Carmo's Boutique Hotel

Top choice in The Minho


Worth a splurge, this nouveau-romantic boutique hideaway in the village of Gemieira (6.5km east of Ponte de Lima) is all about casual and cosy chic. It has 15 sublime rooms, two pools, an intimate wine bar and a small basement spa inside a contemporary two-wing structure. The attached restaurant whips up great regional dishes, with breakfast served until noon.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby The Minho attractions

1. Igreja Matriz

2.65 MILES

Behind Torre de São Paulo is the rather staid, mostly 15th-century igreja matriz (parish church), sporting a pretty Romanesque doorway.

2. Torre de São Paulo

2.67 MILES

Along with the Torre da Cadeia Velha, this tower constitutes the only standing remains of Ponte de Lima's medieval walls. Note the somewhat bizarre…

3. Town Walls

2.7 MILES

Fragments of the town walls survive behind and between the Torre da Cadeia Velha and the Torre de São Paulo (part of the fortifications made in the 14th…

4. Torre da Cadeia Velha

2.7 MILES

Two crenellated towers (part of the fortifications made in the 14th century) face the river at the end of Rua Cardeal Saraiva. The Torre da Cadeia Velha…

5. Ponte Medieval

2.75 MILES

The city’s pièce de résistance, this elegant 31-arched bridge across the Rio Lima is now limited to foot traffic. Most of it dates from the 14th century,…

6. Museu dos Terceiros

2.84 MILES

Downriver from Ponte de Lima's famous bridge, the 18th-century Igreja de São Francisco dos Terceiros houses a variety of ecclesiastical and folk treasures…

7. Parque Temático do Arnado

2.84 MILES

West of the river, this small, intriguing green space with rose bushes and lemon-filled trellises next to a public swimming pool is notable for its annual…

8. Museu do Brinquedo Português

2.88 MILES

In a gorgeous red mansion right after the Roman bridge in Arcozelo is this museum dedicated to Portuguese toys. The focus is on toys made from the late…