Today we’re taking you on a trip to the remote, traditional and slightly forgotten village of Soajo. Nowadays you won’t find many things to do there but the ones the village offers will take you on a short yet fascinating journey back in time. Picturesque granaries, wonderful views of the surroundings, traditional stone old town with quaint houses, winding streets… All of that creates a truly charming picture that can’t be missed while traveling in Peneda-Geres National Park. Vamos, let’s take a proper look at Soajo, Portugal.
Travel tip. A trip to Soajo can be easily combined with a visit to Lindoso village, located only 10 km away.
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Soajo, Portugal FAQ
Soajo is a picturesque village located in Northern Portugal in the Alto Minho region. It sits at the altitude of 1416m a.s.l at the foot of Peneda-Geres National Park, only 10km from the Spanish border.
The answer cannot be other than – of course. Soajo is one of the best places to visit while in Peneda-Geres National Park. There you can enjoy nature, take a breath of fresh mountain air, step back in time while wandering the village streets, and just immerse for a moment into Portuguese rural life. Soajo village is worth visiting, even for that short while.
Soajo is best known for the granite granaries – strange-looking constructions that were, and still are used to dry and store grain by some.
Soajo, Portugal – Remote Portuguese Village In Peneda Geres National Park
Granaries of Soajo
Soajo’s impressive granite granaries, or espigueiros in Portuguese, are definitely the unique highlight of the village. At first glance, those a little bit strange-looking constructions were, and still are by some, used to dry and store grain. The granaries are often located in the slightly higher parts of the villages, to increase the chances of catching more wind, thus better ventilation. They are also always elevated from the ground, to protect grains from rodents.
In Soajo, you’ll find 24 granaries from the 18th and 19th centuries, with the oldest one dating back to 1782. On each granary there is a cross on top, to chase evil spirits away. Thanks to that, granaries are often mistaken for graves. In Soajo they can be found at the entrance to the village, right next to the parking lot.
Those granite granaries are very typical for North Portugal, we spotted quite a lot of single ones while driving in the area. The second granary cluster, even bigger than the one in Soajo, can be found in Lindoso, just 10km away. There you’ll find more than 50 well-kept espigueiros at the foot of the Lindoso Castle.
Soajo Old Town
Just a few steps from the granaries of Soajo the charming streets of Soajos’ old town begin. While strolling among them you can feel like stepping back in time, and only a few places suggest that it’s still the 21st century. Among the streets, you’ll find many charming stone houses, a small parish church (Paróquia São Martinho de Soajo), and a village main square with an unusual stone pillory with a carved anthropomorphic face, crowned with a triangle resembling a hat. Soajo is a very small and walkable place, you probably won’t need more than 1 hour to walk all the streets, even two times.
Book now: Peneda-Geres National Park Tour with Lunch
Ponte da Ladeira
Ponte da Ladeira is an arched medieval bridge located about 600m from the granaries of Soajo. It isn’t reachable by car, the only way to get there is by a short hike, just follow the signs. If you’re up for a bath in clear waters in a peaceful place – it’s a spot for you.
Poço Negro
Poço Negro is one more great place in nature near Soajo, located only about 1km from granaries. There you can relax in the shades of trees, or take a nice, refreshing dip into the water. To get there follow the signs on the road leading to Soajo.
Hiking trails near Soajo, Portugal
Soajo is located at the foot of 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 Soajo, which is a great starting point for trails. We didn’t have a chance to do any, but here on alltrails.com you can find some ideas.
Book now: Hiking and Swimming in Geres National Park
How to get to Soajo, Portugal?
Soajo is located at the foot of Peneda-Geres National Park, about 20km from Ponte da Barca, 40km from Ponte de Lima, 75km from Braga, and 65km from Viana do Castelo. The most convenient way to get to Soajo is by car or taxi.
Where to park in Soajo?
You can leave your car for free in this big parking lot right next to the granaries of Soajo.
To Soajo by taxi
If you don’t own a car and don’t want to rent one you can get to Soajo by taxi. For example, the journey from Ponte da Barca will take about 20min (€28-35), 50min from Viana do Castelo (€75-95) and 35min from Ponte de Lima (€50-60). To learn more about taxi connections that interest you visit rome2rio.com website.
To Soajo by bus
You can also get to Soajo by bus, but it will be a long journey on a short distance. Also, there is usually only one or two buses a day, and mostly from the villages and towns nearby, like 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.
Explore local attractions
Soajo, Portugal – Summing up
That was quick, as probably will be your visit to Soajo. But don’t let that discourage you! Soajo is a truly stunning place worth visiting while in North Portugal or the Peneda-Geres National Park area. 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 Soajo and Peneda-Geres will enchant you. Enjoy your time in the village!
Our opinion about Soajo
For us, a visit to Soajo 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 it in early May, somewhere around noon, and during that time we were two of just a handful of other people out there.
We really liked the village. Strolling among stone houses, admiring views, and unique granaries was a pure pleasure. We also loved how quiet it was there. No city sounds, cars, or loud people. Nowadays such situations are rare and we really appreciate whenever we can experience them. Soajo became one of our favorite places in Portugal, and we definitely recommend visiting it.
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 Soajo?
Here are your best, high-rated options in Soajo:
Where to sleep in Soajo?
Casa de Bairros
Casa de Bairros is a charming rural guesthouse located in the heart of the Peneda-Gerês National Park in Soajo. The property features comfortable rooms, each with a private bathroom and views of the surrounding countryside.
A Casinha da Padaria
A Casinha da Padaria is a charming farm stay in Soajo with breathtaking mountain views from the balcony. The cozy 1-bedroom accommodation includes a living room, flat-screen TV, and an equipped kitchenette with a coffee machine. Guests can enjoy the peaceful surroundings on the terrace and stay connected with free WiFi.
Casinha da Raposeira
Casinha da Raposeira is a charming and cozy cottage located in Soajo. The traditional stone building features a rustic interior with modern amenities, including a fully equipped kitchen and comfortable bedding. Guests can enjoy stunning mountain views from the property's private terrace, and there are several hiking trails and natural attractions nearby to explore.
Accommodations photos source: booking.com
