Situated 30 km north of Oporto, Póvoa de Varzim is both a traditional fishing town and cosmopolitan summer resort for the people of northern Portugal. At one end is the port and picturesque fishermen's quarter, where the men arrange their brightly-painted boats and the womenfolk quietly sit...

Situated 30 km north of Oporto, Póvoa de Varzim is both a traditional fishing town and cosmopolitan summer resort for the people of northern Portugal. At one end is the port and picturesque fishermen's quarter, where the men arrange their brightly-painted boats and the womenfolk quietly sit mending their husbands' nets. The northern end of Póvoa is a lively mix of beach-side cafés, water slides, discotheques, bars, restaurants, tennis courts, quality hotels and a modern newly-renovated casino. The town's 2-km-wide expanse of sandy beach is ideal for bathing, surfing and most other kinds of water sports.

What to see: A small 18th-century fort guards Póvoa de Varzim's busy harbour. The town's parish church was built between 1743 and 1757, while the church of Nossa Senhora da Lapa dates back to 1772.

Nearby: 3 km south of Póvoa de Varzim lies the smaller and lesser-known town of Vila do Conde, a peaceful place reputed for its lace and pasteis de Santa Clara sweet cakes. The elegant 12th-century church of São Pedro at Rates, 15 km north-east of Póvoa de Varzim, is considered one of the best-preserved examples of Romanesque architecture in Portugal.

O mar está sempre presente na alma do Poveiro; ele é a personagem central da cidade que se estrutura em função da sua presença. Nele o poveiro encontra o sustento, o lazer, a animação e a tranquilidade.

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