The Sanctuary of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on Mount of Santa Luzia is a monumental masterpiece of Portuguese granite architecture. Its imposing exterior is matched by a breathtaking interior, featuring stunning murals, vibrant stained glass, and remarkable acoustics. The panoramic views over Viana do Castelo, the river, and the Atlantic are unforgettable.

The Sanctuary of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Mount of Santa Luzia) in Viana do Castelo offers breathtaking views! If you can, climb to the top of the church — the path is narrow, but the panoramic views of the city and sea are absolutely worth it. Tickets are available from a vending machine on-site. The church itself is stunning, both inside and out. You can reach it by taxi or Uber, on foot (a steep hike), or by cable car. I went up by taxi and down by cable car, which was a lovely experience. Overall, this is a must-visit spot in Viana do Castelo — one of the most beautiful viewpoints in Portugal!

Large church with sprawling views of the entire area, funicular takes you very close, you can walk back into town via stairs ( start is right beside funicular exit) the is a cafe/ bar behind the church with good views, plenty of shady seating at rear and good views of the Atlantic. Fee entry except if you want to go to the top lookout of the church 2€

It stands majestically on the top of the hill. Massive in shape but light and airy in the interior. Gorgeous views of the surrounding areas from the top! Plenty of parking available at the top.

Such a beautiful place to take a rest. They have a smal park to take a rest and a kind Cafe. Take a rest there, enjoy the view and the moment at a beautiful place. It is not to busy there and many places with shadow. You can stay your car directly next to the church. The entrance is for free.

Well worth a visit , more for the sights from this vantage point of tge city of Viana de castelo. The Church itself is recent compared to other monuments in Viana. Use the little funicular car to get there.

Awesome place, one of the top attractions of Portugal. Nice cafetaria/restaurant at the side, very good food for lunch or early dinner (they close at 18:00 hrs).

This is a must see, it has been lovingly restored and maintained, you will get to see how a hospital ship worked and how the crew lived. If you like ships and history then go on this vessel. 5€ entry fee is well worth it. Recommend weekdays or early mornings on the weekends

This hospital boat permanently moored at Viana do Castelo is well worth a visit but be warned there are steep narrow steps between the decks as you navigate your way around . It is a very interesting boat giving you an insight as to the working conditions the sailors have to endure to save lives . It cost €5 and I’d say it is not money wasted and recommend you visit .

The Gil Eannes offers a fascinating glimpse into the history of a real Portuguese naval hospital ship. It is impressively well maintained, with exhibits that vividly portray life at sea. There’s also a small but charming bookstore on board, and the staff are friendly and welcoming. The entrance fee is fair, and overall, the visit feels worthwhile. If you’re in Viana do Castelo, it’s definitely a place you shouldn’t miss.

Absolutely a must to be visiting the old but very good ship lady and to study the technology of the past.

It was great! It’s very well restored and it shows in detail how it was living and working inside this ship. Highly recommend. Expect to spend at least 1 h there.

Super nice with kids (and without), lots to visit. 🇨🇦 friends, you’ll learn about a part of our history ;-) Highly recommended.

We were really impressed by all the original fittings and equipment from 1955, all refurbished and looking like the ship was still in use. Engine and machinery space, bridge, galley, crew quarters, X-ray room, medical facilities etc were all properly equipped. There is a lot of information about the ship, its use and the Cod fleet. Would be nice in English but then we would have spent all day on board! An informative film with English subtitles tells you a bit about the hard and dangerous business of salt cod catching.

Great funicular, good view, the car itself is small so limited seats, it takes approximately 5 minutes from bottom to top, currently 2€ one way or 3€ return, recommend coming back down on the stairs nice walk 20-30 minutes, entrance to stairs right beside the top funicular exit. Great views from the top.

I would recommend anyone visiting Viana do Castelo to go up to see the Sanctuary of Santa Luzia using the Elevator / Funicular system. It’s a very nice experience and you get to see a bit of the city and waterfront as you go up/down. My only suggestion for improvement would be the ventilation system. It was a hot and sunny day (25°C) and with 15 people inside the “Elevador” it got extremely hot and stuffy. You have trips every 15 minutes and on each trip you can take around 15/16 people. Price: One way - 2€ Round trip - 3€ Kids, adults and senior citizen pay the same price.

