This medieval town at the mouth of the Minho River has a 16th-century fortress and Gothic clock tower. Its location between Portugal and Spain made it a strategic defense point.
Caminha lies at the confluence of the Minho and Coura rivers in northern Portugal, 2 kilometers from the Atlantic Ocean. In the town's Renaissance main square, you'll find children playing around a 1551 fountain while elderly residents chat on benches beneath the medieval clock tower. The 15th-century parish church has intricate stone carvings of maritime scenes and rope patterns. As a stop on the Portuguese Way of the Camino de Santiago, the town comes alive each Wednesday when local coppersmiths and lacemakers sell their work at the weekly market.
Getting Around Caminha's Historic Center
Praça Conselheiro Silva Torres forms the heart of medieval Caminha, with its distinctive circular shape and 1551 Renaissance fountain. Local residents gather at the square's cafes, where you can try regional pastries under century-old plane trees. Walk down Rua Direita through an archway beneath the medieval clock tower to reach the riverfront.
Religious Architecture
The Parish Church, completed in 1488, showcases the shift between architectural periods with its mix of pointed Gothic arches and curved Renaissance doorways. Look for the stone rope carvings and maritime motifs typical of Portuguese Manueline style. At the Igreja da Misericórdia from 1561, pilgrims walking to Santiago de Compostela still stop to rest, continuing a centuries-old tradition.
Beaches and Coastal Areas
You can swim at several beaches near Caminha. The calm waters at Foz do Minho river beach make it ideal for families, while Moledo beach, 4 kilometers south, has consistent winds for surfing and windsurfing. Walk through the Mata do Camarido pine forest on marked paths connecting the trees to the beach.
Mountain Activities in Serra d'Arga
Serra d'Arga rises 823 meters above sea level south of town. The PR1 hiking trail leads from Dem village to the peak, passing waterfalls and granite formations. Visit the S. João de Arga monastery, where monks still make honey and cheese. In Castanheira village, you can swim in natural stone pools formed by mountain streams.
Crossing to Spain
Take the ferry across the Minho River to Spain (€3 per person, runs every hour from 9 AM to 6 PM in good weather). From A Guarda on the Spanish side, climb to the Celtic ruins at Santa Tecla for views of both countries. The ferry journey takes 15 minutes.
Transportation
Trains run between Porto and Caminha every two hours (journey time: 1 hour 15 minutes). The railway station walls display blue and white tiles showing scenes from local fishing history. Look for the 1878 railway bridge over the Coura River, designed by Gustave Eiffel's company. By car, follow the A28 coastal highway from Porto (1 hour) or the A3 from other northern Portuguese cities.
