Viana do Castelo – The Ultimate Guide to Viana do Castelo [2024] (2024)

Viana do Castelo is a charming waterfront city in the North of Portugal. It’s a delightful place and a perfect example of a classic Northern Portuguese city, rich in history and culture, surrounded by incredible scenery, while proudly displaying its Portuguese heart. You’ll find unique attractions, and some of the best food Portugal has to offer, all in an underrated destination devoid of mass tourism!

A Brief History of Viana do Castelo

The area around Viana do Castelo has been inhabited since at least the Mesolithic era. Although its first significant settlement appears in the iron age. Citânia de Santa Luzia is a remarkably well preserved citânia providing ample evidence of settlement in the pre roman era. The town grew to prominence and gets its first mention in the Portuguese history books under Afonso III who grants the town of Viana, a charter renaming it Viana da Foz do Lima.

During the Age of Discoveries, its port was one of the main arrival points for Portuguese explorers and traders returning from their travels of the new world. Many of the town’s historic buildings, including its grand churches date to this period of wealth and expansion. The prosperity continued and it was the main northern port that exported wines, salt, and fruit from Northern Portugal, and was heavily involved in the importation of textiles, ceramics, and glass. On the 20th of January 1848 the queen elevated the town to the status of city and gave the city its current name of Viana do Castelo.

What to see and do in Viana do Castelo

Viana do Castelo has an almost effortless charm, historic buildings, winding streets, and some unique attractions – a museum dedicated to traditional clothing, a hospital ship with a storied history, and some very impressive religious architecture. It’s also surrounded by natural beauty, the Lima River valley and its hills, and the stunning coastline. Read on to find out everything to see and do in Viana do Castelo.

Praça da República

We often like to start our visits to new towns in Portugal by checking out there most prominent squares and plazas. They are a great place to take in some local life, grab a coffee and absorb the sights and sounds of an unfamiliar city! Praça da República in Viana do Castelo is one of those.

It’s a large and very open square surrounded by historical buildings, and at its centre you’ll find a 16^th century fountain. It’s a great starting point as from the square you can easily access the Igreja da Misericórdia church, Viana do Castelo’s Se (cathedral) and Museu do Traje (The Costume Museum).

It’s also the crossing place for many winding and narrow streets that are also lined with cafés and local shops. It’s a pedestrianised area, so you’ll find families meeting here, children playing, and typical buskers giving the whole square a lively but friendly atmosphere.

Igreja da Misericordia

One of the historic focal points on the square is the Santa Casa da Misericórdia on the Northern side, it’s historic but plain exterior is noticeable but somewhat discreet. Inside is the complete opposite, every surface of the walls, ceiling and features of the archways are intricately designed. Granite archways, goldleaf features, all surrounded by beautiful blue Azulejos. It’s a very unexpected surprise compared to the somewhat nondescript exterior. Entrance costs €1 and allows entry to a small courtyard on the inside of the church as well!

Catedral de Viana do Castelo

If you head directly down a small street southeast of the square called Rua Sacadura Cabral after a short walk you’ll find Viana do Castelo’s cathedral. It’s a 15^th century Romanesque church that was elevated to a cathedral by Pope Paul VI in 1977. From the front, its two castle like towers watch over a gothic Portal and large rose window. An original church is dated to 1400, but the twin bell towers were raised in the 17^th century. Internally, it’s much more sedate than the azulejo of the Igreja da Misericordia, but still grand and offering lots of intricate details. Entrance is free and it’s open between 8am and 7pm, but closed during lunch at 12pm to 2pm.

Surrounding the cathedral is a network of traditional and winding streets, filled with local cafés, restaurants and shops, it’s well worth spending some time exploring in any direction.

Museu do Traje – Costume Museum

Directly south of the square is the imposing Museu do Traje. It’s taken residence in the 1950s former Bank of Portugal building. It’s a museum dedicated to the traditional outfits made by local women. These bright and colourful outfits made of dresses, shirts and headdresses were a symbol of local identity and pride. Essentially displaying wealth, and skill in the intricate designs.

The brightly coloured dresses known as Traje de Lavradeira, were typically worn by the young women on special occasions and festivals to attract a husband. They were showing off their wealth – the colours and quantities of material, and their suitability as homemakers in their ability to embroider intricate patterns and stitches. You’ll also find many examples of the a traditional heart shaped bag – an algibeira, this was carried with the costume as an accessory. The typical heart shape of an Algibeira is now used across Portugal in many logos and is prominently displayed in many parts of Viana do Castelo – even forming part of the cities logo!

The museum is a fascinating place to get under the skin of some of the local traditions and embroidery you’ll find in many places in Northern Portugal. The displays with many different types of costumes are explained in both English and Portuguese. The museum is open from 10am – 6pm everyday, other than Mondays when it is closed.

