Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Lamego, Portugal

In the Upper Douro Valley, adorned with vineyards and maize fields, Lamego is a town recognized for its artistic heritage, Baroque architecture, and wine production. Each church or chapel warrants a moment of reflection, as it may conceal a hidden gem such as ornate woodcarving or the final resting place of a significant historical figure.

Should you possess a genuine devotion, the ascent of nearly 700 steps to the Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora dos Remédios will be an achievable goal. Considering Lamego’s location in the trendy Douro Valley, it is expected that wine features prominently on the itinerary, yet you may be surprised by the local sparkling wine, a source of regional pride stored in the town’s cellars.

Let us delve into the best activities to experience in Lamego:

1. Museu de Lamego

Housed in an elegant episcopal palace, the Museu de Lamego boasts a rich collection of paintings, sculptures, artifacts from various periods, ceramics, furniture, and ecclesiastical items.

While many of these works were originally collected by the Bishops of Lamego, the museum has significantly expanded its offerings over its 80 years of operation.

Noteworthy highlights include Renaissance pieces, such as four 16th-century Flemish tapestries depicting the Oedipus myth and five paintings by the Renaissance master Grão Vasco, which once formed a polyptych in Lamego’s cathedral before their removal in the 1700s.

2. Santuário de Nossa Senhora dos Remédios

A dramatic stairway ascends Monte de Santo Estêvão (St Stephen’s Hill) leading to this 18th-century Baroque and Rococo sanctuary.

Religious pilgrims have undertaken this journey since at least the 1300s.

The experience of the climb is as enriching as the destination, consisting of 686 steps distributed across nine landings adorned with tile panels, chapels, fountains, obelisks, and statues.

Along the way, visitors can pause at the nine patios, notably the “Pátio dos Reis,” which showcases images of the 18 kings of Israel.

Upon reaching the summit, one can enter to pay respects to Nossa Senhora dos Remédios (Our Lady of the Remedies) at her magnificent altar.

This elevated terrace also features a chestnut tree exceeding 700 years in age, adorned with ivy.

3. Lamego Cathedral

This national monument dates back to 1129 and has undergone numerous modifications throughout the centuries.

Currently, the only surviving feature from its early days is the square belltower, which exhibits distinctive Romanesque narrow windows beneath semi-circular arches.

The facade showcases Gothic elements, complete with pinnacles and intricate masonry forming the ogival archivolts above the trio of portals.

Entering the cathedral offers a glimpse into another time, as the interior predominantly reflects 18th-century design.

An exception is the cloister, which dates back to 1524 and features Renaissance arches surrounding a delicate formal garden complete with a fountain.

4. Castelo de Lamego

Perched atop a rugged granite promontory, Lamego’s castle is another prominent national monument.

Although much of the original fortification has not survived to the present day, there is sufficient structure remaining to transport visitors back to the era of conflicts between Moors and Christians.

The castle was seized at the close of the 10th century by the renowned Moorish commander Almanzor, only to be reclaimed by Christians 60 years later, albeit at a high cost in lives.

The quadrangular keep houses a small museum featuring interactive exhibits, and the parapet offers panoramic views of the Coura, Balsemão, and Varosa Rivers.

Additionally, pay attention to the castle’s Moorish cistern located outside the walls, characterized by ribbed vaulting supported by four arches resting on pillars.

5. Chapel of São Pedro de Balsemão

This chapel is the oldest surviving monument in Lamego.

While the exterior exhibits a Baroque design, the interior dates back to the 600s when it served as a Visigothic sanctuary.

A notable feature of this chapel is the altar, constructed using stones from a nearby Roman villa.

Your attention will likely be drawn to the 14th-century Marian statue, sculpted from white limestone sourced from the notable quarry at Ançã.

Centrally located is the 14th-century granite tomb of the Bishop of Porto, framed by two sets of columns and semi-circular arches.

6. Capela do Desterro

What appears to be a typical church on the exterior harbors one of Lamego’s valuable treasures.

The current structure dates back to the 1640s when the Bailiff of Leça replaced a previous chapel with a full-sized Baroque church.

While some commissioned artworks have since been relocated to Lamego’s Museum, the interior retains gilt wood crafted in the 1700s by local sculptors, including Manuel de Gouveia, Manuel Machado, and Manuel Martins.

The coffered ceiling is also remarkable, featuring depictions from the life of Christ painted onto the panels.

7. Wine Tourism

The emergence of port wine greatly benefited Lamego’s economy, with elegant estates emerging amidst vast vineyards.

While port wine is prominent, several other types are also produced near Lamego; indeed, the town has gained recognition for its sparkling varieties.

These sparkling wines may be red or white and can be purchased in local caves (such as Caves da Raposeira), where the secondary fermentation occurs to impart fizz to the wine.

Generally, Lamego’s sparkling wine has fruity notes and is ideal as an aperitif.

Visiting port wineries offers an opportunity to learn more about the Douro Valley’s rich vinicultural heritage: be sure to note Quinta da Pacheca and Quinta de Santa Eufemia overlooking the Douro.

