Vigo, Spain. The City That Quietly Became One of My Favourite Stops in Galicia
After a few days in Baiona, I drove north to Vigo, Galicia's largest city. I'll be honest, I didn't know what to expect. Most people seem to use Vigo as a gateway to the Cíes Islands or somewhere to spend a night before moving on, but after a couple of days here I found myself enjoying the city far more than I'd anticipated.
Vigo has a completely different feel from Baiona. It's busier, more modern and has the energy of a proper city, but it still manages to hold onto its Galician character. One minute you're walking through the narrow streets of Casco Vello, the next you're down by the marina watching boats come and go, and before long you're sitting in a café wondering where the last hour disappeared.
For this stay I checked into NH Collection Vigo, which turned out to be a great base for exploring the city. Everything I wanted to see was either within walking distance or only a short drive away, which meant I hardly needed the car once I'd arrived. If you're wondering what the hotel was like, I've already written a full review covering the rooms, breakfast, gym and everything else you need to know.
Read my full review of NH Collection Vigo here: https://www.golfingwithchris.com/blog/three-4-star-hotels-in-galicia-that-quietly-stole-the-show
I spent most of my time simply exploring on foot. Casco Vello was easily my favourite part of the city, with its stone streets, small independent shops and countless places to stop for a coffee or something to eat. From there it's only a short walk to the waterfront, where you'll find plenty of cafés, restaurants and views across the Ría de Vigo. If you have a bit more time, I'd also recommend walking up to Castro Fortress. The climb is worth it for the panoramic views over the city and harbour.
Like every trip, there were a couple of places that stood out more than the rest. One became my regular stop for coffee and breakfast, while the other was exactly where I wanted to finish the day after wandering around Vigo.
1. 3GRANOS Coffee & Brunch. The Sort of Café You End Up Staying Longer Than Planned
Image courtesy of 3GRANOS Coffee & Brunch
Rúa Cuba, 20, 36204 Vigo | Daily 8:30am to 8:00pm | Around 10 minutes' walk from NH Collection Vigo
It's always a good sign when you walk into a café planning to stay for twenty minutes and realise an hour has passed without noticing. That's exactly what happened at 3GRANOS Coffee & Brunch, a bright little café only a short walk from NH Collection Vigo that quickly became my favourite place to start the morning.
The first thing I noticed was how relaxed the atmosphere felt. Large windows fill the café with natural light, the wooden tables give it a warm, welcoming feel and there's just enough background music to make it lively without becoming distracting. Around me were a mixture of locals catching up over breakfast, students working on laptops and people dropping in for a takeaway coffee before work. It never felt rushed, which made it somewhere I was more than happy to sit for a while and plan the rest of my day.
The menu is centred around specialty coffee and fresh brunch dishes, with everything from sourdough toast and eggs to pancakes, sandwiches and homemade pastries. I ordered a decaf flat white together with sourdough topped with smashed avocado, poached eggs and cherry tomatoes, which arrived beautifully presented and tasted just as good as it looked. The sourdough had a satisfying crunch, the eggs were perfectly cooked and the coffee was smooth enough that ordering a second cup didn't take much convincing. Before leaving, I also picked up one of the homemade pastries from the counter, which turned out to be the perfect excuse to stay just a little longer.
Breakfast here generally costs between €10 and €18, depending on what you order, while coffee sits at around €2.50 to €4, making it excellent value considering the quality of both the food and coffee.
If you're staying at NH Collection Vigo and want somewhere for breakfast, a good coffee or simply a comfortable place to answer a few emails before heading out to explore the city, I'd happily recommend making the ten-minute walk.
What I ordered: Decaf flat white, sourdough with smashed avocado, poached eggs and cherry tomatoes, followed by a homemade pastry.
Price: €10 to €18.
Best for: Excellent specialty coffee, relaxed breakfasts and catching up on work before exploring Vigo.
2. The Othilio Bar. Casual Galician Food I'd Happily Go Back For
Image courtesy of The Othilio Bar
Praza da Constitución, 10, 36202 Vigo | Lunch & Dinner Daily | Around 10 minutes' walk from NH Collection Vigo
After spending the afternoon wandering around Casco Vello, stopping in a few shops and walking down towards the marina, I was ready for dinner. I wasn't looking for fine dining or somewhere that felt overly formal. I just wanted a relaxed restaurant serving really good food, and after seeing The Othilio Bar recommended time and time again, it felt like an easy decision.
Tucked away in one of the old town's historic squares, the restaurant has a warm, welcoming atmosphere from the moment you walk in. Stone walls, wooden tables and soft lighting give it plenty of character, while the open dining room creates a nice buzz without ever becoming too noisy. There are outdoor tables overlooking the square if the weather is good, but I decided to sit inside where I could watch the kitchen in full flow as dishes made their way out to the dining room.
The menu is built around fresh Galician ingredients with a modern touch, offering everything from seafood and sharing plates to grilled meats and seasonal specials. As tempting as the seafood looked, I couldn't go past the Galician beef sirloin, served with roasted potatoes and seasonal vegetables. To start, I ordered a fresh tomato salad, keeping things simple before the main course arrived.
The steak was cooked exactly as I'd asked, nicely charred on the outside while staying tender and full of flavour in the middle. The roasted potatoes were crisp, the vegetables were fresh and the portion was generous without being over the top. Looking around the restaurant, every table seemed to have something different, which is usually a good sign that the menu has plenty of strong options rather than just one signature dish.
Dinner here usually comes to around €25 to €40 per person, depending on what you order, and for the quality of the food and the location in the heart of Vigo's old town, I thought it offered excellent value.
What I ordered: Fresh tomato salad followed by Galician beef sirloin with roasted potatoes and seasonal vegetables.
Price: €25 to €40.
Best for: Relaxed dinners, quality Galician cooking and one of the best casual restaurants in Vigo.
Would I Come Back?
Without a doubt.
Vigo ended up being one of those cities that quietly grows on you. It doesn't rely on one famous attraction or one landmark that everyone comes to see. Instead, it's a place that's enjoyable to wander, with great cafés, excellent food and neighbourhoods that are best explored without rushing from one sight to the next.
Staying at NH Collection Vigo meant almost everything was within walking distance, which made the whole trip incredibly easy. Mornings started with great coffee at 3GRANOS Coffee & Brunch, afternoons were spent exploring the city, and evenings usually ended over a good meal in Casco Vello.
If you're planning a few days in Vigo, that's exactly how I'd recommend doing it. You don't need a packed itinerary here. Find a good café, spend a few hours getting lost in the old town, walk down to the waterfront and finish the day with a proper Galician dinner. Sometimes the simplest days are the ones you remember the most.
