Capela – Hiking, Mills and Traditional Architecture

Capela is an interesting destination for anyone who would like to combine hiking with distinctive cultural attractions. Two trails of different lengths, restored mills and historic buildings give the trip several distinctive highlights. This allows you to plan your days in a varied way and decide whether, when looking for a holiday apartment, the focus should be more on outdoor activity or on exploring traditional architecture.

Hiking Trails with Different Focal Points

The Caminho dos Moinhos – PR1 is an approximately 3 km-long hiking trail. It begins and ends at the Parque de merendas e lazer da Capela. This gives the trail a clear starting and finishing point for planning the day. The six restored mills along the PR1 are particularly distinctive. They are integrated into a green area beside the Ribeiro da Drunqueira and give the route a visible historical and cultural character.

A shorter alternative is the Trilho das Mós – PR3 circular trail. It is 1.7 km long and begins at the Capela de São Mateus. When planning the day, you can choose between the 1.7 km-long PR3 and the approximately 3 km-long PR1. The PR3 offers a more compact focus, while the PR1 places the mills and the green area beside the Ribeiro da Drunqueira at the forefront.

Cultural Discoveries in Capela

The trails are not the only way to get to know the character of the destination. Cabroelo is integrated into the “Aldeias de Portugal” network and adds a connection to Portuguese village culture to the trip. The Capela de S. Mateus also deserves attention: it dates from 1872. Anyone interested in historic buildings can combine a visit to this place with hiking experiences.

Another example of traditional architecture is Casa Alves. The building dates from 1805. Together with the Capela de S. Mateus, this creates a chronological contrast between two historic buildings. For visitors who do not want every day of their holiday to be the same, this results in a good mix of short trails, mill-themed attractions and architectural discoveries.

The Right Accommodation for Planning Your Trip

When choosing a holiday apartment or holiday home in Capela, you can use the desired mix of activities for your holiday days as a guide. If the Caminho dos Moinhos – PR1 is to be the main experience, the six restored mills and the green area beside the Ribeiro da Drunqueira will be at the centre of your planning. Those who want to combine a shorter hike with a cultural visit can include the Trilho das Mós – PR3 and the Capela de São Mateus as specific focal points. In addition, Cabroelo and Casa Alves offer points of interest for a trip in which nature and architecture stand side by side.

This selection makes Capela particularly interesting for travellers who do not want to organise their stay around just one attraction. This leaves room for different interests within a travelling group, while the destination’s characteristic trails and historic sites provide the framework.

Discover More Places

For additional travel ideas, you can also explore Rebordelo, Torno, Covelas, Recezinhos, Arcozelo, Parada, Azurara and Folgosa.

To the higher-level travel overview: Porto.