Beaches of Vigo

The beaches of the ria (bay) of Vigo are regarded as some of the best in Galicia, if not the whole of Spain, and there are a lot of them. In fact the tourist board for Vigo claims no less than 45 separate beaches in the immediate vicinity and this is no exaggeration.

Some of Vigo's beaches

Laying to the east of Vigo and just below the park of "Ermita and the Mirrador de a Guia" (in the town of Teis) is the beach of "Punta". This is a very popular beach with a man made promenade and fine white sand. It becomes busy at the weekends, but is probably the best of the better known beaches to this side of the city. There is ample parking around and above this beach.

To the left is a photo of the large beach at "Samil".

To the west of Vigo is where most of the city beaches start and then continue almost indefinitely.

The largest of these beaches is "Playa de Samil" (pictured above), which runs for almost one mile and has the typical bleached white sand of the region. This beach is easily reached by car and there is plenty of parking all around and directly behind it. Samil has a continuous white promenade behind it and there are a number of beach side facilities including restaurants, hotels, picnic areas and swimming pool. Despite its size, Samil does get busy and is very popular throughout the summer months.

between the most easterly urbanisations of Vigo and Samil there are a number of smaller, but very appealing beaches including, Santa Baia, Fontes, O Cocho das Dornas and Carril. All these beaches are popular, but are smaller and less busy than the larger Samil. Parking is available next to or close by all of theses beaches.

The closest of Vigo's beaches to the city itself is "Playa de Bouzas". This beach is somewhat man made in appearance, but it is very popular, has many facilities at hand and it sits in its own little bay right next to the city. Like Samil it has a promenade.

More beaches

Vigo really is a beach mecca and as you head out of the bay towards the open sea you pass by numerous other beaches with names like, O Vao, Calzoa, Foz and Sobreira. Moving in the opposite direction away from the city, beaches encountered include, Tombo do Gato, Cocho and Gato, but the list goes on.

Vigo's reputation for high quality blue flag beaches is well foundered and as long as the weather delivers, getting a good tan in Vigo is never a problem.

Left, in the distance, this is one of many beaches in the "ria" (bay) of Vigo.