Viana do Castelo is perhaps northern Portugal's most historic coastal town. Located on the northern bank of the Lima estuary it has a long sea-faring tradition. Explorers, traders and fishermen set sail from its port for South America, Africa and Newfoundland.

The town’s setting, just by the Rio Lima estuary, means that Viana do Castelo is only a short hop from some excellent beaches and wonderful rugged, rocky coastlines. It is also a handy base for exploring the lower Lima valley and the nearby Serra d'Arga mountains. Oft described as ‘Entre o mar, o rio e a montanha’ (between the sea, the river and the mountains), the northern town of Viana do Castelo is exactly that.

All this makes it a perfect area to enjoy sightseeing, walking and exploring through the valleys, over the mountains and along the coast.

Santa Luzia mount boasts not only an excellent miradouro, a viewpoint with some of the best panoramic views in Portugal, but also a fascinating basilica (the Santuario de Santa Luzia) and the remains of a Celto-Iberian settlement. Venturing further out, the surrounding countryside offers a host of opportunities to discover its delights; be they waterfalls, mills with working waterwheels or isolated chapels marking the pilgrims’ path to Santiago de Compostela in Spanish Galicia.