Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Shopping
Casa da Ribeira
( 232 429 761; Largo Nossa Senhora da Conceição; 9am-12.30pm & 2-5.30pm Tue-Sat)
In this municip-
al space, local artisans work and sell their products, including lace, ceramics and the re-
gion's distinctively black earthenware.
HANDICRAFTS
Information
Espaço Internet
(Solar dos Condes de Prime, Rua dos Andrades; 10am-8pm Mon-Fri, 10am-1pm & 2-7pm Sat,
2-7pm Sun)
Free internet in a centrally located historic mansion.
Welcome Center Viseu
( 232 420 950;
www.turismodocentro.pt
; Adro da Sé; 9am-6pm Mon-Fri,
9.30am-12.30pm & 1.30-5.30pm Sat & Sun)
Viseu's tourist office is by the cathedral square. It opens
half an hour later at weekends in summer.
Getting There & Away
Rede Expressos
( 232 422 822;
www.rede-expressos.pt
)
serve the following destinations regularly
from the
bus station
at the western edge of town.
Coimbra
(€8.50, 1¼ hours)
Guarda
(€8.90, one hour)
Lisbon
(€17.50, 3½ hours)
Porto
(€11.50, 1¾ hours)
Vila Real
(€10.30, 1¼ hours)
TOP OF CHAPTER
Guarda
POP 26,000 / ELEV 1056M
Fria, farta, forte e feia
(cold, rich, strong and ugly): such is the popular description of
Portugal's highest full-fledged city. Hunkered down on a hilltop, it was founded in 1197 to
guard young Portugal against both Moors and Spaniards (hence the name).
Nowadays this district capital is a delightful place to spend an afternoon. Old Guarda is
perched on a steep hill, a rambling climb from the IP5 or the train station, both roughly
