Torre de Moncorvo in 3D

Torre de Moncorvo is a municipality in the Bragança district, in the Douro sub-region of Trás-os-Montes. It has 13 parishes, about 531 km² and, according to the 2021 Census, 6,826 inhabitants. It borders Vila Flor, Alfândega da Fé, Mogadouro, Freixo de Espada à Cinta, Vila Nova de Foz Côa and Carrazeda de Ansiães.

The town lies next to the Serra do Reboredo, in the Vilariça Valley, and the municipality reaches the confluence of the Sabor and the Douro. It received its charter (foral) from King Dinis in 1285 and, according to Visit Portugal, one of the country's largest iron-ore deposits was discovered here in 1874, shaping the local economy for decades.

What to see and do

The historic centre brings together religious heritage and museums:

• Igreja Matriz de Nossa Senhora da Assunção (a Minor Basilica), built between the 16th and 18th centuries, a national monument and described as the largest religious temple in Trás-os-Montes.
• Igreja da Misericórdia, from the 16th century, and the town's Sacred Art Museum.
• Medieval castle and walls, of which restored ruins and one gate survive.
• Museu do Ferro e da Região de Moncorvo (Iron and Regional Museum) and the Casa da Roda, a former 18th-century foundling home, now a museum.
• Adeganha, a village in the municipality with a Romanesque parish church dedicated to Santiago Maior.

Viewpoints, the Sabor and the Douro

The municipality lists around nine viewpoints, among them São Gregório, Santa Leocádia, Santa Bárbara and Fraga do Cão, with views over the valley and the ridge. The Baixo Sabor dam created three lakes, Cilhades, Medal and Santuários, and there is a river beach at the mouth of the Sabor, by the Douro.

Local flavours

In 2019 the Amêndoa Coberta (covered almonds) of Torre de Moncorvo was named one of the Seven Sweet Wonders of Portugal. Local cooking features lamb of the Churra da Terra Transmontana breed (Cordeiro Terrincho PDO, according to the tourism sources consulted), butelo and smoked meats. The town also hosts the Festa do Vinho & Sabor Douro in September.

When to go

The almond trees blossom at the end of winter, typically between late February and March, and Torre de Moncorvo is part of the Amendoeiras em Flor (almond blossom) circuit. Tourism guides also mention the Medieval Fair (April), the Solstice Festival (June) and the Festa do Vinho & Sabor Douro (September); exact dates change every year and should be checked with the municipality.

Where to stay

Our catalogue has 19 places to stay in and around Torre de Moncorvo, 15 of them in the locality of Torre de Moncorvo itself. The ratings we show come from Booking.com guests. See the list of accommodation further down this page.