A museum in the Dominican monastery, the 50-metre-long Ponte de São Gonçalo and walks along the Tâmega give Amarante a variety of highlights for a stay. You can include cultural history, trails and local sweet treats in your travel plans, depending on your interests.

Art, Monastery and History

The Museu de Arte Moderna Amadeo de Souza-Cardoso is located in the Dominican monastery of São Gonçalo. Albano Sardoeira founded it in 1947 with the aim of collecting materials on local history and commemorating artists and writers born in Amarante. The museum also organises the Prémio Amadeo de Souza-Cardoso, awarded every two years. If you would like to include the award in your travel plans, check the current dates and conditions for participation.

The history of the Convento de São Gonçalo also spans a long period: the first cornerstone was laid in 1543, and construction took 80 years. Architectural features from the Renaissance, Mannerism, Baroque and the 19th century shape the building. The Igreja de São Gonçalo stands in the city centre and has been designated a National Monument since 1910.

The Ponte de São Gonçalo is 50 metres long and has four semicircular balconies. At each end stand two Baroque obelisks bearing epigraphic inscriptions—four in total. The bridge is also associated with commemorative events marking the defence of the Ponte d’Amarante in 1809 during the Napoleonic Invasions.

The Solar dos Magalhães was renovated as part of a project led by architect Siza Vieira. The project was inaugurated on 14 February 2025. The municipality offers guided visits, which you can request using a municipal form. Check availability and the applicable conditions before your trip.

Another historic site lies in São Veríssimo, outside the central city area: the Casa da Granja dates from the late 17th century and was acquired in 1855 by the maternal grandfather of the painter Amadeo de Souza-Cardoso. Today, it is a cultural and museum space for exhibitions, concerts and book launches. It also has a space dedicated to Eduardo Teixeira Pinto, a photographer from Amarante. The current events programme may change.

Trails and Scenery along the Tâmega

The Tâmega flows through Amarante; walks along its banks offer a way to explore the city from a different perspective. The Parque Florestal de Amarante covers about five hectares and is known for its diverse flora and fauna. It is used for recreation, sports and walks.

The Trilho dos Castanheiros starts in the park. This 3.8-kilometre linear trail is easy to walk and runs along the left bank of the Tâmega. The route offers opportunities for birdwatching: resident and migratory birds stop in Amarante to rest or nest. If you are looking for a short route with a clearly stated distance, this is a different scale from the Camino de Santiago route signposted in Amarante: it is 28 kilometres long in total and forms part of the Itinerário de Torres. The Caminho de Torres also passes through the historic Aldeia de Ovelhinha.

The history of the trails also includes the Ecopista do Vale do Tâmega. Its first, ten-kilometre section opened in April 2011, connecting Amarante railway station with the municipal boundary of Celorico de Basto. The stated distance refers to this first section.

More Activities and Local Highlights

The Pista de Canoagem do Penedo do Açúcar is located in the city centre. The canoe course is about 150 metres long and features a current, natural obstacles and slalom gates rated difficulty levels II and III. Before visiting, check whether the facility is accessible.

The traditional date for the festival in honour of São Gonçalo is the first Saturday in June; check the current programme for the year you plan to travel. Well-known sweets from Amarante include Papos de Anjo, Brisas do Tâmega, Toucinho do Céu, bolos de S. Gonçalo and galhofas. These culinary traditions complement the cultural and scenic themes you can consider when planning your stay.

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