Visiting Viana do Castelo

Viana do Castelo is a city of the Alto Minho at the mouth of the Lima, between the hill of Santa Luzia and the Atlantic. The historic centre, the riverside and the museums are within walking distance of each other, and the beaches of the municipality run north and south of the river mouth.

This page covers how to reach Viana do Castelo, what to see in the city, its beaches, and its festivities, crafts and food.

Getting to Viana do Castelo

• By road: the A28 motorway connects Viana do Castelo with Porto and its airport to the south.
• By train: the Minho line connects the city with Porto, and the station stands at the foot of Santa Luzia.

In the city of Viana do Castelo

• Praça da República: the main square, with the fountain of 1559, the old town hall and the Misericórdia of 1589.
• Cathedral: the cathedral of the city, near Praça da República.
• Casa dos Nichos: a 15th-century house that holds the archaeological collection of the municipality.
• Riverside: the modern riverfront, with Praça da Liberdade by Fernando Távora and the Cultural Centre by Eduardo Souto de Moura.
• Church of Nossa Senhora da Agonia: the 18th-century church of the patron of the fishermen.

Beaches in Viana do Castelo

• South of the Lima: Cabedelo, facing the city across the river, and the beaches that follow south to Castelo do Neiva, with steady winds for kitesurfing and windsurfing.
• North of the Lima: Norte, Carreço, Paçô and Afife, with rocky shores and surf.

Festivities, crafts and food

• Romaria de Nossa Senhora da Agonia: the festivities of August, with a sea procession, streets covered in flower carpets and parades of women in the costumes of Viana.
• Filigree: gold filigree jewellery, above all the heart of Viana.
• Costumes: the embroidered costumes of Viana, shown at the Costume Museum.
• Food: bacalhau à Viana, octopus rice and fish stews, and Vinho Verde from the Minho.

Places to visit in Viana do Castelo

Viana do Castelo, Portugal

Viana do Castelo & Santa Luzia

Viana do Castelo & Santa Luzia

Gil Eannes Ship

Gil Eannes Ship

Eiffel Bridge of Viana do Castelo

Eiffel Bridge of Viana do Castelo

Viana Costume Museum

Viana Costume Museum

Fort of Santiago da Barra

Fort of Santiago da Barra

History of Viana do Castelo

History of Viana do Castelo

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Visiting Viana do Castelo