North Portugal Tourism Guide - Povoa de Varzim

Povoa de Varzim Beaches near Oporto

Povoa de Vazim is four kilometres north of Vila do Conde and is the complete opposite in style of beach resort.

Povoa is a lively, touristy, developed resort aimed at the sun-worshipping, out-for-a-good-time masses. As such it has the usual accoutrements such as the 8 kilometre long beach, a casino and stacks of hotels, restaurants and bars offering good value for money.

Surfing and watersports are also popular and there are several campos desportivos in Povoa de Varzim.

Povoa de Varzim Casino

The neo-classical casino dates from the heyday of the 1930s and today offers the usual gambling games and slot machines, entertainment hosting international cabaret stars, restaurants and bars including the "Dancing Buffet" which sounds like huge fun.

Consult their surprisingly informative website for more information on the casino and the town itself.

Historic Povoa de Varzim

Historic sights are limited to the old harbour, the ruins of an 18th century fortress Nossa Senhora da Conceio, Sao Pedro de Rates Church a thousand-year-old church and one of the main medieval Romanesque buildings in Portugal, the three thousand year old Cividade de Terroso that was an important city of the Castro culture in North-western Iberian Peninsula and the Manueline pillory of Povoa de Varzim, built in 1514 that represents the emancipation of Povoa de Varzim.

The Museu Municpal de Etnografia e Historia on Rue Visconde de Azevedo houses archaeological finds and exhibits relating to the seafaring history of the region. It also takes the opportunity to inform visitors of a genetically transmitted muscle-wasting disease that is particularly common in Povoa.

Open Tues-sun 10 am-12.30 pm and 2.30-6pm. Admission free on Thursdays.

Porto Metro to Povoa de Varzim

The Porto Metro connects to Povoa de Varzim on the red line, Line B. The journey takes about an hour.

Buses also run from Porto to Povoa and takes a little longer.

Check the respective websites for times and fares.