Viana do Castelo’s Waterfront

After a morning or afternoon of exploring Viana do Castelo’s historic quarter, we recommend heading towards it’s river front. It’s an area with a very different character, opening up into several large gardens, parks and marinas. It’s yet another place to simply walk along and get a feel for Viana do Castelo. Jardim Público de Viana do Castelo is a great place to start, it’s lined with trees and has multiple cafés, you’ll also find a footbridge that takes you over a small section of the marina and directly to the river front. This section of the river front is a great place to view the historic Ponte Eiffel.

Ponte Eiffel – Eiffel Bridge

Ponte Eiffel, known fully as Ponte Rodo-Ferroviária de Viana do Castelo is a 645m bridge that crosses the Lima River. It connects Viana do Castelo on the northern bank of the river, with the south bank and parish of Darque. Its design and construction was completed by world famous engineer – Gustave Eiffel, although most prominently known for the Eiffel tower, he’s left his mark on Portuguese architecture too, being the mastermind behind Maria Pia bridge in Porto, and Pinhão Bridge in Pinhão.

Monumento ao 25 de Abril

Continuing southwest along the waterfront towards the mouth of the river will lead you to Praça da Liberdade and the Monument to 25^th April. It’s a large square that’s surprisingly quiet, with the hulking steel monument dominating the landscape. The monument itself is dedicated to the victims of the dictatorship, and praises those who rose up on the 25^th April 1974 in what would later be called the Carnation Revolution.

Gil Eannes – Hospital Ship

Continuing along the iyllic waterfront, you’ll soon find a large white ship called the Gil Eannes that’s moored in Viana do Castelo’s port. It’s a storied ship that was originally built and launched from Viana do Castelo’s very own shipyards. Originally it was the flagship of the Portuguese White Fleet – a group of white fishing and merchant ships that would make yearly trips to the Grand Banks of Newfoundland to fish for cod.

For nearly twenty years it served as a flagship, mail ship, tug ship and even an icebreaker in support of Portugal’s fishing fleet in the Atlantic. In 1977 it was decommissioned and left rusting in Lisbon’s dockyard before being recovered and restored as a tribute to the Viana do Castelo’s maritime past. It’s a truly unique attraction for Portugal, and anyone interested in maritime history. Large parts of the ship have been restored and you can visit the bridge, kitchen, bakery, engine room, medical office, various treatment rooms, including a radiology office , as well as several cabins. Individual tickets cost €5.00.

Forte Santiago da Barra

The hospital ship and cultural centre offer a more pristine and restored look at Viana’s do Castelo’s maritime history. However, if you continue to head out of the city and towards the mouth of the river, you’ll soon discover both modern and historic evidence of Viana’s maritime prominence.

The first of those is Forte Santiago da Barra, a 16^th century fort surrounding the remains of a 13^th century castle and keep. The continued development of the defences of Viana do Castelo (Originally Viana do Foz de Lima) really show just how important this historic city was to protecting the north of Portugal, and its trade routes to Galicia, France and Flanders. A full lap around the fortress will introduce you to its significant walls, triangle bastions, protruding keep, and significant moat.

Facing the waterfront, you’ll also find the Estátua à Mulher Vianesa, a statue representing local women welcoming visitors arriving to the port.

Santuário de Nossa Senhora da Agonia

Directly north of the fortress and through a large open park is the historic Santuário de Nossa Senhora da Agonia. It’s an 18^th Century Baroque church that’s closely tied to one of the most famous traditions in Viana do Castelo – Festa da Senhora da Agonia. Each August the pathway to the church is lined with flowers and a religious procession is performed. On the evening of the 15^th August a procession escorts statues of Our Lord of the Afflicted and Our Lady of the Assumption to the church. During the evening and weekend before the event you’ll find the typical Portuguese feira with large gatherings, street foods, and local music.

Igreja de São Domingos

The last church of note in Viana do Castelo is Igreja de São Domingos, which can be found in the praça of the same name. It’s a beautiful 16^th century Renaissance church made up of exposed granite and white washed walls. The lively little square is also a delight, with several cafés and traditional shops. From here you can head directly along Rua Manuel Espregueira, a pedestrianised street that will lead you back to the main historic square of Praça da República.

Santuário de Santa Luzia

If you haven’t yet noticed, from nearly all angles of Viana do Castelo an imposing hill to the north can be seen. On the top of that hill is one of the most famous religious monuments in Portugal – the Sanctuary of Saint Luzia. It’s an imposing monument and forms that backdrop of the city. And, yes, we’re aware this is the fourth church we’ve recommended visiting in this city!

It’s an iconic church that was only constructed in the early 20^th century, even if you’re perhaps tired of Portugal’s religious heritage, we really recommend heading up the hillside. It offers stunning views of the landscape that surrounds Viana do Castelo, the river, the town, and the ocean.

