3 Best Hotels in Viana do Castelo, Northern Portugal

This boutique hotel, reopened in 2023 after a complete overhaul and now with a well-equipped spa and gym, couldn't be better located, on a quiet square overlooking the river just steps from the main drag. Guest rooms---even the smallest of which have a balcony---are comfortable, with modern decorative touches: each floor has a regional theme, from filigree jewelry and traditional embroidery to the sea, and some pieces of furniture are from the family that owns the AP chain, and after whose matriarch this hotel is named. The restaurant serves traditional dishes; in winter, the €25 Sunday lunch buffet, features cozido (stew) and is a popular option. The hotel regularly hosts free classical concerts, and staff can arrange discounts for local shows.

The Manueline facade, stone-flagged reception, and massive staircase testify to the fact that this 16th-century former aristocratic abode in the center of Viana is the city's oldest extant house. In addition to the classically decorated rooms in the main building, which all have bathtubs, there are five modern apartments with walk-in showers. On site there's a bar with a piano---where the generous buffet breakfast is also laid out---as well as a cozy library with a huge fireplace. Out back, a walled garden contains a small pool, with direct access from the upstairs suites. The same building houses a branch of Portuguese craft beer chain Letraria, which serves burgers and other well-priced snacks and mains until late.

Perched on a wooded hill behind the Basílica de Santa Luzia, this 1920s-era mansion dazzles the eye. The gardens and terrace are a delight, as are the grand public rooms—especially in winter, when the fireplaces add crackling, romantic warmth to the lounges. Guest rooms are spacious and have glamorous marble baths. The restaurant serves regional and Continental cuisine and has sweeping views of both the countryside and the Atlantic.