The International Douro Natural Park It is a protected natural area that extends from Miranda do douro until Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo, east of the district of Braganza and northeast of the district of Guard, Portugal.
Understand
Context
Landscape
Flora and fauna
The diversity and varied ecological conditions of the territory integrated into the park, makes possible the expansion and stabilization of a rich and diverse vegetation cover.
Weather
The region's climate is Mediterranean-subcontinental, with marked temperature ranges, with cold winters but very hot and dry seasons.
The existence of the Miranda do Douro and Figueira de Castelo Afonso plateaus at altitudes of 700 to 800 meters, cold and windy, contrasts with the narrowly excavated valley of the Duero River and its tributaries, more thermal and sheltered.
To get
By plane
There are 2 daily flights from Monday to Friday from Lisbon and from Vila Real to the Bragança aerodrome (tel: 273381323; [[1]]), made by the company Aerocondor [1] . From Bragança there are 80 km to Miranda do Douro and 85 km to Mogadouro.
By car
- From Lisbon to Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo: follow the A1, A23, A25 or IP5, EN 324, EN 340, EN 332 and EN 221.
- From Porto: take the A4, then the IP4, to Mirandela.
- Towards Miranda do Douro: follow IP4, EN 317 and EN 218.
- To Mogadouro: take the IP4 to Macedo de Cavaleiros, then take the EN 216.
- For Espinho da Espada à Cinta: follow the EN 213, EN 215, IP2 or EN102, EN 325, EN 220 and EN 221 standards.
- To Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo: follow the EN 213, EN 215, IP2 or EN102, EN 222 and EN 332 standards.
- From Faro: Take IP1 or A22 and then A2 to Lisbon (see above).
By train / train
Several lines run through the park. The most famous is the Tua Line, but there is more. For more information, see the Comboios de Portugal website [2] .
- From Mirandela, following the Tua line, there are 75 km to Mogadouro and 115 km to Miranda do Douro.
- Following the Duero line, from Pocinho, there are 77 km to Mogadouro, 60 km to Freixo de Espada à Cinta, 41 km to Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo.
- From Guarda, on the Beira Alta line, it is 54 km to Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo.
- On the Beira Alta Line, from Vilar Formoso, it is 34 km to Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo.
By bus / coach
- Saints (tel.: 279 652188) [3] - Buses from Gare do Oriente (Av. João II, Lisbon; tel.: 218956890) and from Campo 24 de Agosto (Porto; tel.: 225104915) to Miranda do Douro (tel.: 273432667), Mogadouro (tel .: 279342537) and Freixo de Espada à Cinta. There are also buses from Bragança (tel .: 273326552), Mirandela (tel .: 278265471), Celorico da Beira (271741241) and Pocinho to these places.
- RodoNorte[4] - There are trips from Porto (Travessa Passos Manuel) to Miranda do Douro and Mogadouro, passing through Mirandela.
- Rede Expressos[5] - Trips from Lisbon (Sete Rios) to Mogadouro and Miranda do Douro, passing through Celorico da Beira and Pocinho.
- Lopes (tel .: 271312112) - There are daily trips between Pocinho and Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo.
Populations
- Sword to Ribbon Freixo
- Miranda do douro
- Mogadouro
- Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo
Travel
- Several roads run through the park, making it easy to get around by car.
Walking
The park is also crossed by several land routes, which are a beautiful way to visit the park [6] :
- Fia d'Água Alta waterfall[7] - Walk of about 800 meters. Having this waterfall as its main point of interest, it allows us to appreciate the unique landscape of the Duero.
- Almofala - S to. André das Arribas[8] - With about 8 km, it highlights the historical heritage of the region, and the steep valley of the Águeda river.
- Ribeira do Mosteiro - Calçada de Alpajares [9] - It allows a different perspective of the park's cliffs, as well as its archaeological heritage, its fauna and flora. They are about 8 km.
- Miranda do Douro - S. João das Arribas[10] - From the beautiful city of Miranda do Douro, to the Douro cliffs, showing the life of the local people. Approximately 19 km.
By bus / coach
- The company Saints (tel.: 279 652188; [11] ) carries out daily circuits between the towns of the municipalities of Miranda do Douro, Mogadouro and Freixo de Espada à Cinta.
- The company Lopes (tel .: 271 312 112) carries out daily circuits between the different towns of Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo.
