Discover Cinfães

Cinfães combines the landscape of the Serra do Montemuro with river valleys, viewpoints, historic churches and distinctive trails. The Município de Cinfães includes the Natura 2000 sites SIC PTCON0025 Serra de Montemuro and SIC PTCON0059 Rio Paiva. Those planning a trip can choose between different focuses, including nature experiences, cultural history and regional specialities.

Landscape between Montemuro and Bestança

The Vale do Bestança stretches in a south-east to north-west direction for around 15 kilometres entirely within the Município de Cinfães and is integrated into the Natura 2000 network. More than 800 species of vascular plants occur in its catchment area. For those interested in nature, the valley is therefore a distinct focus for trip planning. The Miradouro de Teixeirô is located in the Freguesia de Cinfães and offers views of the mouth of the Bestança and the Douro. Marcelim is also home to the Observatório da Natureza de Marcelim in the Serra do Montemuro.

Water also shapes the choice of destinations: the Quedas de água das Golas consist of two waterfalls below the Ardena small hydropower plant. The Parque Botânico e Fluvial Temático do Rio Paiva combines visitor experiences, environmental education and the protection of biological diversity. Those who do not want to admire the landscape only from a distance can combine these destinations with the trails and viewpoints described, without trying to fit all the experiences into the same day.

Trails for different travel plans

The PR 1 CNF – Caminho do Prado is a 6.7-kilometre circular route beginning and ending in Vila de Muros in Tendais. Those who prefer a defined circular trail will find a clearly outlined option here. The PR 2 CNF – Rota do Vale, by contrast, runs linearly between Vila de Muros in Tendais and the Portas do Montemuro. The PR 6 CNF – Caminho da Vila is also linear, running between the tourist office in Cinfães and the Vale de Bestança Interpretation Centre. The Rota do Vale follows a linear route through the Vale de Bestança along the Bestança River.

For longer tours, the GR60 – Grande Rota das Montanhas Mágicas runs in Cinfães from Escamarão on the Douro to the traditional village of Gralheira on the Serra do Montemuro. Cyclists can include the Centro de BTT Montemuro 41 circular route in their plans. It is 9.7 kilometres long and begins and ends at the Centro de BTT da Gralheira. The differences between circular routes, linear trails and a longer Grande Rota make it easier to choose a holiday apartment or holiday house according to the desired pace of the holiday.

Churches, museums and regional history

The cultural attractions give Cinfães another facet. The Igreja de São João Baptista de Cinfães dates from the 18th century; its side chapel contains two granite sarcophagi. The Igreja de São Cristóvão de Nogueira belongs to the late style of the so-called resistant Romanesque. Visits booked through the Rota do Românico booking form require registration at least 24 hours in advance, or 48 hours in advance for Sunday visits.

The Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Natividade de Escamarão follows the architectural forms of the so-called rural Gothic style and has been classified as an Imóvel de Interesse Público since 1950. The Igreja de Santa Maria Maior de Tarouquela is the surviving part of a Benedictine convent that existed until the 16th century. The interactive Serpa Pinto Discoveries Museum explores the life of Serpa Pinto; another interpretation area is devoted to traditional arts and crafts, ethnography and folklore. The Centro Interpretativo da Gralheira serves as a museum and organises activities related to maize cultivation.

Further traces range from the old stone arch bridge Ponte da Balsa beside a small wooden bridge to the Quinta da Granja, an Ethnographic Museum reconstructed from the Quinta do João de Deus. Mamoa 1 de Chão de Brinco is a large megalithic tomb in the Serra do Montemuro at an altitude of around 1,000 metres and belongs to a group of three Mamoas. The Gruta de Nossa Senhora de Lurdes was inaugurated in 1896 and is a replica of the Massabielle grotto in France. Pedra da Moira is believed to be a Roman oven; the Minas da Fraga da Venda preserve traces of tin and tungsten mining as well as an extensive cave area.

Choose accommodation to match your travel theme

When looking for accommodation in Cinfães, it is worth first deciding on the desired focus: trails in the Vale do Bestança, tours in the Serra do Montemuro, cultural attractions or a trip combining landscapes and regional cuisine. Culinary traditions include Arouquesa beef, butter biscuits known as Matulos and preserves. This gives families and other travel groups a concrete basis for choosing the right location within the destination according to their own interests and planned daily rhythm.

For further guidance, you can include the pages for Cinfães, Gralheira and Oliveira Do Douro.

For the overarching travel overview: Viseu.

Further destinations

More places within the same destination:

Sernancelhe, Penalva do Castelo, Castro Daire, Nelas, Penedono.