Construction began in 1904, but it was only finished in 1959. It was supposedly inspired by the Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Paris, although this is disputed it does have its similarities. It’s a remarkable mix of architectural styles featuring neo-romantic, neo-gothic and Byzantine styles. Its large rose window is reported to be the largest of its kind on the Iberian Peninsula. For the adventurous, and if the views from its base aren’t good enough, you can take the stairs to the top of the dome. Entrance to the church is free, but if you want to take the stairs or a lift to the top of the dome it will cost €2 per person!

Elevador de Santa Luzia

The hilltop location of the sanctuary is 3km by road from the city centre, adventurous people, and pilgrims will need to walk up the 2km walking path that also features 659 steps. However, there is also a historic funicular directly from the city – Elevador de Santa Luzia. Getting to the base of the elevador from the historic centre is a little awkward, you’ll need to cross the railway at the main train station, then walk around a large roundabout and one of the main roads into the city. From there you can take the longest funicular in Portugal, 650m directly to the top of the hill. It costs €2 to go one way, and €3 for a return ticket.

Is there a beach in Viana do Castelo?

Yes, Viana do Castelo has several beaches easily reachable from the city itself. The closest is Praia Norte just 2km from the city by road. Praia Coral is around 3km from the city, although it’s a much more rugged beach and much closer to the industrial port.

It’s popular with walkers and dog owners who want a secluded beach, but not an exceptional beach for sunbathers. One of the best beaches is Praia do Cabedelo, although you’ll need to cross the bridge by road, or take the ferry across the River Lima, as the beach is on the southern side of the river.

Praia Norte – Viana do Castelo’s Prime beach and swimming spot

The rocky shorefront of Viana do Castelo results in the beach being relatively protected from strong Atlantic waves but means there’s very limited swimming opportunities other than a brief paddle. However, if you look further out to sea, you’ll find two sea pools that are available for swimmers.

The beach has successively been awarded a blue flag since 1998, you’ll find lifeguards during the bathing season, and accessible changing rooms. There’s also a variety of cafes and restaurants serving the beach as well as several grass parks. At the northern end of the beach is a 17^th Century fort – Fort Areosa. It’s a great focal point, and its free to enter and explore!

Should you stay in Viana do Castelo?

Among international visitors, Viana do Castelo is not really heard of, and it may not seem an obvious choice for an overnight stay or longer trip. However, it is a really great location to base yourself and explore the wider and less travelled northern region of Portugal. Along with the historical attractions and local city, Viana do Castelo boasts a wide selection of restaurants, hotels, and bars. The city itself serves a population of 88,000 people so you’ll find plenty of options available to support a longer stay!

Where to stay in Viana do Castelo?

As a small city, you’ll find multiple options of hotels, guesthouses and even hostels within Viana do Castelo. The city is not overly developed for tourists, so you won’t find your major hotel chains, or giant luxury hotels here either. However, there are a few gems here! First up, for a luxury stay the stunning AP Dona Aninhas. It’s a newly refurbished hotel in the historic centre. It’s spa and indoor is a great place to recharge yourself after a day of exploring or hiking! For something slightly more budget minded Hotel do Parque. It’s a 3-star hotel just 700 metres from the city centre, it has an outdoor pool, and restaurant with views of the Lima River. For a full list of accommodation available in Viana do Castelo check here!

How to Get to Viana do Castelo

Viana do Castelo is located in the north of Portugal, around 70km north of Porto. Nearly all public transport connections will take you through Porto.

Driving – If you have a rental car or your own vehicle, then driving directly to Viana do Castelo is a simple option. It will take around 50 minutes to drive from Porto, or around 3 and a half hours to drive from Lisbon. Don’t have a rental car yet? Then our guide covers everything you should know about renting one in Portugal!

Public Transport – Trains and Buses

Viana do Castelo has its own train station on the Linha do Minho trainline. Allowing you to catch multiple services from the likes of Coimbra (Coimbra B), Porto (São Bento and Campanha). The same trainline runs further north to Viana do Castelo and Valença. For the full timetables and for tickets, book directly on the official website (Combois de Portugal).

Viana do Castelo is also served by a large bus station, with multiple connections to the local and wider area. Rede Expressos also known as Renex operate regional services, as well as the low-cost long-distance operator Flixbus. Services from Lisbon are available but they typically have transfers in Porto or Braga, travel times are also quite long – usually around 5 hours or so!

Is Viana do Castelo worth a visit?

Yes, Viana do Castelo is absolutely worth visiting. It’s a great example of a Northern Portuguese city that has kept its historical heart, despite the recent industrialisation, its still surrounded by pristine nature and offers something for nearly every type of visitor. The city hosts multiple attractions that can support both day trips, or longer stays as a base to explore the region of North Portugal. Nearby towns like Barcelos are well worth exploring too!

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