Portugal Visitor Guide

Guadiana International Bridge

Guadiana International Bridge (Ponte Internacional do Guadiana)

The Guadiana International Bridge (Guadiana International Bridge) carries the A22/A49 highway linking Spain and Portugal across the River Guadiana just north of Vila Real de Santo Antonio.

It is the third-longest bridge in Portugal and is the work of Portuguese engineer, José Luis Câncio Martins.

Guadiana International Bridge

The 666 meter-long, cable-stayed bridge (Puente Internacional del Guadiana in Spanish) dates from 1991. It stands 20 meters above the river allowing ships to pass underneath.

The road bridge is adjacent to an area of marsh and wetland - the Reserva Natural do Sapal de Castro Marim e Vila Real de Santo António.

The 666-meter bridge links Spain and Portugal by road

Ferry

The is also a ferry across the Guardiana from Vila Real de Santo Antonio to Ayamonte in Spain which takes 15 minutes. The ferry is a pleasant way to commute between the two towns. Remember that Spain is an hour ahead of Portuguese time.

Vila Real de Santo Antonio - Ayamonte Ferry

The ferry is a fun way to cross the Guadiana River between Spain and Portugal

Accommodation in Ayamonte & Vila Real Santo Antonio

Hotels in Ayamonte Spain - Booking.com

Hotels in Vila Real Santo Antonio Portugal - Booking.com

Accommodation in Portugal

Hotels in the Algarve - Booking.com

Hotels in Lisbon - Booking.com

Hotels in Porto - Booking.com

Hotels in Portugal - Booking.com

Hotels in Portugal - Agoda

© Portugal Visitor

Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Assunção Elvas

Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Assunção, Praça da Republica, Elvas

The interior of the church has Manueline elements

The interior of the church has both Manueline and Baroque elements

The fortress-like church of Nossa Senhora da Assunção lies in the main square of Praça da Republica in Elvas. It was previously a cathedral before the seat of the bishop moved to nearby Evora in 1881.

It is of interest as the building is the work of Francisco de Arruda, the main architect of the Torre de Belem in Lisbon. Construction began in 1517 and was completed in 1537. Originally Manueline in style, Baroque and other architectural elements were added in later centuries.

Arruda also worked on the nearby Amoreira Aqueduct.

Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Assunção

Interior

The interior has some beautiful azulejos tilework and an 18th-century Italian organ in the high choir.

The nave and altar

Access - Getting There

Praça da República 7350-126 Elvas
Tel: 266 769 800

Praça da República has several pavement cafes to take in the exterior of the church over a coffee or glass of wine. The Tourist Office (turismo) is also in the square.

A recommended place to stay in Elvas is the Santa Luzia Pousada.

Praça da República, Elvas

Close up of the altar

Cálem Port Wine Lodge

Cálem Port Wine Lodge Vila Nova de Gaia (Caves Cálem)

The Cálem Port Wine Lodge (Caves Cálem) is located in Vila Nova de Gaia across the River Douro from Ribeira in Porto.

It's the nearest wine lodge to the iconic Ponte de D. Luis I Bridge and in normal years receives around 100,000 visitors to its 19th-century cellars.

Cálem Port Wine Lodge

Porto Cálem was founded in 1859 by Antonio Alves Cálem. He was determined to market his wine in Brazil at a time when the main market was largely Britain and the rest of Europe.

With its own fleet of ships, the venture was a success and now the company's logo is a caravel being loaded with port barrels. It is present on every bottle.

The business was continued by his son Antonio Alves Cálem Junior. Cálem's famous port wines include a White, Tawny, Rosé, and Ruby.

Visitors can once again enjoy a tour of Cálem's cellars and museum. Wall panels explain the history of the wine, the growth of the grapes in the Douro Valley, and the aging process in Vila Nova de Gaia. The tour includes an interactive fado show and free tasting of two port wines, a fine White and a 10-year-old Tawny.

Access - Getting There

Avenida de Diogo Leite 344
4400-111 Vila Nova de Gaia
calem.pt

Hours

Daily from 10 am to 1 pm and 2 pm to 7 pm.

Porto buses 900, 901 904, and 906 all stop close to the cellars. Jardim do Morro is the nearest Porto metro station.

More on Porto

Cemitério Prado do Repouso

Sandeman Cellars

Cor de Tangerina Guimarães

Cor de Tangerina Restaurant, Guimarães

Cor de Tangerina is a recommended lacto-ovo vegetarian restaurant with garden seating on the road to Guimarães Castle in Guimarães.

The restaurant also serves vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, and sugar-free meals on request.

The restaurant garden is a great place to enjoy al fresco dining and the space also hosts small events.

Access - Getting There

Cor de Tangerina
Largo Martins Sarmento, n.º 89 - 1.º andar
4800-432 Guimarães
Tel: 966 876 165
www: cordetangerina.pt

From the station, the restaurant is a 20-minute walk (1.2 km).

The Palace Duques de Bragança is also very close by. Reservations are recommended.

Garden seating

Accommodation in Guimarães

Accommodation options in Guimarães include the EMAJ Guimarães Boutique Hotel, the four star Hotel Toural, the Stay Hotel Guimarães Centro, also four stars and the two star Hotel Mestre de Avis.

The Hotel de Guimarães in the south of the city is four stars and has a swimming pool and spa.
Budget hotels in the city include the one star Hotel São Mamede and the two star Hotel ibis Guimaraes Centro.

See here for a full listing of hotels, hostels and apartments in Guimarães.

Guimarães Related

Guimarães Buses