Vigo-a-go-go

We have been enjoying Vigo so much we decided to stay longer. It's a nice feeling not having to rush on to the next place and to really get to know Vigo,  learn some more about its proud history and experience the culture. The weather has been fantastic,  we've been glad not to have been hiking with our backpacks on as the last week has been  clear skies and 28°C+ temps.

A few days ago we took a hike up Monte O Castro,  the hill just behind the city. 

Fantastic elevation and great views over the port and out to the Cies Islands. The cool thing about this town is that whilst it's on the side of a hill,  they have  street elevators so  if you can't manage the stairs you have a way of getting about. So useful for the senior/retired folks with their shopping bags.

The fort / Castelo O Castro at the top has been beautifully maintained and you got a real sense of how vital the huge thick walls were during battles and attacks. 

You're on top of the city up there, great for  a picnic as there were so many pretty spots to admire the views, historic relics, cannons and there's even an archeological site that dates back to 1-3rd century BC! 

We visited during the week but I imagine the tracks/trails would be busy at the weekend with the locals that live in the high rise apartment blocks alongside the park.

Another day we walked to the Museo Quinones de Leon. 

 It's a 17th century grand house in the Parque Castrelos. Check out the blue skies, no filter! It was roasting this day and we passed many pilgrims heavy laden with big packs looking hot and bothered. Not us, we were playing tourists having hung up our pilgrim hiking boots for a few days. 

The beautiful Museo Quinones de Leon is totally free to visit and along with stunning artwork it houses a small museum.

The museum showcased archeological finds from the city dating back to the middle ages.

The funerary stones were impressive. 

There were so many stunning artifacts, tools, implements that had been unearthed and now thankfully preserved to tell part of Vigo's history.

We saw mummified remains that had been discovered in what they believe to be an ancient hospital area of Vigo. Incredible to see.

Like every grand house of this age there was of course a beautiful little chapel with an impressive alter screen. 

We saw a stunning collection of Galician artwork and European paintings from the 17th to 18th centuries. 

You could just wander room to room across two floors and get a sense of how a grand house like this would have functioned.

They must have had an army of servants to keep the fires burning in the huge hearths.

There was only one other couple wandering about. I couldn't believe more tourists weren't beating a path to this treasure trove of Vigo's history. It had it all, museum, art, stately home, stunning gardens and all free to the public.

The outdoor spaces were equally stunning.  You picked a path and just wandered where it led you. 

There were water gardens, shade arbours, secret gardens and all beautifully paved and cared for. I know if I lived in the apartments accross  the road this would be where I'd bring a book on a sunny day.

The traditional knot garden was impressive! 

We were serenaded by a loud frog chorus, there was definitely love action in the ponds!

 The parks and gardens are in  peak spring lushness,  the trees especially are spectacular for any tree lovers out there.

That's a wrap from a few days exploring Vigo. On our explorations we discovered a cafe that did eggs bene! A nice change from our usual  granola and we'd walked it off by lunch time  with all our hill walking 😁.

Vigo - Vamos, let's go

We are in Vigo for five nights - it's the big smoke for us after weeks in tiny fishing villages. Vigo has a population  of around 300,000. It has a long maritime history and is a massive fishing port. More recently the car manufacturing industry plays a big role in the local economy and this is where the port comes in handy...to ship the cars across Europe. However we had to walk up the coast to get to Vigo - venga - let's go! 

The weather forecast was for clear skies and 27°C by 2pm, it was going to be hot, hot, hot so we set off early. Lovely walking along coastal paths that dipped in and out of 'blink and you'll miss it' settlements. So many pretty little coves and bays largely deserted. The sand on the beaches here is soft, golden sand and the water really clear and clean.

As we got closer to the big smoke we passed what would have been substantial country houses and castles. The beaches became much more  crowded too.

 I poked my head through the entrance to  a grand old country house, its now a fancy schmancy cafe/hotel  and it looked spectacular. It had scallop shell decorations carved into the marble so must be historically linked to The Way of St James. 

The way was fairly well marked - just look for the yellow arrows on walls, posts, and pavements and you won't get lost.  Muchas Gracias to all the yellow arrows painters.

As we came into Vigo outskirts we followed a lovely boardwalk along a small inlet. 

It was super hot so a refreshment stop was required 🙂

Of course there's always a fabulous church/chapel/monestary to cool off in and to  admire the beautiful craftsmanship that is now preserved for history. 

After doing the necessary  hand washing and a  good night's sleep we set off to explore the port and old town of Vigo.

The old town is full of twisty/turny little lanes with fantastic old buildings. You can just follow your nose, turn a corner and pop out into a magnificent plaza and there is so much public sculpture, it's wonderful.

Being on  the Galician coast, Vigo is  a town that is blessed with beautiful green trees and gardens thanks to the rainy Galician climate.

Some of the old town buildings are hundreds of years old and still looking fabulous in that old world European style. It's not anything like Courtenay Place 😁

Down by the port is modern four  story complex with shops but primarily it houses a casino with million dollar views over the harbour. Not being casino goers, we found our way onto the roof and the views were fantastic. Loved the genius giant swing on the roof - great way to admire the views.

On one side you got a real sense for the working port with all the tugs lined up and the port cranes dotting the skyline as far as you could see.

On the other side you could admire the pleasure marina with fancy yachts and sailors making the most of the spectacular weather.

From the port we had another jaunt through  the old town as the cathedral domes required  closer inspection. They looked great from a distance. 

Even better close up. Love the use of olive trees here in Spain and Greece. You just know that many have been there for years and years and they are just perfect next to a church and  in the lovely public squares - natural staging before staging was invented 🙂

More wandering round the back lanes. Everything slows down between 2pm and 5pm for siesta time. 

You see big groups of friends and families eating together in the shade of trees in the squares.

Little pockets of street art too.

We came across a wonderful public concert with a youth orchestra. Great to see so many young people enjoying the jazz / classical tunes performed. I did feel for them, they were all dressed in black and it was roasting hot.

Full circut back to the port area where our hotel is - home again, home again,  jiggedy jog!