Viana do Castelo is the northernmost Atlantic city in Portugal, situated about 25 minutes from Porto international
airport. Served by functional highways and a seaport, it is easy and convenient to reach the city, where visitors can enjoy a
remarkable quality of life, either through the tranquility and security of its urban living, or through the richness of
its heritage natural, monumental and historic, or for the existence of excellent cultural, sporting and social
facilities.
The presence of the river, the mountains and the sea give the city excellent landscaping gifts that delight the senses,
provide a psychological atmosphere of decompression and are conducive to a healthy and pleasant occupation of leisure
time. The city also has a good hotel capacity, which is growing rapidly, either to receive tourists, or to receive congresses,
seminars and other tourism, business or study meetings, conditions that are supported by the existence of modern and
functional auditoriums. to carry out these meetings.
A set of modernized cultural spaces - theaters, cinemas, library, museums - provides conditions for cultural enrichment
to residents and visitors, while the presence of the river and the sea offers special conditions to welcome pleasure
sailboats and to practice all kinds of water sports.
The unparalleled wealth of Viana ethnography, which makes the city the capital of Portuguese folklore, the originality
and functionality of its handicraft, with special emphasis on crockery and embroidery, the assiduous and qualified
cultural entertainment, are other attributes that make Viana do Castelo is an extremely attractive city for all aspects
of tourism.
It's good to live in Viana do Castelo!
Basilica of Santa Luzia, on Mt. St. Luzia - Constructed in 1903, it was inspired by the Sacré Coeur de Montmartre in Paris. From the basilica's
location on top of Mount St. Luzia, there are spectacular views of the city and the beach. The best view of the city can
be seen from the pinnacle of the church, 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.
Gil Eanes Naval Museum, on the Dock - 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.
Atlantic beaches - most beaches along the coast line have Blue Flag classification and start not more than a 10 minute drive from the city
center, so make sure you take your time to enjoy one of the best things the region has to offer.
