In a very scenic spot in Peneda-Geres National Park lies a small, remote, and slightly forgotten Lindoso village. Thanks to the strategic location for many centuries it played an important military role in defending the Portuguese frontier. Nowadays, you won’t find many things to do in Lindoso but those that the village can offer will take you on a fascinating journey hundreds of years back. The well-preserved medieval castle from which great views extend, picturesque granaries and a stone old town with quaint houses create a beautiful picture that can’t be missed while traveling in Northern Portugal. Vamos, let us show you Lindoso, Portugal.
Interesting fact. In Portuguese, the word ‘lindoso’ means beautiful. After visiting Lindoso village we totally get why the village got its name!
Travel tip. A trip to Lindoso can be easily combined with a visit to Soajo village, located only 10 km away.
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Lindoso, Portugal FAQ
Lindoso is a tiny and picturesque village located within Peneda-Geres National Park in Northern Portugal in the Alto Minho region, only 4km from the Spanish border.
Of course! Lindoso is one of the best places to visit in Peneda-Geres National Park and simply can’t be missed while in the area. There you can enjoy the peacefulness and nature, wander around the castle, granaries and village streets, and just immerse for a moment into Portuguese rural life.
Lindoso is best known for its well-preserved medieval castle and a cluster of more than 50 granaries located just at its foot.
Lindoso, Portugal – Remote Portuguese Village In Peneda Geres National Park
Lindoso Castle
Lindoso Castle (pt. Castelo de Lindoso) is a medieval castle built in the 13th century during the reign of Afonso III in order to strengthen the defensive system of Portuguese borders. It stands on a hill, overlooking the village, the valley of the Lima River, and a Spanish border. For many years Lindoso Castle played an important military role but became especially important during the Portuguese Restoration War in the 17th century (1640-1668). Since 1910 Lindoso Castle has been classified as a National Monument.
You’re free to walk around the castle without charge. You can also visit a small interactive museum inside the main tower for €1.5 (March 2024). From castle ramparts, you can get nice views of the Lindoso granaries as well as amazing panoramic views of the surroundings.
Granaries of Lindoso
Right next to the Lindoso Castle, you’ll find an amazing cluster of more than 50 granite granaries (pt. espigueiros), dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries. These a little bit weird-looking constructions were, and some still are, used to dry and store grain. The granaries are often located in the slightly higher parts of the villages, to increase the flow of the wind, and thus better ventilation. They also stand on quirky “legs” a bit above the ground to protect grains from rodents. There is a cross at the top of each granary, to chase evil spirits away. Thanks to that they are often mistaken for graves.
Granite granaries are typical for North Portugal, we spotted quite a lot of them while driving in the area. The second, smaller, granary cluster can be found in Soajo, just 10km away. There you’ll find 24 well-preserved granaries.
Lindoso Old Town
Your trip shouldn’t end after seeing Lindoso Castle and granaries. The next steps you’ll take should lead you towards the village, where you’ll forget what century you live in. On your way, you’ll pass a small square with a pillory, the parish church of Lindoso, and a Tourist Office. Later, only the stone winding streets with stone houses await you, perfect to get lost among.
Book now: Waterfall, lagoon & old village trip in Peneda-Gerês National Park
Hiking trails near Lindoso
Lindoso is located in Peneda-Geres National Park, a paradise for outdoor activities enthusiasts. If you want to discover the wonders of the area on foot you can start in Lindoso. We didn’t have a chance to do any, but here on alltrails.com and wikiloc.com you can find some ideas.
Book now: Hiking and Swimming in Geres National Park
Alto Lindoso Dam
While in Lindoso you can also take a short 5min ride to see the impressive Alto Lindoso Dam (pt. Barragem do Alto Lindoso) on Lima River. It’s 110m high, 297m long, and 21m thick. Dam construction began in 1983, was completed in 1992, and five villages were flooded in order to create it.
