Resende: Cherries, Culture and the Douro

When looking for a hotel in Resende, it helps to first plan the themes of your trip: Would you like to experience local festival traditions, visit collections and buildings, or plan activities in the surrounding area? Resende offers a range of starting points for this.

Cherry traditions and regional specialities

The Festa das Cavacas in Vila de Resende highlights Cavaca as one of the most characteristic specialities of traditional regional confectionery. The Festival da Cereja is also held in Vila de Resende. Its recurring format includes exhibitions and the sale of cherry-related products; details may vary from one edition to the next. If you would like to plan your trip around one of the festivals, check the specific event dates for your travel dates.

The Centro Interpretativo da Cereja is a museum space dedicated to cherries and has a permanent exhibition room. The centre in the surrounding area also includes an orchard with several cherry varieties. This means cherries feature not only as a festival theme, but also in an exhibition and orchard.

Museum, garden and architectural heritage

The Museu Municipal de Resende has permanent exhibitions on ethnography and archaeology featuring local collections. There are also exhibition rooms dedicated to the Rio Douro and the engineer Eng.º Edgar Cardoso. One room is devoted to temporary exhibitions. As the museum displays may change, check the current offering in advance if you have a particular interest.

The history of architecture can also be seen at specific sites. The Jardim Municipal was built around 1934 and later named Jardim 25 de Abril. The Ponte da Panchorra in the surrounding area is a traditional folk-architecture bridge over the Rio Cabrum at an altitude of about 1,000 metres. On 9 April 2013, it was classified as a monument of public interest.

The Igreja de São Martinho de Mouros in the surrounding area dates from the 13th century. Its paintings, from the workshop of the Mestres de Ferreirim, are dated to around 1530. The church of the Mosteiro de Santa Maria de Cárquere combines Gothic and Manueline elements. Another way to experience local culture is the Festa da Labareda: this popular tradition celebrates local identity and culture with music, socialising and entertainment.

Views and activities in the surrounding area

The Parque Urbano offers space for outdoor leisure and cultural activities, as well as views across the Douro Valley. If you are interested in cycling routes, the Centro Cyclin’Portugal de Montemuro in the surrounding area has nine circular routes, with 122 signposted kilometres and 302 kilometres of available routes. The centre’s main entrance is in Felgueiras, Resende.

Another option is the short PR1 RSD – Vale do Cabrum Superior circular route. It starts and ends in Ovadas de Baixo, near the Ponte e Parque Fluvial de Ovadas. If you are planning a hike, check the trail conditions for the season. The Miradouro do Penedo de São João in the surrounding area is suitable for climbing and abseiling. The activities described therefore vary considerably, from a circular route and a cycling network to climbing and abseiling.

Discover more destinations: Anreade/adega, Miomães.

Go to the main travel overview: Resende.