Vigo

The Rua de Pescaderia in the old town is famous for its ostreiras, women who shuck and sell fresh oysters from wooden carts on the pavement. The oysters come from the Ria de Vigo and are served raw with a squeeze of lemon. You can eat a dozen standing on the street for a few euros. The experience is uniquely Vigo and has been a tradition here for generations. The surrounding streets are full of tapas bars and seafood restaurants.

The casco vello (old town) climbs the hillside above the harbour. The streets are narrow, the granite buildings are sturdy, and the atmosphere is lively. The Praza da Constitución is the main square, and the Concatedral de Santa Maria has a Gothic interior worth seeing. The old town is compact enough to explore in an hour or two and has a gritty, authentic energy that is very different from the polished tourist towns further south.

The Parque do Castro sits on a hill above the old town and contains the remains of a Celtic hillfort and a medieval castle. The park is green and peaceful, and the views from the top over the city, the Ria de Vigo, and the Cies Islands are excellent. After the noise and bustle of the city streets, the park offers a welcome retreat. There is also a small museum with archaeological finds from the castro.

If you have a rest day in Vigo, consider taking the ferry to the Cies Islands. The archipelago at the mouth of the Ria de Vigo has white sand beaches that consistently rank among the best in Europe. Visitor numbers are strictly limited and you must book in advance. The islands are part of the Atlantic Islands of Galicia National Park. The ferry from Vigo takes about 40 minutes.

After Vigo, the Coastal Camino leaves the sea behind. The route turns inland to Redondela, where it merges with the Central Camino Portugues. From Redondela, both routes follow the same path through Pontevedra, Caldas de Reis, Padron, and on to Santiago. The coastal section of your Camino is complete. The remaining 91 km to Santiago pass through green Galician countryside, historic towns, and ancient forests.