Caminha is a historic town in northern Portugal.
Set in Portugal's famous green wine district and neighbouring the Atlantic ocean, it really is a hidden jewel of northern Portugal and one you won't want to miss.
Caminha takes its name from the Latin word 'caminus' meaning road (also translated in English as ‘walk’), as the town was once, and still is, an important crossing point for pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela.
Located on the mouth of the Minho river, Caminha is one of the most picturesque towns along this coastline with its medieval streets, traditional houses and unique waterfront access.
The Town
At the heart of Caminha is the town square, the Praça Conselheiro Silva Torres.
Here you will find the clock tower and the square’s main feature, a large fountain which used to supply drinking water for the town. The square is lined with cafes and restaurants, and make it a perfect place to sit and soak up the atmosphere.
The town offers a great selection of restaurants, snack bars and "pastelerias" where you can sample some of the finest cuisines northern Portugal has to offer.
If you're looking for late-night entertainment, you can take a walk down the town’s main walking street, Rua de Reita where you’ll find ample bars to choose from.
Beaches
With the Atlantic ocean on its doorstep, Caminha is home to some of Portugal’s most beautiful beaches.
Such as:
Foz do Minho
Moledo
Vila Praia de Ancora
Vilar de Mouros (River beach)
Nature
Camarido - this beautiful pine forest connects Caminha and neighbouring Moledo and runs parallel to the beach.
Serra D-Arga - is considered one of the most interesting natural spaces in mainland Portugal. Serra D'Arga is home to a high number of species of fauna, flora and high-value natural habitats as well as Garranos, a species of wild horses that inhabit in large numbers in Serra D'Arga.
Cascatas de Pincho - is an area formed by a stunning natural landscape, with several waterfalls and crystalline lagoons.
Hot springs (Ourense, Spain). - In Ourense are several geothermal hot springs that are publicly accessible. Some of them even have free entrance.
Iles de Atlantic - The National Park Illas Atlánticas in Galicia is one of the greatest adventures on the Galician coast. Take a ferry from Vigo to enjoy the unspoilt white sand beaches, crystal clear waters and walking trails.
Events & Festivities
Artbeer festival - Portugal’s premier craft beer festival takes place each July. If you want to visit for this event be sure to book early as accommodation is in high demand for this event.
Medieval festival - Each July Caminha plays home to one of the most impressive and expansive medieval festivals in Portugal.
Vilar de Morous music festival - The first music festival ever to be held in Portugal, takes place in August each year in this beautiful riverside setting. Previous headline acts have included Elton John, Neil Young, U2, Bob Dylan and many more. Shuttle buses run to and from the festival grounds, from Caminha town centre.
Santa Agonia - each August Viana do Costelo hosts one of Portugal’s largest cultural festivals - Festas d’Agonia. A traditional festival dating back to the 1700s.
Corpus Christi - Flower carpets - In June each year the town celebrates this religious festival by lining the streets of the town with beautiful flower carpets.
Markets - Caminha Market (Wednesday), Caminha flea market (3rd Sunday of each month), Vila nova de Cerveira market (Saturday)
Art &
Culture
Bienal - Vila Nova de Cerveira - The Cerveira Biennial Museum presents a collection of around 700 works of national and international contemporary art, representing the majority of the great Portuguese artists and some foreign ones.
Caminha galleries - In Caminha City you can find several Art Galleries. The Caminha Art Gallery is a municipal gallery, of a cultural nature, at the service of the community with the mission of raising awareness, stimulating and contributing to the promotion and cultural and artistic development. It also contributes to increasing knowledge of art through its exhibitions and activities.
Cultural festivals - In Caminha, genuine and popular culture is still manifested in popular festivals and pilgrimages, of which the festivals in honour of Santa Rita de Cássia, Nossa Sra. da Bonança, S. Bento, the Festa das Solhas and the Pilgrimage of S. João D'Arga.
Santa Tecla - Home to the citania of Santa Trega is considered one of the most important examples of Castro-Roman culture in the Northwest of the peninsula. The peaks offer unbeatable views of the mouth of the Miño, Portugal, the Atlantic Ocean and the O Rosal valley.
Sports & Adventure
In the municipality of Caminha, enjoy the sea, the rivers, the mountains and other spaces of varied quality, where it is possible to give "wings" to the imagination and practice the most varied outdoor activities, from the most radical to the most placid.
If you are a fan of water sports, you can choose between surfing, windsurfing, sailing, kitesurfing or bodyboarding. Dive into the waves of the beaches of Foz do Minho, Moledo, Vila Praia de Âncora or Gelfa, which also have excellent therapeutic qualities.
If you prefer more peaceful sensations, opt for sports connected to the river, such as kayaking, canoeing, boating, pedal boating or rowing, a modality that has one of the most prestigious national clubs in Caminha.
If you like to walk, there are several trails to choose from or the ecovias.
BTT, Jeep Tours and Enduro are other modalities in expansion in the valleys and hills of Caminha.
Day/Overnight Trips
Santiago de Compostela - Santiago de Compostela is a very lively city with many other reasons to delight the traveller, whether he is a pilgrim or not: numerous restaurants and bars where you can taste the delicious seafood of Galicia, a historic centre declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, proposals for contemporary art. There are many plans to make in this city that combines its history with a younger and more modern face.
Distance by car: 144 km
Ponte de Lima - is a town on the banks of the River Lima, in Minho, in Viana do Castelo district. It is the oldest village in Portugal. This village and its iconic bridge are located in the heart of the Vinho Verde region, which, together with its lively festivals and popular festivals, has made it famous throughout the country.
Distance by car: 52.7 km
Peneda do Gerês - In the extreme north-east of Portugal, between the Alto Minho and Trás-os-Montes, the Serra da Peneda and Serra do Gerês constitute the only Portuguese protected area that has been classified as a National Park. It is a world apart, where human activity is integrated in a harmonious manner with nature, preserving ancient values and traditions that can be seen in the community villages of Pitões das Júnias and Tourém.
Distance by car: 84.5 km
Valença - Valença is one of those cities in Portugal that has managed to preserve the richness of its architecture very well. Walking inside the stone fortress is like having the feeling of being part of a medieval movie set. If that wasn't enough, the visitor can still admire Portugal and Spain at the same time with a breathtaking panoramic view.
Distance by car: 29.5 km
Porto - Porto is a fascinating and vibrant city that has so much to offer for a holiday or city break destination. The city boasts an extensive history and unique tourist attractions. Porto has a delightful historic centre and is famous for its Porto Wine.
Distance by car: 97.7 km
Viana Do Castelo - Viana do Castelo is one of the most beautiful cities in northern Portugal. Its participation in the Portuguese Discoveries and, later, in cod fishing shows its traditional connection to the sea.
Distance by car: 34.1 km
Vigo & Pontevedra - In the Galician province of Pontevedra, situated on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, lies the city that lends its name to the southernmost estuary of the Rías Baixas: Vigo.
Its fishing origin has left a historic quarter with a strong maritime flavour, which contrasts with the modern facilities of its marinas. This city is an excellent base from which to visit the towns and villages along the Vigo estuary and the Cíes Isles that form part of the National Park of the Atlantic Islands. The cuisine of the Galician coast, based on fish and seafood, is an added incentive for visiting this region.
Distance by car: 65.8 km
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R. Nossa Sra. da Encarnação 384, 4901-609 Caminha, Portugal
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