APDL, Viana do Castelo City Council and Viana Rio have unveiled a €3.5 million (approximately $4 million USD) project to expand and upgrade the city’s recreational marina facilities and build a new leisure and sports centre on the waterfront, with work planned from 2026-2029.

Located on the River Lima beside the Eiffel Bridge, the marina welcomes hundreds of visiting vessels each year, mainly from France, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Germany. It has around 300 berths across its upstream and downstream docks for vessels up to 20 metres long.

The plans include expanding capacity, refurbishing pontoons, walkways and technical networks, upgrading the marina reception building, restoring the marina’s movable bridge and redeveloping the former commercial dock, where the Gil Eannes museum ship is berthed. New parking areas for vehicles and boats, electric charging points and security systems are also planned.

Alongside the marina works, the partners plan to build a leisure and sports centre next to the bridge that will include indoor padel and pickleball courts, a gymnasium, changing rooms and support facilities.

Tiago Mendes, a Viana Rio investor, described it as “a revolutionary project for the Viana Marinas.” He said: “We want to create a space where sailing truly coexists with the city, and to build a marina that will be a benchmark both nationally and internationally.”

João Neves, chairman of APDL’s board of directors, said the recreational docks had been awarded under a 30-year concession, with most of the investment expected during the first three years.

Images courtesy of Viana do Castelo City Council.