Viana do Castelo is located by the sea, in the Northern part of Portugal, approximately 70 Km North of Porto (Portugal's second-largest city, aka Oporto). The nearest international airport is Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport (aiport code OPO) near Porto, which is located about 60 Km from Viana do Castelo.

The Workshop will take place in the Pousada Monte de Sta. Luzia, a Regional Pousada which is on a hill above Viana do Castelo. The Pousada webpage can be found at Pousada Monte de Sta. Luzia, Viana do Castelo, with some photos and additional information. 

Getting to the Workshop Site

Transportation from Porto or the Airport to the workshop site will be provided Monday afternoon. The details will be provided once all participants have communicated their travel arrangements

For participants that will not use this transportation, the alternative travel options are:

From the Airport to Viana do Castelo

The best alternative to go from the Airport to Viana do Castelo is through the Porto city. Direct connection between the Airport and Viana do Castelo can only be made by taxi, or by renting a car.

The taxi fare between the two locations would be around 100 Euros, taking approximately 45 minutes.

Another alternative is to rent a car. Please be aware that rental prices at the airport are much higher than if previously reserved through the rental companies agencies. Also, please check for the opening hours of the locations in Viana do Castelo.

In the case of going by car please check the [Going by Car] information.

From the Airport to Porto

The AeroBus service of STCP (http://www.stcp.pt/en/mapas/aerobus.htm) assures the "fast" linking between the Airport and some hotels of Porto. It also stops at Avenida dos Aliados (the avenue in front of the city hall), near the Sao Bento train station. At the Airport, the AeroBus is available at the arrivals terminal (you don't need to reserve a place). You can ask the AeroBus driver to leave you at Avenida dos Aliados. 

There are trips every 30 minutes, during all the week, between 7:00 and 19:00. The ticket costs 2,60 Euros (the english version of the STCP's page is outdated) and can be bought directly to the bus driver. The problem with the AeroBus is that it takes around 40 minutes to reach Avenida dos Aliados, and if there are a lot of people going to the hotels it can take up to 60 minutes.

It is also possible to take a taxi, for which a Airport-City ride costs around 20-25 Euros. It is the easier and faster way (takes around 20 minutes), but it is also more expensive.

From Porto to Viana do Castelo

The best way to go from Porto to Viana do Castelo is by train. There are two train stations in Porto. The Sao Bento station is in the center of Porto, near the end of the Avenida dos Aliados . The Campanha station is on the outskirts of Porto. Coming from the Airport by taxi directly to the train, it is better to choose the Campanha station, in order not to go to the center of Porto.

The trains are operated by CP (http://www.cp.pt/). From Porto to Viana do Castelo there are different types of trains (not the same every day). Therefore, the best is to use the search option in the CP site (http://www.cp.pt/horarios/e_horarios.html). The departure station is Porto and the arrival station is Viana do Castelo.

Note: although the departure station indicated in the search results is Campanha, most of the trains depart from the Sao Bento station approximately 10 minutes before. By clicking in the train number (in the rigth) a detailed schedule of the train is presented, where this information is visible.

On arrival to Viana de Castelo, there is a taxi stand outside of the station. It is a short ride to the workshop site, but always uphill.

Going by Car

Going by Car to the workshop site is not very difficult. There is a Highway connecting Porto/Airport and Viana do Castelo (IC1). The difficulty is leaving Porto/Airport and, in Viana, reaching the workshop site.

Please use the following maps while following the directions:

• Map of Porto Area (32 Kb - opens in a new window)
• Map of Viana do Castelo (162 Kb - opens in a new window)

From south of Porto

• Coming from the A1 Highway, before Porto choose the Porto (Ponte da Arrábida - IC1) exit
• After crossing the Douro river the IC1 becomes IC23 (aka VCI)
• Leave the IC23 (VCI) in the direction of Viana do Castelo/Valença (IC1)
• The IC1 Highway goes directly to Viana. Exit the IC1 after the Lima River Bridge (exit nº 13 Viana do Castelo)
• You'll enter Viana do Castelo by the east (rigth of the map)
• In the roundabout, go left in the direction of the city center
• The road eventually turns right (there is a Pousada sign) going along with the railroad
• Just before the tunnel (please be careful) go into the right lane in the direction of the Hospital
• You will encounter a roundabout on top of the tunnel. Exit immediately to the right (the hospital will be at your left)
• Turn left at the 2nd exit (there is a Pousada sign) and from now on it is always uphill (center top of the map).

