Viana do Castelo, Portugal

Viana do Castelo is one of the most beautiful cities in the north of Portugal. Their participation in the Portuguese Discoveries and, later, in cod fishing show their traditional connection to the sea.

Viana do Castelo is quickly accessed from Porto, or from Valença for those coming from Spain. From Monte de Santa Luzia: https://youtu.be/17-n-QyuMaw you can see the privileged geographical situation of the city, next to the sea and the mouth of the river Lima. This breathtaking view and the Temple of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Ventura Terra's revivalist building from 1898, can be the starting point for visiting the city.

Viana has enriched itself with emblazoned palaces, churches and convents, fountains and fountains that constitute a heritage heritage worth visiting. At the Tourist Office you can order a brochure and take routes inspired by Manueline, Renaissance, Baroque, Art Deco or tile. Walking through some of the streets in the historic center, you always reach Praça da República, the heart of the city. This is where the Misericórdia building and the fountain, from the 16th century, are located, as well as the old City Halls. Not far away is the Romanesque Sé or Igreja Matriz.

Facing the sea that made Viana's history, a baroque church holds the image of Senhora da Agonia, of the fishermen's devotion. He goes out every year on August 20th to bless the sea in one of the most colorful festivals in Portugal, where the beauty and richness of the typical costumes that parade in the festivals are worth mentioning.

Is that Viana - also known for filigree in gold - has been able to maintain its traditions, as can be seen at the Museu do Traje (costume and gold), at the Municipal Museum (special emphasis on the typical Viana crockery displayed here) or on the Gil Eanes ship. Built at the Viana do Castelo Shipyards to support cod fishing, the ship here is again anchored to remember the city's maritime and shipbuilding traditions.

But Viana do Castelo is also considered a “Mecca of Architecture” thanks to the many important names of contemporary Portuguese architecture that sign equipment and spaces in the city. This is the case of the Praça da Liberdade by Fernando Távora, the Álvaro Siza Vieira Library, the Pousada da Juventude by Carrilho da Graça, the Hotel Axis by Jorge Albuquerque or the Cultural Center of Viana do Castelo, by Souto Moura, among many others .

On the outskirts of the city we can take a stroll along the coastal or fluvial bike path or on one of the many marked trails, as well as practice surfing, windsurfing or kite surfing and bodyboarding on fine golden sand beaches. And jet-skiing, sailing, rowing or canoeing on the Lima River.