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Viana do Castelo is a municipality and seat of the district of Viana do Castelo in the Norte Region of Portugal. It has a rich history, a port, a cathedral, and a bridge over the Lima river.
Nov 1, 2023 · Discover the history, culture and attractions of Viana do Castelo, a delightful city in the North of Portugal. Learn about its cathedral, museum, bridge, castle and more in this ultimate guide.
- Praça Da República
- Santa Casa Da Misericórdia
- Gil Eannes Ship
- Santuário de Santa Luzia
- Funicular de Santa Luzia
- Citania de Santa Luzia
- Viana Do Castelo’s Architecture
- Praia Do Cabedelo
- Museu Do Traje
- Cathedral
This long square in the centre of the old town is somewhere you’ll returning, whether on a sightseeing tour or just to take the weight off for a few minutes with a shot of coffee or cold beer. It is totally pedestrianised, and has many centuries-old buildings. You’ll be drawn towards the old city hall, built in the 16th century: This granite buildi...
João Lopes, the same Renaissance craftsman who sculpted the fountain also worked on the facade of the church and the hospital complex in front of it. It’s a sight to savour from the steps of the fountain, with a Venetian arcade and a two-storey loggia. The quantity of sculpture will keep you rapt for a few minutes, whether it’s the sundial, the car...
This vessel in Viana do Castelo’s commercial docks was launched in 1955 and as the flagship of the “White Fleet” is a compelling memorial to the Estado Novo regime. The Gil Eannes was a hospital ship that would set sail for the Ocean off Newfoundland and Greenland, and support the trawlers fishing those waters for cod. A lot of the original medical...
Rising just north of the old town is the Monte de Santa Luzia, which at the turn of the 20th century was crowned with a sanctuary inspired by the Sacré-Cœur in Paris. This took a few decades to complete and was designed in Eclecticist style, mixing Neo-Gothic and Byzantine styles. The rose windows on this building are the largest on the Iberian Pen...
The most enjoyable way to get to the sanctuary and viewpoint on Santa Luzia is to take the “elevador”. This has been in place since 1923 and at 650 metres is the longest in Portugal, more than twice the length of its nearest rival in Nazaré. At 160 metres the climb is also larger than any other in the country, no mean feat given the array of funicu...
A quick stroll from the sanctuary atop Monte de Santa Luzia is an Iron Age fortified settlement inhabited from the 7th century BC up to Roman times. From this lofty perch it would have commanded the Limia Estuary and had a privileged vantage point for miles around. People had known about this lost town for hundreds of years before excavations start...
The centre of Viana do Castelo is a trove of exquisite architecture. There are Manueline, Renaissance and Baroque facades at Praça da República, and on the parallel streets down to the riverside. These all have whitewashed walls, with portals and windows sculpted from granite, while some will be covered with geometric tiles. Outside the old town th...
In the summer months there’s a ferry across the Limia Estuary to this heavenly beach. The Praia do Cabedelo is absolutely immense, curling out in to the distance with no sign of development beside a few huts. Even though the river’s width from the city you’ll feel like you’re in the middle of nowhere. The beach is on the edge of a nature reserve, w...
In stylish modern galleries, this museum tells the story of traditional dress in this part of the Norte region. There are items spanning hundreds of years, but the era in focus is the 19th century. At this time ceremonial clothing for young women was colourful and loaded with gold filigree, and the museum will help you decipher the code that each p...
With a military appearance, Viana do Castelo’s cathedral is both Gothic and Romanesque. The facade is from the 15th century when the two square towers were crowned with crenellations. Also from this time is the carving that you can see on the archivolts with images from the Passion and apostles beside the doorway. This indicates the influence of Ga...
- Monte de Santa Luzia. There are two good reasons to visit Viana’s 228m eucalyptus-clad hill. One is the wondrous view down the coast and up the Lima valley.
- Gil Eannes. Demanding attention on the waterfront near Largo 5 de Outubro is a pioneering naval hospital ship, the Gil Eannes (zheel yan-ish).
- Praia do Cabedelo. This is one of the Minho’s best beaches: a 1km-long arc of blonde, powdery sand that folds into grassy dunes backed by a grove of wind-blown pines.
- Praça da República. This fine hub of seven narrow laneways is at the heart of the old town’s zone of mansions and monuments. An especially elegant example is the Chafariz, a…
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Discover the history, culture and architecture of Viana do Castelo, a city with a rich maritime tradition and a stunning view from the Santa Luzia hill. Explore its palaces, churches, museums, festivals and beaches, and enjoy the contemporary design of its amenities.
Jul 8, 2024 · Discover Viana do Castelo, a charming city in the north of Portugal, with its historic monuments, natural scenery and wonderful beaches. Learn how to get there, where to stay, what to visit and the best spots for surfing and kitesurfing.
Find out the best attractions, activities and experiences in Viana do Castelo, a historic city in northern Portugal. Explore churches, museums, beaches, monuments and more with TripAdvisor reviews and ratings.
