VILA NOVA DE FOZ CÔA GUIDE

THE ONLY MUNICIPALITY IN PORTUGAL TO BE AWARDED TWO UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES: THE HIGH DOURO WINE REGION AND THE PREHISTORIC ROCK DRAWINGS.

Vila Nova de Foz Côa, the Blossoming Almond Tree capital, right in the middle of High Douro, it’s a hymn to the symbiosis between the persistent strength of the human being and “nature’s excess”. It’s a stopover for all travellers that really want to see, feel and peacefully admire the geometry of its stepped terraces or the undulating lines of beautiful panoramic viewpoints that punctuate the hilltops of this municipality. Autumn visitors get flabbergasted by the amazing scenery displayed by the vineyards, when a multicoloured carpet covers the ground in green, yellow, brown and reddish tones.

This prized natural scenery is complemented by a man-made architecture, associated with the cultivation of Port and Douro wines and its related activities, namely the wine-producing farms and the wine-tourism facilities and events. This municipality houses some of the most beautiful and representative examples of this secular and modern architecture: the Côa Museum, Pocinho’s Rowing and Canoeing High Performance Centre, and the soon-to-be-open Foz Côa Story House. This location, now famous for its millennium-old, pre-historic rock carvings, is also land of olive and almond trees, a local produce of superior quality, that has merited credit to the region; the blossoming of the almond trees in early Spring attracts thousands of visitors to Côa, for a view of the beautiful white and pink earth-mantle.

Museu do Côa

Côa Museum

Rota das Amendoeiras

To discover Vila Nova de Foz Côa gastronomy is to embark on a trip of tradition and flavours. A land of mountains and rivers, the main staples produced here are those common to a Mediterranean-type diet.  Be adventurous and try some of the more elaborate tastes, such as freshwater fish, goat and game meat (hare, rabbit or partridge) or several other gourmet dishes, prepared and enriched with the unique taste and aroma of the locally produced olive oil; or try a different side dish, such as asparagus, pilonga mushrooms, chards or purslanes, among several. Finish with a selection of summer fruits: honey figs, melon, oranges from Mós, peaches from Sebadelhe, and naturally, grapes. Evidently that fine Port wines – the region’s identity trademark – will always be present. As traditional confectionery goes, the highlights are the “doces económicos” (‘cheap sweets’) and the almond pastries from Mós, Foz Côa’s “súplicas” or the “egg lampreys” from Freixo de Numão.

Select a cruise aboard the Douro riverboat “Embarcação Senhora da Veiga”, a replica of the traditional rabelo boats, that transported the Port wine casks from the High Douro to the cellars at Vila Nova de Gaia, by Porto. The river cruises between Régua and Barca d’Alva carry tourists through the Upper Douro, a very distinctive area, recognized worldwide.  The local gastronomy is also unique, proposing dishes like “fish and bread broth, miller’s style” and “freshwater fishes in onion and garlic sauce, with a mixed salad”, always served along with Foz Côa produced wines.  Or you may prefer to contemplate the rivers Douro and Côa as you walk along one of the four treks, part of the municipality’s Walking Paths Network, the Caminhos Douro (Douro Trails).

Besides the natural, the built-up and the gastronomic enticements, several of the town regular events also attract Portugal’s attention; such is the case with the Blossoming Almond Tree Festival in February, the World Heritage Sites Celebration in March, Portugal’s oldest Poetry Festival in April, the acclaimed High Douro Wine Festival that takes place at the end of May, the energetic Côa Summer Fest in August and the irreverent Cinecôa – Foz Côa International Film Festival in October.

Festa da Amendoeira em Flor

Blossoming Almond Tree Festival

VISIT

Contemplate humankind’s oldest graphic memory of Palaeolithic art, travel 25,000 years back in time and visit the world’s largest outdoors’ concentration of pre-historic carvings from the palaeolithic era. Price: 7€, 4€ (seniors and 13-17), 3€ (4-12), free (<4 and Sunday and H... READ MORE
Go back to the pre-historic times (Chalcolithic and Bronze Age) when this Portuguese National Monument was initiated.  The Castle is backed up by a vast walled-in perimeter, which included the romantic-era church of St. Maria, a cistern, St. Peter’s pre-romantic chapel and a necropolis wit... READ MORE
The Mother Church, located at the town’s centre, is a Portuguese National Monument. Its... READ MORE
At Freixo de Numão, visit the Casa Grande Museum, a beautiful Manor in 18th-century bar... READ MORE
A reference in high competition, its purpose is to support the training of nautical sport... READ MORE

DO

Vibrate with the magnificent Blossoming Almond Tree Festival, with Portugal’s oldest Poetry Festival, the acclaimed High Douro Wine Festival, the energetic Côa Summer Fest and the irreverent Cinecôa – Foz Côa International Film Festival. ... READ MORE
A symbol of Douro’s history, it’s a replica of a rabelo boat, used to transport the casks of fine wine from the High Douro to the cellars in Gaia. The sailing brings about a mix of sensory feelings, as one gets to travel the Douro river, while enjoying the wines and gastronomy of the High Do... READ MORE
There are several wine-producing farms that explore in parallel a variety of wine-tourism... READ MORE
Follow the Douro and the Côa through four different circuits. An opportunity to enjoy th... READ MORE
There are multiple activities that can be experienced intensively, always in full commun... READ MORE

EAT

It started as a small tavern serving fried fish, fished straight out of the river ; it was such a success, that it became a reference in the region. Along with the fried fish, it brings other specialties to the table, such as the grilled posta (roast beef) and cabidela rice. In the foreground, t... READ MORE
At the museum’s restaurant, the display goes for the rich regional gastronomy, served along with a wine selection from the High Douro. Surrounded by the Douro and Côa scenery, it serves a selection of smokehouse and cheese boards, as well as local dishes such as the posta (roast beef) and the... READ MORE
The menu is creative and cosmopolitan, and all the produce and goods used are locally gro... READ MORE
Tapas, wines and appetizers are served at this typical Portuguese tavern. A selection of ... READ MORE
Near Pocinho’s railway station, one finds Taberna da Julinha, an establishment that on... READ MORE

SLEEP

Located on the High Douro, next to the Quinta do Vallado vineyards, a boutique hotel wit... READ MORE
Five houses in schist located in Murça’s parish, rebuilt as to provide a true experien... READ MORE
Just 10 minutes from the Pre-Historic Art Centre by the Piscos Brook, one will find this... READ MORE

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