Viseu International Guitar Competition

Viseu, Portugal · Classical guitar competition

Viseu International Guitar Competition takes place in Viseu, Portugal. It is held every two years, usually in March.

Location
Viseu, Portugal
Type
Competition
Most recent edition
27 March 2026 – 11 April 2026
Next edition
Held every two years — dates to be announced
Frequency
Biennial
Eligibility / age
Open Category: guitarists of all nationalities, born on or after March 27, 1990. Junior Category: guitarists up to 18 years of age, of all nationalities, born on or after April 6, 2007.
Entry fee
Open Category: 120€ (100€ with early-registration discount by March 1, 2026). Junior Category: 100€ (90€ with early-registration discount by March 10, 2026).
Prizes
  • Open Category: 1st prize 7,000€ + Cleyton Fernandes Concert Guitar, Exclusive Series (value 7,000€) + Concert at the J. K. Mertz International Guitar Festival – Bratislava (2027) + Concert at the Viseu International Music of Spring Festival (2027) + Concert at the Seville Guitar Festival + Concert at the Fundão International Guitar Festival (2027) + Le Support® Pro + Knobloch Strings
  • 2nd prize 3,000€ + Le Support® Pro + Knobloch Strings
  • 3rd prize 2,000€ + Le Support® Pro + Knobloch Strings. Junior Category: 1st prize 1,500€ + Le Support® Pro + Knobloch Strings
  • 2nd prize 1,000€ + Knobloch Strings
  • 3rd prize 500€ + Knobloch Strings.
Special prizes
  • Best Portuguese Competitor 500€
  • Audience Prize 500€
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Repertoire requirements

Open Category: Pre-selection: A free program with an approximate duration of 15 minutes (recorded), including one étude by Heitor Villa-Lobos. First Round: A free program with an approximate duration of 15 minutes, including the same Villa-Lobos étude performed in the pre-selection. Second Round: A free program with an approximate duration of 20 minutes. Repetition of works performed in the pre-selection or first round is not permitted. Final Round: A program with an approximate duration of 20 minutes including one or more works by the following composers: J. S. Bach, D. Scarlatti, S. L. Weiss, C. Seixas, J. K. Mertz, Francisco Tárrega, Agustín Barrios, Antonio Lauro, Joaquín Rodrigo, Roland Dyens, Carlo Domeniconi, Leo Brouwer, and Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco. A maximum of 10 minutes of repertoire previously performed in earlier rounds may be repeated. Junior Category: First Round: A free program with an approximate duration of 12 minutes, including one étude. Final Round: A free program with an approximate duration of 15 minutes. Repetition of works is not permitted.

Official website

https://musicadaprimavera.pt/

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Visiting? A guitarist's guide to Viseu

Viseu, a charming hilltop city in central Portugal, hosts the biennial Viseu International Guitar Competition. Situated amidst the renowned Dão wine region and framed by the Serra da Estrela and Serra do Caramulo mountains, this regional center for agriculture and education offers a blend of historic charm and natural beauty, making it an inviting destination for classical guitar enthusiasts.

Getting there

Viseu, uniquely among major Iberian cities, has no train station; the closest railway stations are in Nelas or Mangualde. The nearest international airport is Porto (OPO), about 1 hour and 45 minutes away by car. From Porto, you will need to rent a car or take a coach. Rede/Expressos operates frequent long distance coach services to Viseu from other major cities. The city boasts excellent motorway links, with the A25 (east/west) and A24/IP3 (north/south) motorways intersecting nearby, making arrival by car straightforward.

Compare trains, buses & flights to Viseu on Omio →

Portugal runs on Type F sockets, standard across most of Europe, so you will only need a travel adapter if you are coming from the UK, Ireland, or beyond Europe.

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Where to stay

The city's well-kept Centro Historico, with its cobbled streets, hidden alleys, and historic mansions, offers a picturesque base for your stay. You can easily explore this old town on foot, with many attractions, restaurants, and cafes within walking distance. Consider accommodations near the Adro da Sé for proximity to the cathedral and museum, or the lower city for access to modern facilities and the funicular connecting to the upper town. Viseu also offers a youth hostel and other modern amenities for visitors.

What you'll hear

The Viseu International Guitar Competition is a biennial event that attracts talented guitarists from around the world. Competitors vie for its top prizes. For specific repertoire requirements and the full competition schedule, check the official website at musicadaprimavera.pt.

While Viseu does not have a specific classical guitar composer pilgrimage site, the city's rich historical and cultural tapestry provides a refined backdrop for the competition. Its status as a regional center for education and arts, combined with the serene beauty of the Dão wine region, fosters an atmosphere conducive to appreciating the intricate artistry of classical guitar. The historic architecture and scenic surroundings invite a deeper engagement with Portuguese culture, enhancing the overall experience of attending the festival.

The local table

Viseu is in the heart of the Dão wine region, so sampling the local Dão wines is a must. The region is also known for Serra da Estrela cheese, a creamy sheep's milk cheese, which is a local delicacy. The city's numerous restaurants and 'cervejarias' offer a chance to enjoy traditional Portuguese cuisine, featuring fresh, seasonal ingredients and hearty dishes.

Fancy a guided taste? Food and wine tours in Viseu →

While you're there

Explore Viseu's charming Centro Historico on foot, wandering through cobbled streets and discovering Renaissance and Baroque mansions. The crowning glory is the Romanesque and Gothic Sé de Viseu (Cathedral) on the Adro da Sé, an impressive square that also hosts the striking Misericordia Church and the Grão Vasco National Museum, showcasing works by the celebrated Portuguese Renaissance painter Vasco Fernandes. Other notable sites include the Cava de Viriato, remains of a large Lusitanian-Roman camp, and the Fontelo Park with its modern sports facilities and the Solar do Vinho do Dão, the Dão wine institute. The city also offers modern amenities like The Forum shopping center and a newly constructed riverside walkway along the Rio Pavia. For a short trip, consider visiting the Dão wine region's vineyards, easily accessible from Viseu, or exploring the surrounding mountain ranges of Serra da Estrela and Serra do Caramulo for scenic drives and views.

Tours, tickets and day trips in Viseu →

Need a place to stay?

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This map centers on Viseu in general, so the venue may be elsewhere in town. Check the competition's official website before booking.

Also in March: Appalachian GuitarFest and Competition · Concorso Emilio Pujol · Concorso Fernando Sor · Concours International de Guitare d'Antony · Concours International Roland Dyens · Guitar Art Festival Belgrade

Listing data is compiled from official sources and can change each edition. Always confirm dates, deadlines and requirements on the organizer's official website before applying or booking travel. Spotted an error? See our terms or let us know via the About page.

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