Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
verse fauna such as the Iberian frog and the Garrano horse. The local guides can take you
on day hikes and even on full-moon night treks. Reserve ahead.
CELEBRATION OF SORROWS
Streets decorated with coloured sawdust. Women decked out in traditional finery of scarlet and gold. Men drink-
ing till they keel over. Viana do Castelo's
Romaria de Nossa Senhora d'Agonia
(Festival of Our Lady of Sor-
rows;
www.festas-agonia.com
) is one of the Minho's most spectacular festivals. Expect everything from emotive
religious processions to upbeat parades with deafening drums and lumbering carnival
gigantones
(giants) and
cabeçudos
(big heads). The festival takes place for three or four days around 20 August. Accommodation is very
tight at this time, so book well ahead.
Praia do Cabedelo
This is one of the Minho's best beaches: a 1km-long arch of blond powdery sand, which
folds into grassy dunes backed by a grove of wind-blown pines. It's across the river from
town. Get there by passenger ferry (one-way adult/child €1.40/0.70) from the pier south of
Largo 5 de Outubro; the five-minute trip goes hourly between 9am and 6pm. Alternat-
ively, TransCunha has multiple daily buses to Cabedelo (€1) from the bus station.
BEACH
Viana Locals
( 258 325 168;
www.vianalocals.com
; Praia do Cabedelo)
A friendly, full-service board-sports outfit-
ter and school right on Praia do Cabedelo. It has surfboards, kite gear and paddle boards
for rent and sale, and does overnight repairs too.
SURFING
Festivals & Events
Viana has a knack for celebrations. The Romaria de Nossa Senhora d'Agonia, held in
August, is the region's biggest annual bash and
Carnaval
festivities here are considered
northern Portugal's best. The town also goes a little nuts in mid-May during
Semana Acadêm-
ica
(or Queima das Fitas), a week of end-of-term student madness. The
turismo
has details
of other annual events.
Encontros de Viana
A week-long festival of documentaries and short films; held in the first half of May.
FILM
Festival Maio
A national folk-dance extravaganza that takes place at the end of May.
CULTURE
