Viana do Costelo

In 2017, my wife and I visited Porto in Northern Portugal. For our last night we caught the train up to Viana do Costelo. It takes around an hour and a half, unless you must change trains, in which case its nearer two. You change trains at the wonderfully named Nine station.

It’s well worth spending the night there, though you could probably do it as a day trip from Porto.

The photo above shows the Saint Lucy Sanctuary, which you can reach by funicular from behind the station. Apparently, the views over the town are superb, unfortunately we didn’t make it up there. The photo was taken from the park down by the river.

The town is full of narrow alleys to wander along, with lots of bars to stop for refreshments and interesting shops.

The photo below shows the road and rail bridge across the river; it was designed by Gustave Eiffel. You cross the bridge on the train from Porto. Down by the river there is a park.

The photo below shows the view along the river out to sea.

There is also a port with lots of ships.

It’s a really pleasant place to while away an afternoon and evening.

We drank in a number of bars, but after almost eight year I can’t remember any of them.

Nore the restaurant we had dinner in.