Boat
It is one of the most beautiful ways to see the park, and several companies carry out cruises in the Duero:
Watch
- Alto Douro Wine Region : It is the oldest demarcated region in the world, very close to the park and also declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. It is one of the most beautiful sections of the park, where one of the most famous wines in the world, Port wine, is produced on terraces on the banks of the river. The various wineries (see below) and viewpoints (see below), open to tourism, are worth a visit.
- House of Selores - The Casa de Selores was built in the 17th and 18th centuries in a classical style, following the influence of the Baroque. The house consists of three different bodies. The first body has a simple granite façade, with a Renaissance-type balcony, where the columns are already torsos. The second shows an emblazoned door and six frontage windows, all with aprons. The 18th century chapel with a Mannerist portal bearing the coat of arms of the Bishop of Porto, D. Gonçalo de Morais, who had this funerary chapel built for his parents and brother.
- Castelo de Penas Róias - A beautiful Templar castle in the town of Penas Róias, near Mogadouro. Inside the castle you can see the Church of Azinhoso and Mogadouro, in the distance.
- Castelo Rodrigo - A beautiful town, with a beautiful heritage. Among its attractions are the Igreja Matriz de Castelo Rodrigo, the Convent of Santa María de Aguiar and the walls of its castle.
- Sword to Ribbon Freixo : This Portuguese town has some of the most impressive monuments in Trás-os-Montes, such as the Igreja Matriz and the Torre do Galo.
- Miranda do douro - Land famous for the Pauliteiros for its fantastic views over the Douro River and its Mother Church.
- Mogadouro - You must visit this region between February and March, when the almond trees are in bloom covering the fields with a white blanket, and you can admire beautiful views from the Serra da Castanheira or the Penas Róias castle, in the surroundings.
- Moncorvo tower - Located at the confluence of the Sabor and Duero rivers, near the Spanish border. Be sure to see the 16th century Mother Church and the Iron Museum.
Viewpoints
- Penedo-Durão viewpoint - It offers one of the best views of the Duero.
- Ribeira do Mosteiro viewpoint ( Poiares ) - There is a magnificent view. From here you can see the Calçada do Diabo or Alpajares, a pavement of Roman origin, about 800 meters long.
- São Leonardo da Galafura viewpoint , Largo do Jogo - Fonte Nova, Galafura. It offers an excellent view over the Alto Douro wine region (World Heritage Site), with its farms and terraces.
- Senhora do Castelo viewpoint - From here you can see the Duero and the Serra de Reboredo. The Sanctuary is a place of pilgrimage.
Port wine estates
- Quinta de Vargellas - It is located in one of the most beautiful stretches of the Duero, between the towns of Vale-de-Figueira and Ôlas.
- Quinta do Vesúvio , Travessa Barão de Forrester Apartado 26 - Vila Nova de Gaia. It is one of the most famous and spectacular estates in the Douro, with more than 325 hectares and an impressive property.
Do
One of the most beautiful and popular ways to see the river is through cruises. Some of these are through the traditional rabelo boats, which traditionally carried Port wine down the river:
- Cruises on the Douro River:
- Barca D'Ouro Cruises , [16] .
- Douro Azul Cruises , [17] .
- Via D'Ouro Cruises , [18] .
- New steps , [19] . Cruise ships
Activities
The park is crossed by several land routes, which show the park from a different perspective [20] :
- Fia d'Água Alta waterfall[21] - Walk of about 800 meters. Having this waterfall as its main point of interest, it allows us to appreciate the unique landscape of the Duero.
- Almofala - S to. André das Arribas[22] - With about 8 km, it highlights the historical heritage of the region, and the steep valley of the Águeda River.
- Ribeira do Mosteiro - Calçada de Alpajares[23] - It allows a different perspective of the park's cliffs, as well as its archaeological heritage, its fauna and its flora. They are about 8 km.
- Miranda do Douro - S. João das Arribas[24] - From the beautiful city of Miranda do Douro, to the Douro cliffs, showing the life of the local people. Approximately 19 km.
To buy
In the park, the main cities, where you can go shopping, are:
- Miranda do douro - The city does not have a shopping center, not even in the rest of the park, so the last alternative is traditional shopping in the historic center.
- Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo - Among the famous products of the region are Escalhão cookies, the "dead" and "forgotten" cookies from Mata de Lobos. Here too the only option is traditional trade.
- Sword to Ribbon Freixo - The most famous local handicraft products are silk work. The Craft Center ( Largo do Outeiro, 6 ) is a great place to shop for handicrafts, such as quilts, pillows, bedroom sets, and fabrics, all made from silk.
