7 Amazing Things to do in Barcelos, Portugal: 1 day in Barcelos
Barcelos is a historic town located in the Minho region of northern Portugal. If you are wondering if it’s connected to the popular rooster souvenir, then you are absolutely right in making the connection.
Barcelos has its roots in the medieval period, when it was known as the “Rooster Town”, primarily because of the famous legend of a miraculous rooster – Galo de Barcelos (Rooster of Barcelos).
Legend has it that a pilgrim was wrongly accused of theft when he was on his way to the Camino de Santiago. And thanks to the rooster, he was later saved.
Today, the Rooster of Barcelos is considered a symbol of good luck and a national symbol of Portugal. You can explore all the highlights of the town in a day from Porto. Or spend a weekend or so; this guide will provide you with all the amazing things to do in Barcelos, Portugal.
Things to do in Barcelos Portugal: History of Galo de Barcelos
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Barcelos is about an hour’s drive away from Porto. You can get there by car, or take a train ride – lots of connections and daily departures from Porto São Bento or Campania makes is easy for exploration.
The town is surrounded by scenic hills and picturesque vineyards that are known to produce the local favorite Vinho Verde or Green Wine! The town is developed around the Cavado River and has a deep-rooted history, treasured cultural heritage, and a wealth of must-see medieval landmarks.
Barcelos is a recognized UNESCO Creative City for its profound legacy and contribution in the field of Folk Art and Crafts.
If you are planning a day trip from Porto, this post will help you plan a perfect one-day itinerary to discover the unmissable attractions of Barcelos along with ways to get there from Porto.
Getting to Barcelos from Porto
For this day trip, there are 4 ways to get from Porto to Barcelos: by train, bus, car rental, or on a private tour.
As far as a choice between bus and train from Porto to Barcelos, we definitely recommend the train for this day trip, as there are more departure options from both cities.
Pro-tip: We stayed overnight in Barcelos, and we recommend staying at the Hotel Bagoeira.
Porto to Barcelos by Train
Portuguese Railways – Comboios de Portugal offers train service between the cities of Porto and Barcelos. You can choose from over 20 departure options from Porto to help you maximize your time in this day trip to Barcelos.
Depending on your departure time from Porto, the travel time between the two cities is between 45 minutes and 1.5 hours.
Campanha Train Station or Sao Bento Train Station in Porto and Barcelos Train Station in Barcelos serve this train route.
The earliest train leaves from Campanha Train Station at 06:00 am or Sao Bento Train Station at 05:50 am, and the last train leaves Barcelos Train Station around 09:30 pm.
Barcelos Town Center is a short 8-10 minute walk from Barcelos Train Station.
Porto to Barcelos by Bus
FlixBus offers around 4 scheduled departures between Porto and Barcelos, with the earliest bus departing Porto around 08:40 am and the last bus leaving Barcelos at 09:15 pm.
Campanha Bus Terminal in Porto and Barcelos Bus Station serve this route with a journey time of around 1-2 hours.
Barcelos Town Center is approximately a 10-15 minute walk from Barcelos Bus Terminal.
Porto to Barcelos by Car Rental
The one-way driving distance between Porto and Barcelos is approximately 37 miles (60 kilometers), with a journey time of around 50 minutes.
Car Rental offers incredible comfort and flexibility for this day trip, and you can assuredly rent your car via Discover Car Rentals for the best car rental and insurance options.
Porto to Barcelos via road could be subject to motorway toll fees. When you rent your car, companies typically offer the option of adding a Via Verde Device that facilitates automatic toll payments, which are charged to your credit card at the end of your trip.
Porto to Barcelos in Private Tour
Embark on a Half-Day Guided Tour from Porto to Barcelos that includes a visit to the famous attractions in this historic city. Immerse yourself in learning the rich cultural heritage of Barcelos while traversing through some of the most picturesque landscapes of Minho province.
In Barcelos, discover some of the premier landmarks in the historical town center like Barcelos Bridge, Barcelos Parish Church (Igreja Matriz de Barcelos) and Ruins of Palace of the Dukes of Braganza in Barcelos (Ruínas do Palácio dos Duques de Bragança em Barcelos) and if you happen to be in the city on a Thursday, a visit to the Traditional Outdoor Weekly Market is an absolute must!
This small group tour typically starts and ends near Liberty Square (Praça da Liberdade) in Porto.
Book this Half-Day Guided Tour from Porto to Barcelos here!
Day Trip Itinerary from Porto to Barcelos
1. Wander the Barcelos Historic Town Center (Centro histórico de Barcelos)
The Historic Town Centre of Barcelos is built around the Barcelos Bridge (Ponte de Barcelos). This five-arch medieval bridge spans the River Cavado and was constructed in the early part of the 14th century.
The bridge, commissioned by Pedro Afonso – Count of Barcelos and built in the Gothic style of architecture, is a recognized National Monument of Portugal.
Take a walk on this centuries-old bridge or the riverside promenade and soak in picture-perfect views of the surroundings!
2. See the ruins of the Palace of the Dukes of Braganza in Barcelos
Ruins of Palace of the Dukes of Braganza in Barcelos (Ruínas do Palácio dos Duques de Bragança em Barcelos) is another attraction, situated a short 2-minute walk from Barcelos Bridge.
Commissioned by D. Afonso – 8th Count of Barcelos & 1st Duke of Braganza in the 15th century, this erstwhile palace served as the primary residence of the Counts of Barcelos until the 17th century.
