Vigo, home to 295,364 residents, is the largest city in Galicia, though not the capital—that title belongs to Santiago de Compostela. The city’s economy thrives on the automotive industry and its vast Atlantic Ocean port, which serves both fishing and transportation needs. Despite being a bustling industrial city, Vigo remains off the beaten path for most tourists. However, it offers several attractions worth a day’s visit, including beautiful beaches like the Cíes Islands and surrounding mountains. The city’s unique structure is built around parishes, and rapid growth in the 19th and 20th centuries led to the incorporation of nearby villages and towns.

If you find yourself in Vigo in March, don’t miss the city’s main celebration at the end of the month: the Reconquista. This festival commemorates the Spanish War of Independence when Napoleon’s French troops departed the city on March 28, 1809. It’s undoubtedly the most exciting event in Vigo, Spain.