Villa Marmita

Villa Marmita is located in the seaside resort of Viana do Castelo on Portugal’s Costa Verde coastline. Praia do Cabedolo is just a 5-minutes walk from the property and is wide and clean and backed by sand dunes and a pine forest. It’s a popular choice for surfers, windsurfers and bodyboarders and a good spot to watch the sunset over the Atlantic waves. It also boasts a vibrant nightlife, and come evening, partygoers flock to the numerous bars that overlook the shore.

From here, jump on the ferry and make the 5-minute crossing over the Rio Lima to the town’s centre. Stroll through the old quarter and admire the Manueline manors and rococo palaces that line the narrow streets, then stop for a coffee in the pretty square with its Renaissance fountain, curious 16th-century almshouse and medieval atmosphere. Afterwards, explore the Museu Municipal. Located in an 18th-century palace, it’s home to a beautiful collection of ceramics and furniture from Portugal’s former colonies, plus paintings of 19th-century Viana.

The hill of Monte de Santa Luzia rises up from the town and is crowned by a striking basilica. If you’re feeling energetic, climb the hill (or take the funicular), then stop and marvel at the sweeping views of the coast and Lima valley. While at the summit, look inside the Santa Luzia church, while those with a head for heights can take the narrow staircase to the dome’s top, where you’ll be rewarded with more stunning views.

For an active day out, journey north to the town of Ponte de Lima (25 minutes). Situated on the River Lima, here you can hire kayaks and view the Roman-built bridge, centuries-old mansions and fragrant gardens. For further activity, head to the surrounding Serra d’Arga hills and spend the day mountain biking and hiking. Afterwards, be sure to stop back in Ponte de Lima’s main square and enjoy a glass of the locally produced Vinho Verde while soaking up the town’s medieval atmosphere.

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Please be aware that the location tab shown on the website is not based on the property's exact location; therefore, all location amenities are an approx of facilities, restaurants, and villages/towns you might find around the property. The property's exact location will be provided to you before arrival and might come along with some recommendations about the area and what to visit.

ABOUT MINHO

The areas of Minho extend from the Spanish border in the north, south to Porto and east to the mountains of Vila Real. It is a green and fertile area of rolling hills encompassing the great rivers Minho, Lima and Douro, and the National Park of Peneda Geres. The countryside of the region is typified by long, sandy beaches bordered by pine woods, picturesque villages nestling among vine-covered hills, and historic towns such as Amarante, Guimaraes, Barcelos, Ponte de Lima, and Viana do Castelo.

The area encompasses a range of postcard-worthy landscapes and features that could almost be Portugal in microcosm: dreamy river scenes, high mountains, rolling vineyards, beautiful historic towns, dramatic Atlantic beaches, ancient religious foundations and mysterious archaeological sites.

Then there's the bold, sharp and fruity Vinho Verde to consider. This young wine is fashioned from the fruit of kilometres of vineyards that wind along rivers, over foothills and into Minho mountain villages.

But while you're enjoying one of our fantastic villas in Minho, you may well want to take some time out from all that sun worship to explore everything else the region has to offer – so we've put together this handy travel guide to give you a little help and inspiration!

Check out our Minho Travel Guide >>