Vigo, Spain

Jules Verne Monument

The city of Vigo became famous to science-fiction lovers around the world thanks to the works of the writer Jules Verne. The action of his famous novel “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” takes place near Vigo Bay. According to the plot, it was here that warships loaded with gold for the Spanish king were sunk. With these treasures, Captain Nemo is allegedly said to have been topping up the “budget” for his voyages aboard his submarine “Nautilus”. In 2005, in honor of Verne, who brought fame to the Vigo coastline, a monument to the French writer was installed on the city promenade, near the building of the sailing club. The bronze Jules Verne is seated on the huge tentacles of a squid (in the novel, these mollusks of unreal size attacked Captain Nemo’s ship).

Santa Maria Cathedral

For many years, the cathedral of Santa María has remained the city’s main symbol-a beautiful building in Romanesque style. The first church on its site was built in the 13th century; since then, the building has been rebuilt many times and has completely changed its appearance. In 1940, during large-scale reconstruction work, ancient frescoes were discovered in the church. Presumably, they decorated the walls of the very first church.

Old Town of Vigo

The Old Town, or Casco Vello, is made up of the historic districts of Vigo. In 1656, during the reign of Felipe IV, the city was surrounded by a stone wall-essentially, this barrier became the basis of today’s Casco Vello. The area was significantly rebuilt up until the 20th century. In the Old Town you’ll find La Piedra market, where you can buy excellent seafood, Constitution Square (Plaza de la Constitución), the Royal Street (Rua Real), the San Sebastián Castle (Castelo de San Sebastián), and other fascinating attractions. In the lanes and alleyways of Casco Vello there are many bars and restaurants.

Best Beaches in Galicia

The beaches of Vigo are little known among resort-goers, and yet they are considered to be among the best in Galicia. The coastline along the city boasts as many as 45 beaches. Closest to Vigo is the Busas beach in its own small bay right within the city limits. To the east, just beyond the Ermita Park in Teis, lies Punta beach-the most popular of them all-with an artificial promenade and fine white sand. And to the west, the beaches start and end one after another: the 1.5-kilometer Samil with excellent facilities, smaller beaches like Santa Baia, Fontes, O Cocho das Dornas, and Carril.

Cies Islands

Cíes Islands, located at the entrance to Vigo Bay, are the only natural park in Galicia. The archipelago includes three main islands, where visitors come to sunbathe on snowy-white beaches, photograph rocks carved by the waves, and watch the birds-grey herons, cormorants, and seagulls. You can walk around the islands only along tourist trails (all overland transport is completely prohibited here). Thanks to all these precautions, however, the nature of the Cíes Islands has been preserved in its original form. They say the local air intoxicates no less than wine. During the day, no more than 2200 people may visit the Cíes Islands, so it’s better to book the ticket in advance than to take the ferry-especially during the “high season” in July-August. This can be done online.

Museum of Kinyonès de León

The Museo de Kineyones de León is located in the impressive Casa de los Casteletos manor. The museum features artifacts and works of art from several historical periods: stone tools from the Paleolithic era, fragments of pottery from the Roman period, and paintings from the 16th-19th centuries by Spanish, Italian, German, French, and Dutch painters. Some of the works of art were brought here from the archives of Spain’s most famous museum-the Prado Gallery. In addition, the museum has restored the interior of a 17th-century manor belonging to Galician nobility. The museum is surrounded by a three-tier park with plants rare for Galicia. On the middle level, you can wander through a maze of boxwood shrubs, and on the lower level, admire a miniature replica of the Casa de los Casteletos manor, which serves as a duck house.

City sightseeing tour

The excursion will start from one of the largest fishing ports in the world, where real seafaring life is in full swing. During the tour, you will visit the fishing quarter of Berbés, and you will be sure to stop by one of the local bars to get a feel for the local atmosphere. Next, you will head up to the city’s historic center; we will stroll along its old streets and admire the monumental churches of Romanesque style, the luxury and refinement of houses, and magnificent palaces. After that, you will climb up to the hill, where from the viewpoints of the ancient Castro fortress, you can enjoy a delightful panorama of the entire city and the port of Vigo. In this city, everyone-from the youngest to the eldest-will be captivated by the history, culture, and traditions of Galician gastronomy and cuisine, known around the world. After the excursion, you will enjoy a visit to a restaurant serving traditional Galician cuisine.

Excursion to Santiago de Compostela

Santiago de Compostela is a Christian shrine that attracts pilgrims even from the Middle East. The main Santiago Cathedral is the final destination on the pilgrimage route of St. James, running throughout Spain and listed in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Standing on the Obradoiro Square, the cathedral is surrounded by monuments of Romanesque art, as well as Baroque and Neoclassical buildings. Santiago de Compostela is divided into two parts: the old and the new. While walking through the historic center, it’s easy to get lost in the labyrinths of narrow streets, in places topped with barrel vaults of arcades and rows of colonnades. In the city’s old districts, which are included in the UNESCO Cultural Heritage List, there are dozens of attractions: palaces, churches, monasteries, chapels, fountains and sculptures.

For a more detailed list of excursions and their prices, you can check it after booking your cruise in your “Client Personal Account”.