Well we didn't get to go up. The queue was over 40 people and it takes 20 people each time, and it runs every 15 minutes. Too long to wait on a hot Sunday afternoon......

There can be a wait, it was hot, but it is very inexpensive and definitely worth the ride up the hill(you can always walk down afterwards). The cherry on the cake is the “igreja” en cima.

The Elevador de Santa Luzia is a great option for going up or down to the Sanctuary of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The price is reasonable, and if the elevator’s schedule fits yours, it’s definitely worth taking. The ride offers beautiful views, and in just about 10 minutes, you can travel comfortably between the top and the bottom.

Lovely 100 year-old funicular up to the beautiful church at the top of the hill. Fascinating how the xars going up and the ones coming down avoid each other. Amazing but short experience.

Easy ride up. Runs every 10 minutes. Cash only. Bathroom on site.

I visited the Museu do Traje de Viana do Castelo to learn more about the region’s historical costumes. The exhibition is very informative, and while the collection isn’t large, it’s definitely worth a visit. For just €2.40 (as of March 2025), it’s a great way to explore Viana do Castelo’s rich cultural heritage!

Visiting the Museu do Traje in Viana do Castelo was a special experience for me. The museum beautifully displays the traditional costumes of the vianenses, and since my family is originally from this city, it felt deeply meaningful to reconnect with these traditions.

The Museu do Traje (Costume Museum) in Viana do Castelo, Portugal, showcases traditional Portuguese costumes, textiles, and accessories. It aims to preserve and promote the cultural heritage associated with clothing in the region. The museum’s exhibits often include garments worn during festivals, ceremonies, and daily life, providing insight into the rich history and traditions of Viana do Castelo and the surrounding areas. If you’re interested in Portuguese culture and textiles, it’s a fascinating place to explore.

The museum is located in downtown Viana do Castelo. You can see traditional clothes here.

The museum is well worth a visit. Discovering the huge role that traditional vianese costume plays in Portuguese culture was fascinating. I especially liked how the social roles of women were presented through the costume. Exploring the museum comes with a bonus of seeing the insides of a grand old bank building that now hosts the collection. The bank vault is now used to display the museum’s collection of gold jewelry, which I found quite clever.

One of the best museums of its kind in Portugal, and the second best museum in the city of Viana do Castelo, it is really worth the visit especially because the price combined with the comparative arts museum is quite economical (€2.20 for a normal ticket for both in 2023). A fantastic museum, very worth it.

Amazing museum for all age. My kids love it. It has all kinds of clothes topical for Portugal. You can see colourful traditional clothes during the years. There are unique exsebition from golden jewelleries. Interactive board for the kids and different tools, helping to melted and proceeded the whole process. The ticket cost 2 EUR and give permission to visit one more museum. It's not free during the weekend, although is written. Enjoy it

Spacious clean beach. Cool water. Good breeze attracts wind and kite surfers.

Great beach with smooth sand, and two cosy beach bars (more terrace/bar then beach club. There is an active atmosphere because of the wind-, wave- and kitesurfing here. Swimming and just chilling is amazing here. Especially at sunset.

Praia do Cabedelo is a popular beach located in the northern part of Portugal, near the city of Viana do Castelo. It is a well-known spot for water sports enthusiasts, particularly for surfing, kitesurfing, windsurfing, wingfoiling, and stand-up paddleboarding. Here is some useful information about Praia do Cabedelo: Surfing: The waves at Praia do Cabedelo are generally quite consistent, with an average height of around 1-2 meters (3-6 feet). The beach is exposed to the Atlantic Ocean, so the conditions can be quite challenging, especially during the winter months when the swells are larger. However, the beach is suitable for surfers of all levels, and there are several surf schools in the area that offer lessons and equipment rental. Kitesurfing: Praia do Cabedelo is considered one of the best kitesurfing spots in Portugal, with steady winds and flat water. The average wind speed is around 15-25 knots, and the best months for kitesurfing are from May to September. There is a kiteboarding school on the beach that offers lessons, rentals, and storage. Windsurfing: Windsurfing is also a popular activity at Praia do Cabedelo, with good wind conditions and flat water. The average wind speed is around 15-25 knots, and the best months for windsurfing are from May to September. There is a windsurfing school on the beach that offers lessons, rentals, and storage. Wingfoiling: Praia do Cabedelo is becoming increasingly popular for wingfoiling, which is a relatively new sport that combines elements of windsurfing and kiteboarding. The conditions at the beach are suitable for wingfoiling, with steady winds and flat water. Stand-up paddleboarding: Stand-up paddleboarding is a popular activity at Praia do Cabedelo, with calm waters and a beautiful coastline to explore. There are several places on the beach that offer stand-up paddleboard rentals. Facilities: Praia do Cabedelo has several facilities for visitors, including a parking lot, showers, toilets, and a restaurant. There are also several accommodation options in the area, ranging from camping sites to hotels and guesthouses. Parking: There is a large parking lot at Praia do Cabedelo that is free of charge. However, during the summer months, the parking lot can get quite crowded, so it's best to arrive early to secure a spot.

