Bayona (Spain) - Bayona (España)

View of Bayonne (Pontevedra Province, Spain)
View of the port of Bayonne.

Bayonne (Baiona in Galician) is a town located 20km south of Vigo in Galicia, Spain.

Understand

Bayonne It is a small town in the southern part of the Ría de Vigo. It is a very touristy place, which during the summer season multiplies its population by 3.

Context

Bayonne it has had many names throughout its history: Stuciana, Abóriga, Balcagia and Erizana.

Bayonne it was the first place in Europe to hear about the discovery of America. On March 1, 1493 the Caravel La Pinta arrived in Bayona directed by Martín Alonso Pinzón. This caravel was part of Columbus's first voyage to America.

To get

By plane

The nearest airport is Vigo (30km). Other options are Santiago de Compostela (129km) u Port in Portugal (160km).

By train

The closest train station is at Vigo. From there you will need a bus to get to Bayonne.

By bus

There are buses every 30 minutes from Vigo on weekdays. On Saturdays and Sundays there are buses every hour. The company that provides the service is called ATSA and the buses are blue.

By car

The AP-57 motorway ends in Bayonne. It is connected to the AP-9 from Corunna and the A-52 from Pray.

Travel

You can walk along the promenade which will take you less than an hour from the Pinzón walk (in the west) to the beach Ladeira (in the East).

You can also enjoy a walk through the historic center of the town, where you can taste the rich Galician cuisine, and especially that of the Ría de Vigo, where its varied and delicious fish and seafood stand out.

There is a taxi rank at the port (5 minutes walk from the town hall).

Watch

  • Caravel La Pinta, Elduayen Street. There is a replica of the caravel La Pinta with the same size as the real one, it has a small museum inside.Price: ~ € 1.
  • Monterreal Castle (Count of Gondomar Castle), Jesus Valverde Avenue. It is located on a peninsula called Mount Boi. Today it is an expensive chain hotel Paradores of Spain.Price: € 1 per person.
  • Ex-collegiate church (Ex-colexiata Santa María de Baiona), Santa Liberata Square. The largest church in Bayonne built in the 13th century.
  • Monte Boi Peninsula. A nice walk around the castle walls.
  • Virgin of the Rock (Virxe da Rocha), Virxe da Rocha road. A 15 meter high monument made by Antonio Palacios. A beautiful viewpoint to see the town, the bay, the Estelas Islands, the Cíes Islands and lose yourself in the infinite horizon of the Atlantic Ocean.

Beaches

There are six beaches in Bayonne:

  • To Barbeira. It is within the facilities of the Monterreal Castle.Price: Free access.
  • To Concheira. At the beginning of the ride Mount Boi. It is a beach with pieces of shells instead of sand.
  • To Ladeira. At the entrance of the town coming from Vigo, it is the largest beach.
  • You frades. In the middle of the ride Mount Boi, it is the smallest beach. What To Concheira it is a beach of shells.
  • To Riberia. At the entrance to the Monterreal Castle.
  • Santa Marta. At the beginning of another small peninsula with a small chapel.

Do

  • To walk. Take a walk around the peninsula Mount Boi.
  • Arrival Party (Festa da Arribada). Every year the arrival of the caravel will be commemorated La Pinta with a medieval party. Many people come to town and spend all day drinking and eating in the streets. It is celebrated on a weekend close to March 1.
  • Beaches. In the summer season enjoy any of the beaches.

To buy

  • Clothing, Elduayen Street. There are many shops open on Sundays and holidays with tourists in mind. They are usually quite expensive.

To eat

  • O Candil, San Juan Street. Fish, Meat, Seafood & etc.Price: € 15-25.
  • Or Refuxio D'Antón, Ventura Misa Street. TapasPrice: € 5-10.
  • Or Mosquito, Elduayen Street. ☎986355036. Rice with lobster.Price: € 15-20.
  • Rocamar, Baredo. ☎986357323. Shellfish 2km from the center.Price: € 30-50.

Drink and go out

  • Coffee shops. There are many cafes, especially in the Elduayen street where you can enjoy the terraces.
  • Night. The town center is full of pubs that are open until 3am. There are two bigger clubs that close later: rose village (located in an old building from the beginning of the 20th century) and BASIC.

Sleep

  • O Escondidiño, Rio da Veiga Street. ☎986358205. Hostel 5 minutes from downtown.Price: € 35.
  • Bayonne Parador, Jesus Valverde Avenue. ☎986355000. The best hotel in town in the Monterreal Castle.Price: € 100-200.
  • Camping Bayona Playa, Ladeira Beach. ☎986350035. Wooden bungalows on Ladeira beach.Price: € 30-50.
  • San Lourenzo Rural House, Camiño da Bouza Levada, 26. A Granxa, Belesar. ☎986354599. It is located in the Serra da Groba.Price: € 50-70.

Keep in touch

  • Internet. There is no free Wi-Fi in Bayonne, but there are several bars and cafes that have free internet for their customers.

Surroundings

  • Cies Island (Illas Cíes). During the summer season there are boats at Cies Island, a natural paradise with beautiful beaches.Price: ~ € 15.
  • Santa Tecla (A Guarda). 20 km south of Bayonne you can reach A Guarda through a nice road close to the coast. There you can climb the mountain called Santa Tecla where you can find a Celtic fort. From the top of the mountain you can see the wide estuary that forms the Rio Miño as its waters meet the rough waters of the Atlantic Spain Y Portugal.

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