Showing 1-7 of 7 results
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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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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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Gil Eannes
Demanding attention on the waterfront near Largo 5 de Outubro is this pioneering naval hospital ship, the Gil Eannes (pronounced zheel yan -ish). The ship once provided on-the-job care for those fishing off the coast of Newfoundland. Now restored, visitors can clamber around the steep decks and cabins, though a scattering of old clinical equipment may make your hair stand on end. It even houses a novel - if cramped - youth hostel.
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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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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.
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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.
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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 and daily from May to September, and often later in July and August. Alternatively, TransCunha have multiple daily buses to Cabedelo from the bus station.
Showing 1-7 of 7 results
