Vila Nova: Nature, Swimming Spot and Living Traditions

Vila Nova combines impressive coastal scenery, distinctive nature and vibrant local traditions. Those looking for a mix of aquatic experiences, culture and peaceful discoveries during their holiday will find various reasons here to get to know the area consciously. When choosing your holiday apartment, you can therefore consider whether the Escaleiras swimming spot, the nature of Baixa da Vila Nova or the area’s cultural heritage should be the focus of your trip.

Black Rock and Natural Pools at Escaleiras

Escaleiras is designated as a swimming spot in Vila Nova. Its characteristic features include black rock, rounded pebbles, steep cliffs and a pool open to the sea. The swimming spot also offers a beach and natural pools for swimming. This allows you to add a maritime side to your stay in Vila Nova without reducing the area to a single holiday theme.

When planning your days, you can make Escaleiras a specific focus for time spent by the water. A holiday apartment in Vila Nova is particularly suitable if you want to choose the area itself as a starting point for these different interests.

A Natural Area of Importance for Birds and Biodiversity

The distinctive landscape of Vila Nova includes Baixa da Vila Nova. BirdLife International has designated it as an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area, or IBA. This classification makes the natural area an interesting part of the local character. You can therefore get to know Vila Nova not only through its swimming spot, but also through its landscape and ecological dimension.

If nature observation is important to your trip, it is worth taking this aspect into account when choosing your accommodation. If, on the other hand, you mainly want to swim and discover local buildings, you can combine the nature of Baixa da Vila Nova with the area’s other attractions.

Churches, Chapel and the Bodo Sundays

Vila Nova has a remarkable historical heritage. The Church of the Divine Holy Spirit is the area’s present-day church and was built as early as the 15th century. The Nossa Senhora da Ajuda Chapel also dates back a long way: it was consecrated on 4 February 1542. Those interested in religious buildings and the history of a place can include both names in their travel plans.

Another distinctive feature is the Império do Espírito Santo da Vila Nova, built in 1894. On Bodo Sundays, decorated ox carts with fabric canopy coverings stand in the square in front of it. The Bodos also include coronations and a brass band. These elements bring the local tradition to life and give your stay a cultural focus that is clearly different from a day spent solely swimming.

When looking for a holiday apartment in Vila Nova, you can therefore weigh up different travel profiles: water and scenery at Escaleiras, nature in Baixa da Vila Nova, or historical and festive impressions around the religious buildings and the Bodos.

Other Places in the Wider Area

For further orientation, you can also explore Altares, Fontinhas, Ribeirinha, Agualva, Biscoitos, S. Bras, Praia Da Vitória and Cabo Da Praia. Vila Nova itself provides a versatile basis for looking for accommodation between coastal scenery, nature and cultural discoveries.

For the overview of the wider area: Terceira.