Flight +
nights stay in a
star hotel / double room, is
Note
These values represent only an estimate of costs for travels from London, bought in
2015-01-12 with departure date in
2015-05-17 and return date in 2015-05-20 . These values refer the best quality and price according to parameters of selection set by Bananatrips. Prices may have changed since date of publication and will also depend on the specific date of reservation. The success in obtaining good prices is to make reservations in advance. For specific values in other dates please REQUEST A SEARCH BEFORE MAKING YOUR RESERVATION.
Viana do Castelo is one of the most beautiful Portuguese cities, in the Minho-Lima subregion of Northern Portugal. The Pilgrimage of Nossa Senhora da Agonia and the amazing views of the Lima River maked this city unforgettable. Classified as the Mecca of Architecture by Wallpaper, the city is famous for the monuments in and around the city, and the surrounding natural beauty.
It is said that when the Roman legions arrived in the first century C.E. at the falls of the Lima River, they were so taken aback with the landscape that they thought they were at the gates of paradise, with the River Lethe, the famed river of forgetfulness at their feet. The men refused to take another step. The then Councilor who accompanied them charged ahead and crossed it alone. He was then only able to convince the others it was safe by calling out the name of each and every man, to prove that the river hadn't caused him to forget everything.
The city is the capital of a municipality with 314,36 km² and has some 36.750 inhabitants. The municipality borders the municipality of Caminha in the north, the municipality of Ponte de Lima in the east, the municipalities of Barcelos ans Esposende in the south and the Atlantic Ocean in the west. The city's origins date back to before the Christian era, as it can be seen in the hill fort near the Basilica of Santa Luzia. It received its first foral from King Afonso III of Portugal in 1258, as well as the name Viana da Foz do Lima, because of its geografical location; in 1848 it became a city by a decree of Maria II of Portugal, and received the name of Viana do Castelo.
Get in
By air
The closest airport is Sá Carneiro International Airport in Porto, with frequent flights from Lisbon, Madeira, and many principal European cities. You can fly to Porto and then catch a transport to the city.
By train
The train station at the end of the Avenida.
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.
By bus
Some companies, such as AVIC, have connections to Porto and Lisboa.
By car
The two main highways through town are:
A28 - Connects the town to Porto, Matosinhos, Leça da Palmeira, Póvoa de Varzim, Apúlia/Barcelos, Esposende, Vila Praia de Âncora and Caminha.
A27 - Connects the town to Ponte de Lima and Ponte da Barca.
Get around
The Eiffel Bridge, designed by Gustave Eiffel, architect of the famous Paris tower.
On foot
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.
By bicycle
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.
By bus
AVIC and Transcunha city buses ply the streets.
By car
Traffic is light, and roads are clearly marked.
Car rentals
Avis Rent-a-Car, Rua de Gotim 35, tel. +351-258 817 540.
Marco Portugal Rent-a-Car, Rua Emídio Navarro 9, tel. +351-258 813 800.
Europcar, Praça General Barbosa 124, tel. +351-813370.
