Last Updated on: 18th January 2023, 02:52 am
On our way home from our trip on the Canal du Midi, we decided to stop for lunch in the charming old city of Viseu, Portugal. We had heard Viseu was a pretty cool place to visit and after driving for a while, it was nice to have a break from the monotony of motorway driving and to stretch our legs.
Where Is Viseu?
The city of Viseu is located in Central Portugal. It’s an attractive hilltop city in the Beira Alta region, situated between the mountain ranges of Serra do Caramulo and Serra da Estrela. Plus, it’s right in the heart of the famous Dao wine valley -bonus!
The Historical Centre
After lunch in a crowded local restaurant, we took a stroll through the historical centre which leads up to the Cathedral Square. It was lovely strolling and losing ourselves in the labyrinth of cobbled stone streets through the 15th-century ramparts. There were some beautiful old buildings, some very ramshackle and many tiny cafes and bars!
Adro Da Se – Cathedral Square
Located at the highest point in the city lies the Adro de Se (Cathedral Square). Here you will find Viseu Cathedral, the Igreja da Misericordia, the longest remaining part of the Old City Wall and the Porta dos Cavaleiros, one of the city’s old gates. It also has excellent views over the surrounding countryside.
The Tourist Information Centre was located just off the square. Very helpful, apparently there are loads of hiking and biking trails and stately homes nearby. It’s even part of the Camino! Oh, and lots of wine and cheese tours on offer too!
See also:
- Portugal Day Trip: Batalha Monastery
- How To Use The Lisbon Metro And Other Transportation
- Portugal Day Trip: Berlenga Islands
- Golega Horse Festival, Portugal
- Lisbon In One Day
- Fun Things To Do In Tavira
- Portuguese Food
- Castelo de Vide and Marvao
- Terceira Island, The Azores
Viseu Cathedral
The 13th-century cathedral dominates the skyline. From the outside, the granite Renaissance church looks rather austere, but go inside, and it’s really rather impressive.
Igreja da Misericordia
Facing Viseu’s Cathedral is the Igreja da Misericordia. This church with its Rococo, Baroque and Neoclassical design could easily be mistaken for a palace if it wasn’t for the cross. In contrast to its exterior, the inside is rather dull.
Igreja Dos Terceiros
By Aquilino Ribeiro Park and the southern end of the Praca da Republica, there’s a staircase that leads to the Baroque style Igreja dos Terceiros. This church was built in the late 18th century. Inside it has some interesting azulejos depicting the life of St Francis.
Parque do Fontelo Viseu
I do like cities that have parks – seems so rare these days! The Parque do Fontelo was once part of a large estate that belonged to the city’s bishops. The former palace of the Bishops is now the part of the Dao Regional Vintners Commission.
Inside the woodland park, you will see the Portal do Fontelo, a stone archway built in 1565 and the ruins of Saint Jeronimo’s chapel.
There are also jogging trails, tennis courts, a swimming pool, a sports stadium, and a skate park.
And Finally …
The Grão Vasco National Museum next to Viseu’s Cathedral is supposed to be worth a visit, but it was time to head home. If you have been to this museum, please let us know in the comments what you think about it.
We will definitely be coming back to Viseu for a longer visit. It would be a great long weekend break. A few hours is not enough!
How To Get To Viseu, Portugal
We visited Viseu, Portugal as part of a road trip. There’s a large free car park near the Cava de Virato where you can take a free elevator to the Cathedral Square. Didn’t know about that until after arriving at the square!
But for those without their own transport, it’s possible to get there by bus.
Rede Expressos has a regular service to Viseu from Lisbon Oriente Bus Station. Journey time takes 3 1/2 hours and costs €20 each way.
From Porto, it’s only 1 3/4 hours and costs €13 or from Coimbra, 1 hour 20 minutes and costs €8,90.
Nearest train stations are Nelas or Mangualde which are roughly half an hour away by taxi.
Apparently, Viseu is the largest city in the Iberian Peninsula without a train station!
Where To Stay In Viseu, Portugal
We didn’t stay overnight this time as we were keen to get home and I was missing our dog. But there is accommodation here to suit all budgets.
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Viseu looks so pretty and charming! Thank you so much for recommending a hidden gem like this. We’ll definitely keep it in mind for our next trip to Portugal!
It’s certainly a hidden gem, but also makes a great base for exploring Central Portugal too!
Our boys would LOVE Portugal- they love architecture and there is some amazing architecture here! Saving this for a future trip!
Portugal has some stunning architecture, be sure to visit!
It looks like it was a good idea to stop by Viseu, so that you can supply this amazing guide here. Thank you for your share. It will be in my mind to travel there at some point!
Thank you, you’re welcome !!
The weather looks great in Portugal. Does it get much rain there? I imagine Portugal to be laid back and sunny every day.
I wish it was sunny every day. Lots of rain in spring and autumn but lots of sunshine too 🙂
Love all things Portugal and loved your post and beautiful photos! will visit Viseu next trip!
Thank you ?
I’ve been to Spain, and seeing your pictures, I think they have some similarities in cities. But I’ve been wanting to visit Portugal too, will definitely check Viseu.
Well, they are neighbours, so yes similar! But Portugal is much nicer 🙂
Portugal is such beautiful country but not visited yet though wish to soon. Love your all stunning pics.
Thank you. You must come and visit!
