Enjoy a memorable visit from Porto to the enchanting town of Viana do Castelo, which sits on Portugal’s scenic northern coastline. Viana do Castelo is known for its historical landmarks and cultural sites, traditional Portuguese cuisine, and beautiful and relaxing beaches. It is one of our favorite beach towns near Porto, easily accessible by public transport (along with Foz do Douro and Matosinhos). From the panoramic views at the Sanctuary of Santa Luzia to the charming streets of the historic town center, here is our guide to ensure a memorable trip from Porto to Viana do Castelo.
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How to Get from Porto to Viana do Castelo
Traveling from Porto to Viana do Castelo is simple and enjoyable, whether you visit for the day or for a weekend or more.
| By Car | Driving from Porto to Viana do Castelo by car is easy and typically takes about 50 min – 1 hr 15 min. There is free parking close to the Gil Eannes medicine ship, or you can get paid parking closer in to town. Before reserving your rental car, be sure to check out the top tips for renting a car in Portugal! |
| By Train | The direct trains between Campanha station in Porto and Viana do Castelo take 1 hr 15- 1 hr 30 minutes, and cost 8-15 Euros one way. |
| By Bus | Direct buses run from the Porto bus station, taking about 1 hr 30 minutes and cost 9-10 Euros one way. |
| Viana do Castelo to Ponte de Lima by bus | If you are combining this with a visit to Ponte de Lima, the bus between the two takes about 40 minutes. |
Tours from Porto to Viana do Castelo
There are numerous great tour options from Porto that you can enjoy. Some are combined with Ponte de Lima, others with Guimarães, Braga, or Peneda-Gerês National Park.
One Day in Viana do Castelo
Morning: Visit to the Sanctuary and the Historic Town
Start your trip from Porto with a morning drive or train ride to Viana do Castelo. Upon arrival, dive straight into the vibrant life of this charming city. Your first stop is the iconic Sanctuary of Santa Luzia. The sanctuary is perched on a hill overlooking the city, offering panoramic views of the surrounding landscape and the ocean.
Getting to the sanctuary:
- By funicular: the fastest way to get up the hill is to take the funicular, which costs €3 and takes 2 min.
- By taxi: this takes about 6 minutes and costs €8-15.
- On foot: take a 20 minute walk up the 660 stairs to reach the sanctuary. Though there are quite a few stairs, there are plenty of spots to stop, have a drink, and enjoy the views over the Lima River and the Atlantic Ocean beyond.
If you feel like exploring a bit more, walk just past the sanctuary to Citânia Santa Luzia. The Citânia is an archaeological museum with monuments dating from the 3rd-7th centuries. For €1, it is worth a visit.
After soaking in the views, take the funicular or walk back into town. Take time to explore the town’s rich history and culture. The Praça da Republica is one of the central squares in town. Find a café and enjoy a break, just taking in the happenings. A few unique spots that you may want to visit are the Museu do Traje (Costume Museum), the Gil Eannes Medicine Ship museum, and the Igreja da Misericórdia de Viana do Castelo.
Lunch: Coastal Delights near Praia do Norte
By lunchtime, either drive or walk over towards Praia do Norte. You will find a string of beach restaurants such as the Praia Norte Bar. Enjoy the fresh ocean breeze and fresh seafood.
Afternoon: Sun and Sea
The afternoon is dedicated to the natural beauty of Praia do Norte and the coastal paths beyond. You have plenty of options for your afternoon at the beach. You can simply enjoy relaxing on the beach and enjoy the natural pools. Or, take a walk or rent bikes, exploring the coastal path. This is part of the Portuguese Coastal Camino, so you will likely see plenty of pilgrims walking or biking north towards Santiago da Compostela. Don’t miss a visit to the historical fort near the north end of the beach.
Evening: Dinner
As the day winds down, return to Viana do Castelo for dinner. Find a restaurant on the water or in the town square and enjoy a leisurely dinner. One recommendation is Restaurante BOTA D’água, with great service and excellent food.
