Pousada Viana do Castelo

Hotel views don’t come much more spectacular than those at Pousada Viana do Castelo. The hotel sits on top of the Monte de Santa Luiza, above the medieval town of Viana do Castelo; the view takes in the old town, the Lima River and, glittering in the distance, the Atlantic Ocean.

The hotel’s rooms and suites have a tasteful, classic design straight out of the Roaring Twenties. Walls are livened up with mint-green floral wallpaper, the plush armchairs and bedheads are decked out in striped upholstery, and high ceilings and wall mouldings give the rooms a classy look. The star attraction, though, is outside your window, with all rooms making the most of the hotel’s spectacular location – rooms overlook either the mountains, ocean or historic centre of Viana do Castelo, some from the privacy of their own balcony. 

The hotel’s restaurant showcases the very best cuisine from the Minho region, bringing together the produce of the river, ocean, mountains and countryside. Sample dishes include green cabbage soup with spicy sausage, octopus carpaccio and duck leg boiled in olive oil and honey. Adventurous diners may also be interested in the restaurant’s menu devoted entirely to lamprey, an eel-like fish with tooth-lined maws – they’re not much to look at, but try the lamprey bordelaise and you might just be converted. Rather more conventional, but no less delicious, is the breakfast buffet – a spread of cold cuts, pastries, fruit and bread.

When the Portuguese afternoons start heating up, cool off at the hotel’s outdoor pool, overlooking the historic town. There’s also a range of wellness treatments on offer at the Magic Spa, where massages and body treatments are provided using products made from organic natural ingredients.

Viana do Castelo’s coastal setting makes it a great spot for water sports, with surfing, fishing, kitesurfing and canoeing just a few of the activities on offer. Inland, the craggy peaks of the Monte de Santa Luiza wait to be explored via a network of hiking trails, while boat trips are a great way to experience the Lima River up close. The town itself is home to a wealth of beautiful historic architecture and cultural attractions. Highlights include the Fabrica do Chocolate, an interactive museum where you can make your own bar of chocolate; the grand Templo do Sagrado Coracao de Jesus, an ornate Byzantine-style church; and the Museum of Art & Archaeology, packed with exhibits about the history of the local area.