Residencial Portas do Sol

The Minho


This spotless place in the heart of town (one of two options within the fortress walls) is set in an antiquated stone building refurbished and outfitted with all things IKEA-esque. High ceilings and old stone window frames lend old-world panache. It’s in the north fort, a half block from the bridge. Rooms 6 and 7 upstairs have the best views.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby The Minho attractions

1. Casa da Eira

0.07 MILES

Opposite the post office, the Casa da Eira has a handsome Manueline window somewhat marred by a horrendous corrugated tin room that peeks above the…

2. Roman Milestone

0.11 MILES

This 1st-century Roman milestone inside the fortaleza is a remnant from the old Braga–Astorga road.

3. Fortaleza de Valença

0.12 MILES

Valença's fortaleza is in fact two fortresses, bristling with bastions, watchtowers, massive gateways and defensive bulwarks, connected by a single bridge…

4. Igreja de Santo Estevão

0.12 MILES

This 14th-century edifice inside the fortaleza, with its neoclassical facade, is one of Valença's best preserved churches.

5. Igreja de Santa Maria dos Anjos

0.19 MILES

Dating from 1276, this now-decrepit Romanesque parish church inside the fortaleza has a tiny chapel at the back with Romano-Gothic inscriptions on the…

6. Catedral de Santa Maria

1.12 MILES

The highlight of the old town is the fortress-like Catedral de Santa Maria. Begun in the 12th century, it reflects a stoic Romanesque style in most of its…

7. Centro de Interpretación

3.64 MILES

The Parque Natural Monte Aloia's visitors centre stands 5km up from the PO340 on the road to the top of the Monte Aloia.

8. Parque Natural Monte Aloia

4.03 MILES

This 746-sq-km protected area covers the forest-clothed hill Monte Aloia (631m) which has several panoramic viewpoints and well-marked, not-too-demanding…