Viseu travel guide

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Viseu[1], is a charming hilltop city and district capital (around 50,000 inhabitants) in central Portugal. It is situated in the Beira Alta between the mountain ranges of the Serra da Estrela and Serra do Caramulo, about halfway between Aveiro and Guarda off the new A25 Motorway right in the middle of the famous Dao wine region.

Viseu is both a city and a district in central Portugal. The city population is 50583 in 9 parishes the municipalty has 94590 in 34 parishes. Is one of the most important centers in central interior Portugal is crossed by a important european road link IP5 that connects it to Aveiro seaport and Guarda and then to Spain and Salamanca. In 693 AD it was captured by the Moors who held it for most of a century. The cathedral dates from 830 AD. The city is also home to Portugal's biggest nightclub called Day After and it is known locally for its thriving nightlife.

Viseu has excellent motorway links with other major cities, the coast and Spain via the junction of the A25 (east/west) and A24/IP3 (north/south) motorways. There is an outer ringroad consisting of part A25 and IP5. Porto airport is the nearest international airport, about 1 3/4 hours away by car. Viseu has its own municipal airport for light private aircraft. There is no train service. The closest railway stations are in Nelas or Mangualde, both on the Linha da Beira Alta. This makes Viseu the largest city on the Iberian peninsula without a railway station.

The numerous restaurants, cafés, pastelarias, bars and cervejarias provide excellent freshly prepared food for all budgets. Try the traditional pastry of the region, the Viriato, for sale in good pastelarias.