Alfândega Da Fé

Alfândega Da Fé combines a town on a hill at an altitude of around 575 metres with the landscapes of the Serra de Bornes, the Sabor Valley and the Vilariça Valley. Those looking for a holiday apartment or holiday home will find various ways to plan their days here: historical traces, public art, signposted hiking trails and insights into regional traditions.

Discover history and art in the town

The Roteiro da História leads through old streets, past a coat-of-arms house, religious buildings and the Torre do Relógio. The Torre probably already existed in the 16th century; however, its construction chronology and original function remain unclear. Today, the restored Torre do Relógio houses the photo exhibition “Quando o relógio voltou a dar horas”.

The Roteiro da Arte Pública offers a different view of the town. This tour presents sculptures, ceramic painting and graffiti in public areas of the town. In addition, the Casa da Cultura Mestre José Rodrigues opened in September 2004 and was designed by the renowned architect Alcino Soutinho. For travellers interested in history, the Castro, the necropolis and the Nossa Senhora dos Anúncios sanctuary are also noteworthy destinations. Here, an Iron Age fortified settlement, a later Roman settlement and an early medieval burial necropolis come together.

Regional stories and festivals

In Sambade, the Igreja Matriz represents Baroque and Neoclassical architecture. The Centro de Interpretação do Território is housed in a former village primary school. The exhibition “Território Autêntico” presents photographs from five areas: the town, the mountains, the plateau, the Vilariça Valley and the Sabor River. The “Olhar do Pastor” project provides insights into the lives of shepherds, the role of their dogs and flocks, and the landscapes of Alfândega Da Fé. Historically, Sambade was also an important centre for the production of wool, linen and silk and was known for its cloth combers.

The cultural present also has a firmly established place. Alfândega Da Fé is the only municipality in northern Portugal where the international Sete Sóis Sete Luas festival takes place. The associated cultural network comprises 33 cities in 13 countries of the Mediterranean region and the Lusophone world. The Festa da Cereja has a history spanning more than 30 years and showcases local products and the culture of the municipality. Its stalls offer handicrafts and regional products, with particular emphasis on cherries.

Hiking between mountains, valleys and the Sabor lakes

Several trails with different characteristics are available for active days. The Trilho da Serra de Bornes is a circular hiking trail of around 9 kilometres with a moderate level of difficulty, marked and signposted according to international guidelines. It leads through chestnut groves; along the way, visitors may observe squirrels, rabbits, wild boars, reptiles and various species of butterflies, among others. The Trilho Vilares da Vilariça runs along the southern slope of the Serra de Bornes and offers panoramic views of the Vilariça Valley.

The Trilho das Capelas, by contrast, is a linear PR hiking trail with a moderate to high level of difficulty and is also marked and signposted according to international guidelines. Its linear route should be taken into account when planning. You can reach the Capela de Nossa Senhora de Jerusalém via the EN 215 from Alfândega Da Fé towards Vila Flor. After a turn-off around 5 kilometres beyond Alfândega Da Fé, a municipal road leads to Sendim da Serra; this is followed by a further 4 kilometres of unpaved road. The Neoclassical chapel has a portal with a round arch, and remnants of paintings have been preserved inside.

A suitable starting point for planning your trip

The choice of a holiday apartment in Alfândega Da Fé can be easily matched to your preferred holiday focus. If you want to put culture and local history at the centre of your trip, the historic trails, the Torre do Relógio and the exhibitions can set the rhythm of your days. Those who prefer exploring landscapes can choose between a circular trail of around 9 kilometres, a panoramic hike in the Vilariça Valley and the more demanding Trilho das Capelas. For another perspective on the landscape, the relocated Santuário de Santo Antão da Barca offers views of the Sabor lakes and the surrounding mountains.

The sanctuary also houses a small museum unit with paintings, a photo exhibition, a video installation about the relocation of the sanctuary and a collection of votive offerings. The original chapel of Santo Antão da Barca stood on the right bank of the Sabor River and gave rise to a large pilgrimage of regional importance. When orienting yourself locally, the Posto de Turismo de Alfândega Da Fé is located on the Estrada Nacional 125.

For further searches at this destination level, go to Sambade, Ferradosa, Gebelim, Eucisia, Sendim da Serra and Colmeais. This allows you to compare culture, nature and your preferred daily activities before selecting your accommodation.

To the higher-level travel overview: Braganca.

More destinations

More places within the same destination:

Celas, Bornes.