The Complete Camino de Santiago Vigo Pilgrim Guide (2026)
Vigo is quickly becoming one of the most popular places to start the Camino Portuguese. Located in the stunning Rias Baxias region in Galicia, Vigo is considered the last 100 KM on the Coastal Route of the Camino Portugués to Santiago de Compostela.
Vigo is known as an industrial seaside city. It’s the largest city in Galicia, Spain, and offers visitors a condensed Old Town, a handful of museums, a tasty food scene, and access to the unique Maritime Terrestrial Park of the Atlantic Islands.
In this comprehensive Camino de Santiago Vigo pilgrim guide, find out all the options to get here, and tips for walking the Camino from Vigo. I’ve also included insights on where to sleep in Vigo and a brief overview of the final stages of the Camino Portugues to Santiago de Compostela.
Here are all my best resources for pilgrims walking the Camino from Vigo.
Table of Contents
- Camino de Santiago and Vigo
- How to Get to Vigo Spain
- How Long Should Pilgrims Spend in Vigo Before Walking the Camino?
- Last Minute Supplies & Gear in Vigo
- Places to Stay in Vigo for Pilgrims
- More Things to Do in Vigo
- The Camino Portuguese Coastal from Vigo
- Overview | Camino de Santiago Vigo Pilgrim Guide
Camino de Santiago and Vigo
The Portuguese Way is gaining popularity as one of the most popular Camino de Santiago routes. The Camino Portugués is unique in that it offers both a Central and a Coastal route.
Vigo is becoming one of the most popular starting points. Sarria (the last 100 KM on the Camino Frances) is the first most popular, followed by Tui, which is the final 120 KM on the Camino Portugues Central route. Vigo is currently the 7th most popular starting point, with nearly 20,000 pilgrims starting their journey from here each year.
From Vigo, Santiago de Compostela is a little over 100 KM (62 miles) away. There are conflicting points on official distances since the Municipal Albergue is located in the lower part (Baja) of Vigo, while many of the hotels are located closer to Vialia Shopping Center, which is located closer to the hillside Alta region.
Most pilgrims budget at least 5 days to walk from Vigo to Santiago de Compostela on the Portuguese Coastal Route.
Where to Get the Credencial in Vigo
If you need a Pilgrim Credential, the Basílica de Santa María de Vigo, along with the Santiago de Vigo Church have it. In all honesty, both churches have really limited hours.
I highly recommend picking up the credencial from the local gift shop, Jamaica. It’s located right on the corner of Praza da Pedra in Old Town for 3€.
The Municipal Albergue in Vigo does not have pilgrim passports.
The Credencial is essential if wishing to stay in Public Albergues and can also provide discounts to certain sites with entrance fees along the way.
How to Get to Vigo Spain
Vigo is the largest city in Galicia Spain, which is convenient because it has an airport, two train stations, and a busy bus terminal.
Vigo Airport
Vigo Airport (VGO) is a medium-sized airport, so it has limited flights. Taxis are available to bring pilgrims into downtown Vigo, but always verify the price before committing. There is also a frequent bus that connects the Vigo Airport with the Downtown/ Port area of Vigo.
Vigo Train Stations
There are two main train stations in Vigo: Vigo Guixar and Vigo Urzaiz.
Vigo Urzaiz is the largest and most modern train station that is located in the main shopping center of Vialia Vigo. This is where you can find frequent departures to Ourense and Pontevedra and beyond.
Vigo Guixar is the smaller train station located closer to the sea. It’s about a 10-minute walk to Vigo Urzaiz and 10 minutes in the opposite direction to the ferry port. This train station is where most of the trains connecting to Portugal arrive. This station is less busy than Vigo Urzaiz.
➜ Verify the train schedules with Renfe
Vigo Bus Terminal
The main Bus Terminal in Vigo is also located right outside Vigo Urzaiz. There are multiple bus companies that utilize this terminal, including Alsa, Monbus, FlixBus, and more.
➜ This is a super helpful website with all the bus schedules in Galicia
How Long Should Pilgrims Spend in Vigo?
Vigo is one of those places that doesn’t seem appealing at first glance. It’s industrial and doesn’t have that medieval charm that a lot of cities in Galicia have. However, don’t let that discourage you from spending some time in Vigo. I live near Vigo now, and have discovered there are so many treasures in the city.
Vigo is the largest city in Galicia, and it boasts a fabulous Old Town and port area. The Museo do Mar de Galicia in the Bouza district is fabulous and has a diverse range of exhibitions, including a fairly large section dedicated to the Camino. Bouza is one of the best places to eat seafood.
As a port city, there are excellent places to eat fresh seafood or enjoy the lively nightlife. Alternatively, this is the place to depart and explore the beautiful Cíes Islands. The Cíes Islands are famous for their incredible beaches, and nearby Ons has one of the best restaurants to try pulpo (Octopus).
If traveling from abroad, I think it’s nice to spend at least one extra night in Vigo to catch up on any jet lag. If visiting the islands, you’ll need a full day due to the ferry timetables. Two days in Vigo would allow for ample time to explore the city and take a day trip to either Cíes or Ons Islands.
Last Minute Supplies & Gear Shops in Vigo
Preparing for the Camino means that you won’t be carrying much. The less you carry, the less weight on your back and knees. I’ve walked multiple Camino de Santiago routes, and I typically carry a similar list whether I’m walking 100 Km or 800 Km.
