Top 10 Must-See Attractions in Vigo, Spain
Life and history in Vigo, located in the Rias Baixas region of Galicia’s Southwest Atlantic coast, are dominated by the sea. Oyster banks provide the famous La Piedra with the freshest oysters, cruise ships dock, container ships load and unload, and elegant leisure craft sway in Vigo’s giant port, alongside a modern bridge spanning the bay. In the 17th century, Castro Fortress attempted to guard (unsuccessfully) the entrance from the Atlantic against pirates and invading nations including England, France, and even the Turks. The narrow streets and houses of Casco Vello preserve the lifestyle of fishermen and sailors, while the pristine Islas Cies are just an hour’s boat ride away in the Atlantic. All this is being watched over by a towering statue of the Virgin Mary, Maria de las Afueras, who carries a tall ship in one hand and a sextant in the other.