Casco Vello

Even though it’s light on landmarks and attractions, Casco Vello is a common stop on many walking and city tours thanks to its role as the city's old town. Explore its many streets and alleys for an hour or two. Afterward, you can head into the modern city center for shopping or up to Castro's fortress to admire its panoramic views across the city and surrounding coastline.

• Almost all of Casco Vello has restricted access to cars, making it an easy place to explore on foot.

• Most of the neighborhood is accessible for people with wheelchairs, although some short alleys turn into stairways.

• Casco Vello is home to various restaurants, most of which serve seafood and Galician cuisine.

Casco Vello sits next to the city's port, where cruises come in, and the modern city center. Most visitors can walk to the historic district from where they're staying— whether it's the short walk from the port terminal or the simple trip down the shopping boulevard Rua do Principe. Otherwise, you can take a bus to the Nautico bus stop on the neighborhood's edge.

Like the rest of Vigo, Casco Vello is busiest in summer on days when cruise ships make port and crowds of tourists come ashore. The energy in Casco Vello changes come nightfall as people arrive to dine and drink at the historic neighborhood's bars and restaurants.

Much of Casco Vello is winding alleys and dense old town streets. But there is one place where you can see more than traditional gray houses—the Oliveira de Vigo. This open square at the district's southern end offers an unobstructed view across the Vigo River towards the Cies Islands, a view that’s even better if you wait for sunset.