Vilas Boas: Hiking and Heritage

Vilas Boas brings together named hiking routes, the Santuário de Nossa Senhora da Assunção, and traces of its local history. If you are looking for a hotel for a stay in Vilas Boas, you can start by deciding what you want to focus on: the trails, the Marian shrine, or the town’s historic buildings and storytelling traditions.

Hiking trails around Vilas Boas

The PR3 VFL – Trilho da Serra de Faro starts beside the Santuário de Nossa Senhora da Assunção and passes through Vilas Boas. At the start, it connects with the PR2 VFL – Trilho dos peregrinos da Senhora da Assunção, and at the end with the PR4 VFL – Trilho do rio Tua. A Tua Festival programme featuring hiking trails in Vilas Boas included a “pilgrimage” from the village to the Santuário de Nossa Senhora da Assunção.

The PR5 VFL – Trilho do Poço dos Lobos passes a place known as the “fojo do Lobo.” On a documented ten-kilometre hike, the PR5 led 250 participants to the summit of the Serra de Faro. The PR3 passes through Vilas Boas and connects with the PR2 at the start and the PR4 at the end; the PR5 passes the “fojo do Lobo” and, on a documented ten-kilometre hike, led 250 participants to the summit of the Serra de Faro.

Marian shrine and landscape

The Santuário de Nossa Senhora da Assunção is regarded as the largest Marian shrine in Trás-os-Montes and lies at an altitude of 760 metres.

The Serra de Faro is considered a natural viewpoint, offering a 360-degree panorama of the Tua landscape.

Buildings and local history

The Pelourinho de Vilas Boas reflects the period when Vilas Boas was a vila and the seat of a municipality, from the 14th century until 1836.

The Casa da Câmara is listed as an example of civil architecture worthy of protection. The parish church of Vilas Boas was designed in the 18th century. The Casa da Câmara represents civil architecture; the parish church was designed in the 18th century.

An archaeological settlement site, known as a Castro, is located on Monte de Nossa Senhora da Assunção. It was adapted to the uses and customs of the Roman troops and Romanised.

Storytelling tradition and crafts

The village’s storytelling tradition is also linked to a resident of Vilas Boas: Lurdes Ala published a book containing more than a hundred local legends and stories.

Lacework, embroidery, linen bedspreads, patchwork quilts, sheep’s-wool blankets, knitted sweaters, rugs, pack saddles, blacksmith work, and wooden figures and dolls can still be found in Vilas Boas and in the centre of Vila Flor.

Discover more destinations: Vila Flor, Lodões

Return to the main travel overview: Vila Flor.