Vila Nova de Famalicão

Understand

Vila Nova de Famalicão (VEE-luh NAW-vuh d(ih) fuh-muh-lee-KUHNOO, /ˈvi.ɫɐ ˈnɔ.vɐ dɨ fɐ.mɐ.ɫi.ˈkɐ̃w/), popularly known as Famalicão, is 18 km (11 mi) southeast of Braga. The economy of the municipality is mainly based on textile, automotive, metal-mechanic and agrofood industries, hosting the headquarters of some large companies, such as Continental Mabor, Leica, Riopele, Vieira de Castro, and Primor. The city is a junction by road and railway between the northern cities and is not far from the Porto airport. It is the death place of writer Camilo Castelo Branco. Its historical heritage includes examples of Romanesque art such as the Santiago de Antas church.

1 Posto de Turismo (Tourist Information Office), Rua Luís Barroso 1782, ☏ +351 252 320 900, [email protected]. M–Th 09:00–12:00 & 13:00–18:00, F 09:00–12:00, closed Sa Su. (updated Jan 2021)

Getting there

By plane The easiest way to go to Famalicão by plane is to fly to Porto international airport (OPO IATA). Once you get to Porto Airport, you can catch the following transports to Famalicão:

Train/Metro Catch the Metro to Campanhã Station or São Bento Station and then get a train to Famalicão. Duration: 1 hr 40 min. Price (approx.): €5 Metro Train Táxi The táxis are located on the arrivals floor at Porto Airport. Duration: 30 min Price (approx.): €45

By train Travel times between Famalicão and other major cities:

Porto - 40 minutes by Suburban trains Braga - 15-30 minutes by Suburban trains Coimbra - 1 hr 25 min by Alfa Pendular or Intercidades Lisbon - 3 hr 30 min by Alfa Pendular Guimaraes - 20-40 min by bus or 1 hr 20 min to 2 hr by changing trains in Lousado Viana do Castelo - 1 hr 40 min to 2 hr 20 min by either direct bus or by changing trains in 1 Nine 2 Vila Nova de Famalicão railway station (Estação Ferroviária de Famalicão). (updated Nov 2020)

By car You have a lot of highways going to Famalicão, from Braga, Guimarães, Porto, Felgueiras, Chaves, and others. If you are coming from the south of Portugal there is no difficulty at all. The Portuguese highways are all very well connected, and you only have to go straight to Porto, and then in Porto you catch A3 (Highway 3) which goes to Famalicão. It's quite easy.

By bus Rede Expressos, a network of long-distance bus services, includes a number of direct and indirect lines to Famalicão from practically every city in Portugal. The buses are slightly slower but often not much cheaper than train tickets, especially when bought in advance, and are a much better option only when a direct rail connection is not available.

See

1 House of Camilo Castelo Branco (Casa de Camilo), Avenida de S. Miguel, 758, S. Miguel de Seide (TUF blue line, ARRIVA bus 105-106-107), ☏ +351 252 327 186. Visiting times: Tu-F 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 14:00, 15:00, 16:00, 17:00; Sa Su 11:00, 12:00, 15:00, 16:00. The residence of the writer Camilo Castelo Branco is now a museum in the town of San Miguel de Ceide. The house was built by Ana Plácido's first husband, Pinheiro Alves, around 1830, when he returned from Brazil, in possession of a large fortune. Camilo lived with Ana Plácido in this house for about 26 years, from the winter of 1863 until his suicide in 1890. (updated Jan 2021) Bernardino Machado Museum (Vila Nova de Famalicão) Cupertino de Miranda Foundation National Railway Museum - Lousado Textile Industry Museum Castro Alves Foundation Automobile Museum Colonial War Museum Soledad Malvar House-Museum Museum of Sacred Art of the Chapel of Lapa Museum of the Confraternity of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Lemenhe Museum of Sacred Art of the Church of S. Tiago das Antas

Do

Football: FC Famalicão play soccer in Primeira Liga, Portugal's top tier. Their home ground is Estádio Municipal 22 de Junho (capacity 5300) just south of town centre.

Eat

1 Restaurante Ferrugem, Rua das Pedrinhas 32, Portela, ☏ +351 252 911 700, [email protected]. Tu–Sa 12:00–14:30 & 20:00–22:30, Su 12:00–14:30, closed M. Rustic restaurante in a restored old barn. Awarded "Michelin Plate: good cooking" and "comfortable restaurant". €40-65. (updated Jun 2021)

Sleep

1 Hotel Moutados, Avenida do Brasil 1223, ☏ +351 252 312 377, [email protected]. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. Three-star, 40-room hotel with bar, free Wi-Fi, and free parking. €53-67. (updated Jun 2021)