Senhora da Agonia Festival - the heart of summer in Viana

If there's one time to be in Viana, it's during the four days of Senhora da Agonia (the weekend closest to 20 August). It's the largest pilgrimage of Northern Portugal and a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage candidate.

**Friday** - Procession to the Sea: the Lady of Agony descends to the fishing port and is loaded onto a decorated barge, followed by dozens of boats. Watch from Cabedelo or the south bank.

**Saturday** - Ethnographic Parade: 4 hours of procession, 1500+ participants from every parish, in regional costume (the Minho gold can weigh 4 kg per woman). The most beautiful thing I've seen.

**Sunday** - Procession through the city with flower carpets, and at night fireworks over the Lima - among the world's top 5, lasting nearly 30 minutes.

**Bookings** - minimum 3 nights this weekend, 6 months ahead. Park at the Villa and take Uber into the centre: the city is closed to traffic.