Melgaço

Located in the Alto Minho, Melgaço is a mountainous municipality situated between the left bank of the river Minho and the Peneda and Soajo mountains. As a curiosity, it is the municipality in the more northerly part of Portugal. The origin of the word Melgaço is not clear among the historians. While some argue that it derives from the pre-Roman times, from the word melgaecus, others argue that it derives from the Latin mallicaceus, which means "land with abundance of honey". Its occupation dates back to the pre-Roman times, which have left several traces in the territory. The highlights include the Castro Laboreiro zone whit its dolmens, cave drawings, Celtic villages and Celtic and Roman bridges. The region has undergone a major evolution when, in 1170, Dom Afonso Henriques ordered for it to be populated and for the castle to be rebuilt. Melgaço has been, since that time, an important defensive point of the crown against the Castile advances. Currently, one of the biggest factors of Melgaço's development is the production of the famous Alvarinho wine. Known for its delicate aroma and citric color, this wine already has its own place, that defends and promotes its identity – Solar do Alvarinho.

What to do in Melgaço

Where to eat in Melgaço

Where to sleep in Melgaço

Monte Prado Minho Hotel & Spa
Monte Prado Minho Hotel & Spa

4 star

Monte Prado-Hotel & SPA is synonymous with "be well" and in balance with nature: the vast pine forests, the slope at the bottom if we let bathe by the Minho ri…

Casa do Piorno
Casa do Piorno

Rustic house located in the village preserved of Bland of Hazel. Excellent choice for those looking for nature tourism in the Peneda-Gerês National Park.

Casa da Fonte do Carvalhinho
Casa da Fonte do Carvalhinho

Rustic house located in the village preserved of Bland of Hazel, ideal for those looking for nature tourism in the Peneda-Gerês National Park.

Near Melgaço

Arcos de Valdevez

Arcos de Valdevez


Arcos de Valdevez is one of the largest municipalities of Portugal, being composed of 51 parishes, most of which are part of the Peneda-Gerês mountai…

Caminha

Caminha


It is bounded to the north by the Minho river and to the south by Viana do Castelo. This is the location of Caminha municipality, composed by 20 pari…

Monção

Monção


Monção is delimited by the fertile Minho river and the rugged Peneda and Extremo mountains. Its privileged location has meant that its valleys were f…

Vila Nova de Cerveira

Vila Nova de Cerveira


Vila Nova de Cerveira is strongly influenced by the Minho river, course that delimits all the County and provides magnificent views who passes. The b…