Laundos: Windmills, Pilgrimages and Ocean Views

Monte de São Félix rises 200 metres above sea level in Laundos. From there, you can look out over the ocean. Alongside its views, windmills and a memorial give the mountain a cultural and historical character.

Windmills and Remembrance on the Mountain

Five windmills have been preserved on Monte de São Félix. Two are their original size, and one of them can still grind grain. The mills make the mountain particularly attractive; their size and remaining ability to grind also offer a tangible insight into the local milling tradition.

The Monumento ao Emigrante is located on the same mountain. It commemorates Portuguese people who emigrated to Brazil in search of a better life. The monument was inaugurated on 5 September 1998; it has been maintained since 2019 and is freely accessible to the public. Check before your visit whether free access is still available.

Crafts and Local History

The craft tradition in Laundos also tells a story of changing materials: until the end of the 20th century, linen was replaced by scraps of fabric, which were used to make particularly valuable blankets on looms. Patchwork blankets and rugs are part of the town’s tradition. Those interested in everyday life and craft history can trace the development from the change in materials to the finished products.

The protohistoric earrings “Arrecadas de Laúndos” were found in the remains of the local hillfort and are on display at the Museu de Soares dos Reis in Porto. If you include the museum in your cultural itinerary, check in advance whether they are still on display.

The Way of the Cross in Laundos (Calvário) is one of the municipality’s sights worth visiting. The Nossa Senhora da Saúde Chapel was built at the foot of the mountain after 1825 and before 1845. More than ten boundary stones, set apart and bearing coats of arms and inscriptions, have been preserved in the churchyard of this municipality.

Pilgrimages and Travel Dates

Two pilgrimages held at different times are among the religious traditions. The pilgrimage to Nossa Senhora da Saúde takes place on the first Sunday in August and lasts three days. It follows a seven-kilometre route on foot to the shrine in Laundos. The pilgrimage to São Félix takes place on the first Sunday in September. The two events therefore fall in different months; check the current programme before planning your trip around them. A pilgrimage from Póvoa to Laúndos marked the beginning of the worship at the Nossa Senhora da Saúde shrine.

Regional Connections and Activities

For further travel planning, the Ecopista de Famalicão connects the rural inland area around Vila Nova de Famalicão with the Atlantic coast around Póvoa de Varzim. It provides direct connections to Famalicão railway station and Póvoa de Varzim metro station. The municipal timetable dated 3 December 2024 also lists the “P. Ind. de Laundos - 1” stop. Check the current timetable before travelling.

For the “Volta Atlântica,” individual panoramic flights lasting 30 or 60 minutes depart from Aeródromo de Laúndos. Check current availability with the provider if you are planning to take the flight. The “Grande Descida de Carros Artesanais” is a highlight of the “Laúndos em Movimento” programme; consult the current programme for dates.

Discover more destinations: Laundos, Freamunde, Santo Tirso, Penalva Do Castelo, Felgueiras, Vila Do Conde, Amarante, Penafiel.

Return to the main travel guide: Porto.