8. Baroque Architecture

Lamego is frequently described as Portugal’s Baroque capital, boasting an abundance of exquisite buildings representative of the style’s peak during the 1700s.

Aside from the Nossa Senhora dos Remédios Sanctuary and the episcopal palace housing the museum, notable sites include the Cine-Teatro o Ribeiro da Conceição, situated in the former hospital established in 1727, which was refurbished in 2008. The municipal library is another architectural gem, featuring a graceful pediment and pinnacles, and once served as the library for the episcopal palace.

Be sure to observe the refined “Solar” mansions, including Casa das Brolhas, Casa dos Serpas, and Casa dos Mores from the outside.

Moreover, do not overlook the Chafariz dos Remédios fountain, created by the Italian Baroque master Nicolau Nasoni.

9. Jardim da República Lamego

Overlooking the town hall and bordered by elegant granite and whitewashed structures, this garden provides a serene location for a brief respite.

It features meticulously arranged lawns and plentiful shade provided by palms and lush deciduous trees.

On the eastern edge, next to the town hall, stands the gnarled trunk of another ancient chestnut tree, mere steps away from a bust of the locally born poet, Fausto Guedes Teixeira.

At the park’s center is a charming Art Nouveau bandstand, while the park’s western, northern, and southern boundaries are framed by a grand granite balustrade.

10. Miradouro de São Domingos

The banks of the Douro River are situated less than 10 kilometers from Lamego, with several vantage points that allow visitors to appreciate the river’s full splendor.

One such spot is the Miradouro de São Domingos located at Peso da Régua.

From a natural balcony overlooking the right bank, one can admire the emerald green river and the striking backdrop of steep banks terraced with vineyards, interspersed with solitary cypress or pine trees.

This picturesque view is captivating in any weather, and the sight is enhanced if an antique rabelo sailboat passes by.

11. Museu do Douro

Also located by the river in Peso da Régua, the Museu do Douro commemorates the history and culture of this UNESCO-listed wine region.

The Douro Valley is recognized as the oldest designated wine region worldwide, with origins tracing back to the 18th century.

The museum’s edifice holds particular significance, as the Casa da Companhia Velha regulated wine production in the Upper Douro starting in 1756.

Visitors will be transported to the valley’s early days of viticulture, learning about regional soils, cultivation techniques that maximized space for vineyards, the origins of traditional rabelo boats, and the customs associated with grape harvesting.

The experience culminates with a glass of wine at the museum’s bar, which opens onto the Douro.

12. Convento de São João de Tarouca

Portugal’s first Cistercian monastery was established slightly south of Lamego in the 1100s.

In the years following King Afonso Henriques’ coronation, the monastery received considerable endowments.

This support allowed it to evolve into a mother institution for several convents across northern Portugal.

Visitors will spend the majority of their time in the church, which incorporates Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architectural styles along with remarkable fittings.

Historians and art enthusiasts will find much to explore, including azulejos, paintings, the gleaming gilt wood on the three altars, and the 14th-century tomb of Pedro Afonso, Count of Barcelos, adorned with a recumbent sculpture and sculpted reliefs on the sides of the sarcophagus.

13. Festa de Nossa Senhora dos Remédios

For a fortnight at the cusp of September, a festival is organized in honor of the shrine of Nossa Senhora dos Remédios at the hilltop sanctuary.

For the initial three days following the commencement of the festivities, daily pilgrimages are made up the nine flights of stairs to the church.

This, however, represents only a fraction of a comprehensive program that includes fado music performances, dance recitals, and an annual folklore festival as a supplementary event.

As the two-week period draws to a close, the Batalha das Flores takes place featuring parades with marching bands, folklore-themed floats, samba dancers, and traditional giant ceremonial puppets.

On September 8, the highlight of the fortnight occurs with the Procissão do Triunfo, a procession where floats displaying sacred icons are drawn along the streets by oxen.

14. Parque Biológico da Serra da Meada

An opportunity to escape into the tranquil countryside surrounding Lamego, this park features winding wooded trails that guide visitors past various habitats within a nature sanctuary.

Some wildlife is temporarily housed here before being released back into their natural environments, while certain residents have been deemed unable to survive in the wild.

Typical inhabitants of the park include domesticated animals such as horses and goats, alongside deer, boars, foxes, and a variety of birds native to the Douro Valley’s hills and forests.

The park encompasses 50 hectares in total, with three kilometers of paths meandering through ancient pine woods.

15. Gastronomy

In the Upper Douro Valley, the local cuisine is characterized by rustic and hearty flavors, featuring numerous roasted dishes such as kid goat with potatoes and rabbit prepared in wood-fired ovens.

Presunto (cured ham) is also prominent in Lamego’s culinary offerings, often enjoyed as a snack paired with wine, served in sandwiches, or accompanied by melon.

A bola de Lamego, a traditional sandwich, is filled with ham, vinha d’alhos (marinated pork), sardines, or cheese.

As you journey through the Douro Valley, you will observe that maize is cultivated almost as abundantly as the vineyards themselves.

Corn is integral to many local dishes, informing preparations such as various salads, vinha d’alhos, and broa de milho, a Portuguese cornbread.