// North Coast of Portugal
Caminha & Vila Praia de Âncora
Visiting Caminha and Vila Praia de Âncora is always a good idea! In the North of Portugal and at the gates of Galicia, the small Minho county benefits from distinct facets that please all tastes. Between the historical and natural heritage, with sea, rivers and mountains, it's hard to exhaust what to see and do in Caminha and Vila Praia de Âncora in a single visit.
Caminha is a town in the north of Portugal, seat of the municipality of the same name, in the district of Viana do Castelo, sub-region of Alto Minho. It is located in the extreme northwest of Portugal, on the left bank of the Minho River, where it borders Spain, while Vila Praia de Âncora, facing west, is bathed by the Atlantic Ocean.
Vila Praia de Âncora is a nice village where you can eat seafood, drink some beers and look at the sea.
The village was first known as Gontinhães, but changed to its current name in 1924. It has an extensive sandy beach that goes from the fishing port to the mouth of the Âncora river, hence the current name Vila Praia de Âncora. It is located between the Arga mountain range (where the river is born) and the sea, belonging to the municipality of Caminha.
Between forts and beaches, trails and ecovias, viewpoints and waterfalls, Caminha and Vila Praia de Âncora is a complete destination with enough pretexts to be visited all year round.
Caminha is a town in the north of Portugal, seat of the municipality of the same name, in the district of Viana do Castelo, sub-region of Alto Minho. It is located in the extreme northwest of Portugal, on the left bank of the Minho River, where it borders Spain, while Vila Praia de Âncora, facing west, is bathed by the Atlantic Ocean.
Vila Praia de Âncora is a nice village where you can eat seafood, drink some beers and look at the sea.
The village was first known as Gontinhães, but changed to its current name in 1924. It has an extensive sandy beach that goes from the fishing port to the mouth of the Âncora river, hence the current name Vila Praia de Âncora. It is located between the Arga mountain range (where the river is born) and the sea, belonging to the municipality of Caminha.
Between forts and beaches, trails and ecovias, viewpoints and waterfalls, Caminha and Vila Praia de Âncora is a complete destination with enough pretexts to be visited all year round.
Viana do Castelo
Viana do Castelo is the gem of Northern Portugal and exemplifies all of the finest aspects of the Costa Verde region. There are pristine beaches, dramatic natural scenery, and a city rich in history and Portuguese culture.
Viana do Castelo has always been a hardworking industrial city, with a proud shipbuilding heritage and a large fishing fleet. It is also a personable and likeable destination, which has a surprising amount of sights and activities to offer you.
Contained within the compact historic centre are ornate religious buildings, handsome 17th-century villas and cobbled shopping streets. Viana do Castelo spans the northern banks of the mighty Rio Lima, and this shoreline has a pleasant mix of park, ultra-modern architecture and a bustling fishing port.
Dominating the skyline of Viana do Castelo is the Santuário de Santa Luzia, a neo-byzantine church that stands atop the Monte de Santa Luzia hill. From the top of the church’s domed roof is one of the finest panoramic views in the whole of Portugal.
Viana do Castelo lies in a region of outstanding natural beauty. The city sits at the mouth of the slow-flowing Lima River, and is surrounded by rugged hills characteristic of the Minho region, while the coastline comprises of gorgeous sandy beaches.
Viana do Castelo is barely known by foreign visitors, but the city and surrounding region has so much to offer, that it deserves to be discovered by you.
Viana do Castelo has always been a hardworking industrial city, with a proud shipbuilding heritage and a large fishing fleet. It is also a personable and likeable destination, which has a surprising amount of sights and activities to offer you.
Contained within the compact historic centre are ornate religious buildings, handsome 17th-century villas and cobbled shopping streets. Viana do Castelo spans the northern banks of the mighty Rio Lima, and this shoreline has a pleasant mix of park, ultra-modern architecture and a bustling fishing port.
Dominating the skyline of Viana do Castelo is the Santuário de Santa Luzia, a neo-byzantine church that stands atop the Monte de Santa Luzia hill. From the top of the church’s domed roof is one of the finest panoramic views in the whole of Portugal.
Viana do Castelo lies in a region of outstanding natural beauty. The city sits at the mouth of the slow-flowing Lima River, and is surrounded by rugged hills characteristic of the Minho region, while the coastline comprises of gorgeous sandy beaches.
Viana do Castelo is barely known by foreign visitors, but the city and surrounding region has so much to offer, that it deserves to be discovered by you.
Vila Nova de Cerveira
Welcome to a perfect symbiosis of nature combined with history, art, culture and gastronomy. You are invited to discover Vila Nova de Cerveira!
Vila Nova de Cerveira is a beautiful town in the north region of Portugal, overlooking the Minho River which separates it from the Spanish town of Góian, which can be crossed by ferryboat.
Historical village, predominantly rural, but with some industries that have developed in recent years, Vila Nova de Cerveira is famous for its prestigious Biennial of Plastic Arts, which attracts many visitors and renowned national and international artists, held since 1978.
Home of the oldest Biennial of the Iberian Peninsula and holder of a valuable heritage dedicated to cultural tourism, Vila Nova de Cerveira is known nationally and internationally as the 'Village of the Arts', an internationally recognized "cognomen" resulting from its pioneering role in holding the International Art Biennials that began in 1978. The municipality then became a meeting point for artists from all over the world.
The cultural excellence of Vila Nova de Cerveira is today an unavoidable factor that distinguishes the municipality and its people, surprising and providing a unique sensory experience to various age groups.
Vila Nova de Cerveira is a beautiful town in the north region of Portugal, overlooking the Minho River which separates it from the Spanish town of Góian, which can be crossed by ferryboat.
Historical village, predominantly rural, but with some industries that have developed in recent years, Vila Nova de Cerveira is famous for its prestigious Biennial of Plastic Arts, which attracts many visitors and renowned national and international artists, held since 1978.
Home of the oldest Biennial of the Iberian Peninsula and holder of a valuable heritage dedicated to cultural tourism, Vila Nova de Cerveira is known nationally and internationally as the 'Village of the Arts', an internationally recognized "cognomen" resulting from its pioneering role in holding the International Art Biennials that began in 1978. The municipality then became a meeting point for artists from all over the world.
The cultural excellence of Vila Nova de Cerveira is today an unavoidable factor that distinguishes the municipality and its people, surprising and providing a unique sensory experience to various age groups.
How to get here from Porto?
By Plain
The nearest airport to the Minho region in Portugal is in Porto. From the Airport you may take the metro line to the railway station of Campanhã where you have direct connections to the main cities of Minho Coastal.
By Train
Daily trains may take you from Porto to the main cities of Minho Coastal (Viana Do Castelo – Afife – Moledo – Caminha – Vila Nova de Cerveira). If you wish there is the possibility to go by train until Vigo in North of Spain.
By Car
If you are driving you take around an hour by car from Porto to the Minho Coastal. The best option is by the A28 highway.
By Bus
Buses from Porto can take you to the Minho Coastal (Viana do Castelo – Afife – Moledo – Caminha – Vila Nova de Cerveira). Those buses have departures from Campanhã served by metro line. You may found more information here.