Named for its Roman / medieval bridge, which still carries automotive traffic, Ponte de Lima is one of the most beautiful cities in the northwest corner of Portugal, Alto Minho (see the map of the Minho region). Ponte de Lima was a favorite stop for pilgrims using the Caminhos do Minho on their way to Santiago de Compostela. The Minho region is largely left behind by foreigners, and here you’ll find relatively unspoilt and easily accessible towns and attractions.
Where is Ponte de Lima?
Ponte de Lima is located 90 km north of Porto and 25 km east of Viana do Castelo. It’s close enough to Braga to be visited on a day trip, but a bit of insider advice: stay in Ponte de Lima and travel to Braga for that day trip.
The nearest airport is in Porto, where the A3 highway to Spain passes 2 km from Ponte de Lima (take the Ponte de Lima Sul exit). From Porto airport, you can take the airport bus to Porto and then a bus to Ponte de Lima or Viana do Castelo.
Where to stay
If you are looking for hotels, compare prices with TripAdvisor.
If you prefer vacation rentals (from country houses to villas) HomeAway lists dozens of interesting vacation rental properties for Ponte de Lima, several for less than $ 100 per night.
Tourist Office
The tourist office is in Praça da República, which will probably happen if you have parked along the road from exit A3. Upstairs you can visit a small museum with local crafts and historical information. You can also get information here to stay in local manor houses.
Internet access
You can get free internet access at the public library in Largo da Picota, near the Igreja Matriz (Iglesia Matriz).
Things to do in Ponte de Lima
Ponte de Lima is beginning to be recognized as a tourist destination. This is neither good nor bad, but it depends on what you are looking for. Tourist facilities are being added, as well as resort features like golf courses.
There are two tree-lined pedestrian streets along the Lima River, Alameda de S. Joao and Avenida d. Luis Felipe They offer interesting walking areas.
The great Monday market, held twice a month, has been held in Ponte de Lima since 1125.
It is documented that the Medieval Bridge began in 1368. It is 277 meters long and 4 meters wide, with 16 large arches and 14 smaller ones. There are more arches buried underneath. On the opposite side of the river is the Roman bridge, built for military use between Braga and Astorga.
Across the bridge, the Guardian Angel is a quadrangular stone monument on the banks of the river. It is an old chapel, but there is no idea when it was erected. It has been rebuilt many times when persistent flooding damaged it.
The Capela de Santo Antonio da Torre Velha dominates the scene on the other side of the river. To the east of the bridge is a lovely garden that includes a picnic area and a small folk museum.
The fountain in the main square of Ponte de Lima was completed in 1603, but it was not located in its current location until 1929, when it was moved to Largo de Camoes.
Churches in Ponte de Lima include Igreja de S. Francisco and Santo Antonio dos Capuchos. The Terceiros Museum is here, with ecclesiastical, archaeological and popular treasures.
String Cow
The great festival of Ponte de Lima occurs in early June, when there is a festival of “bullfighting” called Vaca das Cordas, literally “The cow of the strings.” The festival is believed to have Egyptian roots, but now it seems to be an excuse for young people not to dare to run with the cow. Afterwards, there is a big party in the street.
