Chaves: Roman Bridge, Hot Springs and Pastries

Chaves is a historic spa town in northern Portugal, close to the Spanish border, with a Roman bridge still in use, hot springs bubbling up in the centre, a castle keep and a famous meat pastry. It’s an easy stop on a road trip through Trás-os-Montes.

Quick answer: Chaves is about 1 hour 45 minutes from Porto. Walk across the Roman bridge (Ponte de Trajano), see the castle keep, visit the Roman thermal baths museum, try the thermal water, and eat a pastel de Chaves. Nearby Vidago has a grand spa palace hotel. See places to stay in Chaves.

Things to do

• Ponte de Trajano: a Roman bridge over the Tâmega river.
• The Roman baths: remains of Roman thermal baths uncovered in the town, now a museum.
• The hot springs: some of the hottest in Europe, used for spa treatments.
• The castle keep and the gardens around it.
• The historic centre: houses with wooden balconies.
• Pastel de Chaves: a flaky pastry filled with minced veal, with protected status.
• Smoked ham: the region is known for presunto.

Nearby

• Vidago Palace: a Belle Époque spa hotel. Check prices.
• Bragança: see Bragança.
• Peneda-Gerês: see Peneda-Gerês.

More: the best spa hotels and the best road trips.

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