In Favaios, bread and Moscatel wine showcase two deeply rooted aspects of Alijó. Traditional bakeries bake what is known as Trigo de quatro cantos in wood-fired ovens; visitors can also sample the local bread. Moscatel de Favaios is made from the Moscatel Galego grape variety and has been produced in the village since the 18th century.

Bread and wine in Favaios

The Núcleo Museológico Favaios, Pão e Vinho presents the history of Moscatel wine and Favaios bread. It is housed in an 18th-century building. During a guided tour of Adega de Favaios, you can learn about traditional methods of making Moscatel and Douro wines. Reservations must be made at least four hours in advance; check the current conditions when planning your visit.

The landscape also tells the story of winemaking: Favaios sits on a plateau covered with vineyards, where the soils are predominantly schist. Granite formations extend across the Douro wine region. Alijó is part of this region, whose significance is closely tied to winemaking and where many quintas produce the famous Port wine. The annual Festival do Moscatel D'Ouro in Favaios promotes Moscatel wine. Check the dates before your trip.

Riversides, trails and protected landscapes

Several hiking trails offer different perspectives on the landscape. The PR2 Trilho da Senhora da Cunha follows the right bank of the Tua for about one kilometre and leads to Monte da Senhora da Cunha. A chapel dedicated to Senhora dos Prazeres stands on the hill. The PR4 Trilho de Santa Eugénia-Carlão passes through the Parque Natural Regional do Vale do Tua.

The linear PR15 Trilho de Alijó-Senhora da Cunha starts in Alijó. At the end of the route, the trail leaves the Douro wine region and enters the Parque Natural Regional do Vale do Tua. There, woodland and an impressive granite massif shape the surroundings; the Vale da Cabra runs through the massif. By contrast, the PR16 Trilho de Alijó-Castedo is a circular route that starts and ends in Alijó and includes a detour to Monte de São Domingos. Check current trail conditions before setting out.

Along the PR1 Trilho das Fragas Más, near Safres, there are views of the Tua River and the Amieiro-Safres-São Mamede de Ribatua microreserve. The route also follows several sections of a Roman road. In the wider Alijó area, 164 bird species occur in the Parque Natural Regional do Vale do Tua. The park thus offers a view of the region’s birdlife alongside the trails.

Traces from prehistory to culture

Archaeological discoveries include the Anta de Fonte Coberta, a rare vestibule-type dolmen on the Planalto da Chã. The Abrigo Rupestre da Pala Pinta is a prehistoric rock shelter with schematic rock art and a depiction featuring solar symbolism. Castelo de Vilarelho, meanwhile, is a fortified settlement where the region’s first communities lived during the Iron Age. Together, these sites offer different insights into early settlement and the visible traces of times past.

Alijó’s main church dates from the 18th century. The Teatro de Favaios opened in 1919 and has a capacity of 400 spectators. The Plátano Centenário in Alijó was planted in 1856. Art enthusiasts can find painting and sculpture exhibitions at the Fundação Casa Museu Maurício Penha. The programme may change; check in advance which exhibitions will be on during your trip.

Discover more destinations: Alijó, Pinhao, Vale De Mendiz, Cotas, Pópulo, Santa Eugénia, Favaios, Castedo, Vilar de Maçada

For the wider travel overview: Vila Real.