- Mogadouro - Visit the city center.
To eat
Most of the restaurants are located in Miranda do Douro and Castelo Rodrigo. Check out the articles in these communities for more options.
- Hotel Restaurant O Mirandés 2. Telephone: 273 432823. Urbanização do Juncal, Miranda do Douro.
- Cafe Restaurant O Emigrante. Telephone: 279 579490. Bemposta, Mogadouro.
- Residencial O Artur Restaurant. Telephone: 279 939 184. Carviçais, Torre de Moncorvo.
- Artur , Rebentão - Carviçais, tel. 279 098 000. The house specialty is steak. Monday closed for dinner.
- Estoril , Rua da República, 61 - Mogadouro, tel. 279 342 793. Located in the historic center of the city of Mogadouro, its dishes include drunk malandro rice, oven-roasted kid, among others. Open every day.
- Or Lagar , Rua do Hospital Velho, 16 - Torre de Moncorvo. It is located next to the church, in an old oil mill. It stands out for the Douro wine and the almond desserts. Sunday dinner closed.
- To Lareira , Avenida de Nossa Senhora do Caminho, 58 - Mogadouro, tel. 279 342 363. Known for serving Mogadouro and its game dishes. Closed Monday.
Drink and go out
Sleep
Lodging
See the articles by Miranda do Douro and Castelo Rodrigo for more options.
Bemposta (Mogadouro)
- Pension / António José Fernandes - tel. 279579364 Bemposta Mogadouro
- Gomes Residential - tel. 279579106 Bemposta Mogadouro
- Cruzeiro Residential / Barreiros - tel. 279579126 Bemposta Mogadouro
- Residencial Sol e Mar / Largo do Santo Cristo - tel. 279 579134 Bemposta Mogadouro
Camping
- Municipal campsite of Santa Luzia ( Rua do Parque de Camping, Miranda do Douro; tel.: 273 431 273 ) - Located in the center of the city, with access to the main monuments of Miranda do Douro: the Cathedral, the Castle, the Ruins of the Episcopal Palace, and others.
In the countryside
- Solar dos Marcos Rural Tourism ( Rua de Santa Cruz, Mogadouro; tel .: 279 570 010; [[2]] ) [25] - It is located in a 19th century manor house. XVIII, which will have belonged to D. Manuel Martins Manso, Bishop of Guarda.
- Casa da Cisterna - Rural Tourism ( Rua da Cadeia, 7, Castelo Rodrigo; tel .: 273 313 515 ) [26] - Located in the beautiful fortified town of Castelo Rodrigo, it is housed in a traditional house. All rooms are named after birds (pisco, chickadee, etc.). It has a swimming pool and an interior garden. The hotel also organizes routes for pedestrians, bicycles and donkeys through historic villages.
- Douro International Houses ( Praia Fluvial da Congida, near Freixo de Espada à Cinta; tel.: 279 653 018 ) - Ten bungalows on a hillside with a beautiful view of the Fluvial de Congida Beach, in the heart of the park. The bungalows have a kitchen, TV and air conditioning. The swimming pool, the bars, the river dock (for boat trips) and of course the river beach are also available.
- Casa das Quintas - Rural Tourism ( Quinta das Quebradas; tel .: 279 599 435 ) [27] - Located in a typical house in Trás-os-Montes, it has a swimming pool and offers bicycles.
- House of Santa Cruz - Habitação Tourism ( Rua Cimo do Lugar, 1, Felgar; tel .: 279 928 060 ) [28] - Located in the center of town, in an old house, adapted for rural tourism. It has a pool and serves regional food.
Security
Surroundings
Moderate prices
- 1 Restaurant Os Elvenses, Rua de Evora, ☎ [023]. modification
Average prices
- 2 Adega Regional, Rua de Joao Casqueiro, 22, ☎ [[3]]. Tue-Sun 11: 00-24: 00. modification
- 3 Restaurant A Coluna, R. do Cabrito 10B, ☎ [[4]]. Mon-Sun 12: 00-22: 00. Modification
- 4 Restaurant Market, Rua da Feira, 4, ☎ [[5]]. modification
- 5 Tasquinha Alentejana, Avenida 14 de Janeiro, 1, ☎ [[6]]. modification
- 6 Oh Lagar, Rua Nova da Vedoria 7, ☎ [[7]]. modification
- 7 Acontece Bar Restaurant, Av. From García da Orta 8, ☎ [[8]]