In recent years, Vigo has established itself as a leading Christmas destination, attracting the attention of the press and TV.
Article from CruisesNews magazine no. 59 – December 2021
There isn't a self-respecting Spaniard who hasn't heard of Vigo's Christmas lights, and this attraction is also catching the attention of cruise lines and their captains. Last November 30th, the P&O Iona made a stop in the city and delayed its departure until 9:00 PM so that its passengers could enjoy the Christmas lights, the Christmas market, and the large, multicolored Ferris wheel installed in the city center.
Traditionally linked to its gastronomic and wine tourism, sun and beach tourism and nature tourism, or cultural and religious tourism associated with the Camino de Santiago, among others, the serious and well-planned proposal to establish itself as a Christmas destination has resulted in an exponential increase in the number of tourists and overnight stays, and has had a ripple effect that has allowed it to stand out as a winter tourism destination, and which has also contributed to further enhancing the value of the rest of its varied destination offer.
As popular wisdom states, the best seafood, a treasure of local gastronomy, is consumed in the months with "R", and likewise, the season from September to April (the months with "r") multiplies the offer and tourist possibilities of the port of Vigo for cruise traffic, making it a true winter destination.
Several cruise ships have already opted to spend the night or extend their departure time from the port of Vigo to enjoy the Christmas lights.
In a region renowned for its rich winemaking tradition and the quality of its wineries, exemplified by the Rías Baixas Designation of Origin and its Albariño wines, September marks the beginning of the wine production cycle with the grape harvest, making it the perfect time to appreciate the most beautiful colors and hues of the wine country landscapes. While winery visits are a key attraction year-round, the port of Vigo has regularly been included in the wine-themed itineraries organized by various cruise lines specifically during this period, as they offer a deeper immersion in the entire winemaking process.
Another essential natural attraction in the Vigo Estuary is the Cíes Islands National Park. While in summer it draws thousands of visitors daily who come to enjoy its natural beauty and beaches (including its main beach, Rodas, repeatedly declared the best beach in the world by The Guardian), in winter, with the suspension of regular passenger transport, the Cíes Islands become a true paradise for cruise ship passengers. Whether directly from their ships at anchor or through specialized tour operators from the city of Vigo, they can exclusively enjoy the islands' nature, landscapes, and wild beauty.
In winter, the Cies Islands, inaccessible due to the closure of regular passenger transport, become an exclusive paradise for cruise ship passengers.
The Vigo estuary is undoubtedly a source of tourist wealth, as well as gastronomic richness, especially its fish and shellfish, which are at their peak during this winter season. The richness of its waters makes Vigo and its surrounding area one of the largest national producers of bivalves such as clams, mussels, and oysters. And it is precisely around their production and cultivation on shellfish beaches and mussel rafts that one of the most innovative maritime and experiential tourism offerings has been developed. This consists of guided tours led by the fishermen and shellfish gatherers themselves, who explain their work firsthand and guide visitors through the entire process of cultivation, production, and sale at the fish market, including, of course, a tasting.
Santiago de Compostela, just 90 km away, continues to celebrate the Holy Year of Compostela until 2022.
The Vigo Estuary itself, the protagonist of Jules Verne's novel 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, is the focus of different cultural options that include the story of the author's connection with the city and the Battle of the Galleons of Rande, in which the galleons loaded with gold from the explorations after the discovery of America ended up sunk in its waters.
All this without forgetting the traditional destinations that, both in summer and winter, complement Vigo's tourism offerings, such as Baiona, the first port to receive news of the discovery of America, with its replica of Columbus's caravel "La Pinta" and the Castle of Monterreal, a fortress from the early 11th century; the monumental city and cathedral of Tui; the Celtic archaeological remains and the hill fort of Monte Santa Tecla; the medieval historic center of the city of Pontevedra, Combarro and its traditional granaries and seascapes, Cambados, the capital of Albariño wine; and, of course, Santiago de Compostela and its cathedral, a pilgrimage center whose Holy Year of Compostela has been exceptionally extended by the Vatican until 2022 due to the pandemic.
The port of Vigo has regularly been part of the wine-themed itineraries organized by various cruise companies.
A wide and varied selection, which in winter presents itself as a perfect option both for cruise lines that focus their itineraries on the Canary Islands and the Mediterranean, and for those that start exploration and adventure itineraries from Europe and can find a first experience by visiting the Cíes Islands or participating in nautical activities in the protected waters of the Ría; or even for those who take advantage of the opportunity to enjoy the new Christmas attraction of the city, which in addition to its lights, shopping and tourist attractions for children and adults, is accompanied by a wide program of musical and cultural activities.
The fact that its cruise infrastructure is located right in the city center allows cruise passengers to fully immerse themselves in the local atmosphere and culture just steps from the Maritime Station. This may explain why, since cruise traffic resumed, several ships have opted to spend the night or extend their departure time from the port of Vigo.
