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3 cities
State · Washington e o Meio-Atlântico
Virgínia
In Virginia the country's colonial history began: Arlington and Alexandria adjacent to Washington, Monticello in Charlottesville, the Blue Ridge Mountains and Williamsburg.
In the photo: Stony Man, Shenandoah
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
The state
Get to know Virgínia
Virginia is on the East Coast, south of Washington, between the Chesapeake Bay and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Jamestown, founded in 1607, was the first permanent English settlement in North America, and the state produced eight presidents, including George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. The capital is Richmond.
Adjacent to the nation's capital, Arlington has the National Cemetery, with John F. Kennedy’s grave and the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Downriver, Alexandria preserves brick streets and 18th-century houses along the harbor in Old Town; farther south is Mount Vernon, the home of George Washington.
Charlottesville, at the foot of the mountains, is home to Monticello, the house Thomas Jefferson designed for himself, and the University of Virginia, also designed by him; both are a UNESCO World Heritage site. Surrounding the town are vineyards on the slopes.
To the west, Shenandoah National Park follows the ridge of the Blue Ridge Mountains via Skyline Drive, with overlooks and trails that turn colorful in autumn. In the southeast, Williamsburg recreates the colonial capital, near Jamestown and Yorktown, and Virginia Beach has an Atlantic shore. On the table, Virginia’s cured ham and peanuts.
Destinations
1 destination in Virgínia
Cities
3 cities in Virgínia in the guide
Virgínia
Alexandria
Alexandria has an old town linked to the Potomac port, with brick streets and houses from the 18th and 19th centuries. Old Town Alexandria centers the stroll along King Street and the waterfront; the pace differs from Washington’s major museum circuit.
Virgínia
Arlington
Arlington sits on the Virginia bank of the Potomac River, opposite Washington. Arlington National Cemetery occupies the hill between the city and the river, with tree‑lined avenues, memorials and graves that require a longer on‑foot visit than it might appear.
Virgínia
Charlottesville
Charlottesville links the architecture of the University of Virginia with the historic Monticello estate in the nearby hills. The Rotunda and the Lawn are visited within the university complex, while Monticello requires a separate trip and a reservation for interior spaces.
When to go
Spring (April and May) and fall (September through November) are usually the best times; in October the leaves change color in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Summer is typically hot and humid, good for Virginia Beach. Winter, from December through February, is usually cold, with snow in the mountains.
Getting there
Northern Virginia is served by Washington’s airports: Dulles (IAD), which is located in Virginia, and Reagan National (DCA), in Arlington. Connections with Brazil may be direct or with a stopover depending on season and airline. Check before you buy. Washington’s metro reaches Arlington and Alexandria. Charlottesville has a regional airport (CHO) and an Amtrak station, and by car is about two and a half hours from the capital. Richmond (RIC) and Norfolk (ORF) serve the central and coastal areas.
Your questions
Frequently asked questions about Virgínia
How to get from Washington to Arlington and Alexandria?
Both are on the other side of the Potomac and are reached by metro: Arlington Cemetery station on the Blue Line stops at the cemetery, and King St–Old Town leaves you near Alexandria’s historic center. There is also a bike path along the river, the Mount Vernon Trail.
Is Charlottesville worth visiting?
For history lovers, yes. Monticello and the original core of the University of Virginia are a UNESCO World Heritage site and can be visited in one day. The visit to Jefferson’s house is guided and timed: buy tickets in advance.
What is the Skyline Drive?
It is the roughly 170 km road that runs along the ridge of the Blue Ridge Mountains inside Shenandoah National Park, with dozens of overlooks. Park entry is paid separately, and sections may close in winter due to ice or snow.
How long does it take from Washington to Williamsburg?
By car, about two and a half hours, depending on traffic. Williamsburg, Jamestown and Yorktown form the so-called Historic Triangle and are typically visited together in one or two days.