With almost 300,000 inhabitants, Vigo is the largest city in Galicia. Until the 19th century, only a few thousand people lived here, who mainly fed on fishing. The coastal town was repeatedly attacked by pirates, so that powerful fortresses were built, the ruins of which still shape the cityscape today.


The small old town is grouped around the central square Praza da Constitución (see city map), which already marked the center of the town in the Middle Ages. The buildings around the square with beautiful arcades date back to the 18th century. In the meantime, restaurants and bars have moved into the former shops of the dealers. A good place to have breakfast and watch the hustle and bustle at the popular meeting place.
To the north of the square rise the two towers of the Concathedral of Santa María, better known as A Colegiata. The church was built in 1811 on the site of its predecessor.
A local specialty of Vigo is oysters. A good opportunity to try this seafood is in the restaurants along the Rúa Pescadería. At lunchtime, fresh oysters are also sold here directly on the street. An alternative are the restaurants in the old fishing district Barrio de Berbés. This district is located southwest of the cathedral along the Rúa Real to the Praza dos Pescadores. Narrow streets and old stone houses make the district one of the main attractions of Vigo.
From this original fishing village, the old town core has been preserved with a strong taste for seafaring, which stands in contrast to the modern facilities of the sports ports. This place is an exceptional starting point to enjoy the villages of the Ria of Vigo and the islands of Cíes, which are part of the National Park of the Atlantic Islands. Gastronomy on the coast of Galicia, based on fish and seafood, is another reason to travel to this region.
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