Cruise ship terminal, Vigo, Spain. Ships dock at the Muelle de Transatlanticos, which is served by the Alberto Duran cruise terminal.

Vigo Old Town

Vigo's compact and picturesque Old Town slopes down towards the port. Start by wandering along the main street, Rua Real, which runs eastwards from the old fishermens’ port to St Maria’s church. The street is lined by ancient houses many dating back to the 16th century. Below St Maria’s church you’ll find the Plaza de Pedra, where there’s a local market of seafood and the region’s specialty, oysters. Also of interest is the nearby Rua Cesteiros, lined by traditional basket weaving shops. Along the way plenty of tapas bars and cafes spill out onto the pavements, so it’s easy to find one for a relaxing break. Vigo’s old town is a five minute walk from the cruise dock.

Parque Charlie Rivel

Spread out on the top of the hill above the old town is Parque Charlie Rivel, a charming park which contains the ruins of a castle built by Philip IV. Pretty paths wind through the park, with plenty of botanical interest for gardening enthusiasts. The high vantage point offers wonderful panoramic views across both the city and the bay.

Playa De Samil

The bay of Vigo is well-known in the whole of Spain for its beautiful beaches, so if you’re a beach lover you’ll be spoilt for choice when picking one. The Playa De Samil is one option, being conveniently close to the city, at just 3 miles away. The white sands stretch for nearly a mile, with a boardwalk running behind. There are lots of facilities on hand, including bars, restaurants, showers, restrooms and a swimming pool.

The Cíes Islands

A 45 minute ferry trip from Vigo takes you to the stunning Cíes Islands, sited at the mouth of Vigo bay. The ferry will land you on the northern island Faro, which is connected to the southern island by a beautiful arch of curving sand. There’s a network of foot trails to explore which wander through the magnificent landscape visiting several points with spectacular views across the Atlantic Ocean. The Cíes Islands ferry leaves from a dock close to the cruise terminal.

Santiago de Compostela

According to tradition, a shepherd was guided by a bright star to the burial site of St James, the disciple of Jesus. The cathedral of Santiago de Compostela was built on this revered spot, soon becoming a major destination for pilgrims from across Europe. Today the cathedral stands at the heart of a well preserved middle ages town, complete with winding medieval streets and character buildings. Santiago de Compostela is situated about 70 miles inland of Vigo, and can be reached by ship’s excursion, bus or train.