VCI
Published 8 November 2026, 22:47
VCI — Via de Cintura Interna (Porto's inner ring road)
The inner ring road around Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia. It has no number of its own: it is made up of sections of the A1/IC1, A20/IC23, A28/IC1 and A44/IC23 motorways and carries some of the heaviest traffic in the country. Since 15 September 2026, on weekdays from 7:00 to 21:00, it has been closed to goods vehicles over 3,500 kg with three or more axles and a height of 1.1 metres or more at the first axle; for loading and unloading in Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia, permission must be obtained in advance through the câmaras' platform.
Where you come across it. Driving around Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia, bypassing the city, the satnav sending you “round the ring”.
There are two ring roads around Porto, and they are easy to mix up: the inner one is the VCI, the outer one is the CREP (A41/IC24). The ban on goods vehicles applies to the inner one, while on the outer one they can pass freely.
Official website: infraestruturasdeportugal.pt