Ponte Eiffel

An iron bridge from 1878 that still does its job every day, with trains below and people above.

Opened: 1878
Length: About 645 m
Two decks: Trains below, road above
Built by: Gustave Eiffel's company

Place to see

When it opened in 1878, the bridge over the Rio Lima was a marvel of modern engineering. It was built by the company of Gustave Eiffel, ten years before his famous tower, and at almost 650 metres it is one of the longest of its kind in Portugal.

The bridge has two levels: trains on the Minho line run on the lower deck, while cars, cyclists and pedestrians use the upper one. Walking across gives you the town, the marina and the basilica on its hill in one wide picture.

Don't miss

1The walk across the upper deck, with the whole town in view
2A train rumbling underneath while you stand above it
3The bridge at golden hour, from the riverside gardens
4The view of the bridge from the top of Santa Luzia

Through the years

1878
The bridge opens and links Viana to the south bank of the Lima by train and by road for the first time.
1889
Eleven years later, Eiffel's company finishes its famous tower in Paris.
Today
Trains on the Minho line still rumble across the lower deck, while walkers and cyclists use the top.

Good to know

Free to cross, day and night.
The pavements on the upper deck are narrow: keep to one side and let cyclists pass.
Walk back to the centre through the riverside gardens for the best views of the bridge.

Photos

Photos by visitors and local photographers, shared under a free licence.

On the map

Where it is, among the other highlights of Viana. Tap a pin to jump there.

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