To the "Sacré-Cœur" of Viano do Castelo with its stunning panorama

Although the Feast of Senhora d'Agonia is one of the most colourful festivals in Portugal, the highlight (literally) of the city is the Sanctuary of Santa Lucia , a basilica inspired by the Sacré-Cœur in Paris and reached by funicular. The historic centre of the city is a maze of cobbled streets , Baroque churches, fountains and palaces, including the Praça da República , the heart of the city.

The plan is to visit all the sights of the city, and take the cable car to the sanctuary .

Parking near Campo da Agonia, the square where the festivities of the largest pilgrimage in Portugal take place. From here you have a majestic view of the stairs that lead to the sanctuary of Santuário de Nossa Senhora da Agonia.

We walk to the Fort of Santiago da Barra which was very important for the defense of the mouth of the Lima River. After the short visit we pass by the Church of the Convent of St. Dominic whose grandiose altarpiece was considered a "masterpiece of the rocaille style from all over Europe". In the Museum of Art and Archaeology the first floor is dedicated to archaeology and on the upper floor a typical Portuguese mansion is reconstructed.

The Praça da Reública is the heart of the city. The fountain dominates the square and around it some of the city's most important buildings: the old town hall , the town hall with its Gothic arches, the Misericórdia hospital and the church of the same name.

The cathedral looks like a fortified castle. The statue in honor of the city stands right in front of the marina.

Further on, the Chapel of São Francisco de Paula / Chapel of Malheiras is one of the finest examples of Portuguese Baroque.

We walk past the Palácio dos Távoras to the station. Via a metal footbridge over the station we arrive at the other side to reach the lower station of the cable car .

Once at the top you will be presented with a panorama that has been declared the 3rd most beautiful view in the world by National Geographic Magazine.

The Sanctuary of Santa Luzia ( who, according to legend , preferred to have her eyes gouged out rather than deny her faith in Christ) has impressive rose windows that are the largest in the Iberian Peninsula and the second largest in Europe.

We return by cable car and over the metal bridge. We pass the courthouse with its remarkable stained glass windows.

We return to Campo da Agonia along the city park .

Be sure to also consult the information about the sights once you are there . They will explain what you will see!

This tour/city walk is part of a series of city walks and tours starting from Resende and Arcos near Ponte de Lima and described in "Day trips Douro and northern Portugal".

09/2025