Discover Valpaços: Folar, wine and walking trails

Discover Valpaços through a range of specific themes: the Vias Augustas XVII walking trail, wine and cultural history, Folar de Valpaços and places along the Rabaçal. If you are looking for a hotel in Valpaços, you can choose your focus according to whether you are most interested in hiking, historic architecture or regional cuisine. These themes offer different perspectives for planning your stay.

Walking in the municipality

The Vias Augustas XVII walking trail runs for 19 km through the municipality of Valpaços. It passes through Friões, including Mosteiró de Cima and Barracão; Ervões, including Sá; Vilarandelo, including Vilarandelo; Valpaços, including Lagoas; and Possacos, including Possacos. The trail is certified in accordance with the standards of the Federação de Campismo e Montanhismo de Portugal and is signposted along its entire length. This makes it possible to find your way along the route. The stated length and named places give this section a clear framework when you plan your walks in Valpaços.

Another walking destination in the municipality is the Centro Interpretativo da Ecovia do Rabaçal. It is the meeting point for three walking trails that form part of the Rio Rabaçal long-distance route. At Praia Fluvial do Rabaçal, a wooden walkway provides fully accessible access to the river. The information about these places differs for planning purposes: the Vias Augustas XVII is described as a 19 km section, while the interpretation centre serves as the meeting point for three trails on the long-distance route.

Wine, building history and architecture

The Casa do Vinho de Valpaços is an interactive museum. Modern multi-touch devices present the history, characteristics and distinctive features of the region’s grapevines and wines; the museum also highlights its archaeological and landscape heritage. The Casa do Vinho is also home to the Valpaços Tourism Shop, which sells regional products. The museum offers two distinct ways to engage with the region: learning about wine and discovering regional products.

The Casa do Arco offers a different historical perspective: its oldest building elements date from the 15th century. There is also a suggested route in Valpaços to visit selected Lagares Cavados na Rocha, wine presses carved into the rock. The suggested route covers selected presses, retaining its character as a proposal for a visit.

The Igreja Matriz de Valpaços, also known as the Igreja de Santa Maria Maior, is a 19th-century neoclassical church. Inside are an upper choir, a pulpit on the Gospel side, two side altarpieces, two side chapels with altarpieces, and a main altarpiece. The altarpieces are neoclassical and made of polychrome carved wood. The information about the building and its furnishings offers two different perspectives on the church: its architecture and the design of its interior.

Folar de Valpaços and local tradition

Folar de Valpaços is part of the local cuisine and is celebrated as a distinctive emblem of the region. The Folar, which has a protected geographical indication, is distinguished by two fermentation stages used in preparing the bread dough that are specific to the municipality of Valpaços. This makes its production a defining feature of the product. Traditionally, Folar was made for Easter. On Easter Sunday, the clergy collected it from families as part of the Compasso, the Easter visitation. The food history thus encompasses both its distinctive preparation and a long-standing Easter practice.

Getting your bearings and events

The Festas da Cidade e do Concelho de Valpaços are held in honour of Nossa Senhora da Saúde; the edition listed for 2026 relates to this occasion. The Loja Interativa de Turismo in Valpaços is located at Avenida Eng. Luís de Castro Saraiva, 5430-472 Valpaços. This address provides a specific point of reference for visitor information. Together with the museum, historic buildings and walking trails, it can help you decide which themes you would like to shape your stay in Valpaços.

Discover more destinations: Manta Rota, Friães, Cabril, Vidago, Sedielos, Fiães Do Rio, Covas Do Douro, Pardelhas

See the broader travel overview: Vila Real.