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The Dona Emília Guesthouse is located in the square in the centre of Viana do Castelo, Praça da República. The century-old building has three storeys and three fronts, giving on to Praça da República, the Costume Museum and Santa Luzia Church. The rooms in the house are ample with high ceilings. The house has plenty of natural light shining in through its many windows and balconies. There is a staircase in the centre of the house, which goes through the entire building up to a large skylight. The ground floor has an gift shop&art gallery a storage room for luggage and / or bicycles and a reception. The first floor has a fully equipped kitchen, a lounge, three large bedrooms sharing two shower rooms, one for men and another for women with several showers. The second floor has three suites, a library and a private art gallery.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Romantic
Charming
Languages Spoken
English, Spanish, Portuguese
Location
Rua Manuel Espregueira 6 Praca da Republica, Viana do Castelo 4900-318 Portugal
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This place is special. Quirkily furnished with high ceilings and homely touches it offers spacious accommodation and loads of character. We were disappointed to be staying only one night as part of the Caminho Portugues. My friend had an injury and the host could not have been more helpful or accommodating. Highly recommended
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Date of stay: March 2025Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We’ve stayed at Dona Emília Guesthouse and the Lima Studios 5 times. The hosts Sofia and Rami are warm and welcoming to visitors and Caminho de Santiago Pilgrims. All guests are made to feel like a part of the family.
The guesthouse is in a historically refurbished building in the heart of the historic district of Viana do Castelo on the Praça da República. The building is old, but spectacular. The original grand wooden staircase is magnificent. A skylight over the stairwell gives Dona Emília a light and airy atmosphere. The creaky floors add character. Each room has its own personality with tasteful mid-century modern decor. Some rooms face the Praça and others face Santuário de Santa Luzia - Sanctuary of Santa Luzia. The 3 suites have private ensuite bathrooms. The three rooms have private bathrooms but not in the rooms. Two of the rooms have a balcony. There is no central heating or air conditioning, but each room have individual electric heat, heated bed warmers and a fan. All of the beds and pillows are very comfortable.
There is a shared fully equipped kitchen with an exceptional pod coffee maker. The machine can even froth milk for a latte or cappuccino. There is a large living room and cozy reading room off from the kitchen. Both have large glass windows that overlook the Praça. In the summer, you can open the window and experience the sights and sounds of everything going on in the Praça da República.
For breakfast, each room has a designated drawer in the kitchen with artisan bread, granola, fruit and a designated space in one of the refrigerators with cheese, yogurt, oat milk, regular milk and preserves. There is also a designated space if you want to store your own food for cooking.
The Lima Studios are also in the historic district. All the studios are like apartments except for the zen room which is good for a single traveler. The interior is modern and comfortable. These rooms are good for longer stays.
Both are wonderful locations, but our preference is the guesthouse when there is availability.
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Date of stay: February 2024
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dona Emilia guesthouse was the first place we stayed at on our week long tour of Minho and it was probably the best experience we had. The location is right in the historic center and perfect for sightseeing. The Traje Suite where we stayed was rather a Junior one but well laid out although the bathroom was tiny. One of the unique feature is the breakfast offering: it is self-service but individually prepared for each room. The ingredients are top quality. The only drawback is that the nearest parking is a 5 minute walk from the property. Other than that a perfect place to stay.
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Date of stay: May 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:No parking on property, the nearest one is a 5 minute walk.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dona Emilia has its special flavor. It is clean, the rooms are spacious and the employees are very courteous. They make you feel like royalty. The art-deco touch makes it more special and if you’re lucky, you’ll have a room facing the plaza and the fountain in Viana. Lively, musical and magical.
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Date of stay: September 2023Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I'll just add my name to the people who think this is a wonderful spot to stay. Totally unique and well organized. It was very different experience. Not a hotel or b and b, each room has a very well stocked ,very large drawer of food replenished every day. You cook, or choose not to, using their meat, cheeses, bread etc that is supplied every day. The idea is that you can be on your own schedule Anyway, stay here. You won't be disappointed
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Date of stay: February 2020
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip:I would recommend on of the ensuite rooms, but I think they are all fine
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Amazing b&b with attentive hosts in a great location . If you want a hidden gem then this is the place where your made to feel at home.
The vibe is relaxed and the kitchen is great to cook good and relax
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Date of stay: April 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled on business
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Genuinely fabulous guesthouse, right in the heart of this beautiful medieval town. Stunning building with soaring ceilings and everything any guest could ever need - and more! Sofia (the co-owner) could not have been more helpful and welcoming. Our favourite place in North Portugal so far. Thoroughly recommend..
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Date of stay: March 2023Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stayed here completely by random and what a surprise. One of the best places I’ve stayed in a while. The owner is as friendly and nice as they come. The decor of the place is amazing, the views from common area as well. Next time I’m in Viana I’m staying here for sure.
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Date of stay: June 2022Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dona Emilia ia a beautiful guesthouse, at a perfect location in the heart of Viana do Castelo's historical center. Waking up in the morning to clean blue sky, watching the activities at the square, it is a bit difficult to leave to explore as you'd love enjoying this beautiful building, just by relaxing in the living room. Nuno and Rute are warm, very friendly and attentive hosts who make staying at Dona Emilia a beautiful experience for their guests. I really love staying in this place.
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Date of stay: May 2017Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
You feel at home from the very first moment. This beautiful boutique guest house is the place to stay in Viana do Castelo. Excellent renovated with an exquisite interior design. Rute and Nuno are amazing hosts. Ask for the room with the small balcony overseeing the center and the mountains. Highly recommended! Wanna come back. Thank you so much.
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Date of stay: September 2016Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
There are more places to choose from in the Viana do Castelo area.
PRICE RANGE
AU$119 - AU$141 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
PortugalNorthern PortugalViana do Castelo DistrictViana do Castelo
NUMBER OF ROOMS
6
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect total costs of the stay, including all taxes and fees known to our partners. Please see our partners for more details.
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