Sights in Viana Do Castelo
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Monte de Santa Luzia
There are two good reasons to visit Viana's 228m, eucalyptus-clad hill, Monte de Santa Luzia. One is the god's-eye view down the coast and up the Lima valley. The other is the Templo do Sagrado Coração de Jesus.
There's an over-the-top Pousada de Portugal (Pousada do Monte de Santa Luzia) up here, too, behind and above the basilica. Behind that is another attraction, the poorly maintained ruins of a Celtiberian citânia from around the 4th century BC, though these remained closed for redevelopment at the time of writing. You can also make the short walk onwards to the summit.
You can get up the mountain by car or taxi (3.5km) or on foot - an often steep, 2km climb only…
reviewed
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Praça da República
The fine Praça da República is at the heart of the city's well-preserved zone of mansions and monuments. Especially elegant is the praça's Chafariz, a Renaissance fountain built in 1554 by João Lopes the Elder. It's topped with Manueline motifs of an armillary sphere and the cross of the Order of Christ.
The fortresslike Antigos Paços do Concelho is the old town hall - another 16th-century creation. The striking former Misericórdia almshouse was designed in 1589 by João Lopes the Younger, its loggias supported by monster caryatids. The adjoining Igreja de Misericórdia was rebuilt in 1714 and is adorned with some of Portugal's finest azulejos by the master António…
reviewed
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Praia do Cabedelo
Viana's enormous arcing beach, Praia do Cabedelo, is one of the Minho's best, with little development to spoil its charm. It's across the river from town, and one way to get there is a five-minute trip by passenger ferry from the pier south of Largo 5 de Outubro. The ferry goes about hourly between 08:15 and 19:30 daily from May to September, and often later in July and August. Alternatively, TransCunha have multiple daily buses to Cabedelo from the bus station.
Check at the station or turismo for current schedules.
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Ship
Demanding attention on the waterfront near Largo 5 de Outubro is a pioneering naval hospital ship, the Gil Eannes (zheel yan -ish). Now restored, the ship once provided on-the-job care for those fishing off the coast of Newfoundland. Visitors can clamber around the steep decks and cabins, though a scattering of old clinical equipment may make your hair stand on end. The ship even houses a novel – if cramped – youth hostel.
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Museu Municipal
The 18th-century Palacete Barbosa Maciel, home of the museu municipal, bears witness to Viana’s affluent past. It houses an impressive collection of 17th- and 18th-century ceramics (especially blue Portuguese china) and furniture. Most impressive are three 2nd-floor rooms lined with azulejos, depicting scenes of hunting, palace life and the anthropomorphic allegory of the four continents.
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Templo Do Sagrado Coração de Jesus
A good reason to visit Viana’s 228m, eucalyptus-clad hill is the fabulously over-the-top, 20th-century, neo-Byzantine Templo do Sagrado Coração de Jesus. You can get a little closer to heaven on its windy, graffiti-covered roof, via an elbow-scrapingly tight stairway (€0.50) – take the entrance marked zimbório (dome) – or the lift (€0.80).
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Castelo de São Tiago Da Barra
You can still scoot around the ramparts of the Castelo de São Tiago Da Barra, a short walk west of the centre, which began in the 15th century as a smallish fort. It was integrated into a larger fort, commissioned by Felipe II of Spain (Felipe I of Portugal) in 1592, to guard the prosperous port against pirates.
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Parish Church
This elegant parish church – also known as the sé – dates back to the 15th century, although it has since been through several reincarnations. Check out its unusually sculpted Romanesque towers and Gothic doorway, carved with figures of Christ and the Evangelists.
reviewed
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Igreja Matriz
The elegant Igreja Matriz - also known as the sé - dates from the 15th century, though it has since had several reincarnations. Note its unusually sculpted Romanesque towers and Gothic doorway, carved with figures of Christ and the Evangelists.
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Igreja de Misericórdia
The Igreja de Misericórdia, which was rebuilt in 1714, is adorned with some of Portugal’s finest azulejos, created by the master António de Oliveira Bernardes and his son Policarpo.
reviewed
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Afife
There's a string of fine beaches north of Viana for 25km to Caminha, including good surfing at Afife. Four daily regional trains (15 minutes) make their way up the coast to Afife.
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Museu Municipal
The 18th-century Palacete Barbosa Maciel, home of the museu municipal, bears witness to Viana’s affluent past. It houses an impressive collection of 17th- and 18th-century ceramics (especially blue Portuguese china) and furniture. Most impressive are three 2nd-floor rooms lined with azulejos, depicting scenes of hunting, palace life and the anthropomorphic allegory of the four continents.
reviewed
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Parish Church
This elegant parish church – also known as the sé – dates back to the 15th century, although it has since been through several reincarnations. Check out its unusually sculpted Romanesque towers and Gothic doorway, carved with figures of Christ and the Evangelists.
reviewed