Vigo and La Coruña (A Coruña) were the two Spanish ports in Galicia on our Celebrity Apex cruise to Spain, Portugal, and France. Our girls are 8 and 11. One port became my least favorite of the whole trip, and the other turned out to be one of my favorites.
In both cities, the ship docks right in town. Here’s how we spent each day, where we ate, and which one I’d tell you to get excited about.
Vigo and La Coruña at a Glance
- Vigo: July 25, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Ship docks right in town. We booked Celebrity’s Small Group Vigo Walking Tour for $257.96 total for the four of us.
- La Coruña: July 28, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The ship docks downtown, and we explored on our own with no excursion.
Vigo Cruise Port: Our Walking Tour
We visited Vigo and La Coruña three days apart. Since Vigo was our very first port of the cruise, we booked a tour through Celebrity. At that point, we didn’t feel comfortable enough to explore on our own.
The ship docked right in town, and we met our tour guide just off the ship. Then she gave us headsets, and we walked around Vigo with her while she told us the history and showed us around. In total, the tour was a couple of hours, which was long enough.
What We Saw in Vigo
On our walking tour, we saw the old town (Casco Vello) and Rúa da Pescadería, the street famous for its oysters. From a viewpoint, we could also see Monte do Castro, the beaches, and the Cíes Islands offshore. Because we saw all of that on one walking tour, so you can imagine it’s not a very big place. None of it really impressed me.
Coffee, Wine, and Tortilla at Casa Elsa
Our guide brought us to a little café called Casa Elsa, on Rúa de Concepción Arenal, 7. We had a glass of white wine and espresso, the kids had hot chocolate, and we all tried tortilla española, Spain’s traditional potato omelet. It was a nice break, especially in the middle of a walking tour.
The Oysters I Didn’t Try
We didn’t try Vigo’s famous oysters or any of the seafood. I would have liked to. However, it was our first stop of the cruise, and I was afraid of getting sick if I ate somewhere that wasn’t good or clean. Looking back, I should have been more adventurous. It probably would have been more fun.
Is Vigo Safe to Explore on Your Own?
For first-timers, I’d say book the tour. Vigo was crowded, and as a result, I felt like we stood out as Americans. That’s why we felt much more comfortable walking around with a guide. Plus, if you’re not familiar with the area, I think it would be easy to get lost.
Our Verdict on Vigo
Of all the ports on the trip, Vigo was my least favorite. It was nice to walk around. However, it wasn’t very interesting to me, and there isn’t much to do. Because of that, I have no desire to go back.
La Coruña Cruise Port: No Excursion Needed
La Coruña, on the other hand, was the complete opposite. Of the two stops, Vigo and La Coruña, this is the one I’d plan to explore on your own. In fact, you don’t need to book an excursion here. When you walk off the ship, you’re already in an area where you can walk around, eat, and shop. In other words, everything is within walking distance of the ship.
In fact, right from the cruise terminal, you can see the glass-balconied buildings along the marina, called galerías. They’re really pretty and unique, too. You don’t see buildings like these in many places.
María Pita Square
A short walk from the ship, you come to María Pita Square, the city’s big main square with its grand City Hall. Then wander just past the square and you’ll find small restaurants and boutiques for shopping, which is so nice.
Lunch at Bodeguiña O Viñedo de Tito
The restaurants here are not touristy at all. Instead, the locals are eating there, so you know it’s good. We tried to get into a few places, but we couldn’t because we didn’t have a reservation and all their tables were booked.
Eventually, we stumbled on Bodeguiña O Viñedo de Tito. It looked good, so we got a table. From what we could tell, it was run by a husband and wife. Although the owner didn’t speak English, he had an English menu. So I used the broken Spanish I learned as a kid to communicate with him as best I could, and it was totally fine.
Overall, the meal was excellent, with great meat dishes. For example, we had Iberian ham, the house “O Viñedo” delicacy (chopped beef fillet with fries and Padrón peppers), and raxo, a Galician dish made of chopped pork loin. Best of all, the owner was very nice and tried to explain what kids usually like. We went with his recommendations, and as a result, the kids loved it.
