Discover Tarouca: Monasteries, trails and river landscape

If you would like to include monastic history and walking routes in your trip, Tarouca offers a range of starting points. Its cultural heritage includes Cistercian sites and historic buildings from several centuries. Rivers and viewpoints complement the routes through the landscape. You can plan your stay around your own interests, with time for history, walks or both.

Cistercian sites and architectural history

The Mosteiro de São João de Tarouca was the first monastery of the Cistercian order to be founded in Portuguese territory. Its history can be traced through three dates: the monastery was founded in 1140, construction began in 1154, and the church was consecrated in 1169. Visitors can walk among the ruins and see tile panels, known as azulejos, dating from the early 18th century inside the church.

The Mosteiro de Santa Maria de Salzedas is also closely connected to the landscape: it lies in a valley through which the Torno and Varosa rivers flow. The monastery was extensively expanded in the 17th and 18th centuries. This includes the monumental 18th-century cloister, designed by the Maltese architect Carlos Gimach. Its inclusion in the Vale do Varosa project in 2009 made it possible to open the monastery and its museum centre in October 2011. Check current access before visiting.

Other buildings take you back to different periods: the Ponte Fortificada de Ucanha was probably built in the 14th or 15th century, replacing an earlier bridge with Roman connections. The Casa do Paço de Dalvares is a medieval manor house, while the Arco de Paradela is a granite memorial arch dating from the mid-12th century. The Pelourinho de Tarouca returned to its original location in 2021. The Pelourinho de Ucanha probably dates from 1673, while the one in Várzea da Serra is attributed to the 16th or 17th century.

Walking trails and river landscape

The Caminho dos Monges is an approximately 41-kilometre intermunicipal trail directly connected to architectural sites of the Cistercian order. Of this, 21.2 kilometres run through Tarouca and 19.8 kilometres through Lamego. The Rota dos Moinhos de Cister offers a different focus: its walking route leads to three mills powered by the Varosa and set in a scenic landscape. One trail focuses on Cistercian sites, the other on the mills along the river. Check current trail conditions before setting out.

Other designated walking routes in Tarouca include the Caminho de São João de Tarouca a Vilarinho, the Caminho de Santa Helena ao Cristo-Rei and the Caminho de Vila Pouca a Eira Queimada. The Parque Ribeirinho de Tarouca offers a walk among trees, green spaces and bodies of water; check locally for the facility’s current operating status before visiting.

The Varosa eventually flows into the Douro near Régua, and the Varosela is a tributary of the Varosa. Several viewpoints offer different perspectives: from Monte de Santa Helena, you can see across the Tarouca valley and the surrounding mountain ranges. The Cristo-Rei viewpoint offers views of Tarouca, Lamego, Vila Real, the Serra do Marão and the Meadas. A Padiola offers views of hills, trails, forests and the Varosa valley.

Festivals, crafts and sparkling wine

Tarouca’s municipal festival in honour of Saint Michael takes place annually in late September, on 29 September, with a traditional fair. As the programme may vary from year to year, it is worth checking the current festival dates before your trip. The traditional Biscoito da Teixeira is also associated with Salzedas.

Várzea da Serra has the greatest diversity of traditional craft products in the municipality. These include croças made from rushes, burel hoods, woollen socks, linen cloths and towels, as well as patchwork blankets made on wooden looms. Some of these practices may not be carried out continuously. Murganheira, a sparkling wine made from selected grape varieties, is also part of the regional culture. The Museu do Espumante showcases the artisanal production process, from the grape harvest to the finished product. The Murganheira caves are carved into blue granite.

Discover more destinations: Ucanha, Tarouca, Tondela, Vouzela, Nelas, Abrunhosa-A-Velha, Alenquer, Lamego.

For the broader travel overview: Viseu.