Discover Vila Flor: History and Scenery

When planning a stay in Vila Flor, you can give different weight to culture, scenery and event dates. The historic city gate, views of the Vale do Tua and recurring fairs show how different travel interests can be combined with the time of year you visit.

Heritage between the gate, church and museum

The Arco de Dom Dinis is the only surviving gate in Vila Flor’s former defensive wall. A structure attached to the arch has also survived and is thought to have been part of the former castle fortifications. Vila Flor Castle is also believed to have had a possible protective role: in addition to the settlement, it was intended to protect a section of the Camino de Santiago that ran through the Bragança region.

The Igreja Matriz was rebuilt in the Baroque style in the 17th and 18th centuries. Another historic highlight is the Miradouro da Senhora da Lapa, whose complex includes a bandstand and several chapels. The Senhora da Lapa Chapel was built in 1760.

The Museu Berta Cabral was founded in 1957 by Raúl de Sá Correia in the former Solar dos Aguilares. The Museu Municipal Dra Berta Cabral has about 3,000 pieces. This gives the town both a specific museum to visit and several architectural landmarks from different periods.

The Vale do Tua, viewpoints and trails

Vila Flor lies at the upper end of the Vale do Tua, from where the valley can be viewed. The Miradouro da Senhora da Lapa, at an altitude of 700 metres, offers wide-ranging views over Vila Flor. The viewpoint thus combines views of the landscape with the bandstand and chapels in the complex.

At the end of winter, almond trees turn the Vila Flor landscape white and pink. This seasonal sight adds a distinctive touch to the scenery, while the network of walking trails takes in a variety of terrain: the trails cross villages, pass through mountain ranges, descend into valleys and follow the Rio Tua. If you like to combine your trip with walks or hikes, this network offers a range of landscapes rather than just a single viewpoint.

Green space and time outdoors

The O Peneireiro green space includes a municipal swimming pool, picnic areas, an outdoor fitness circuit and a reservoir. These features offer opportunities for exercise and time outdoors, as well as views of the water. This green space has a different character from the trails that pass through villages, mountains and valleys.

Fairs, almond blossom and festivals

The monthly fairs take place on the 15th and 28th of each month at the city’s fair and exhibition park. If you’re planning a trip around a specific date, these regular market days can help you plan.

AMENDOEIRAS EM FLOR usually takes place on the last weekend of February and the first weekends of March. The event therefore coincides with the time when almond trees turn the landscape white and pink at the end of winter. VILA F'LIZ NATAL is held every December in Praça da República. It includes a fair especially geared towards children, which also offers entertainment for the whole family.

In the wider region around Vila Flor, the most important pilgrimage in the region takes place at the Santuário de Nossa Senhora da Assunção. Its highlight is the procession on 15 August. If you’re planning to attend, check the current programme before travelling.

Orientation and regional character

The Posto de Turismo in Vila Flor also serves as a gateway to the Vale do Tua and offers an interactive space to present and promote the entire valley area. Olive oil is an important agricultural product of Vila Flor. Together, these two aspects point to the regional context: the Posto de Turismo focuses on the valley area, while olive oil is part of Vila Flor’s agriculture.

Discover more destinations: Lodões, Vilas Boas.

Go to the main travel overview: Vila Flor.