Just twenty minutes outside Porto, in a former palace that is a tribute to the nautical heritage, is a brand-new HI hostel Vila do Conde. Even from afar, the hostel stands out with its pink colour. But the interior is also quite colourful. There are common rooms and a dining room with a solid wood table. The hostel offers dorm and double rooms, which are suitable for couples. HI Vila do Conde is part of the Portuguese HI organisation, which got a new logo last year. The logo is quite special because it was designed by taking into account and combining history and new digital trends. HI members get 10% off at this and other HI hostels.
You can take the stand-up paddling course that takes place near the hostel and includes lots of intensive lessons. With these, you can become a professional stand-up paddler, plus you’ll learn everything, from various techniques to rules that apply on water, as well as techniques of self-rescue. You can take advanced and beginner’s courses. The latter will cover the basics of balance, paddling and rotating on the board. You might even spot a fish or two while paddling. Individual lessons will take your paddling skills to a higher level.
The coastal town of Vila do Conde lies at the mouth of the Ave and is part of the Way of St. James. The town is one of the oldest settlements in northern Portugal. It’s now a charming harbour and home to the country’s second-longest aqueduct, which was said to have once had 999 arches. The town has two distinctly different characters; on one hand, it’s a modern coastal town with apartment blocks and villas, while, on the other hand, it’s an old town situated on a riverbank. Historical buildings, sandy beaches, wide avenues, cafés and green gardens await you. There’s also the baroque Convento de Santa Clara monastery dating to the 18th century and neighbouring a baroque church. Right next to it is also the charming Praça da República where you’ll find numerous cafés that overlook the gardens and the river.
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