Vila do Conde Guide

Vila do Conde

Vila do Conde, just a couple of kilometers south of the resort of Póvoa de Varzim, is reached in just under an hour on the Porto metro Line B to either Santa Clara or Vila do Conde.

Vila do Conde is 27 km north of Porto and located at the mouth of the River Ave. Although quite a major resort, the historic centre of town, about a kilometer north of the Ave, has been preserved and the town has a less-developed feel than Póvoa de Varzim.

The traditional old town retains its small fishing port and there are a number of historic buildings to enjoy.

The Convento de Santa Clara, is not open to the public but is a major landmark. The convent was known for its doces conventuais - delicious sweets that can now be bought in cafes around town.

An aqueduct, the Santa Clara Aqueduct (Aqueduto de Santa Clara), which once brought water from Terroso, 5 km to the north abuts onto the convent. The structure was built between 1705 and 1714 and originally had 999 arches. It is the second longest aqueduct system in Portugal.

The 16th century, Manueline Igreja Matriz is set in a pleasant square near the town's turismo. The money for the church came from Portugal's Age of Discoveries and many local men were part of the crews that sailed the globe.

Just to the north is the market place, which hosts the weekly market on Fridays selling local agricultural products and the town's trademark lacework and embroidery (rendas de bilros).

The Museu de Rendas de Bilros (Tel: 252 248 470), has displays of the town's lacework and demonstrations on how it is made alongside old tools and equipment.

The Museu de Construção Naval has replica ships housed in the old royal Customs House. Nearby is the Moorish-style Capela do Socorro with interior azulejos and a Rococo altar.

The Fort of São João Baptista is down by the mouth of the Ave River and has been converted in a hotel and restaurant.

The two beaches nearest to town are the Praia do Forno and the Praia Azul.

Vila do Conde has some interesting festivals including the Feira de Gastronomia (Food Fair) in the third week of August, the Feira Nacional de Artesanato - a crafts fair from the last week of July to the first week of August and a short-film festival - Curtas - held in July.

The local soccer team Rio Ave have had some notable success in the past for a team of their size. They play at the 12,000+ capacity Estádio dos Arcos near the aqueduct.