Valenca: Fortress Town on the Spanish Border

Valença is a star-shaped fortress town on the Minho river, facing the Spanish town of Tui across an old iron bridge. Its walled old town is full of shops selling linens and towels, and it’s a key stop on the Camino Português.

Quick answer: Valença is about 1 hour north of Porto. Walk the ramparts of the fortress for views over the river to Spain, browse the shops inside the walls, and cross the bridge to Tui to see its cathedral. Cycle the Ecopista do Rio Minho along the river. See places to stay in Valença.

Things to do

• The fortress: massive star-shaped walls and bastions around the old town.
• The ramparts: views over the Minho and Spain.
• Shopping: linens, towels and household goods, popular with Spanish visitors.
• Tui: cross the river to the Spanish town and its fortress-like cathedral. Spain is one hour ahead.
• The Ecopista do Rio Minho: a greenway along the river. See cycling in Portugal.

The Camino

Valença is the last Portuguese stop on the Central Camino before Spain, and the classic starting point for walking the final 100km to Santiago. See walking the Camino Português.

More: Viana do Castelo and the Minho, Ponte de Lima and Santiago de Compostela.

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