Still, I wish I had tried pulpo a la gallega (Galician octopus) and some Estrella Galicia beer, but my husband isn’t as adventurous as I am.
Tip: Make a Lunch Reservation in La Coruña
We tried to get lunch around 12:00, and that wasn’t a good time. In fact, a lot of restaurants weren’t even open yet, because people in La Coruña eat late. On top of that, the restaurants are tiny, without many tables.
Also, people take their time over a long lunch, so you don’t see anyone waiting for a table like you do in the US. Also, there’s only one lunch seating. We didn’t run into this in Vigo, where our walking tour stopped at a café, so this tip comes from our lunch on our own in La Coruña. If a restaurant is full, that’s it, and you won’t get a table until dinner, which is late. For that reason, do your research ahead of time, pick a restaurant, and make a reservation.
Gelato on the Way Back
On our way back to the ship, we stumbled on one of many gelato shops and stopped for some fantastic gelato. The place was called Il Buon Gusto. I had the Kinder Bueno flavor, and it was amazing! I loved it so much.
What About the Tower of Hercules?
We didn’t see the Tower of Hercules, the famous Roman lighthouse and UNESCO World Heritage Site. It would have been about a 45-minute walk each way from the cruise terminal. So you can take a taxi or walk if you really want to see it. Still, we weren’t interested. Instead, we just wanted good food, some shops, and a safe place to walk around among the locals.
Our Verdict on La Coruña
I felt way more comfortable walking around La Coruña on my own than Vigo. I think it’s just the vibe you get. Between Vigo and La Coruña, the girls liked La Coruña way more too. Maybe the gelato had something to do with it! In the end, I enjoyed La Coruña as much as I enjoyed Porto.
Vigo and La Coruña: Which Is Better for Families?
La Coruña, easily, because it’s relaxed, easy to explore on your own, and full of great local food. By contrast, Vigo was fine with a guide, but there wasn’t much there for us.
For either city, wear comfortable walking shoes, and know that you only need a few hours. Even so, it’s nice to explore such a different culture. Also, like Porto, these are more relaxed, laid-back stops, with less to do than busier cities like Bilbao, Lisbon, or Paris.
Vigo and La Coruña Cruise Ports: Quick Answers
Can you walk from the cruise ship into Vigo?
Yes. The ship docks right in town, and our walking tour started just off the ship.
Can you walk from the cruise ship into La Coruña?
Absolutely. You’re in town as soon as you step off, and María Pita Square is a short walk away.
Do you need a shore excursion in La Coruña?
No. Everything we did was within walking distance of the ship.
How far is the Tower of Hercules from the La Coruña cruise terminal?
It’s about a 45-minute walk each way, or a short taxi ride.
Is La Coruña the same as A Coruña?
Yes. A Coruña is the official Galician name, and La Coruña is the Spanish name.
More From Our Europe Trip
This post is part of our series on our summer trip to London and our Celebrity Apex cruise to Spain, Portugal, and France.
London With Kids
- Virgin Atlantic Review: Flying LAX to London With Kids
- London Marriott County Hall Review: A Family Stay by Big Ben
- London With Kids: One Big Thing a Day (Our Easy Itinerary)
- Getting Around London With Kids: The Best Ways, Honestly
- Dining in London With Kids: Our Honest Reviews of 4 Spots
Our Celebrity Apex Cruise
- The Retreat on Celebrity Apex With Kids: Was It Worth It?
- Lisbon Tuk Tuk Tour From a Cruise Ship: Fun, Hot, and Worth It With Kids
- Porto Cruise Port Without an Excursion: Hot Dogs, Vinho Verde, and Shopping With Kids
- Vigo and La Coruña Cruise Ports With Kids: A Walking Tour, Galician Food, and Gelato
- Bilbao Shore Excursion With Kids: The Guggenheim, the Market, and the Pintxos We Missed
- Southampton to Heathrow via Stonehenge: Our Cruise Excursion With Kids
- Le Havre to Paris on a Cruise With Kids: Is the Long Day Worth It?
Planning a cruise? These are already on the blog:
