Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Amarante, Portugal

Amarante is an idyllic town situated in the upland countryside of the North of Portugal. To the east rises the imposing Serra do Marão, while the Tâmega Valley is adorned with elevated hills enveloped in woodlands. The quintessential scene in Amarante is the Ponte de São Gonçalo spanning the Tâmega River adjacent to the Renaissance monastery of the same name.

Amarante is a locale that has produced numerous influential artists and writers in Portugal, particularly during the early 20th century, with their works showcased at the esteemed municipal museum. The vicinity features Romanesque churches, charming mountain villages, as well as cycling and hiking trails inviting exploration of the natural wealth of the Tâmega Valley.

Let us delve into the premier attractions in Amarante:

1. Ponte de São Gonçalo

The striking silhouette synonymous with Amarante is this tall, elegant stone bridge traversing the Tâmega River, in front of the Church of São Gonçalo.

This location has hosted a crossing since Roman times; however, the existing structure is a Baroque and Neoclassical reconstruction completed in the late 18th century.

It was during this period that two bow-shaped platforms were added, allowing visitors to pause midway and capture photographs of one of Portugal’s most captivating townscapes.

Flanking each side are two stone obelisks marking the entrance, while a plaque on the left bank commemorates the centenary of the Defesa da Ponte de Amarante, when the bridge withstood French troops in 1809.

2. Igreja de São Gonçalo

The bridge and church form a remarkable pairing, thus making the church the next significant attraction.

Take a moment by the side portal to appreciate the intricate details adorning the facade.

The doorway, representing 16th-century Renaissance architecture, features three tiers of columns—Corinthian at the lower levels and Solomonic at the upper.

These columns enclose niches that display various saints, along with a statue of Mary (Our Lady of the Rosary). Above to the left is the Varanda dos Reis (Balcony of the Kings), where each of the four monarchs alive during the church’s construction are depicted on the arcade’s columns.

Internally, the focal point is the tomb of the 13th-century beatified priest, Gonçalo de Amarante, commemorated on his feast day in June.

3. Museu Municipal Amadeo de Souza-Cardoso

This institution, dedicated to modern and contemporary art, is located within the refurbished convent buildings of the church surrounding a dignified Mannerist cloister.

Established in 1947, it serves to honor the illustrious lineage of writers and artists from Amarante.

One notable figure is Amadeo de Souza-Cardoso, the museum’s namesake, a Modernist whose influence was just beginning to be felt prior to his untimely death at the age of 30 in 1918. The museum also showcases works by fellow Amarante native, the Expressionist António Carneiro, and frequently hosts temporary exhibitions by contemporary artists alongside permanent galleries of Portuguese modern art.

A small gallery within the museum is dedicated to the archaeology of the region.

4. Parque Florestal de Amarante

Located along the left bank of the Tâmega River, a short distance downstream from the center, lies a tranquil park, landscaped in 1916. This five-hectare area is home to numerous exotic trees, including ginkgos.

This initiative continued through the mountain ranges enveloping the town, the Serras do Marão and Meia Via, wherein thousands of trees were planted during the 1920s.

The park features playgrounds, a man-made cascade, aviaries, and a large enclosure for deer.

Ultimately, it provides a serene slice of nature adjacent to the town center, with pathways curving through the forest beside moss-covered stones.

Visitors can walk down to the river, where a stone path leads to a small rocky island.

5. Ecopista do Tâmega

Inaugurated in 2013, this paved cycling path connects Amarante with the town of Arco de Baúlhe, 35 kilometers upstream.

The path follows the original route of the former Linha do Tâmega railway, which was decommissioned in 1990, meandering through a picturesque landscape of vineyards and forests.

Several of the former stations remain intact and have been converted into cafes and rest areas.

The station at the starting point, Celorico de Basto, has undergone restoration and now operates as a hostel, bike rental facility, and a small museum, while a museum also exists at the renovated station in Arco de Baúlhe.

The opportunities for exploration along this journey are virtually limitless, as you coast past charming historical towns, quintas, wineries, and castles.

6. Festas de São Gonçalo

The first weekend of June marks Amarante’s primary annual festival, honoring São Gonçalo, whose tomb is located in the church.

Many festivals in Portugal embrace traditions that predate Christianity; São Gonçalo’s celebration possesses distinct pagan elements.

The festivities incorporate themes of fertility, illustrated by individuals seeking partners who touch São Gonçalo’s tomb in the church.

Among the most unique customs is the exchange of “bolos de São Gonçalo,” a sweet pastry symbolizing fertility, unmistakably shaped to resemble male genitalia.

7. Solar dos Magalhães

As noted by the information board on the lawn outside, this manor house has remained in ruins since the second French Invasion in 1809 when it was set ablaze by Napoleon’s retreating forces.

Exhibiting a beautiful array of arcades, this 16th-century residence reflects Renaissance style and belonged to the Magellan family, the lineage of Ferdinand Magellan, who is renowned as the first individual to circumnavigate the globe.

Subsequent to the fire, it was preserved as a memorial to that conflict, with concerts and gatherings being held on the expansive lawn during summer.

8. Igreja de São Domingos

A short walk uphill from the Church of São Gonçalo leads to a more contemporary church constructed by the Dominican Order in 1725. As a Baroque church, its decoration is extravagantly detailed, and the interior is adorned with gilded woodwork and polychrome wooden figures of Christ, Mary Magdalene, and John the Evangelist.

Similar to its counterpart down the slope, this church features a museum within its convent buildings, focusing on sacred art that includes vestments, ceremonial items, and decorative arts.

9. Romanesque Route

This tourism route dedicated to medieval history traverses much of northern Portugal and includes the Amarante municipality.

In total, there are ten Romanesque structures, encompassing three monasteries, six churches, and a bridge.

Consider devoting an entire day to this route, as it meanders through pastoral countrysides and allows visits to millennium-old monuments such as the Mosteiro do Salvador in Travanca.

This particular monastery is noteworthy for its fortified bell tower, which is entirely separate from the church building.

Other essential stops include the Igreja de Santo André in Telões, recognized for its unusual vestibule, and the 13th-century Mosteiro do Salvador in Freixo de Baixo.

10. Serra do Marão

Proceed eastward on the A4 for approximately 20 kilometers, and this mountain range will appear before you.

The Serra do Marão is a granite massif and boasts the sixth highest peak in mainland Portugal, reaching an elevation of 1415 meters.

This substantial formation has long posed a barrier; however, a new tunnel opened in 2016 now allows direct access. The area is famed for its stunning vistas and offers opportunities for trekking through coniferous forests, leading to exposed schist bluffs where golden eagles and peregrine falcons nest.

For lodging, the Pousada of São Gonçalo features unforgettable views of the mountain and the Tâmega Valley.

11. Parque Aquático de Amarante

A waterpark is indispensable when visiting with young family members.

Since there are no significant water bodies in the vicinity, this park represents the ideal venue to enjoy during the warm months of July and August.

The park can become crowded, so an early arrival is advisable to ensure a spot on the sunbed or grassy areas.

Attractions include two multi-lane racing slides and two flumes, with one of the slides, named “Fast Mountain,” recently inaugurated.

The park also features two expansive pools, offering continuous views of the Tâmega River and its lush valley.

12. Travanca

One of the highlights along the Romanesque Route, Travanca’s monastery stands out among the monuments in the Amarante area.

It is also worth visiting for its breathtaking natural landscapes.

Situated on a natural terrace, Travanca offers unobstructed views of the Cabreira, Marão, and Gerês mountain ranges.

For a romantic overnight stay, Casa da Levada is unparalleled, a Gothic manor perched in the clouds.

This grand residence was previously home to the family of Teixeira de Pascoais, a celebrated poet and Nobel Prize nominee.

13. River Activities

The Tâmega River serves as the central thread for numerous activities available in and around Amarante.

During summer, guided cruises operate regularly, with further information obtainable from the tourist office.

Visitors can also rent canoes or pedal boats for leisurely outings.

The riverbanks create lovely walking paths, bordered by alder and willow trees providing shaded retreats during the warm months.

Additionally, the local golf course, Golfe de Amarante, situated on elevated land along the right bank, offers stunning valley views that might distract from your swing!

14. Vinho Verde

The enchanting countryside surrounding Amarante is adorned with vineyards producing Northern Portugal’s unique Vinho Verde wine.

In this locale (Terras de Basto), vines are elevated above the ground, allowing space beneath for the cultivation of other crops.

Vinho Verde is notable for being harvested and bottled early, ideally consumed shortly thereafter.

The whites are crisp and invigorating, while the reds tend to be light and fruity.

Another distinctive aspect of this wine is a slight effervescence; historically, this was a natural occurrence, though it is now achieved through carbonation.

15. Cuisine

One dish that epitomizes Amarante is the roasted kid goat.

In this town, the preparation involves marinating the meat in wine, garlic, bay leaves, and parsley for an entire day before roasting it in the oven.

No visit to Portugal is complete without experiencing salted cod (bacalhau), which in Amarante is served roasted with mustard mayonnaise, mashed potatoes, and fresh garden vegetables.

Finally, owing to the town’s rich heritage of convents, Amarante offers a variety of traditional sweets that originated from centuries-old recipes created by religious sisterhoods.

One such delicacy, foguetes (rockets), consists of small cylinders filled with a mixture of egg yolks, almonds, and sugar.