Unveiling the Hidden Gems of Portugal: Viana do Castelo

View over Viana do Castelo from the Sanctuary of Santa Luiza

Take a journey to the picturesque town of Viana do Castelo in Portugal and discover its hidden gems, from scenic beaches to historic landmarks. Explore the best-kept secrets of this charming destination.

While hordes of travelers gravitate towards the bustling hubs of Lisbon, Porto, and the sun-soaked Algarve, Portugal's true essence lies in the hidden charm of Viana do Castelo. Evading the mainstream tourist radar, Viana do Castelo stands as an undiscovered gem of Portugal.

Walking up to the Sanctuary of Santa Luzia that watches over the city

Viana do Castelo is the jewel in the crown of Portugal, and if I ever stumble upon a big bag of cash, I'd buy a second home here in a heartbeat.  With a population well under 100,000, Viana do Castelo has an undiscovered and unbelievably peaceful atmosphere that can be hard to find in many of Portugal's coastal tourist hotspots.  It has that authentic and historical feel of inland Portugal, yet it sits on kilometers of beautiful beaches... this is what makes Viana do Castelo so very special.

Bursting with a wealth of historical sights, framed by unspoiled Portuguese beaches, and set against the backdrop of multiple mountain ranges, Viana do Castelo is a must-visit destination in Portugal.  

Republic Square, Viana do Castelo

Viana do Castelo is another place we stumbled upon by total accident when we were searching for affordable coastal rentals in Portugal. International tourists usually draw the line at Porto, which means more bang for your buck, quid, or euro up here in the north.  So not only a top destination, Viana do Castelo is a budget-friendly Portuguese vacation option.  

Big-time disclaimer here: This ain't the warm, sunny Algarve by a loooooong shot - so if you're a sunseeker, I wouldn't come here between November and March.

Viana do Castelo is a family friendly city in Portugal off the beaten path. We loved the place so much that we ended up spending nearly a month here, exploring the streets, neighborhoods, historical sights, and, of course, the spectacular and uncrowded Portuguese beaches. The highlight of the city for us is always the walk from downtown up to the Santa Lucia Church. You'll be huffing and puffing (there's also a funicular you can grab), but it is well worth it. We have been back several times over the years and love it more each time we visit.

Kids looking on to the Atlantic from our rental.

Viana do Castelo seamlessly fits into the ranks of Portugal's top places to explore alongside Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve.  Also, just up the road, you can cross over into Galicia (the part of Spain that hugs Portugal like a big brother) and explore the charming border town of Tui, Spain.

As this blog is an afterthought of our family's move to Spain, unfortunately, I don't have enough photos without my kids' faces to share of this beautiful Portuguese city. May Google pick up where I left off, and hopefully, one day you'll find yourself here. I can't imagine anyone ever regretting a visit to Viana do Castelo.