecting major Spanish cities like Madrid, Barcelona, and Seville, as well as smaller towns in Galicia.

Buses are frequent and offer a comfortable journey with amenities such as Wi-Fi and reclining seats. The main bus terminal, Estación de Autobuses de Vigo, is centrally located inside Vialia, making onward travel easy.

Insider’s tip: 

• If you’re looking to book tickets via bus or train or even both, I suggest using Omio. It makes traveling a lot easier and saves on the stress of navigating through the bus and train companies directly which is sometimes inconvenient. 
• You’ll see flights, trains, and buses all on one screen making traveling even more streamlined. And the prices are the same for buying them directly through the providers or this third party provider!

By Car

Driving to Vigo provides the flexibility to explore the surrounding region at your own pace and to even go on a Spanish road trip. You can access Vigo by car using major highways such as: 

• The AP9 Atlantic Highway which connects A Coruña, Santiago and Pontevedra to Vigo
• The A6 Highway connects Madrid, continuing along the A52 Highway, from here you can also travel to Ourense
• The Auto-Estrada A3 connects Portugal, so you can travel directly to/from Porto and Lisbon.

Rental car options are available at the airport and throughout the city, offering a convenient way to travel and discover Galicia’s scenic landscapes.

Pro tip: 

• Don’t have a car and don’t feel like renting one? Then check out BlaBla car, a ride sharing app, which will give you the option of reaching Vigo fast and not having to drive is an added bonus. 
• BlaBla car is completely safe and very popular option for getting around Spain, and who knows, you might make a new friend along the way!

By Boat 

For a unique travel experience, and possibly the most scenic, consider arriving in Vigo by boat. 

There are a few options for arriving by boat: 

Ferry

• From Cangas and Moaña, there are daily services available with the main ferry company, Naviera Mar de Ons, to Vigo. Mar de Ons is the same company that offers ferry rides to Cíes Islands or Ons Island.

Cruise

• There are a number of cruise ships that make stops in Vigo. The Port of Vigo sees many international cruise ships, including the largest ones in the world. 
• Some major cruise lines that visit Vigo include: P&O Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Disney Cruise Line,Celebrity Cruises, MSC Cruises, Princess Cruises, Seabourn Cruises
• If you’re interested in which cruise ships are coming through Vigo, you can check out CruiseMapper which shows live updates and a schedule of which ships are docking daily. 

Your own boat

• The city has marinas: Náutico, Punta Lagoa, El Liceo and Marina Davila, the most central of all of them being that of Náutico. If you have the chance to sail to Vigo, then it’s definitely possible. I’ve met quite a few people that have sailed to Vigo, so why not try it too!

Hiking & Cycling 

If you really want to get in touch with Galicia and see the most scenic routes along the way to Vigo then hiking and cycling are great options. 

Vigo has tons of paths that go through nature, one of the most popular being the Camino de Santiago: The Portuguese route. 

Or you could venture along the newly built Vía Verde, a path that runs from Vigo to Redondela and was previously the old train tracks. Both of these options can be done by foot or by bike. 

With these varied travel options, getting to Vigo, Spain is straightforward and convenient, whether you prefer to fly, take a train, ride a bus, drive, or sail. Now that you know where Vigo, Spain is, are you ready to explore? 

Once you get to Vigo you won’t want to miss:  

• Vigo’s craft beer scene 
• Art galleries demonstrating Galician culture 
• And don’t forget to check out some of the secret spots near Vigo’s cruise port