Miranda do Douro

A Portuguese town boarding Spain

City Overview

On the northeast corner of Portugal, right on the border with Spain stands a little town that bears a great significance. The town is located on the border with Spain, with the Douro River separating the two countries. The nearest town in Spain is Zamora.

Miranda do Douro is home to one of the 3 official languages of Portugal, Mirandese, unique to the town and the surrounding regions, it is known for its special dances and music, as well as its amazing food.

Mirandese (or Mirandés, in the language), together with Portuguese and Portuguese Sign Language, make the 3 official languages of Portugal. Mirandese is a local variant of the Asturo-leonese Language, that used to be spoken in the Kingdom of Leon and that is still spoken in those areas of Spain.

Miranda is mostly visited by lots of tourists (overwhelmingly Spanish) on the weekends.

Sightseeing

Antiga Sé de Miranda do Douro (Old Cathedral of Miranda do Douro) was finished at the end of the 16th century, being the biggest religious temple in the whole of Trás-os-Montes as well as being considered as a National Monument.

In the historic centre you can go to the Praça D. João III, known for its statue that represents a typical Mirandese couple, and the Solar, an amazing baroque building. The La Costanielha street is the oldest and most traditional in the town.

The Museu Regional da Terra de Miranda (Regional Museum of the Land of Miranda) is at the D. João III Square, in the old town hall building.

Miranda do Douro is in the middle of Douro International Natural Park, also known as Parque Natural do Douro Internacional in Portuguese, which is a protected natural area.

Cafes & Restaurants

Miranda do Douro is a land of food with many dishes to choose. A typical starter is ‘Sopa Transmontana’, a soup typical from the region of Trás-os-Montes made with chestnuts.

The famous “Posta Mirandesa”, a typical steak from the city but if you prefer lamb, pork and other meats, all can be ordered for typical Mirandese cooking.

You should also try the ‘tabafeia’, a kind of smoked sausage made out of pork and bird meat, regional wheat bread, olive oil, all with salt, garlic, paprika or pepper and parsley.

If you are more of a fish person, then try the specific codfish dish! ‘Bacalhau à Mirandesa’, a new gastronomic dish, that can be found on many of the city’s restaurant menus.

As for deserts, you will have so lots of choice. There are roscos, sodos, dormidos, bola doce (sweet ball), and many more!

The wine from the region has a high alcoholic graduation (17–18°) and matches the regional cuisine well.

Main Events

The city holds lots of festivals. The “Festas de Santa Bárbara” (Saint Barbara Festival), which takes place on the penultimate Sunday of August. “Festival Intercéltico de Sendim” (Sendim Interceltic Festival), a festival that connects Celtic heritages from all over the world, with dancers from Argentina, to Ireland, Galicia or Miranda. The “Festival L Burro i L Gueiteiro” (Festival of the Donkey and the Bagpiper), that intends to revitalize the relationship between the two characters, which was traditional in Mirandese culture.

Other

Currency - Euro (EUR)

Language - Portuguese\Mirandese

Visas - Not needed for travellers from the US, Canada and Europe

Best Time To Visit - March – October

Timezone - Western European Standard Time (GMT)

Homosexual Activity - Legal