Discover Amares: Culture, Oranges and Wine

Amares combines impressive cultural heritage with religious traditions and a regional culture shaped by oranges and wine. If you are looking for a mix of history, festivals and culinary discoveries for your trip, the town offers various starting points for a varied itinerary. A holiday apartment or other accommodation in Amares can be chosen as a base for cultural and seasonal experiences that suit your own interests.

Cultural monuments at the centre

The Pelourinho de Amares stands on the steps of Amares Town Hall. This historic monument is classified as a national monument. Part of its hexagonal base has survived; it was incorporated into a retaining wall on the steps of the town hall. Anyone interested in local history and representative buildings will find a specific detail here that can easily be included in a cultural walk, without requiring an extensive programme.

The Santuário de Nossa Senhora da Abadia is also part of the area’s cultural profile. In the Amares and Terras de Bouro area, it is classified as a site of public interest. The former Cistercian monastery Convento de Santa Maria do Bouro was converted into Pousadas de Portugal accommodation in 1994 as part of a conversion project by the architect Souto Moura. The interior of the Mosteiro de Santa Maria do Bouro is designed in the Baroque and Rococo styles. This historic building therefore brings together religious architecture, the history of heritage conservation and a documented later conversion.

Traces from the Bronze Age to the 19th century

The Povoado da Santinha was inhabited at the end of the Bronze Age, in the 10th century BC, and later during the Roman period. This chronological span makes the site interesting for travellers who want to consider historical developments not only through a single building, but across several eras. Another cultural point of interest is the building of the Biblioteca Municipal Sá de Miranda, which was originally built before 1879.

Oranges, wine and traditional festivals

The Laranja de Amares can remain on the tree until it is ready to eat and is available from May to August. This seasonal period provides clear guidance for anyone wishing to include regional produce in their travel plans. The annual Feira Franca includes competitions in which farmers submit oranges from the region for judging. At the entrance to Amares, the “Vinho Cru” sculpture also pays tribute to wine and people working in viticulture.

Religious traditions also shape the course of the year. The major Romaria to the Santuário de Nossa Senhora da Abadia is celebrated annually on 15 August. In addition, an annual pilgrimage leads to the sanctuary. If you would like to plan your stay around a fixed date, 15 August is therefore a particularly specific point of reference.

Choosing the right accommodation for your travel plans

When looking for a holiday apartment in Amares, you can first decide which themes should shape your stay: historic buildings, sacred traditions, the orange season from May to August, or a visit around the annual Romaria. This allows your accommodation choice to be based on the experiences you want, without requiring specific amenities or distances.

For your further search of places to stay, you can also include Bouro-Santa Marta, Carrazedo, Rendufe, Torre, Caldelas and Bico in your research.

For the overarching travel overview: Amares.