Villa Feitos

Villa Feitos enjoys a delightful countryside position, just outside the seaside town of Esposende. Esposende is off the international tourist trail, offering a natural, peaceful resort with an excellent beach, a museum, a leisure centre, a promenade and a couple of marinas. Situated alongside the final stretch of the Cavado River, Esposende’s heritage is one of fishing but its history goes back far beyond this. There are some well preserved archaeological sites close by, many of which date back to the Bronze Age. Many are centred around the nearby parish of Vila Cha and the most impressive is probably the fortified village of Castro de Sao Lourenco which dated back to the 4th century BC. The village is set amongst the hillside pine forests.

The colourful ceramic cockerel is possibly the most famous symbol of Portugal. It has its origins in the pretty town of Barcelos. Pottery is the craft of note in this walled market town which lies on a plateau above the River Cavado, surrounded by beautiful green hills. Barcelos hosts an enormous weekly market on Thursdays in the Campo da Republica, an open square in the centre of town. Visitors can pick up some wonderful souvenirs, especially the locally produced ceramics for which it is famous. The old Jewish quarter is very attractive and there are many medieval and baroque buildings. The Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Terco enjoys one of the most impressive baroque interiors in Portugal with tile work showing scenes of labouring monks and the Last Supper. The Pottery Museum is worth a stop, as is the Archaeological Museum. The main shopping street of Barcelos is Rua Antonio Barroso. It is quite short but makes you feel as though time has stood still. Jardim das Barrocas is a beautifully tended ornamental garden with vibrant colours and delicate aromas. Barcelos is one of the towns on the Portuguese Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route.

Braga is regarded as one the main religious centres of Portugal, with the oldest cathedral and many Gothic churches. Every hour you will hear a cocophony of different church bells ringing out! It is the third largest city of Portugal and is a joy to explore. Braga is an enthralling university city and the setting for Bom Jesus do Monte, a fine monument. The historic centre is fully pedestrianised. There are pretty city gardens, charming plazas and busy shopping streets.

Ponte de Lima is one of the most characterful and picturesque towns of Northern Portugal, on the southern banks of the Lima River. The location has been the main river crossing since the Romans constructed a bridge in 1AD. There is a delightful mix of ancient houses, grand religious buildings and pretty plazas. There are a number of interesting museums as well as colourful flower gardens and stunning natural scenery all around. The Ponte do Lima is an excellent centre for adventure activities such as the Ecovia cycling route, kayaking along the Lima River, mountain biking or hiking in the Serra D’Arga or birdwatching in the Lagoas de Bertiandos. You can river bathe in Labruja.

A little further north, you can visit the stunning Cabadelo Beach to the south of the Lima River which is fantastic for surfing. Just north of the river is the historic, beautiful city of Viana do Castelo. Its pearly white, magnificent Santa Luzia Church presides over the city, sitting high on the hilltop and very appealing to those who appreciate Romanesque-Byzantine architecture. Entrance is free and you can visit using the city’s funicular transport to save the steep climb. The sanctuary was completed in 1943 and is one of the most visited places in the city. The city offers a unique cultural and historical diversity. With the sea in sight and bathed in gold, Viana do Castelo never disappoints. Viana do Castelo’s compact historic centre boasts extravagant religious buildings, delightful cafes, elegant plazas and narrow shopping streets which open onto the banks of the Rio Lima. Many of the bars and restaurants are found in the Praca da Republica along with many regional handicrafts. The architecture of the surrounding buildings looks like a castle. In August, the city hosts The Pilgrimage of Nossa Senhora da Agonia which celebrates the religious devotion of the residents of the city. The festival dates back to 1772 and in 2013 received the Declaration of Interest for Tourism. The highlight is the Desfile da Mordomia where more than five hundred women parade while wearing the traditional costume of the city and several pieces of family gold. The parade is a moment of union, enthusiasm and joy.

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Please be aware that the location tab shown on the website is not based on the property's exact location; therefore, all location amenities are an approx of facilities, restaurants, and villages/towns you might find around the property. The property's exact location will be provided to you before arrival and might come along with some recommendations about the area and what to visit.

ABOUT MINHO

The areas of Minho extend from the Spanish border in the north, south to Porto and east to the mountains of Vila Real. It is a green and fertile area of rolling hills encompassing the great rivers Minho, Lima and Douro, and the National Park of Peneda Geres. The countryside of the region is typified by long, sandy beaches bordered by pine woods, picturesque villages nestling among vine-covered hills, and historic towns such as Amarante, Guimaraes, Barcelos, Ponte de Lima, and Viana do Castelo.

The area encompasses a range of postcard-worthy landscapes and features that could almost be Portugal in microcosm: dreamy river scenes, high mountains, rolling vineyards, beautiful historic towns, dramatic Atlantic beaches, ancient religious foundations and mysterious archaeological sites.

Then there's the bold, sharp and fruity Vinho Verde to consider. This young wine is fashioned from the fruit of kilometres of vineyards that wind along rivers, over foothills and into Minho mountain villages.

But while you're enjoying one of our fantastic villas in Minho, you may well want to take some time out from all that sun worship to explore everything else the region has to offer – so we've put together this handy travel guide to give you a little help and inspiration!

Check out our Minho Travel Guide >>