Aveiro Braga Cascais Coimbra Estoril Faro-Loulé Guimaraes Leiria Lisbon Belém Porto Nazaré Obidos Sintra Tomar
Viana do Castelo

Portugal Travel Guide: Viana do Castelo

Viana do Castelo

Viana do Castelo ©Margarida da Praça

• picturesque resort in the Minho region.
• population 36,000.
• located on the banks of the River Lima.
• good beaches and watersports.
• within easy reach of Porto & Braga.
• historic city center with fine architecture.
• famous for the Romaria festival in August.
• one of Portugal's most pleasant towns.

Viana do Castelo is one of northern Portugal's best resorts. Located on the northern bank of the Lima estuary the town has a long sea-faring tradition. Explorers, traders and fishermen set sail from its port for South America, Africa and Newfoundland.

Travel Guides To Portugal

Viana do Castelo ©Margarida da Praça

The heart of Viana do Castelo is the elegant Praça da República - this lovely square of Renaissance buildings includes the Chafariz fountain at its center and the striking Misericórdia almshouse dates from 1589. The old town hall, Câmara Municipal, is another fine Renaissance building in the square.

The nearby Igreja Matriz is the town's parish church and dates from the 15th century. The Meseu Municipal (City Museum) is located in an 18th century palace and houses a collection of ceramics, azulejos and paintings.

The Castelo de Santiago da Barro at the mouth of the river was built by the Spanish king Philip II to protect the port from pirates and there's a market on Fridays outside its walls.

There is a fantastic view of the town and the river from the top of the hill at Monte De Santa Luzia. Set in the eucalyptus trees on the summit is a modern basilica and a set of Celtic remains.

Azulejos

Viana do Castelo's beach Praia do Cabedelo is across the river from town and reached by a five-minute ferry crossing. The beach is ideal for waterports of all kinds: surfing, windsurfing, kayaking, even good, old-fashioned swimming.

The beach is as yet pleasantly undeveloped so it is a good idea to bring along your own food and drink for the day. North of town the beach continues on virtually uninterrupted to the Spanish border and the area is good for hiking and cycling. It is also possible to take a short river trip up the Lima.

Viana do Castelo is also rightly famous for its annual Romaria Festival held in August which features processions, fireworks and the streets decorated with sawdust. Other smaller festivals and music events take place throughout the year - check the tourist office for details.

Viana do Castelo Tourist Office

Rua do Hospital Velho
Praça da Erva
Tel: 258 822 660
Fax: 258 827 873

Getting to Viana do Castelo

Buses: There are fairly frequent services to Braga and Porto
Trains: From Porto (90 minutes), Braga (75 minutes; change at Nine)

Accommodation

Book Accommodation in Viana do Castelo

Margarida da Praça ©Margarida da Praça

Recommended Hotel

Hotel Margarida da Praça
12 rooms, a suite and fine restaurant close to the Praça da República
Largo 5 de Outubro, 58
4900-515
Tel. (+351) 258 80 96 30
Fax (+351) 258 80 96 39

Hotels in Portugal - Bookings

Hostels in Portugal - Hostelworld.com

Hostels in Spain - Hostelworld.com

Hotels in Portugal - Almeida Hotels

Eating

List your restaurant/bar/hotel contact Advertising

The average high June temperature for Portugal is between 22C and 26C.
Get more weather information in Portugal

More Tourist Information on Portugal

Aveiro Braga Cascais Coimbra Estoril Faro-Loulé Guimaraes Leiria Lisbon Belém Porto Nazaré Obidos Sintra Tomar
Viana do Castelo

Information on Portugal

"The Onside In-Site" Copyright © From 2000. All rights reserved. Soccerphile Ltd.