City Guide: Vila do Conde and the Portuguese Discoveries

Vila do Conde has a history of shipbuilding and Portuguese exploration, but also of lacemaking which spread from here across the country.

During this city walk we will visit the most important sights .

Parking near the cemetery.

We can see here immediately the Romanesque aqueduct, the second longest in Portugal . The church and monastery of St. Francis is located here right next to the imposing monastery of Santa Clara with its impressive rose windows.

We descend to the Republic Square with its typical fountain and arrive at the Ave River which flows into the sea a little further. The replica of the 16th century ship , belongs to the museum centre Alfândega Régia - Shipbuilding Museum.

The Praça D. João II shows visitors various elements of the Portuguese Discoveries. We continue to the sea with the Monument to the First Landing Attempt of the Liberal Squadron, the Chapel of Our Lady of Guia and the lighthouse at the very end of the breakwater.

We return to the center past the Fort of John the Baptist and come along the Chapel of Our Lady of Help with its beautiful 18th century tiles.

Passing churches, chapels and sculptures we arrive at the Praça Vasco da Gama where the Town Hall and the Parish Church are the most important buildings.

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".

09/2024