Interesting fact. In February 2022, a nearby ghost village of Aceredo in Spain which has been submerged for the past 30 years, came to light again due to the drought that nearly emptied the reservoir. In this Telegraph article, you can see the photos, and read more about it, or take a look at a video from euronews.com.
How to get to Lindoso, Portugal?
Lindoso is located about 25km from Ponte da Barca, 45km from Ponte de Lima, 80km from Braga, and 70km from Viana do Castelo. The most convenient way to get to Lindoso is by car or taxi.
For great car rental offers visit the Rental Car website.
Where to park in Lindoso?
You can leave your car for free in this big parking lot right next to Lindoso Castle.
To Lindoso by taxi
If you don’t own a car and don’t want to rent one you can get to Lindoso by taxi. It’s quite expensive, but a fast option. For example, the journey from Ponte da Barca will take about 25min (€65-80), from Viana do Castelo 55min (€170-210) and 40min from Ponte de Lima (€110-140). To learn more about taxi connections that interest you visit rome2rio.com website.
To Lindoso by bus
You can also get to Lindoso by bus, but it will be a long journey on a short distance (for example about 2h from Ponte da Barca or Ponte de Lima). Also, there is usually only one or two buses a day, and mostly from the villages and towns nearby, like Soajo, Ponte da Barca, Arcos de Valdevez, or Ponte de Lima. To learn more about bus connections that might interest you visit rome2rio.com website.
To Peneda-Geres with an organized tour
If you don’t want to put too much effort into planning, you can always take advantage of the guided tours and let someone else take care of all the details. For a wide selection and well-reviewed tour options be sure to visit GetYourGuide or Viator.
Lindoso, Portugal – Summing up
What? Already the end? That was really quick! But don’t worry, your visit to Lindoso will be a little bit longer. And if you combine it with a trip to Soajo, you’ll get a full-day trip in the beautiful lush green areas of Peneda-Geres National Park. No matter if you’ll stay only for a few hours or if you’re planning on staying a bit longer – we’re sure that Lindoso and Peneda-Geres will enchant you. Add Lindoso to your Portugal bucket list and you won’t regret it!
Our opinion about Lindoso
For us, a visit to Lindoso was part of a day trip to Peneda-Geres National Park from nearby Ponte da Barca where we lived for a few weeks during our digital nomad #season1. We visited in early May, in the early morning hours and we were two out of max 10 people out there.
Overall, we liked Lindoso and until today it’s one of our favorite places in Portugal. We spent more or less 2 hours there and really enjoyed walking around the castle grounds, admiring the views and unique granaries. We also liked strolling among quaint old town stone houses and streets located nearby. It was so peaceful and quiet out there!
Book now: Small Group Peneda Geres National Park Full Day Tour
Restaurants, accommodations, and map
Check out various recommended places below.
Where to eat in Lindoso?
Here are your best, high-rated options in Lindoso:
Where to sleep in Lindoso?
Casa do Charco Peneda Gerês
Casa do Charco Peneda Gerês is a charming and comfortable stone house located within the Peneda-Gerês National Park. The rustic rooms are equipped with heating, free Wi-Fi, and private bathrooms. Guests can also enjoy a fireplace, living room with a sofa and TV, and a fully-equipped kitchen with a small dining area and washing machine.
Casa Do Pomar
Casa do Pomar is a charming pet-friendly house located within the Peneda-Gerês National Park. This traditional house features rustic-style décor, a fireplace and a fully-equipped kitchen for guests to prepare homemade meals. Its location offers breathtaking views of the Soajo and Amarela mountains and guests can enjoy walks amidst nature.
Casa da Fecha
Casa da Fecha is a charming countryside house with stunning mountain views, shared lounge, and water sports facilities, perfect for nature lovers looking for an outdoor adventure. The house features three comfortable bedrooms, a fully-equipped kitchen, and three modern bathrooms. Guests can enjoy a continental breakfast and a barbecue in the terrace or use the shared kitchen to prepare their meals.
Accommodations photos source: booking.com
