The old town, a relative term, has narrow streets and alleys and cathedral within its area is also the old hospital (now the tourist office). It still retains its Jewish quarter whose original inhabitants were fleeing from persecution in Aragon, Spain.

When the merchants became wealthy from the trade with Brazil and other colonies, they were able to build many fine houses in and around the town. Also favoured was further up the river valley where is situated Ponte de Lima. Attached to the Misericordia is a seventeenth century church with fine tiles decorated with pictures from the Old Testament.

The square also contains a fountain constructed in 1553 and the sixteenth century Old Town Hall. Many of the fine houses built by the merchants have been preserved but now have different uses.

When the port silted up about 150 years age the trade moved to Vila Nova de Gaia on the opposite side of the Douro river to Porto. Now it is illegal to call wine from any area other than from Vila Nova de Guia and the Douro growing region, Port Wine!

The wine of the region is called Vinho Verde (literal translation 'green wine') which comes in either red or white varieties. Green in this case probably refers to a young wine. The wine is naturally slightly sparkling and goes especially well with the fish caught from this port.

Viana has traditionally been linked to trading by sea. There is a very busy modern shipyard but there are still smaller boat builders building wooden fishing boats on the beach or under cover.

During the third week of August, Viana is home to one of the world's major 'festas' in honour of Nossa Senhora de Agonia. There are three days of processions, dancing, bullfights etc. finishing with a spectacular fireworks display. In the fishing quarter the streets are decorated with flowers over which the statue of the Madonna is carried.