This is my essential Camino packing list. This packing list focuses on summer and fall walking logistics. If walking during the winter, check out my Winter Camino Packing List.
No worries if you forgot something or changed your mind about a hat or walking sticks. There are a tons of gear and supplies stores in Vigo.
➯ Hey… don’t forget your Travel Insurance! I love SafetyWing
Vigo Gear Stores
✔ Terra Deporte Aventura has everything outdoor and sports gear, from shoes to brand-name sports clothing. It’s my favorite outdoor gear store in Vigo, even if it’s a little bit out of the main tourist area.
✔ Vialia Shopping Center has everything within its walls. There’s a Decathlon shop there along with a few other brand-name sports clothing stores.
Vigo Grocery Stores
Vigo has tons of common grocery stores in the city, from Eroski, AlCampo, Gadis, and more. In the Old Town and beyond are lots of local fruit markets and organic shops.
Places to Stay in Vigo for Pilgrims
Vigo has a Municipal Albergue located not far from the port. The lower part of Vigo near the Old Town and port has numerous places to stay. There are also lots of more budget-friendly options near the Vialia Shopping Center. This is moving to the higher part of the city on the hillside.
There are very limited Albergues and Hostels in Vigo. It’s more common to find hotels, pensions, and private apartments.
Municipal Albergue of Vigo
Albergues are budget-friendly places for pilgrims to sleep found along the Camino de Santiago routes. These accommodations consist of dorm-style beds and shared bathrooms. Think no-frills hostels with a lively spirit.
Municipal Albergues are public and are only open to those pilgrims walking the Camino de Santiago. You must have a credencial and they do not accept reservations. In Municipal Albergues, you are only allowed to stay one night. In Galicia, the Municipal Albergues are run by the Xunta (local government).
Be mindful that there is a curfew when the doors lock.
➤ Albergue de Peregrinos de Vigo (Xunta) / 90 Beds / €10 / Reservations Not Accepted / Must have a Credencial Pilgrim Passport / Open Year Round / Find it Here
Budget-Friendly Places to Stay in Vigo Near Old Town
Budget-Friendly Places to Stay in Vigo Near Vialia
➜ Browse All Accommodation Options in Vigo Spain
More Things to Do in Vigo
Vigo is the largest city in Galicia, so there are lots of cultural museums and neighborhoods to explore.
The Old Town is fairly condensed and offers the main Basílica de Santa María de Vigo. Don’t miss the Rúa Pescadería, a street filled with seafood restaurants with many workers shucking fresh mussels and clams on the terraces.
Praza da Constitución is a nice square surrounded by little bars and cafes. From there move towards Praza do Puerta del Sol with its famous fishman sculpture. Here you can wander along the principal street and visit the MARCO (Modern Art Museum).
Take a hike up to Castelo do Castro to see what remains of the old fortress and to savor some of the best views of Vigo, the Vigo Estuary, and the Cíes Islands.
Again, the Maritime Islands of Cíes and Ons are worth visiting. During the high season, they require a permit to help protect the natural landscapes. The permits are free, but must be reserved in advance.
The Museum of Mar is absolutely worth visiting and my favorite museum in Vigo.
Vigo warrants at least a full day to explore, and two if you want to visit the nearby islands.
The Camino Portuguese Coastal from Vigo (Last 102 KM)
Vigo is around 102 Km from Santiago de Compostela via the Camino da Costa Portugués route.
Most pilgrims will take around 5 days to walk from Vigo to arrive in Santiago de Compostela.
The final stages of the Camino Portuguese from Vigo typically follow these stages:
Vigo ➜ Rendondela ➜ Pontevedra ➜ Caldas de Reis ➜ Padron ➜ Santiago de Compostela
The Coastal route from Vigo almost immediately joins the Camino Portuguese Central Route. However, the routes merge with the Central Way right before Redondela.
It’s worth noting that there are a few options for leaving Vigo. There is the official route, a different route that follows near the port before heading to the hills, and a route that includes taking a ferry across the Estuary. I’ll have an article coming soon on these three different walking options.
Redondela is a small village famous for its many hillside furanchos (local vineyards). Pontevedra is a fantastic medieval city. If you have an extra day to spare, enjoy the museum, lively tapas scene, and the atmosphere of this well-preserved city.
Those who want to experience more of the coastline can divert off the Camino Portuguese Central Route from Pontevedra. The Camino Espiritual Variante route is an option just after Pontevedra and passes by the cute seaside village of Combarro. Another highlight is the stunning Stone and Water Route, which passes by vineyards and the stunning Galician countryside.
On the final day, hop on a boat and follow the same route as the Apostle James stone boat, which landed ashore near Padron. This route typically takes three days and is a fabulous alternative route on the Camino Portugues.
Psst… If looking for a Camino de Santiago Guidebook, John Brierley A Pilgrim’s Guide to the Camino Portugués is one of the absolute best, with extremely detailed maps and information for the Camino Portuguese starting from Lisbon.
Camino de Santiago Resources for Pilgrims
Overview | Camino de Santiago Vigo Pilgrim Guide
In short, this is a brief Camino de Santiago Vigo pilgrim guide for people walking the Coastal Route of the Camino Portuguese.
Find everything in here, including how to get to Vigo, where to get the pilgrim passport, things to see and do before you start walking, and different options on where to stay in Vigo.
I hope this pilgrim guide for Vigo was useful, and I wish you a Buen Camino!
Is there anything missing from this Vigo Pilgrim Guide? Any updates or oversights on my part? Let me know in the comments below!
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