Costa Nova, a charming seaside village in Portugal, offers a serene escape with its beautiful beaches and tranquil lagoon. Renowned for its iconic candy-striped houses, this destination invites visitors to enjoy leisurely strolls and embrace simple pleasures, embodying a sense of unwinding away from the hustle and bustle of daily life.
Author Archives: Derbyshire Gal
Sublime Senhora
The Santuário de Nossa Senhora dos Remédios in Lamego, Portugal, is a renowned pilgrimage site noted for its stunning Baroque architecture and a 686-step staircase. This significant landmark showcases historical and spiritual richness, shaping Lamego’s skyline and cultural identity, with features like terraces, fountains, and Azulejo panels enhancing its beauty.
Views galore
The Miradouro São Leonardo de Galafura offers breathtaking views of the Douro River and terraced vineyards. This viewpoint, celebrated for its natural beauty, also holds cultural significance, featuring a tile panel with a quote by writer Miguel Torga, who praised the Douro as “a geological poem” and “an excess of nature.”
Birthday girl
On a sunny birthday in the Douro Valley, we celebrate with a boat trip, enjoying the stunning views and Port tastings along the river. The region is famous for iconic Port brands and picturesque estates like Quinta das Carvalhas, known for its spectacular vineyards and beautiful estate house.
Swings and sculptures
Exploring the Douro Valley reveals breathtaking views, enhanced by unique swings. The journey includes Miradouro Águas do Tua, offering stunning river views, followed by the heart-shaped swing at Miradouro da Paixão. This art installation, designed by sculptor Paulo Moura, symbolizes the Passion of Christ within a serene sanctuary setting.
Soaking in the scenery
The journey through the Douro Valley is stunning, despite the discomfort of high temperatures in a small car. The landscape evokes memories of Sapa’s rice terraces, and the region’s wine villages, such as Provesende, are highlights. The Douro River, visible from the Ujo viewpoint, captivates with its majestic beauty.
Fire fighting
The scorching heat affecting Portugal posed significant challenges for the Douro Valley, witnessed during a July 2025 visit. Seaplane pilots tirelessly fought fires by scooping river water. Pinhão, a charming village with scenic views and a slow pace of life, features lovely cafés, restaurants, and a notable train station adorned with azulejos.
Port heritage
The Douro Valley, renowned for its rich Port wines, features a meticulously crafted landscape of steep, narrow stone terraces along the riverbanks. These terraces, built by hand over centuries, create a scenic and calm environment. Notable viewpoints, like the Miradour Imaginario, offer breathtaking vistas of the river and vineyards, blending nature with tradition.
Dramatic Douro
The journey through the Douro Valley leads to Pinhão, showcasing stunning views and historic landmarks like the Mosteiro Bridge and Ribadouro viaduct. This ancient wine region features terraced landscapes with olive and almond trees, as the tranquil Douro River once transported Port wine. Its charm captivates visitors gradually.
Portugal’s river beaches
We’ve left the stunning city of Porto and are heading to the Duoro Valley now. But we make a quick pit stop at one of the river beaches that can be found along this meandering stretch of river. There are are numerous praias fluviais (river beaches) in Portugal especially in the North. They offer aContinue reading “Portugal’s river beaches”