Section 29 - Porto and the North

Esposende / Caminha

The Section starts from the city of Esposende to the north, always close to the coast. The next city, Viana do Castelo, is about 20 kilometers away.

Viana deserves a long look. It is a city enriched with emblazoned palaces, churches and convents and fountains that constitute a heritage worthy of a visit.

Facing the sea, which made the history of Viana do Castelo, a baroque church holds the image of the Lady of Agonia, a favorite of fishermen. Every year, thousands of people celebrate the “Senhora da Agonia” Pilgrimage, filling the streets and squares of the city with the joy of the “Gigantones & Cabeçudos”.

The Basilica of Santa Luzia, located on Monte de Santa Luzia, with an architectural typology of Romanesque-Byzantine inspiration, is a unique place. From this place you can dominate an important stretch of the Lima Valley and a large part of the seafront, to the north and south of the river estuary, as well as the green mountains. This panorama was, in fact, considered by National Geographic Magazine as the third most beautiful in the world.

Viana is also known for its gold filigree and has known how to maintain its traditions, as can be seen in the Museu do Traje (costumes and gold), the Museum of Decorative Arts or the Gil Eanes ship.

In this city you can also visit the Fishing Port and watch the boats set off for work.

Continuing your journey north, go to Praia de Vila Praia de Âncora, which stretches from the fishing port to the mouth of the Âncora River. You can also visit the Forte da Lagarteira in Portinho or the Dolmen da Barrosa.

Between Vila Praia de Âncora and Caminha you will find Praia de Moledo with an equally long white sand. In Moledo you can see the Forte de Ínsua on a small island 200 meters from the coast. Here there is a drinking water well, notable for being in the middle of the sea, being one of only three in the world.

At the end of the Section we find the city of Caminha. Fortified border town at the mouth of the River Minho, with magnificent beaches, landscapes of rare beauty, mountains and rivers, in a true diversity of landscapes. Along Rio, the Ecopista do Rio Minho begins and continues to Valença. From the historical heritage we can highlight the visit of the Clock Tower, the 17th century Walls, the Fountain and the Main Church. Of the natural heritage, we highlight the Rio Minho Estuary and the Camarido National Forest (protected area).

Points of Interest

Heritage: 21
  • Photo: geocaching.com

  • Photo: castrosdonoroeste.pt

  • Clock Tower
    Crenellated tower belonging to the medieval city walls, classified as a national monument. The tower bestrides one of the old city gates, in the form of a double arch.

  • Torre ameada da antiga cerca medieval de Caminha classificada Monumento Nacional. É atravessada por uma das entradas para o primitivo burgo, por um arco de volta quebrada.

  • The royal coat of arms can be seen above the main entrance and the covered balcony is supported by thick brackets and machicolated, a mediaeval defensive process that was still in use at the end of the 17C, involving the pouring of hot liquid over...

  • Photo: itinerante.pt

  • Photo: pt.wikipedia.org

  • Right next to Forte do Cão, the small and calm Gelfa Beach, while without any lifeguard, is a splendid site for a coastal stroll, particularly with younger members of the family who can also play in the children's park.

    The sands, where the...

  • Fortified Complex of Caminha
    The fortifications consist of curtain walls and ramparts from the 17C: the Baluarte da Matriz, next to the Parish Church; Baluarte de Santo António, next to the Convent of Santo António; the wall of Muralha da...

  • The Casa da Misericórdia, as it was known, is a valuable and original example of seventeenth-century civil architecture, designed by João Lopes, the Younger.

    The façade has two tiers of loggias, supported by sculpted columns, resting on a...

  • The museum is housed in an 18th century palace and displays a unique and vast collection of ceramics from all over the country, dating back to the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries (including examples of the 17th century blue faience and regional pottery...

  • Church from the 15th c. with gothic structure and manueline and renaissance decoration.

  • The construction of this sanctuary dedicated to Santa Luzia and the Sacred Heart of Jesus was begun in 1904 and continued until 1959. Designed by architect Miguel Ventura Terra, who was succeeded by architect Miguel Nogueira after the death of his...

  • Situated close to the sea, the Manueline Torre da Roqueta is clearly visible with its parapet of merlons and projecting balconies, supported by brackets and machicolations. Its structure is typical of fortified military architecture.

  • Viana do Castelo Parish Church
    The two large towers surmounted by chamfered merlons reveal the mediaeval origins of this fortress-church.

    Note also the beautiful doorway on which are sculpted scenes from Christ´s Passion, flanked by...

Nature: 1 Beach: 34 Information: 4 Bike Shops: 9 Accommodation - Campsite: 7 Accommodation - Youth Hostels: 1 Transport - Train: 10 Transport - Boat: 2

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Comments: Section 29

Section 29

Esposende / Caminha: 51

  • Elevation
  • Heritage
  • Nature
  • Beach
  • Information
  • Bike Shops
  • Accommodation - Campsite
  • Accommodation - Youth Hostels
  • Transport - Train
  • Transport - Boat