Barcelos: The Rooster Town and Thursday Market

Barcelos is the home of Portugal’s national symbol, the colourful Rooster of Barcelos, and of one of the country’s biggest weekly markets. It’s a friendly riverside town with a medieval bridge and a strong pottery tradition, an easy trip from Porto or Braga.

Quick answer: Barcelos is about 50 minutes north of Porto by train or car. Go on a Thursday for the huge market, learn the legend of the rooster, see the pottery museum and the ruins of the Counts’ palace above the medieval bridge. See places to stay in Barcelos.

The legend of the rooster

According to legend, a pilgrim falsely accused of theft in Barcelos was sentenced to hang. He declared that a roasted rooster on the judge’s table would crow to prove his innocence, and it did. The colourful rooster became a symbol of honesty and good luck, and of Portugal itself.

Things to do

• The Thursday market: a huge market in the main square, with produce, pottery, crafts and clothes.
• The pottery museum: folk ceramics, including roosters.
• The medieval bridge over the Cávado river.
• The Counts’ palace ruins and the archaeological museum.
• The Camino: the Central route passes through. See the Camino Português.

More: Braga, Portugal souvenirs and the best day trips from Porto.

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