Today, the ruins of the palace host an outdoor archaeological museum featuring an impressive assemblage of historical artifacts, including heraldic emblems, remnants from the bygone Roman era, and medieval tombs, along with the remains of ancient structures from various periods in history.
The ruins, perched on a site overlooking River Cavado Entry, provide an incredible insight into the history of Barcelos and the Minho region. Access to the ruins of the palace is free.
3. Hang out at the Porta Nova Square (Largo da Porta Nova)
Porta Nova Square (Largo da Porta Nova) is one of the main squares of Barcelos and is located a short 5-6 minute walk from the Ruins of Palace of the Dukes of Braganza in Barcelos.
This is one of our favorite spots in the town – perfect to sit down and enjoy a meal or coffee, people watch, and soak in the old town vibes.
Porta Nova Square is home to some of the prime city attractions like the Church of the Lord Good Jesus of the Cross, Porta Nova Tower, and one of Portugal’s largest and oldest traditional markets – The Thursday Market. This ancient square is immersed in medieval charm and also hosts several restaurants, cafes, and local shops.
4. Visit the Church of the Lord Good Jesus of the Cross
The Church of the Lord Good Jesus of the Cross (Igreja do Senhor Bom Jesus da Cruz) is a beautiful church located in Porta Nova Square.
The origins of this historic church can be traced back to the miraculous appearance of a black earth cross on the site in the early part of the 16th century. A small chapel was promptly built at the site to honor this heavenly sign.
A couple of centuries later, this chapel evolved into a larger church built with granite sourced from the region. Designed by renowned Portuguese architect João Antunes and built in the Baroque style, this church features whitewashed walls combined with granite stonework, an elegant octagonal dome, and a striking bell tower.
The octagonal interior layout boasts the iconic blue-and-white azulejos panels along with ornate, gilded wooden altars.
One of the notable altarpieces is the image of the Lord of the Cross from the 16th century.
The annual Festival of the Crosses (Festa das Cruzes), featuring grand religious processions, folk music, floral decorations, fireworks, concerts, local handicrafts, and traditional food, is festively celebrated in and around Porta Nova Square.
5. Check out the Porta Nova Tower (Torre da Porta Nova)
Porta Nova Tower (Torre da Porta Nova), also known as the Medieval Tower (Torre Medieval), is another historic landmark situated in Porta Nova Square. This granite tower, commissioned by D. Afonso – 8th Count of Barcelos & 1st Duke of Braganza, was constructed in the 15th century.
Porta Nova Tower, along with two other towers, formed part of the defensive wall network that marked the main entrances to the city of Barcelos.
Over time, Porta Nova Tower was the only one that survived and subsequently served as the city’s Prison Tower from the late 16th century until the early part of the 20th century.
Today, this historic tower functions as a cultural, educational, and tourist space, hosting exhibitions that celebrate local arts and crafts while featuring displays that showcase the city’s history and the famous legend of the Barcelos Rooster.
Visitors can climb to the top of this tower to soak in magnificent views of the historic city center, River Cavado, and the prominent religious site of Franqueira Mountain (Monte da Franqueira).
Access to the top of Porta Nova Tower is generally free.
6. Check out the Campo da Feira
Campo da Feira, one of the city’s important squares and home to the famous Thursday Market (Mercado de Quinta-Feira), is a short 4-minute walk from Porta Nova Tower.
Dating back to the medieval era around the 15th century, this vibrant open-air market is lined with stalls that sell everything – from fresh local produce, meat, and regional cheeses to traditional crafts, ceramics, pottery, and everyday household goods.
For centuries, this square has hosted the weekly outdoor market that truly exudes the time-honoured cultural heritage of Barcelos. The square also has Chafariz do Campo da Feira – a grand 17th-century fountain that served as an important water source for the local population.
If you are visiting the town on a Thursday, make a stop at this historic market and pick up the iconic Rooster of Barcelos (Galo de Barcelos) – a brightly painted ceramic rooster and one of Portugal’s most celebrated souvenirs!
7. Book a Gastronomic Experience in Barcelos
We recommend booking an experience with a local person to enjoy the town and learn about its history. We did a two-hour gastronomic experience in a local Artisanal store.
This tour can be a good substitute for lunch, where you can relish the best of local treats paired with some wine and beer! During this food tour, you can learn about the captivating history and culture of Barcelos.
This store is centrally located, and as you step into this family-owned business, you will get to immerse yourself in the world of handcrafted delicacies that are made with natural ingredients.
Our experience included tasting local bread, at least 3 types of cheese, olive oil sourced from the region, 2 varieties of smoked meat, toasts with spreads like jams and honey, and some chocolates.
We also got to enjoy handpicked artisanal and local products with locally produced Green Wines (Vinho Verde).
The host, Silvia, was super sweet. The store is beautiful, and it has lots of cool souvenirs and locally handcrafted decorative pieces.
At the end of the tour, the host also gave us a nice souvenir to take back home. Here is where you can book your Gastronomic Experience in Barcelos!
So that’s a wrap! We hope you found this post on Barcelos useful in planning your trip!
Our fond memories from Barcelos include enjoying a lovely walk along the riverside and the gardens in the old town. We stayed in Barcelos for a night at the Hotel Bagoeira, which has a rich history, and loved their hospitality (and breakfast with city views). Do check it out here.
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