Vigo has no less than 38 beaches and coves, and that’s not counting the 9 on the nearby Cíes Islands. The most remarkable feature is that all the beaches in this beautiful Galician city are varied. There are family, wild, urban, rough, quiet, nudist and other types of beaches, so there’s plenty to choose from in Vigo when it comes to beaches and sandy areas. Also, 11 of them have the Blue Flag distinction, making Vigo the Spanish city of over 100,000 inhabitants with the highest number of Blue Flag beaches. They are as follows: Argazada, Carril, Santa Baia and Tombo do Gato in Alcabre, Fontaíña and O Vao in Coruxo, Samil in Navia, Canido in Oia, Muiños de Fortiñón in Saiáns and A Punta in Teis.
Rodas beach on the Cíes Islands also has this category. Here are some of the most famous beaches in Vigo:
- Rodas beach
- Samil beach
- A Foz beach
- O Vao beach
- Barra beach
- América beach
- Nerga beach
- Areas beach in Sanxenxo
- Other must-see beaches
- Where to stay in Vigo
Rodas beach
Located on the Cíes Islands, Rodas beach is spectacularly beautiful, so much so that in 2007 it was voted ‘the best beach in the world’ by British newspaper The Guardian, probably because of its crystal clear turquoise blue waters, its fine golden sand and the forests and dunes that go right up to the shore. This is the most unique and visited beach in the Galician archipelago, with numerous rocks full of barnacles and mussels. Since it is part of the Atlantic Islands of Galicia National Park, access is limited and prior authorisation is required. One of the best beaches in Vigo, Rodas is 1.5 kilometres long and links the islands of Monteagudo and Faro.
Samil beach
This is one of Vigo’s most popular and extensive beaches. It is 1,500 metres long and is the most frequented by locals and visitors alike. It is located in the Navia neighbourhood and has numerous services both on the beach and nearby such as showers, picnic areas, playgrounds, skating rink, promenade, restaurants, bowling alley, campsite, football pitch, lifeguard surveillance and tennis courts. It is the ideal beach for spending a day basking in the sun with your family or friends and enjoying all the leisure options. It is located in the western part of Vigo and has the Blue Flag distinction.
A Foz beach
Located in the Coruxo neighbourhood, next to the mouth of the river Lagares and the nearby A Calzoa beach, this is a small beach of around 200 metres in length. It has the distinctive feature of being dog-friendly, so dogs can enjoy it all year round. The famous Samil beach is just a stone’s throw from this beach.
O Vao beach
This beach is located in Fontela, in the Coruxo neighbourhood, and has very fine sand, which is ideal for a pleasant day out with the family. It is 45 metres wide and has numerous services: promenade, car park, football pitch, showers, bar, toilets, etc. This beach is linked to Toralla, a small private island whose beaches are within easy reach. It is also within walking distance from the archaeological site of the Roman villa of Toralla.
Barra beach
Located in Cangas de Morrazo, this is one of the best-known beaches near Vigo because it is the perfect place for nudism. Its sandy dunes are surrounded by pine trees and located at one end of the Morrazo peninsula in the Vigo estuary, sheltered by the Punta Subrido headland. It is around 750 metres long and 30 metres wide and it has fine white sand. The area is windy, the beach has moderate waves and cold waters, and it is part of the protected area of the Cabo Home headland.
América beach
With a length of 1,200 metres, it is one of the most beautiful beaches near Vigo. It is located in the San Pedro da Ramallosa neighbourhood in Nigrán. It owes its current name –the previous one was Area Loura (Blonde Sand)– to the fact that the first houses were built by the ‘Indianos’ (Spaniards who emigrated to the American colonies and came back home rich). It is the beach that the Spanish singer-songwriter Iván Ferreiro talks about in his song ‘Turnedo’ and it is separated from the neighbouring Panxón beach by the river Muiños. It has had the Blue Flag distinction since 1990.
Nerga beach
This is part of the Barra inlet, next to the Barra nudist beach, Viñó beach and one of the most unique coves in Vigo called A Nova. Nevertheless, Nerga beach is the only one that can be accessed by private vehicle and, therefore, is the most crowded. It is very close to the Cíes Islands, it is 750 metres long and its waters are clear and transparent. It is part of the Natura 2000 Network and the A Costa da Vela Natural Area.
Areas beach in Sanxenxo
This is a small beach of just 600 metres that has the Blue Flag distinction. Its crystal-clear waters and cleanliness make all visitors fall in love with this beach, which also has numerous services: toilets, showers, bins, parasols, sun lounges, etc. In 2014, it was awarded the “Q” for Tourist Quality. The urban beach of Areas also has access for the disabled.
Other must-see beaches
If beaches are your thing, there are many other sandy areas in Vigo which you can enjoy and explore. The Galician city is a paradise for those who love sunbathing and getting their feet wet on the beach. We encourage you to visit other charming beaches such as Melide in the Cabo Home area, between the cliffs of both the Punta Subrido and Punta Robaleira lighthouses; Figueiras, a small cove surrounded by a pine forest on Monteagudo island; Nuestra Señora, a small sandy area on the Cíes Islands of just 140 metres; and Prado in Nigrán, one of the best places for surfing.
Where to stay in Vigo
If you want to enjoy the beaches in Vigo and stay in a hotel where you are guaranteed rest and comfort, we recommend the Occidental Vigo hotel due to its excellent quality-price ratio. It is a very cosy four-star establishment located on Vía Norte street, a stone’s throw from the city centre and with direct views of the Vigo estuary. It has 104 very comfortable, modern and equipped rooms.
