Vila Nova de Famalicão

Vila Nova de Famalicão is a city of 134,000 people (2011) in Minho.

Understand


Vila Nova de Famalicão (VEE-luh NAW-vuh d(ih) fuh-muh-lee-KUHNOO, /ˈvi.ɫɐ ˈnɔ.vɐ dɨ fɐ.mɐ.ɫi.ˈkɐ̃w/), popularly known as Famalicão, is southeast of Braga. The economy of the municipality is mainly based on textile, automotive, metal-mechanic and agrofood industries, hosting the headquarters of some large companies, such as Continental Mabor, Leica, Riopele, Vieira de Castro, and Primor. The city is a junction by road and railway between the northern cities and is not far from the Porto airport.

It is the death place of writer Camilo Castelo Branco. Its historical heritage includes examples of Romanesque art such as the Santiago de Antas church.



By plane
The easiest way to go to Famalicão by plane is to fly to Porto international airport.

Once you get to Porto Airport, you can catch the following transports to Famalicão:


 * Train/Metro Catch the Metro to Campanhã Station or São Bento Station and then get a train to Famalicão. Duration: 1 hr 40 min. Price (approx.): €5 Metro Train
 * Táxi The táxis are located on the arrivals floor at Porto Airport. Duration: 30 min Price (approx.): €45

By train
Travel times between Famalicão and other major cities:


 * Porto - 40 minutes by Suburban trains
 * Braga - 15-30 minutes by Suburban trains
 * Coimbra - 1 hr 25 min by Alfa Pendular or Intercidades
 * Lisbon - 3 hr 30 min by Alfa Pendular
 * Guimaraes - 20-40 min by bus or 1 hr 20 min to 2 hr by changing trains in Lousado
 * Viana do Castelo - 1 hr 40 min to 2 hr 20 min by either direct bus or by changing trains in Nine



By car
You have a lot of highways going to Famalicão, from Braga, Guimarães, Porto, Felgueiras, Chaves, and others. If you are coming from the south of Portugal there is no difficulty at all. The Portuguese highways are all very well connected, and you only have to go straight to Porto, and then in Porto you catch A3 (Highway 3) which goes to Famalicão. It's quite easy.

By bus
Rede Expressos, a network of long-distance bus services, includes a number of direct and indirect lines to Famalicão from practically every city in Portugal. The buses are slightly slower but often not much cheaper than train tickets, especially when bought in advance, and are a much better option only when a direct rail connection is not available.

See

 * Bernardino Machado Museum (Vila Nova de Famalicão)
 * Cupertino de Miranda Foundation
 * National Railway Museum - Lousado
 * Textile Industry Museum
 * Castro Alves Foundation
 * Automobile Museum
 * Colonial War Museum
 * Soledad Malvar House-Museum
 * Museum of Sacred Art of the Chapel of Lapa
 * Museum of the Confraternity of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Lemenhe
 * Museum of Sacred Art of the Church of S. Tiago das Antas
 * Museum of Sacred Art of the Church of S. Tiago das Antas

Do

 * Football: FC Famalicão play soccer in Primeira Liga, Portugal's top tier. Their home ground is Estádio Municipal 22 de Junho (capacity 5300) just south of town centre.