If You Have More Time in Viana do Castelo
Many combine a visit to Viana do Castelo with a stopover in Ponte de Lima. It’s definitely possible to do this in a day, though with a very compressed schedule. If possible, spend a night and add a second day in Ponte de Lima. Additional activities to consider with a second day:
- Museu do Traje (Costume Museum)
- Gil Eannes Medicine Ship museum
- Igreja da Misericórdia de Viana do Castelo
- Biking the Ecovia
- Kayak Tour on the Lima River
- Porto Secret Waterfalls Tour in a 4×4
- Viana do Castelo: Vez River SUP Tour
- The museums and wine tasting tours are great ideas if you are taking a day trip from Porto in winter.
Day Trips from Porto Ponte de Lima
Where to Stay in Viana do Castelo
| FeelViana Sport Hotel | Beachfront sport hotel with plenty of water and land sports options available. |
| Casa Guerreiro – Regina Hotel Group | Fully renovated studios, just down the street from the water. |
| Hotel Flor De Sal | Beachfront hotel with restaurant and fitness center. |
| Albergue de Santa Luzia | Hostel in a great location next to the sanctuary. |
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Travel Resources
We recommend booking through our preferred travel booking sites below.
| Air Travel | SkyScanner |
| Lodging | Booking.com, VRBO.com, Expedia.com, Hostelworld |
| Tours and Activities | Viator.com, GetYourGuide.com |
| Car rentals | Discovercars.com |
| Travel insurance | Squaremouth |
| Bike and scooter rentals | BikeBookings.com |
| Train tickets | Trainline, RailEurope |
| Bus tickets | Flixbus, Busbud |
[…] up to Viana do Castelo’s Santa Luiza Sanctuary or along Praia del Norte (north […]
[…] and Praia Norte, with its extensive beach cafés, natural pools, playgrounds, and even a fort. Viana do Castelo’s old quarter, with its winding streets and traditional shops, adds a cultural flair to your beach […]
Viana do Castelo looks so unique, I have never heard of it before though! Wish I would have visited it back when I was in Porto – the natural pools look stunning! Thanks for sharing!
Hope you have a chance to visit the area again!
This looks like such a charming town! I love the natural pools and how cute this coastal town seems. It’s always great to discover places with charm and natural beauty!
This is a great addition to my Portugal trip, I have been focusing on the popular places and forgot the hidden gems. Thanks for the info.
Great, enjoy your trip!
I passed right through Porto and never even knew about Viana do Castelo. After seeing your photo of the sanctuary, I am sorry I didn’t spend more time in Portugal. The sanctuary looks amazing.
It is a beautiful walk up to the sanctuary, and the archaeological museum just beyond.
What a lovely town! Portugal is high on my list of places to visit soon. Saving this for my planning!
I love Portugal! I haven’t visited any of the towns north of Porto though. This one looks charming and totally off the beaten path, so I’ll have to check it out next time I’m there!
It is a great town, and so easy to visit by metro from Porto.
Gorgeous. So many beautiful places in Portugal to explore. I only know Lisbon, Porto and the Algarve, too much social media consumption…
You’re certainly not alone in sticking to Porto, Lisbon, and the Algarve. They’re all wonderful. It’s so much fun to explore beyond those too.
What a helpful guide!
Heyyy! Viana de Castelo looks stunning! It’s definitely a great day trip from Porto. Adding it to mu Portugal bucket list!
Hope you’re able to visit. It’s a great change of pace from Porto.
Another great looking spot in Portugal! Really hoping we can plan a trip here soon, the flights just aren’t in our favor recently! Looks incredible though!
Hope the flights turn around in pricing–summertime can be tough for flights.
What a fun trip! I’d love to see the Santa Luiza Sanctuary and savor delicious fresh seafood from Praia Norte Bar. I can’t wait to visit Portugal, it’s been on my list for the longest!
I appreciate all the detail in this post! I’m planning on visiting this area of Portugal next year and will definitely plan a stop at Viana do Castelo.
Hope you enjoyed it. I walked the camino route past there, but also took an extra day to explore Viana do Castelo and just loved it.
What a sweet-sounding town!
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I spent three months in Portugal several years ago, and you are reminding me of just how much I missed!
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