In August, Santiago da Barra’s Fort (Forte de Santiago da Barra) in Viana do Castelo will once again be the epicentre of electronic music with the Neopop Festival. The festival, celebrating its 16th edition, returns after having its first sold out edition in 2022. This year, the plan is to sell out again with a stand-out line-up.
The big news this year is the partnership the festival now has with the brand Heineken. From this relationship emerges the Heineken Anti Stage, formerly known as Anti Stage. Its line-up is more focused on the techno and house scene, with an impressive array of emerging talents in the genre. On this stage, emphasis on the selection of international talent blended with big Portuguese names.
Neopop counts with an impressive scenery, surrounded by the historical walls of the fort. The festival has been making a name for itself, going for an underrated gem in the Portuguese summer festivals calendar to one of the most expected weekends for festival-goers. This year, the party is on and you won’t want to miss this celebration.
Halfway between Porto and Spain, Viana do Castelo is a city with a History heavily connected with the sea, first during the times of maritime expansion and more recently with its relationship with fishing, especially of cod.
Viana has also been considered an "Architecture Mecca", due to the many buildings and facilities created by big names of Portuguese architecture. Praça da Liberdade by Fernando Távora, the Library by Álvaro Siza Vieira, the Youth Inn by Carrilho da Graça, Hotel Axis by Jorge Albuquerque or Viana do Castelo’s Cultural Centre by Souto Moura, amongst many others.
√ Go up the Santa Luzia hill to enjoy the view over the city
√ While there, visit the Basilica located on the hill
√ Extend the visit for a few more days after the festival to attend the Our Lady of Agony Festivities (Festas da Senhora da Agonia)
√ Learn the history of the gold filigree on the Costume Museum (Museu do Traje), the Municipal Museum or the Gil Eanes ship
√ Walk the sea or river front cycleway or the many marked trails on the outskirts of the city
√ Stroll the Historical Centre all the way to the town square, where the Misericórdia building and the fountain, both from the sixteenth century, and the old City Hall are located
