Praia do Cabedelo is the beach that most visitors to Viana do Castelo end up at — a long stretch of Atlantic coast on the south side of the Lima estuary, just a short ferry ride from the town centre. The crossing takes about ten minutes from the dock near the Gil Eannes ship; the ferry runs frequently in summer and the price is negligible.
The beach itself is broad and backed by dunes, with good surf when the Atlantic swell is running. The water is colder than anything further south in Portugal — this is the northwest coast, where the Canaries Current brings Atlantic water up from the north — but on summer days the beach fills with families from the city and surfers working the break at the river mouth. There is a bar in the dunes and a couple of restaurants a short walk away. On a clear day the basilica of Santa Luzia is visible on its hill across the water.