Viana do Castelo
Discover Viana do Castelo
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. Viana do Castelo (vee-UH-nuh doo kuhsh-TEH-loo, /vi.ˈɐ.nɐ du kɐʃ.ˈte.ɫu/) is the capital of a municipality with 314.36 km (121.38 sq mi) and has some 36,750 inhabitants. The municipalit borders are shared with those of Caminha in the north, Ponte de Lima in the east, Barcelos and Esposende in the south, and the Atlantic Ocean in the west.
What to Experience in Viana do Castelo
Taste of Viana do Castelo...
Local specialties include bacalhau à margarida da praça (a cod dish), pescada Vianense (local fish), and caldo verde (green soup).
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsThe closest airport is Sá Carneiro International Airport in Porto (OPO), with frequent flights from Lisbon, Madeira, and many principal European cities. You can fly to Porto and then catch a transport to the city (see below). 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 Foz, Portimão, Porto, Guimarães and Guarda. Some companies, such as AVIC, have connections to Porto and Lisboa. The most obvious way to see the town is on foot. Most of the city's attractions and a large part of its shopping are found in the historic downtown, quite close to each other, and many pathways downtown are pedestrian-only. 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. During the summer, the 2/4 seats pedal karts are also very popular....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
The most obvious way to see the town is on foot. Most of the city's attractions and a large part of its shopping are found in the historic downtown, quite close to each other, and many pathways downtown are pedestrian-only. 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. During the summer, the 2/4 seats pedal karts are also very popular. Local specialties include bacalhau à margarida da praça (a cod dish), pescada Vianense (local fish), and caldo verde (green soup).
Money & Budget
Local specialties include bacalhau à margarida da praça (a cod dish), pescada Vianense (local fish), and caldo verde (green soup).
Safety Information
Glimpses of Viana do Castelo
Maryland State House with a dome and trees in the front
An aerial view of a city and a body of water
Ponte de lima, portugal
a woman in a red and black dress
Santa luzia em viana do castelo
Stone building with intricate windows and decorations.
a car parked on the side of a road next to a forest
white clouds under blue sky
a roof covered in moss in a forest
Family poses in front of a stone fort.
Maryland State House with a dome and trees in the front
An aerial view of a city and a body of water
Ponte de lima, portugal