Discovering the Charm of Viana do Castelo, Portugal

Our journey took us to the delightful waterfront city of Viana do Castelo in northern Portugal, a hidden gem rich in history and culture and surrounded by breathtaking scenery. From the moment we arrived, we were embraced by the friendliness of the locals. Most spoke excellent English, a testament to the city’s cultural openness—evidenced by movies here being shown in English with Portuguese subtitles. We were told that this city has some of the best food Portugal has to offer, which we can definitely attest to. One of the best parts was that the city was virtually devoid of mass tourism! 

After a delectable meal accompanied by some exquisite wines, we meandered through the city’s labyrinthine streets and expansive squares. As the clock struck 11pm, the city seemed to have dozed off, offering a serene atmosphere for our nocturnal exploration. However, our tranquil night was interrupted around 2am by a boisterous party at a local club, injecting a burst of energy that lasted until 5am. Regrettably, our fatigue prevented us from joining the festivities, a missed opportunity that we will have to rectify on future stops 🙂