Really good beach, expansive sands that are very clean with sandunes. Very windy which is why it is perfect for kite/wind surfing 🏄‍♂️. If you don't do this, just watch - truly fascinating.

A clean and calm place good for sports like surf, but also fantastic for any nature enthusiast as not only you have the beach but just steps away natural coastal pine forests .

A bit out of the way if you’re staying in Viana Do Castelo but there is a ferry that crosses the river for €1.50 each way. It was wonderful little trip, the beach is beautiful and a lot of wind surfers around which is quite nice to see.

Nice place for nature, beach, kitesurf and surf lovers! Amazing view for the Santa Luzia Palace.

Stunning interior. Amazing tile art

We entered as a service was being carried out, so we had to be discrete and left quickly. The tiles on the walls are stunning.

Beautiful place. Love presentation of flowers.

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This church is a real must see inside . I got the chance to have a Quick Look inside one night and was amazed at such a beautiful ornate church interior and to look at the building from the outside it would not lead you think there was such an interior . It’s simply amazing and a real must see .

(Translated by Google) The Church of Mercy is part of the architectural complex of the Santa Casa da Misericórdia, which includes the former hospital and the "Casa das Varandas." This complex reflects the city's maritime prosperity in the 16th and 17th centuries. The Brotherhood of Mercy was founded in 1520 (or 1521, according to some sources) to promote charitable works, such as supporting the poor, the sick, and the widows of sailors. The interior of the church is decorated with gilded woodwork and Baroque tiles, reflecting the opulence of the period. The very simple exterior contrasts with the Baroque exuberance of the interior. -The high altar in national gilded woodwork (18th century). -Tile panels depicting the "Works of Mercy" (visiting the sick, feeding the hungry, etc.), dated 1723. -Ceiling frescoes painted by Manuel Gomes in 1721. -A Renaissance panel by André de Padilha (c. 1534) depicting Our Lady of Mercy, on display in the adjacent Misericórdia Museum. (Original) A Igreja da Misericórdia integra o conjunto arquitetónico da Santa Casa da Misericórdia, que inclui o antigo hospital e a "Casa das Varandas". Este conjunto reflete a prosperidade marítima da cidade nos séculos XVI e XVII. A irmandade da Misericórdia foi fundada em 1520 (ou 1521, segundo algumas fontes) para promover obras de caridade, como o apoio aos pobres, doentes e viúvas de marinheiros. O interior da Igreja foi decorado com talha dourada e azulejos barrocos, refletindo a opulência da época. O exterior muito simples contrasta com exuberância barroca no seu interior. -O Altar-mor em talha dourada nacional (século XVIII). -Painéis de azulejos representando as "Obras de Misericórdia" (visitar enfermos, dar de comer aos famintos, etc.), datados de 1723. -Frescos no teto pintados por Manuel Gomes em 1721. -Uma tábua renascentista de André de Padilha (c. 1534), representando a Senhora da Misericórdia, exposta no Museu da Misericórdia adjacente.

(Translated by Google) A beautiful church in the center of Viana do Castelo. The 16th-century Church of Mercy captivates with its sculptures, paintings, and ceiling frescoes. Pilgrims receive a beautiful stamp for their pilgrim's passport. The €1.50 entrance fee is well spent. (Original) Wunderschönes Gotteshaus im Zentrum von Viana do Castelo. Die Kirche „der Barmherzigkeit“ aus dem 16. Jahrhundert besticht durch ihre Skulpturen, Bilder und auch Deckengemälde. Als Pilger erhält man einen schönen Stempel für den Pilgerpass. Der Eintrittspreis von €1,50 ist gut angelegt.