Car Hire in Vigo

About Vigo

Vigo is the largest city in the Spanish autonomous community of Galicia. It is located in the far west of the country in the province of Pontevedra. It is the largest fishing port in Europe, transporting fish, shellfish, and seafood all over the world.

It is the rich fishing tradition that has marked this beautiful city throughout history. It is a blend of modern and historic, offering visitors not only an interesting mix of architecture but also excellent culinary delights. Moreover, in the surroundings of the city, you can admire the beautiful nature, which is part of the Atlantic Islands Natural Park.

Despite the mentioned connection between modern and historical architecture, there are many new buildings in the city today, but they do not hide the rich history of the city. All the buildings that have survived from the city's beginnings to the present day have been restored and can be visited by visitors. Vigo is an excellent base from which to explore first this beautiful province and then further afield to Galicia and the whole of Spain.

A special thing about Vigo is that the city has its microclimate and therefore the temperatures in this city are on average 5 degrees Celsius higher than in other cities in Galicia. Besides, you will be impressed by the coast, which is beautiful in Vigo and its surroundings, and on the other hand, you will have a view of the mountains and forests that give a special charm to this city and province, offering visitors a varied experience depending on their preferences. You can opt for an active day and explore the nature that surrounds the city, or you can simply enjoy one of the many boats in the port, sip a cocktail and admire the sea.

It is also interesting to note that Vigo is considered one of the safest Spanish cities with the lowest crime rate, which brings additional benefits when deciding to visit.

So, if you decide to go on a road trip through Spain, you must put Vigo on your list of destinations to visit. It will impress you, if not with its beaches or architecture, then with its cuisine. Seafood lovers will get their money's worth in this city. All in all, it has an added charm when you are surrounded by friendly locals who will introduce you to the Galician culture in the best possible way.

Basic info and car hire in Vigo

• Location: Galicia, Spain
• Population: 293,642
• Official language: Galician, Spanish
• Currency: Euro
• Weather:   Vigo has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate
• Internet coverage: Hotels, bars, restaurants, and cafés offer Wi-Fi.
• Road conditions:  Most roads in Vigo are in good condition.
• Car hire in Vigo:  The most common pick-up point for vehicles in Vigo is Vigo airport and Vigo Railway Station. Please note that prices vary frequently. It is best to book a car 3 to 8 weeks in advance of your desired pick-up date - this will ensure you get the cheapest rental rate. Alternatively, it is also possible to find cheap last-minute car hire. Find the best deal on car hire in Vigo!

 Driving in Vigo

To drive a car in Vigo you must be 18 years old, have a valid driver's license, and show valid proof of insurance for the vehicle you are driving. In Vigo, vehicles drive on the right-hand side of the road. The speed limit on the motorway is 120 km/h (75 mph). On normal roads the speed limit is 90 km/h (75 mph), on urban roads, it is 50 km/h (50 mph), and on all other through roads, there is a speed limit sign.

It's good to know that Spain has strict drink-driving laws, allowing only 0.5 milligrams of alcohol per millilitre of blood - stricter than in the UK, where the limit is 0.8. Novice drivers are effectively banned from driving under the influence with a very low limit of 0.1 mg/l. Seatbelts front and rear are compulsory everywhere.

One thing: for those not used to roundabouts: There are a lot of them in Spain! And the following rules apply: The driver who is already in the roundabout has the right of way unless there is a traffic light at the roundabout that regulates the flow of traffic. Before leaving the roundabout, you should put on your right turn signal to indicate that you are leaving the roundabout.

If you are caught speeding in Vigo, the Spanish police act very quickly, and lack of Spanish is not considered an excuse. The police do not mind that you are a tourist on holiday, and fines are often issued immediately unless you can prove that you are a permanent resident in Spain. If you receive a fine, make sure the officer gives you an official receipt and if you pay immediately, the fine is usually reduced by 20%.

The Spanish law on the use of indicators on motorways is strictly enforced. You risk a fine if you fail to signal before overtaking and after overtaking if you move back into the adjacent lane. Traffic coming from the left always has the right of way. If you see a solid white line in the middle of the road, do not cross it. Continue until you either see a dotted white line or look for a sign that says "Cambio de Sentido" where you can safely and legally turn around.

• Age limits: The minimum age to drive a car in Spain is 18 years. However, most car rental companies require you to be at least 21 to rent a car and at least 25 years to avoid paying an additional young driver fee. 
• International Driving Permit:  Yes, if you are a non-EU licence holder.  
• Additional papers:   Identification(passport), a valid driving licence, and valid proof of insurance. (It is advisable to buy insurance at the car hire agency in case your policy doesn't cover you while driving in Spain)
• Additional requirements:  Glasses (in case you need glasses, you must always have a spare pair in the car), light bulbs (are usually already in the car and are provided by the car rental company), warning triangle (2 are required for all vehicles registered in Spain and 1 if coming from abroad), high visibility vest (recently made compulsory)- First aid kit (not compulsory, but we strongly recommend you have it with you, just in case).
• Children in the car:  If you are travelling with children under 12 or less than 135cm tall, you are required by law to have a child seat in your car. If you do not have your own, most car rental companies will provide one for a fee. However, it is advisable to request such a seat before collecting the vehicle, otherwise one may not always be available.
• Driving side of the road: Right
• Lights:  Check that all lights are working, clean, and correctly aimed.
• General speed limits:  The speed limit is 50 km/h in cities, 90 km/h on rural roads, and 120 km/h on the motorway.
• Parking suggestions:  Parking is prohibited in Spain in all areas where the curbs are marked yellow. The parking spaces marked in blue usually have a parking meter and you must buy a parking ticket to park in these spaces. You will usually find a machine nearby where you can purchase your parking ticket. Most of these blue areas have a parking limit of 2 hours, but this is displayed on the machine.

What to see in Vigo

City Park La Guía

The city of Vigo is dotted with many parks and green spaces. One of them is the La Guía Municipal Park, which you should not miss. It is a beautiful park with the highest point being the Nosa Señora da Guía shrine, from which you have a very special view of the estuary, and at the end of the park is A Punta beach. The park is a wonderful place to relax, as it is comfortable to chill out under the large canopies of oaks and pines.

Cathtedral de Santa María de Vigo

This beautiful church is located in the old town and dates back to the Middle Ages. However, in the 19th century, the church was demolished and rebuilt. Today, church ceremonies are held regularly in the cathedral and it is also open to tourists. The church is considered the most popular sanctuary among the locals. 

Marco. Vigo Museum of Contemporary Art

A museum that you simply must visit. Modern art in all its facets is presented here. You can admire plastic art, video installations, performative art, architecture, fashion, design... The museum consists of three exhibition rooms, the first of which is dedicated to the works of national and foreign artists. The second part is dedicated to the exploration of the avant-garde and the third part is dedicated to artists who are still on the rise and represent the future of the art scene.

Quiñones de León" Municipal Museum

It is located in one of the most beautiful buildings of Vigo. It is a Renaissance building that was restored at the beginning of the 20th century. Today you can admire the archaeological remains found in the city and its surroundings. It also exhibits paintings by Galician painters.

Best restaurants in Vigo:

Zebu Centro

La Hacienda De Machado

Casa Marco

Rokuseki

Nino Corvo

Epoca Restaurante Peruano Fusion