Viseu the best city to live in Portugal

Viseu

Viseu has a special place in my heart: it is the city where I was born and the city where I went very often when growing up! Viseu is located in the center of Portugal and is the birthplace of the painter Vasco Fernandes and a place with lots of history! The city is known as the city of Viriato, “cidade jardim” (garden city), roundabout city (cidade das rotundas) and for Feira de São Mateus.

Viseu is a charming city, elected several times as the best city to live in Portugal!

Practical Information

How to arrive in Viseu?

The main road that goes to Viseu is A25. Flixbus and Rede expressos buses depart from several cities to Viseu. The city has a small aerodrome.

When to visit Viseu?

During August and September, the city gets very busy with the immigrants and Feira de São Mateus festivities. Summer – several activities (Verão no Parque Aquilino Ribeiro, Cinema ao ar livre)

Where to stay in Viseu?

Bemyguest – Loft Guest House Jardim das Mães Charming
Montebelo
Pousada de Viseu
Viseu Ryokan – Hospedaria Japonesa & SPA (9.3)
Casa da Torre – Viseu (9.5)
Escadinhas da Sé (9.2)
Avenida Boutique Hotel

What can you visit in Viseu?

Cathedral of Santa Maria/ Viseu Cathedral

Also known as the Cathedral of Santa Maria, it dates back to the time of Dom Afonso Henriques, the first king of Portugal. The dominant style is Gothic, Manuelino and Baroque.

World Citizen Stories tip: Museu tesouro da cathedral (entrance: 2€)

Misericordia church

This beautiful church, built in 1775 has a Rococco style in the exterior. It is located in the same square as Viseu Cathedral.

Square (praça) Dom Duarte

The King Dom Duarte, son of D. João I and D. Filipa de Lencastre was born in Viseu in 1391 and died in 1438 in Tomar.

This is where people gather during the day and the night to catch up. Some activities in the city also happen here.

Rua Direita / Direita Street

This street used to be the biggest commerce place of the city

How many “Manuelinas” windows can you find in Rua Direita?

There are several examples of these Manueline windows scattered around the city of Viseu.

The most important ones – not only for their elegance but because they are impressive – are the ones on Rua Direita (at numbers 196, 198, 200, 202 and 204) and the ones on Rua D. Duarte, in a medieval tower. In addition, you can also find examples in Rua Augusto Hilário and Rua Sra da Boa Morte.

These specimens were produced during the reign of D. Manuel I, in the 16th century, and were inspired by the Discoveries. Marine elements, ropes and armillary spheres are thus identifiable in the Manueline-style architectural elements.

Viseu was, at the time, invaded by this architectural style, verified, for example, in the vault of the Cathedral.

Later, Manueline proliferated throughout civil architecture and several examples of remarkable and rare beauty remain to this day.

Panel of tiles in Rossio

Is a true picture postcard of Beira’s culture and a tourist icon of the city of Viseu.

The store Anda ver Portugal has tennis with this panel of tiles. https://www.andaverportugal.pt/footwear/1782-walk-with-art.html

Porta dos cavaleiros

Porta dos Cavaleiros (built by order of King Afonso V, this defensive structure was built in 1472 and consisted of 7 gates. Today only 2 remain intact).

Grão Vasco Museum

A master of Renaissance painting, Vasco Fernandes was the first Portuguese painter to sign his paintings. The author of monumental works, Grão Vasco is the Great Vasco of Viseu, a mythical figure in Portuguese art.

Museu de História da cidade

In the heart of Rua Direita, one of the city’s most emblematic streets, we find “the first incarnation” of the City History Museum! This is where “Icons of Viseu – The Awakening of the Museum” is presented: the first exhibition of the City History Museum project, which will take you on a journey through 2,500 years of Viseu’s history by presenting some of its most important icons. A place full of memories where we can contemplate Viseu’s past, present and future.

World Citizen Stories tip: Poderá fazer uma visits virtual ao museu aqui.

Museu Almeida Moreira

Born in Viseu, Francisco Almeida Moreira was responsible for the creation of the Grão Vasco Museum. The museum is located in the house where he lived. He had a big role in promoting the tourism of Viseu.

Porta do soar

Located in Sreet Nunes de Carvalho.

Classified as a National Monument, it is one of the seven existing entrances to the city’s medieval wall, of which only two remain.

Largo Pintor Gata

Largo Pintor Gata, formerly known as Largo de Nossa Senhora dos Remédios and Praça da Erva, in the heart of Viseu’s historic centre, is an urban space that stands out for its architectural surroundings and lively atmosphere.

Igreja da Ordem Terceira de Nossa Senhora do Carmos

Santiago park

Don’t miss the Viriato sun watch and the letters of “Viseu”.

Mothers Garden

The current name of this garden is due to the sculpture of the artist from Oporto, José de Oliveira Ferreira, in memory of his mother who was born in Viseu.

Rua Formosa

This is one of the most known streets and in Viseu and here you can see a Roman wall.

Built around the year 360, this Roman wall would have been four metres wide and nine metres high. Its observation is even more enjoyable at night, since the lights that illuminate it enhance the clarity and interpretation of the construction.

Writer Aquilino Ribeiro

clube de Viseu

glorieta a tomás ribeiro in Praça da Republica

Museum keil amaral

This is a recent museum in the city, opened in 2021!

Funicular de Viseu

Funicular of Viseu is temporarily closed.

Viseu Street Art

All around the city, you will find incredible street art masterpieces.

For more information about the location of the paintings/art, please consult Street Art Cities – Viseu.

Casa do Miradouro

The Casa do Miradouro houses the José Coelho Archaeological Collection, which celebrates this illustrious citizen of Viseu by making public his archaeological explorations in the region and an avant-garde understanding of the complex puzzle to which the various vestiges found belong.

There are also references to other important prehistoric landmarks in the region, such as the Megalithic Necropolis of Pedralta – Côta or the Mamaltar dolmen of Vale de Fachas, a National Monument.