Viana Do Castelo • Ponte De Lima • Barcelos

Viana Do Castelo + Ponte De Lima + Barcelos 01

Pick up from your accommodation towards Viana do Castelo to start your full-day private tour. Visit the elegant Praca da República, a lovely square of Renaissance buildings that includes the Chafariz fountain at its center and the striking Misericordia church that dates from 1589.

The old town hall is another fine Renaissance building in the square. The excellent Costume Museum (Museu do Traje) hosting a collection of traditional costumes produced and worn by women in the rural villages of the area.

Viana Do Castelo + Ponte De Lima + Barcelos 02

The nearby Igreja Matriz or Se is the town’s parish church and cathedral and dates from the 15th century. The Museu de Arte Decorativas (formerly the City Museum) is located in an 18th-century palace and houses a collection of Viana ceramics, azulejos (tiles) and both religious and secular paintings.

The Castelo de Santiago da Barra at the mouth of the river was built by the Spanish king Filipe II to protect the port from pirates.

After this amazing route during your full-day private tour, we will stop in Ponte de Lima for sightseeing and lunch in a typical Portuguese food restaurant.

Viana Do Castelo + Ponte De Lima + Barcelos 03

Ponte de Lima is one of the most characterful and charming towns of northern Portugal, if not the whole of the country.

The town sits on the southern banks of the slow-flowing Lima River and this location has been the main river crossing since the Romans constructed a bridge in 1AD being one of the oldest towns of Portugal and this extensive history is reflected in the delightful assortment of ancient houses, pretty plazas and grand religious buildings found throughout the town.

Adding to this captivating mix of historical sights is a series of pretty flower gardens, interesting museums and stunning natural scenery, which all together create a wonderful destination.

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Next and final stop during your private tour is Barcelos, with the most famous symbol of Portugal – the colorful ceramic cockerel has its origins here. According to local legend it is reputed to have saved the life of a traveler wrongly accused of theft by crowing his innocence.

The full story is told on a 15th-century cross, found in ruins of the Palace of the Dukes of Braganca, destroyed by the 1755 earthquake. Pottery, be it of cockerels or household ware, continues to be the craft of note in this medieval walled market town, which lies on a plateau above the river Cavado, surrounded by beautiful green hills.

Your driver will drop you off at your accommodation and this will complete your Viana do Castelo, Ponte de Lima and Barcelos full-day private tour.