Valença Fortress
Fortaleza de Valença
A well-preserved 17th-century twin star-shaped fortress town on the Minho River, full of textile shops, with an international bridge leading straight to Tui in Spain.
Valença Fortress lies about 45 km northeast of Viana do Castelo, on the Portugal–Spain border. It consists of two connected Vauban-style bastion towns, with roughly 5 km of walls, gates, and moats well preserved, making it one of Portugal's most important military buildings. The stone streets are lined with shops selling towels, bedding, and textiles, which fill with Spanish shoppers on weekends. From the walls you can see the Minho River and the cathedral of Tui on the Spanish bank. The 1886 international iron bridge, in the Eiffel style, can be crossed on foot, and a round trip to the old town of Tui takes half a day.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Caminha
- Ponte de Lima
- Moledo Beach & Ínsua Fort
- Citânia de Santa Luzia
- Eiffel Bridge
- Sanctuary of Santa Luzia
- Viana do Castelo Cathedral
- Praça da República