Travel through the heart of Portugal’s northern region and discover the common features shared by the monasteries, churches, memorials, bridges, castles and towers that narrate the legends and stories of the foundation of Portugal. You will find here a valuable Romanesque heritage that bears witness to the important role played by this territory in the history of the nobility and the religious orders.

The Romanesque Route will show you 57 monuments of exceptional value, spread throughout 12 municipalities with a common historical and cultural legacy: Castelo de Paiva, Felgueiras, Lousada, Paços de Ferreira, Paredes, Penafiel, Amarante, Baião, Celorico de Basto, Cinfães, Marco de Canaveses and Resende.

Enhance the moments you spend in contemplation by adding to them a sense of discovery as you walk or cycle around the region’s paths and trails in perfect communion with nature. For the more fearless among you, the River Paiva offers you some unique and exciting challenges, with the chance to enjoy some quite unforgettable rafting descents.

All year round, the region’s countless festivities and pilgrimages offer the perfect opportunity to revisit the lively local markets. Discover entirely different ways of dancing, singing and playing music, and be delightfully surprised by the traditional arts and crafts, most notably the embroidery, the articles made of linen and the artistic hand-carved wooden objects.

To round off your trip in style, let your taste buds delight in the flavours and smells of the traditional local cuisine, accompanied by the most excellent vinhos verdes produced in the region. Replenish your energies in the peaceful and quiet atmosphere of the rural tourism houses that you will find here, or perhaps you might like to take a stroll through centuries-old gardens, where time sometimes seems to have stopped altogether.

Wherever you go, you will certainly be welcomed with the genuine warmth and hospitality that are so typical of this region.