Discover Vila Nova De Famalicão

Vila Nova De Famalicão combines river landscapes, hiking trails, industrial history and regional culinary culture. Those planning a trip with different ideas for each day will find both paths through predominantly agricultural and wooded areas as well as museums, historic sites and insights into the production of textiles, chocolate and wine.

Hiking trails between river, forest and cultural heritage

The Famalicão Trilhos programme focuses on hiking and on bringing local residents and visitors into contact with the natural and cultural heritage of Vila Nova de Famalicão. One described 14-kilometre hiking trail runs between Nine and Arnoso through predominantly agricultural and wooded areas. It follows the river to a weir and the watermills on the Rio Ave.

Several described circular hiking trails are available for different day plans: one begins at Parque da Devesa and is 17.5 kilometres long, while another starts at Igreja de Riba de Ave and measures 15.4 kilometres. Another 15-kilometre circular trail runs between Gondifelos and Gemunde. The Rota do Celeiro begins at the car park by the cemetery in Fradelos and is 13.9 kilometres long. Take the respective trail length into account when planning, without combining the trails into a single circular route.

Cultural and historical destinations are also integrated into the described hiking experiences. One circular trail runs between Joane, Pousada de Saramagos and Vermoim. Another described circular trail passes the Romanesque church of Antas. Other described trails reach the Iron Age settlement of Castro do Monte das Ermidas, Castro de Penices on a bend of the Rio Este, and Castelo de Vermoim, which developed from an Iron Age castro at the same location.

Experience industry, railways and art

The industrial past and present shape an important part of the destination. The Museu da Indústria Têxtil da Bacia do Ave was founded in 1987 to research the region’s industrialisation and preserve its industrial heritage. A collection of textile machinery documents the process from spinning to weaving. The museum is located in the former wool-spinning mill and weaving factory A Lanifícia do Outeiro, Lda., which was founded in 1920.

At the Museu do Automóvel de Famalicão, visitors can trace the development of automotive design and technology in the 20th century. The collection includes a Ford T, a VEL microcar that is unique worldwide, as well as one of two unique Rolls-Royce examples. The Núcleo Museológico de Lousado is located next to Lousado railway station at the junction of the Linha do Minho and the Linha de Guimarães. The permanent exhibition includes vehicles and other rolling stock from eight Portuguese narrow-gauge railway companies. The museum also preserves a functioning railway workshop in a real working environment.

The Centro Português do Surrealismo is an expansion and repositioning of the former Centro de Estudos do Surrealismo of the Fundação Cupertino de Miranda. In São Miguel de Seide, the Casa de Camilo Castelo Branco conveys the writer’s family life and everyday life in the 19th century. Camilo Castelo Branco lived there with Ana Plácido and his children from the winter of 1863 until his death in 1890.

Green spaces, chocolate and Vinho Verde

Parque da Devesa is a 27-hectare urban green space near the centre. The Rio Pelhe runs through it along its entire length; there is also a lake and old trees. A free audio guide is available for an independent visit, for use on a smartphone or tablet. The Ecopista de Famalicão passes through rural and wooded areas without steep inclines or sharp bends, largely away from motorised traffic. It is directly connected to Famalicão railway station and the Póvoa de Varzim metro station.

Culinary discoveries can also be included in your plans. Fábrica de Chocolates Casa Grande offers tours with a workshop where you can make your own chocolate and take it home with you. Reservations are required at least 15 days in advance for the industrial tourism activities in Famalicão. Enotourism focuses on the production of Vinho Verde, the grape varieties, the production process and tasting these wines. Visits to operating businesses also provide insights into the production of clothing, chocolate and wine.

Choose the right type of accommodation

When looking for a holiday apartment or holiday house, it helps to decide on your preferred travel rhythm. Those who want to combine long hikes with the Ecopista should include the trail lengths and the railway connections mentioned above in their planning. For culture-focused days, the textile museum, automobile museum, railway collection, surrealism and writers’ house offer different areas of focus. Those who prefer nature and quieter stops can take Parque da Devesa, the Rio Pelhe and a visit with an audio guide into account.

For further regional orientation, you can also look at Pousada De Saramagos, Oliveira Santa Maria, Negreiros, Arnoso (Santa Maria), Bairro, Cunha, Portela, Castelões, Canedo de Basto, Oliveira and Travassos.

For the broader travel overview: Braga.