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Atop the entrance to this majestic, imposing 18th Century building stand three statues – Faith, Hope and Charity - looking attentively out over the rich architectural heritage of the old city whose name is derived from the Roman term "viso", meaning a good view. Viseu offers its visitors some quite magnificent panoramic views from its highest point where the original settlement was formed in Roman times.
The Pousada de Viseu is set in the former São Teotónio Hospital, designed and built in the late 1700s but inaugurated in 1842.The original hospital building, a square neoclassical construction of 4 floors with a large cloister at its heart, has been restored and subtly adapted into a very complete and stylish Pousada with all the facilities of a contemporary 4* hotel. Its transformation into a modern hotel has preserved many of the original features. The bold architecture of the attractive building has been enhanced by strong colours and attractive furnishings with just a touch of modern design. The cloister is completely enclosed by a ceiling, providing the Pousada de Viseu with a stylish, covered courtyard lounge where you can relax, enjoy a coffee or aperitif before dinner, and often eat should you prefer this area to the more formal restaurant “Viriato” set in one of the rooms off to the side.
The Pousada’s restaurant is bright, spacious enough, and service here is excellent so we can thoroughly recommend eating here. You simply have to decide if you prefer the more formal setting of the restaurant or the more relaxed courtyard/lounge feel of the enclosed cloister. On Saturday evenings a pianist can often be heard here. A lounge bar/café completes this area and is open all day for drinks, snacks and afternoon tea. You will no doubt be interested in visiting the wine shop next to the reception, where you can taste local wines and make purchases, and alongside that you will discover the cosy cigar lounge – set in the original pharmacy of the hospital – where you can purchase fine cigars or enjoy your own in calm surroundings.
On the second floor you will find the Pousada’s Spa with its calm ambience. A small-medium sized indoor pool and facilities that include a Turkish bath, sauna, Jacuzzi, and treatment rooms are found within, and these services are very reasonably priced. Access to the spa is included in the cost of your room, with additional costs for treatments.
The interior of the Pousada de Viseu around the cloister is decorated in a strong mustard tone which contrasts magnificently with the lighter stone of the pillars and arches. The corridors to the bedrooms are complemented by rich, dark wood and subtle lighting, and are accessed by several lifts or a marble-clad staircase.
Bedrooms are of a very generous size with large beds and modern bathrooms, and many of the superior rooms on the 4th floor have balconies affording great views onto the city below.
The outdoor pool alongside Viseu’s Pousada is open seasonally, and is surrounded by a terrace with sunbeds and seating, providing you with a luxurious outdoor area on which to relax and enjoy the panoramic views. Beyond that is the lower and main car park, and an enclosed open area which can only be accessed via the front gates of the Pousada, where there are also a dozen spaces directly by the entrance to the Pousada.
This Pousada is accessible by wheelchair and well suited to those with mobility issues.
Viseu is located half way between the Atlantic Ocean and the Spanish border, 130km south east of Porto. A busy provincial city with a lively cobbled centre full of artistic treasures, historical churches and a strong culture of local crafts, it is surrounded by rich agricultural land and pastures of grazing sheep, the area is also renowned for its fine cheeses. Those with a love of architecture will enjoy the Baroque and Neoclassical buildings and churches, with lovely old houses just beyond the main central streets decorated colourfully and an impressive tiled wall alongside the central taxi rank of Viseu’s historic centre.
Viseu was the birthplace of one of the greatest Portuguese painters of the sixteenth century, Vasco Fernandes, who today lends his name to a museum that houses most of his paintings, a school, and even a wine label. Viseu and the region are famous for their Dão Wine and the Dão Wine Institute can be found in the city. The fertile wine-growing area of Dão has records dating back to the 12th Century and is renowned for the excellence of wine it produces.
The mountains and hills which surround the town are some of its major attractions. In the colder months snowy peaks provide the backdrop for winter sports and through the summer its peace and natural beauty make it perfect for walking and enjoying a glass of Dão wine with a picnic!
Portugal’s Central Region was formerly known as ‘Beiras’, the traditional name for the area between the country’s two great rivers – the Douro and the Tejo (Tagus).
The region is bordered by the neighbouring Regions of Porto & the North, and the Alentejo and Lisbon & the Tagus Valley to the south, Spain – Castilla y León and Extremadura – to the east and by the Atlantic in the west.
This is a region of contrasts with the largely flat Atlantic coastline with its white sandy beaches, pine forests and temperate climate giving way towards the interior to hills and mountains culminating in the ‘Serra da Estrela’, the highest mountain range within mainland Portugal. The region’s main river, the Mondego, has its source here, eventually reaching the Atlantic at Figueira da Foz after flowing through Coimbra, the principal city of this region. The region’s rural interior offers wonderful landscapes, notably within the Serra da Estrela National Park; glacial lakes and crystal-clear spring waters with spa towns such as Curia and Luso; ancient forests and dense woodlands on the mountain slopes, and many historic little towns and villages almost hidden away – Belmonte, with its delightful Pousada and splendid castle being a good example.
The medieval city of Coimbra in the east of the region and roughly mid-way between Lisbon and Porto is home to Portugal’s – and one of Europe’s – oldest university, known in particular for its sumptuous Baroque library. This is a monumental city: near the university is the Old Cathedral (Romanesque) and in the ancient streets with their medieval walls, arches and stairways are the 12th century Santa Cruz monastery, the 13th century Celas monastery and, on the river bank, the Baroque 17th century convent of Santa Clara-a-Nova. Some 10 miles to the south of Coimbra (and very close to the Pousada de Condeixa-a-Nova) is Conímbriga, the site of the most important Roman remains in Portugal.
Other notable historic towns include the already-mentioned Belmonte, and medieval Guarda and Castelo Branco, all in the west of the region; the coastal town of Aveiro with its lagoon, canals and typical ‘moliceiro’ boats; and towards the centre of the region Viseu with its traditional stone architecture, medieval buildings and further Roman remains.
The cuisine of this region is varied, with fish and seafood naturally predominating along the coastline. In the interior, roast suckling pig and lamb stews are particularly delicious regional specialities along with varieties of sausage, smoked meats and locally produced cheeses from the Serra da Estrela, Alcains and Castelo Branco.
This is a wine-growing region with a long tradition – the full-bodied Dão red wines are known internationally (recommended are those from Quinta da Pellada, Quinta dos Roques and Quinta de Sães), and Bairrada table and sparkling wines are also known for their quality.
For Pousada pool information please visit our information on pools page.
Lunch is served from 13.00 to 15.00
Dinner is served from 19.30 to 22.30
From Viseu Town Hall:
Former soap and candle factory on the banks of the River Douro
The hotel offers free parking to guests
