What to See in Agueda Portugal — one of the most colorful towns in the country!
Agueda Portugal may not be one of the best-known cities compared to Lisbon or Porto, but you’ll definitely need to check out it’s warmth and beauty if you’re headed to the Iberian Peninsula. Known as the Umbrella Town, Agueda Portugal is on the interior (non-coastal) Portuguese Camino on the way to Santiago de Compostela in northwestern Spain. You might find if you’re on a Camino hike that you’ll want to stay awhile! Whether you stay a few hours or a few days, you’ll love your time in Agueda!
Where to find Agueda
Situated in the northern third of the country, Agueda is perfectly settled in between the coast and interior of Portugal and is part of the Aveiro region, boasting of great wines and delicious sucking roasted pig dishes. It’s also located on one of the Camino de Santiago routes if hiking the Camino is part of your plans.
Sights you won’t want to miss in Agueda Portugal!
Agueda is best-known for the Umbrella Sky Project! All over town – and especially on Luis de Camões Street — brightly-colored umbrellas hover overhead and envelop you with other street art displays to make this an unforgettable experience. The umbrellas also help to cool you down a bit in the Portuguese sun! Strolling the streets of Agueda Portugal and enjoying local dishes, stews and wines in the city’s restaurants is a wonderful way to relax and unwind.
You can also take an historic train ride and see the Macinhata do Vouga Train museum north of town. Or maybe satisfy your inner wine expert at the Aliança underground wine cellars (a few kilometers to the south in Sangalhos). Learn all about how local wines are made – and how they taste! — and check out the museum featuring Portuguese and African art.
When is the best time to visit Agueda Portugal?
Summertime really lights up the colorful umbrellas in Agueda Portugal, especially during the Agit Agueda Art Festival in July. For about three weeks all forms of art the stars with all kinds of concerts, parades, street performers and events – all in the glow of those glorious umbrellas.
How to get to Agueda
If you’re flying to the area, Porto is the nearest airport to Agueda, about 75 km to the West. From there, a taxi takes about an hour, or you can catch a bus ride that lasts 2 ½ to 3 hours or so. There is also train service from Porto to Agueda, with a change-over in Aveiro. Of course, here at The Spanish Touch we can make all those arrangements for you — including private transportation – to make your trip to Agueda hassle-free!
One of the most enjoyable travel options is the Macinhata do Vouga historical train, running between Macinhata do Vouga and Aveiro and stopping in Agueda. Go back in time in a historical carriage from 100 years ago!
Don’t forget that Agueda is also on one of the routes of the Camino de Santiago and can easily be incorporated into your hiking pilgrimage!
What to see near Agueda Portugal
- Aveiro – Also known as the ‘Portugese Venice’. Take a gondola ride through the canals to see the Art Nouveau architecture (don’t forget your hat and sunscreen!). Explore the beautiful plazas and buildings or try a salty mud spa in one of the outdoor artisan salt pans like the ones that produced salt for export all the way back in the 12th century.
- Coimbra – A bit further to the south of Agueda lies Coimbra, featuring one of the world’s oldest and most beautiful universities. The Machado de Castro Museum still has underground passageways to explore that date back to the Roman occupation!
- Pateira de Fermentelos – Dive into nature at this amazing lagoon offering walking and biking routes, water lilies, ducks, otters and Iberian frogs.
Whatever your plans for your visit to Agueda, we can take care of everything for you here at The Spanish Touch!
