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Municipality in Northern Portugal, Portugal
Photo: Lucas Martínez Farrapeira, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Viana do Castelo is one of the most beautiful Portuguese cities, in the Minho region of Northern Portugal. The Pilgrimage of Nossa Senhora da Agonia and the amazing views of the Lima River make this city unforgettable. The city is famous for the monuments in and around the city, and the surrounding natural beauty.
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Constructed in 1903, the basilica was inspired by the Sacré-Coeur de Montmartre in Paris. From the basilica's location on the top of Mount Saint Lucy, there are spectacular views of the city and the beach. The best view of the city can be seen from the pinnacle of the basilica, accessible from the church through an elevator or through the stairs. You can reach the basilica either by car via the Santa Luzia highway, or by taking the Santa Luzia Elevator.
Constructed in the 16th century, this chapel is dedicated to the greatest devotion of the fishermen from Viana do Castelo: the Virgin Mary under the title of Our Lady of the Agony. The Festivity of Our Lady of the Agony (Romaria de Nossa Senhora da Agonia) is held in Viana do Castelo annually and it is one of Portugal's largest and oldest religious festivals.
The cathedral is Gothic in style, with Galician influence, and has two large towers. It has a very beautiful interior.
Built in the 16th century, it is located in the Praça da República. In the facade you can see the coat of arms of the city: a boat and an armillary sphere.
This granite fountain, richly adorned with carved figures, was built by João Lopes in the 16th century.
Situated at the Praça da República, the complex is constituted by the Misericórdia Hospital, with one of the most beautiful renaissance facades in the city, built by João Lopes, and by the Misericórdia Church, remodeled in the 18th century, with beautiful tiles inside.
This is a museum dedicated to traditional Portuguese clothing, with a particular focus on the costumes from the Viana do Castelo region. You can learn about the history and significance of the costumes, as well as see some beautiful examples.
The church of the old Holy Cross convent, founded by St. Frei Bartolomeu dos Mártires.
A floating naval hospital constructed in 1952 and which operated until 1973. It is now open to the public as a kind of museum, housing the original equipment. The ship has operation rooms, communication equipments, refrigerating chambers and a reinforced hull. It was restored by a group of locals. It was then adapted to become a youth hostel and is one of the city's biggest attractions.
An ancient building, also in the Praça da República, with a beautiful facade. It was projected by João Lopes, the same architect that projected the fountain in the middle of the square. Each battlement of the facade has a human renaissance figure.
Consisting of a quadrangular outer wall with the Roqueta tower in the center, this fort was constructed during the reign of Dom Manuel I. The tower displays the coat of arms of the city, flanked by an armillary sphere and by the Order of Christ Cross.
Bolas de Berlin from the pastry shop Zé Natário are one of the welcome cards of the town. They are a made out of a bun of sweet dough that is baked in the oven then covered on sugar frosting powder and cinnamon, with a filling on sweet egg cream in the middle. Expect queues of 15 to 30 min (that can even grow outside the shop) at the time the batches are coming from the oven. There are some other traditional sweets from the region easily available, but make sure you don't miss Natário's bolas de berlin.
Specializing in local fish.
Splendid seafood restaurant on the banks of the river.
Regional cuisine in historic downtown, famous for its rojões, as well as for its cabrito (goat) and its seafood.
One of the best places to try local cuisine.
The most traditional craft of the city is sold in many local shops, as well as in the factory in Meadela. The Viana Municipal Museum, in the Palacete Barbosa Maciel, hosts a vast collection of it as well.
By train
The train station of Viana do Castelo is located in this borough, and there is a train to almost every city in the country, such as Lisbon, Aveiro, Braga, Coimbra, Évora, Faro, Fátima, Figueira da…
By bus
Some companies, such as AVIC, have connections to Porto and Lisboa.
By car
By bicycle
Although there are few bicycle lanes, the city center is very bike friendly. Rentals are available in the Tourist Information Office near Praça da Liberdade.
By bus
AVIC and Transcunha city buses ply the streets.
By car
Traffic is light, and roads are clearly marked.
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Porto · International · OPO
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