Sea, tranquility, Galicia! Vigo represents the purest essences of the peninsular northwest region, full of nature and wonders to know and discover. For an Erasmus, it is also a city where you can speak two languages and an enormous opportunity to gain experience.
What to see in Vigo
To know Vigo you don’t have to be an expert adventurer. The ideal is to land on its streets and enjoy the magic that comes from the union of land and sea. Among some of its main attractions are the Rías Baixas. Its sunsets are unforgettable and they say they become eternal in summer. When the tide goes out and the rocks are exposed, for a few minutes there is a natural spectacle in which the orange light of the evening contrasts with the fresh and humid green of the algae.
One of the favorite coastal areas is Playa de Samil, which is a large sandy area practically integrated into the city of Vigo.
The historic center is a rehabilitated area and has a lot of atmosphere in the evenings and weekends. It is ideal for Erasmus students and young people who want to live a burning city. Another area to visit is the nautical one, connected to the historic center. For walking, Rúa do Príncipe street, the main pedestrian street with many shops and international brands, is ideal. Casco Vello is the old part of the city, which has its promenade, small and old houses, narrow streets and many local bars. This is one of the main party areas.
Bouzas is close to the center and has a beach attached to the cafes. The walk is huge and has a bike path in case you want to take a walk with it. You will see that the options are endless.
Living in Vigo
The most profitable way to find accommodation in Vigo is to go to the service offered by the University itself. There is a special office for this and they have a list of all the available accommodation each year available to the student.
Vigo is quite cheap compared to the Spanish average for housing. In the city center the apartments are abundant and at prices around 200 euros per person. Already leaving the center the floors are newer and, depending on the bus lines, more expensive.
In Vigo, most Erasmus students opt for the option of living in an apartment shared with other Erasmus or, sometimes, even with Spaniards, because there is only one residence. It is located on the campus of the University of Vigo, quite far from the main urban nucleus and where it is almost entirely occupied by students who come from other parts of Spain to study there. In addition to being much more expensive, for the Erasmus it does not compensate them because it ends up separating them from the true spirit of the city and of the parties.
Where to go out
Going out in Vigo and meeting people in the same situation is easy because all the Erasmus students go to the same places and fill the discos.
Vigo has three basic areas for going out at night:
Old Town. The old and historical area of the city, where you will find a large number of cheap and lively bars at night.
Port area. This is the so-called nautical area, this is where the bars and clubs are a little more expensive than in other areas. It is the chic or pija area of Vigo, where going out will not come out at such a reasonable price nor will the atmosphere be so alternative, but rather exclusive.
Churruca. It is one of the favorite areas for students to go out. There are really two streets located in the center of the city where you can find huge bars and clubs where you do not pay admission or, if you pay, there is a maximum of one or two euros.
Keep in mind that Thursday is Erasmus day and the start of the holidays, so going out on a Friday, curiously, will be less profitable than a Thursday.
Gastronomy
Food in Vigo is very cheap and of very good quality, especially since most people have families outside the city with their own animals and vegetable garden. Drinks are very cheap too. You will find cane + tapas places for only one euro, cubatas for 4 euros, snacks for less than 3 euros, etc.
The food here is abundant and exquisite, which is why you will take a few kilos … Galicia is famous, especially, for fish and seafood, being a region bathed by the Atlantic Ocean. Some of the most famous dishes are: empanada, pulpo á feira, zorza (pork), filloas (a kind of crêpe) and tetilla cheese, as well as any type of seafood or mollusk.
A menu outside the center can cost you 8/10 euros. A Coca Cola is usually 1.80 / 2 euros with its mandatory skewer. The city center is more expensive, they can charge you 2.50 euros for a water, when it normally costs you 1 euro.
Some more exclusive recommended places are Celme, Agacha a Testa or El Chicote.
Do you want to know more about Galician gastronomy? Don’t forget to read this article!
