Above the present-day town of Santa Marta de Penaguião stands the Chapel of Santa Marta, which gave the municipality its current name. There are several different ways to discover this destination: a landscape shaped by vineyards, viewpoints offering changing perspectives, and buildings from different periods. This contrast is what gives the area its character.
Views of mountains, river and vineyards
At Miradouro do Viso, the view takes in the landscapes of the Serra do Marão, rugged mountain areas and Fraga da Ermida. The viewpoint has a picnic area and good access. As access conditions can change, check them before your visit. Miradouro de Santa Barbara offers a different perspective: at around 470 metres above sea level, it affords views of the lush slopes of the Corgo and the Alto Douro Vinhateiro, classified by UNESCO as a World Heritage site. You can also see the winding Rio Corgo, lined with terraced vineyards. The viewpoints offer distinct scenery: at Viso, mountains and Fraga da Ermida dominate the view, while at Santa Barbara, the river and wine terraces take centre stage.
Wine shapes the landscape and experiences
Extensive vineyards cover a large part of Santa Marta de Penaguião. The municipality is also closely linked to the creation of the demarcated Douro wine region and to Frei João de Mansilha. Wine production also includes a cooperative winery, where table wines and fortified wines are made.
At Horta Osório Wines, a tasting room occupies the upper floor at the highest point of Quinta dos Osórios, with views of the Douro and the Serra do Marão. Quinta Senhora da Graça offers wine-related activities where visitors can learn about grape-growing and winemaking methods. These include wine tastings led by an oenologist. Hiking trips are also organised, focusing on the Douro landscape. The experiences have different focuses: views of the wine landscape, insight into grape-growing and winemaking, or a hike centred on the Douro landscape. For visits and tastings, it is advisable to check dates and availability in advance.
Chapels, churches and stone details
The Chapel of Santa Marta is rectangular, painted white and set in a partially walled churchyard. Its location above the present-day town and its connection to the municipality’s name make it a distinctive part of local history. The Pelourinho de Santa Marta de Penaguião also tells a story of local architectural heritage: it stands on three round steps, has a smooth cylindrical shaft and tapers to a truncated cone. It is classified as an Imóvel de Interesse Público, a property of public interest.
The Santuario de Nossa Senhora do Viso brings together a range of artistic and religious details. The main altar is elaborately crafted in gilded woodcarving, while the nave is decorated with 17th-century azulejos. It also houses two religious images from that century: Senhora da Luz and Senhora das Neves. The parish church of São Miguel de Lobrigos also dates, in its present form, to the 18th century and features gilded woodcarving from that period.
In Medrões, the Fonte do Rei is an 18th-century civic building bearing royal coats of arms. Its elegant granite back wall bears a royal coat of arms, above which are a crown, a shell or scallop shell, and two pinnacle-shaped finials. Two water spouts are also among its visible architectural features. The Semana Cultural de Santa Marta de Penaguião brings together tradition, culture, gastronomy, wine and local customs. Each edition has its own theme and includes themed evenings; the specific programme varies from one edition to another. If the festival is the reason for your trip, check the dates of the edition you wish to attend.
Hiking trail and riverbank
The Trilho das Portas da Vila is a marked and signposted short-distance hiking trail and part of the municipal hiking trail network. Before setting out, check that the trail markings and condition are up to date; signage and maintenance should be checked before your hike, and the network may change. For a different kind of visit, head to Praia Fluvial de Fornelos, beside the clear waters of the Rio Aguilhão. River and beach conditions are seasonal, so take this into account when planning your visit.
Discover more destinations: Santa Marta de Penaguião, Cumeeira, Oura, Murça, Armamar, Boticas, Mesão Frio, Vila Pouca De Aguiar.
For the broader travel overview: Vila Real.