From Porto

• Within the center of Porto (city hall), go always north until the IC23 inner highway (aka. VCI)
• Choose the left lane to enter the IC23 VCI (direction Lisboa IC1)
• Leave the IC23 (VCI) in the direction of Viana do Castelo/Valença (IC1). Be careful no to exit to Viana do Castelo (N13)
• The IC1 Highway goes directly to Viana. Exit the IC1 after the Lima River Bridge (exit nº 13 Viana do Castelo)
• You'll enter Viana do Castelo by the east (rigth of the map)
• In the roundabout, go left in the direction of the city center
• The road eventually turns right (there is a Pousada sign) going along with the railroad
• Just before the tunnel (please be careful) go into the right lane in the direction of the Hospital
• You will encounter a roundabout on top of the tunnel. Exit immediately to the right (the hospital will be at your left)
• Turn left at the 2nd exit (there is a Pousada sign) and from now on it is always uphill (center top of the map).

From the Airport

• Leaving the Airport by car, take the Porto exit.
• Approximately 500 meters later choose the 1st exit right in the direction of Viana do C.^lo (IC24).
• In the end of IC24, choose the 1st exit right in the direction of Viana do C.^lo (IC1).
• The IC1 Highway goes directly to Viana. Exit the IC1 after the Lima River Bridge (exit nº 13 Viana do Castelo)
• You'll enter Viana do Castelo by the east (rigth of the map)
• In the roundabout, go left in the direction of the city center
• The road eventually turns right (there is a Pousada sign) going along with the railroad
• Just before the tunnel (please be careful) go into the right lane in the direction of the Hospital
• You will encounter a roundabout on top of the tunnel. Exit immediately to the right (the hospital will be at your left)
• Turn left at the 2nd exit (there is a Pousada sign) and from now on it is always uphill (center top of the map).

From Vigo by the sea (through Caminha - N13)

• Coming from Vigo by the N13 road, you'll enter Viana do Castelo by the west (left of the map)
• When entering the city, at the crossing choose left (direction Hospital)
• In the first roundabout continue forward
• Just before the tunnel (please be careful) go into the right lane in the direction of the Hospital
• You will encounter a roundabout on top of the tunnel. Exit to the left (just before the Hospital)
• Turn left at the 2nd exit (there is a Pousada sign) and from now on it is always uphill (center top of the map).

From Vigo by the inland (through Ponte de Lima - A3)

• Coming from Vigo by the A3 Highway, exit in Ponte de Lima.
• In Ponte de Lima take the IP9 road to Viana do Castelo
• Exit the IP9 before the Lima River Bridge (direction Viana do Castelo). The IP9 will meet with the IC1 highway coming from Porto
• You'll enter Viana do Castelo by the east (rigth of the map)
• In the roundabout, go left in the direction of the city center
• The road eventually turns right (there is a Pousada sign) going along with the railroad
• Just before the tunnel (please be careful) go into the right lane in the direction of the Hospital
• You will encounter a roundabout on top of the tunnel. Exit immediately to the right (the hospital will be at your left)
• Turn left at the 2nd exit (there is a Pousada sign) and from now on it is always uphill (center top of the map).

Weather

The Weather in North of Portugal in this time of the year is normally warm, although a little unpredictable. Below you can find links to weather information for Porto and Viana do Castelo. Nevertheless, please be aware that evenings can be slightly colder than expected (particularly since the workshop site is near the sea and in a high position).

• Viana do Castelo (CNN)
• Porto (CNN)

For more information please contact the Local Chair (Luis Miguel Pinho).

[Workshop Location] [Travel Information][Going by Car][Weather]