WELCOME SUMMER IN THE CÍES ISLANDS OF VIGO

The Most Magical Night of the Year: Saint John’s Eve and the First Summer Sunrise in the Cíes Islands

Every June 23rd, Vigo celebrates Saint John’s Eve with bonfires, tradition, and the sea. Fire, water, and aromatic herbs are part of ancient rituals linked to the summer solstice and the arrival of a new cycle filled with light and good fortune.

But there is one place where this seasonal transition becomes truly unforgettable: the Cíes Islands. Climbing up to the lighthouse to watch the first sunset of summer over the Atlantic is a genuine privilege. The low light pollution allows visitors to enjoy a spectacular starry sky during the shortest night of the year.

And just a few hours later comes another unique moment: the first sunrise of summer. The sunlight traces a shimmering path across the calm waters of the Vigo estuary, creating a magical scene impossible to forget.

Astronomical summer in 2026 will begin on June 21 at 9:24 a.m., according to the National Astronomical Observatory. That moment marks the summer solstice, the day with the most daylight hours of the year. The word “solstice” comes from the Latin solstitium, meaning “still sun,” because for several days the Sun’s height at noon appears to change very little.

Experiencing San Xoán in Vigo is much more than attending a festival. It is about discovering an ancestral tradition by the sea, feeling the power of nature, and witnessing one of the most beautiful sunrises in the Atlantic.