Viseu looks like such a great little spot, yet I’d never actually heard of it! Adding it to my future Portugal itinerary now
It was new to us too, and yes it’s a lovely spot!
I could continuously return to Portugal for the food alone. I have not heard of this town, Viseu. It looks absolutely quant and charming and I’m sure the food is good as well.
Yes, it has some interesting local dishes to try too and the area is famous for its cheese and wine too!
That looks so beautiful! The church and the marvelous tiles are my favorite. I had never read about Viseu and I think it is a place worth visiting.
For some reason, Viseu isn’t on the normal tourist path but it’s a lovely place to visit.
I’ve definitely never heard of this place before! But looks very interesting, especially since you’ve mentioned wine and cheese tours 😛 Beautiful photos!
Cheese and wine is very good from here too lol
I haven’t yet made my way to Portugal, but it’s on my list. Will definitely need to check out the lovely town of Viseu while I’m there. Great post!
You must, it’s lovely!
Love Portugal!! Although I’ve never been to Viseu. Need to go back to this beautiful country!!! Great photos and very well explained.
Thank you, yes, you must come back, so much to see here!
Having been to Portugal a couple of times, I have never heard about this magnificent little town. Can’t wait to go back to Portugal and explore off the beaten path places as this one!
You should, We love discovering these off the beaten path towns!
I have never heard of Viseu before but it looks like a truly charming destination to be discovered. Thanks for the inspiring photos and for the precious information. I’ll add it in my next trip to Portugal.
Thank you. It really is a lovely town!
what a charming wee city! great post, i’ll certainly be checking this out next time i’m in Portugal.
Great, it’s definitely worth a visit!
After reading this post, Portugal is now on my travel bucket list.
And so it should be 🙂
Viseu looks like a quaint town with so much character. Bonus is the wines for sure!
Wine is always a pleasant bonus!! And cheese, don’t forget the cheese lol
You are explaining pretty well why I should visit Viseu 😉 I was in Portugal this Summer but travelled only down the coast from Porto to Lisbon since I had only one week. But I’ve heard that the inland is at least as beautiful as the coastal region, so….next time!
Inland is stunning, you’ll have to come back!
Portugal is one of my top places an you just reminded me how beautiful it is! Sounds like an amazing time!
It’s a beautiful country!
Viseu isn’t a city that was on my radar, but it is now! Somehow I haven’t been to Portugal yet, despite having travelled extensively in Europe. My wife has though, and we’re hoping to go together soon. May have to work this into our itinerary! I LOVE the picture of the Church of the Misericordia with the moody clouds in the background.
You must come to Portugal, it’s a beautiful country!
Until now, i haven’t heard of this place in Portugal. This looks like worth a visit especially if you’re looking for some quiet time away from the usual tourist crowd.
Viseu was new to us too, but it’s a lovely place. We will be back to visit for sure!
Looks like a great little pit stop on a Portugal itinerary. I love the tile work on the wall in the cathedral, looks so impressive. Have to add this one to the list when we go to Portugal early next year.
Oh, they love their tile work in Portugal lol
I’ve been in Portugal but not yet here. I’ll keep this city in mind for my next travel 🙂
It’s well worth a visit if you get the chance!
Viseu looks so charming! Thank you for sharing this hidden gem with us. I love visiting places like this.
It really was a very charming place to visit.
Looks like you have found a destination I never knew about. Somehow, I know tourism in Portual as Porto and Lisbon… good to know something new.
There’s a lot more to Portugal than just Porto and Lisbon 🙂
Viseu looks very beautiful and cute. I’ve never been in Portugal but will add it to my list! Visiting a hidden gem is always great.
You must come to Portugal, lots of hidden gems here.
I am totally convinced about including Viseu in our Portugal itinerary. The cathedral is sk beautiful
Do, it’s a really lovely place.
I never heard of Viseu and this really looks a perfect place for relaxing holidays. As I love small hilltop places, then for me Viseu in Portugal is perfect. Strolling in the community park in the center must be a great thing to do here.
It’s a really lovely place to visit, perfect place to relax.
We haven’t been to Portugal but it is on our list. Viseu looks like a beautiful city to visit and all the churches look stunning.
I love a city with amazing architecture except I am shocked that not so many people talk about Viseu yet it seems like a really beautiful according to what I’ve read in your post. I guess it’s one of those hidden gems not many tourists know about!!
I love Portugal so much! Their little towns are so charming and still feel a bit off the beaten track! Adding Viseu to my list!
Stunning photos! I had no idea there was so much to see in Portugal. Will definitely try to visit sometime.
Checking out your photo of the Azulejos Tiles Inside the Cathedral of Viseu in Portugal makes me want to know its history and origin. It looks amazing! I mean, look at how impressive the 13th-century old Renaissance cathedral of Viseu, and the Igreja da Misericordia facing each other.
Thanks for sharing!
Best regard,
Clement II
It is great to discover such small perfect places to travel. I have been to Portugal many times but never to Viseu. Your pictures paint such a beautiful scene for a get away.
Although I’ve used a number of cameras over the years and have become lazy about using them in recent times, I thought the Olympus workshop on Photography: Get Off Auto would be a nice refresher course. However I think Aaron Harivel from Olympus has instead cemented the fact that my cameras are seriously outdated. I still have (and use) my Canon 350D, which is 13 years old! There are so many new features in today’s models. Maybe it’s time to upgrade the gear.