Lamego

Lamego sits in Portugal’s Douro Valley, where stone staircases wind past baroque churches and vineyards stretch across hills. Start on the Avenida, lined with 18th-century villas, then climb the 686 steps to the Nossa Senhora dos Remédios church. Visit the Gothic cathedral where Afonso Henriques became Portugal’s first king in 1139. The Museu de Lamego holds Flemish tapestries and paintings by Grão Vasco, and local vineyards make sparkling Raposeira wines. Three kilometers from town, the São Pedro de Balsemão Chapel, built in the 7th century, remains one of Europe’s few Visigothic structures still standing.

Nossa Senhora dos Remédios Sanctuary and Staircase

Start at the bottom of the baroque staircase leading to the Nossa Senhora dos Remédios Sanctuary. The 686 steps, constructed from 1777 to the 1900s, curve past stone fountains, blue-and-white tiles, and statues of mythical creatures. At the top, the church’s Rococo design includes twin bell towers and an interior covered in gold leaf. Go early in the day to climb without crowds, or visit during late August’s Romaria festival, when locals carry a statue of Our Lady of Remedies up the stairs. From the summit, you’ll see Lamego’s rooftops and the Douro Valley’s vine-covered slopes.

Museu de Lamego

The Museu de Lamego occupies an 18th-century bishop’s palace and displays regional art. Five 16th-century Flemish tapestries illustrate the Oedipus story, and paintings by Renaissance artist Grão Vasco fill the galleries. The reconstructed Chapel of São Pedro, brought here from Lisbon, has gold-covered walls and 17th-century blue tiles. Entry costs €3 and lets you explore the museum’s gardens and rotating exhibits on local traditions. Spend an hour examining carved religious statues and silver chalices used in centuries-old ceremonies.

Lamego Cathedral and Castle Ruins

Lamego’s cathedral, founded in 1129, keeps its Romanesque bell tower but mixes Gothic and Renaissance styles inside. Nicolau Nasoni’s frescoes cover the ceilings with bright scenes from the Bible. Next to the cathedral, a 16th-century cloister has stone carvings of anchors and ropes, reflecting Portugal’s maritime history. Walk uphill for 10 minutes to reach the ruins of Lamego Castle, where only a medieval tower and fragments of Moorish walls remain. From here, look down over the Balsemão River and the old town’s orange rooftops.

São Pedro de Balsemão Chapel

Drive three kilometers southwest to São Pedro de Balsemão, a chapel built in the 7th century during Visigothic rule. Its plain stone exterior opens to a small nave with a horseshoe-shaped arch and a granite tomb for Bishop Afonso Pires, added in the 1300s. Faded Latin carvings line the walls, and a simple granite altar stands at the front. The chapel’s design, largely unchanged for over 1,300 years, highlights early Christian architecture in Portugal. Pair this stop with a visit to the Cistercian Monastery of São João de Tarouca, 25 minutes away, to see its choir stalls decorated with 18th-century tiles.

Wine Tasting and Douro Valley Connections

Vineyards around Lamego produce port wines and sparkling Raposeira. Quinta do Vallado and Quinta da Pacheca welcome visitors for tastings of reds and whites, often paired with sheep’s cheese or almond pastries. Tour their terraced vineyards to learn how grapes grow on steep slate hillsides. For more context, head to the Museu do Douro in Peso da Régua, 20 minutes west, which explains the region’s winemaking history. From Pinhão, 40 minutes east, boat trips along the Douro River pass UNESCO-listed slopes planted with vines.

Practical Tips for Visiting

Lamego’s center is small enough to explore on foot, but the hills require comfortable shoes. Buses run to Porto (two hours) and Vila Real (one hour), though a car makes reaching wineries easier. Plan a September trip for the Romaria festival or arrive in spring when olive trees flower. The Lamego Hotel & Life has a spa and valley views, while Quinta da Timpeira places you among vineyards. Restaurants along the Avenida serve roast goat and thick beef steaks, best paired with local red wines.