Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Salvador buses travel through Ponte da Barca twice a day Monday to Friday on their
way from Arco de Valdevez to Soajo (€2.75, 45 minutes) in Parque Nacional da Peneda-
Gerês. Buses stop in front of Churasqueira Barquense restaurant on Rua Dr Francisco Sá
Carneiro. Enquire at the
turismo
for the current schedule. Salvador buses also travel to
Braga daily (€3.80, one hour).
TOP OF CHAPTER
Arcos de Valdevez
POP 2300 / ELEV 200M
Drowsy little Arcos de Valdevez is home to a couple of interesting old churches and sev-
eral stately homes in a small, almost tourist-free old centre. It also has a vibrant, willow-
shaded riverfront. While it doesn't merit a special trip, it's a handy gateway to the north-
ern end of Parque Nacional da Peneda-Gerês.
Sleeping
Residencial Tavares
( 258 516 253; Rua Padre MJ Cunha Brito; s/d from €20/35; )
In the historic centre, Tavares is
excellent value for its clean, bright rooms, though the building itself is modern and unap-
pealing. Some rooms have balconies. Take a right from the
turismo
, go up to the square
with the Lapa church and Tavares is to your right.
GUESTHOUSE
$
HOTEL
$
Hotel Ribeira
( 258 531 358;
www.hotelribeira.pt
;
Largo dos Milagres; s/d €50/60; )
Except for its pictur-
esque fairy-pink facade, this early-1900s town house has, unfortunately, been largely gut-
ted of its original character, but it does have spotless, comfortable rooms with big win-
dows, high ceilings and an excellent position by the river.
Paço da Glória
( 258 947 177;
www.pacodagloria.com
; Jolda- Madalena ; s/d from €70/80; )
A restored 18th-cen-
tury manor house, built on 13th-century foundations in what was then the cradle of Por-
tuguese nobility, can be your nest in the vineyard-draped hills outside Arcos. Rooms in-
side the house are massive, with stone fireplaces and huge marble bathrooms, while those
RURAL INN
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