Planning a Trip

Arriving

By Train -- The station is on Avenida dos Combatentes da Grande Guerra (tel. 25/882-22-96 for information, or 808/208-208). Eleven trains per day arrive from Porto; the trip takes 2 hours and costs 5.50€ ($7.15) one-way.

By Bus -- The station, Central de Camionagem (tel. 25/882-50-47), is at the eastern edge of the city. Buses arrive every hour from Porto; the 2 1/2-hour trip costs 6.90€ ($8.95) one-way. There are seven buses daily from Lisbon. It's a 6-hour trip, and a one-way ticket costs 14€ ($18). From Braga, eight buses a day make the 1 1/2-hour trip; the fare is 3.15€ ($4.10) one-way.

By Car -- From Porto or Esposende, continue north along IC-1.

Visitor Information

The Viana do Castelo Tourist Office is on Rua do Hospital Velho (tel. 25/882-26-20; www.rede-expressos.pt). It's open Monday to Saturday 9am to 12:30pm and 2:30 to 6pm, and Sunday 9:30am to 1pm.