We will depart from the Port / Hotel to enjoy a full day tour beginning with a panoramic view of Vigo from El Castro Mountain. The old Castro still exists and can be found in the park of the same name. At the top of this green area there is also a Fortress that makes a pleasant walk due to the exceptional views from the lookout over the river with the city in the foreground. The most interesting tour of the Vigo´s monuments begins at the Porta do Sol, although you will witness the eclectic architecture of the streets of Urzaiz, Colón, the pedestrians Príncipe, Areal or Policarpo Sanz before you reach it. As an example, the Casas de Bonín or the García Barbón Theatre by the architects Jenaro de la Fuente and Antonio Palacios respectively, brought stone to the forefront of Vigo buildings in the early 20th century.
In the Plaza da Constitución, site of the Old Town Hall, you find a traffic-free oasis and a good starting point to visit the old quarter with typical areas such as the Rúa dos Cestos. A short distance away is the sombre Neoclassical Colexiata e Concatedral de Santa María and towards the shore, the O Berbés neighbourhood with the characteristic arcades of maritime homes closed off from the sea by the new harbour facilities.
The Quiñones de León Municipal Museum housed in the Pazo de Castrelos is another attraction as well as the large public park that surrounds it on the other side of the city.
From here we will depart to Baiona, a synonymous with being a good port and the most important at many points in history. It has also been a lesson throughout time that the sea has always been the route to discovery. The best example in Baiona is the Fiesta de la Arribada at the beginning of March, which commemorates the arrival of the caravel Pinta into this port with the first news of Columbus´ feat. Proof of the strategic importance of this place is in the list of its attacks and sieges, including the Normans, Almanzor, the Turks, Drake, etc. A powerful defensive fortress was erected, proportionate to such greed.
We will have some spare time for having lunch.
After. we will go to visit The Castelo de Monte Real, built atop the Monte do Boi, still has just under three kilometres of wall remaining together with the perimeter route. The site is large enough to allow for tree-filled gardens. The central building, which belonged to the old residence of the governor, is now a Parador for tourism. Three fortified towers remain from the original building: the Torre do Reloxio at the entrance, the Torre da Tenaza towards the bay and the tower of the Prince in the form of the Torre da Homenaxe, towards the sea.
In the historical district, in addition to the good examples of manor houses, the Colexiata de Santa María, which held a collection of stone crosses, is worth mentioning. However, without a doubt, the entrance to the town holds one of the most remarkable stone crosses: the Cruceiro da Trinidade. It has ogival-style aspects and is sheltered by a stone dais.
Return to Vigo´s Port or Hotel.