What to do in Caminha, north-west Portugal? Caminha is a small idyllic holiday town located two kilometres from the Atlantic Ocean, close to the border with Spain. In fact, this town is so close to the Spanish border that we get Spanish internet on our phones. Today we've been walking around this charming town, and now we thought we'd take the opportunity to tell you about things to see and do in Caminha. We can also tell you about the nice campsite Orbitur.
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Walk in Caminha
Today we took a walk from the campsite and into Caminha, a walk of about a kilometre along the water. The sun is warming nicely and now it feels like we are really heading south. Wonderful!
In the small town of Caminha, people are also enjoying the sun, with many sitting outside in the town's cafés. Outside every house, laundry swings in the wind. When the sun goes into clouds it feels a bit chilly, but of course it is not as cold as it seems to be in Sweden right now...
Things to see and do in Caminha
Originally a fishing village, Caminha was transformed into a town when King Alfonso 111 decided to build a castle and fortify the town in the 13th century. One of the most important buildings is the Parish Church (Igreja Matriz) from 1488, which shows the transition from Gothic to Romanesque. renaissance Other historic parts of the city include the large square with a fountain (Chafariz) from 1551. The square, Caminha Praca Conselhiro Silva Torres, feels like the heart of the city.
The old castle, built into the walls, is worth a closer look. Standing by the bell tower, you can also see the city's main street, Rua Direita, which runs straight down to the river. There is also another beautiful church in the city, the Mercy Church (Igreja Da Misericordia) with lots of gold paintings and bling bling. There is also a beautiful railway station, which has won an award for its hand-painted tiles.
Caminha - attractions outside the city
Forte Da Insua is a 14th century monastery located on a small island off the coast of Caminha. You can visit the island if the weather permits - since it's the Atlantic Ocean, you have to take into account that there can sometimes be heavy winds and rough seas. Right now it's winter and boat trips are not an option, but if you're here at any other time of the year you can ask for boat trips at the harbour.
Around Caminha there are also several long beautiful beaches, and along the coast you can see fishing boats of all colours. Of course, you can eat seafood while you're here, in the restaurants or by shopping at the fish market.
Camping Orbitur
We are staying at a campsite called Orbitur, which is right by the sea. From here we walked into town, but it was quite a long walk so you could say that it's a reasonable cycling distance really. The campsite is nice and there is a small bar and a small shop. There is also WiFi, but it pretty much only works around the bar. Interestingly, we have managed to surf the Spanish network, we are so close to the border with Spain!
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solveig rhann says:
Wow, what an ordeal you are going through. Yeah, everything works out one way or another. Mostly in other ways. I want to clarify where in the Algarve you can fill your Swedish bottles. Propane with some dodgy % butane. Where: On road 125 between Ferrias and Poco de Boliqueime. Boliqueime is the town. You see a sign LPG and probably some motorhome. If you come from the west it is on the left side. I hope it goes well for you in the future without mess and trouble. Solan
28 December 2014 - 18:40
Rkuth i Virginia says:
I soooo wish that we had visited Portugal when we were
had the time and energy. The husband and I were on a group trip which
started in Madrid, south to Morocco and back north again
through Gibraltar and Portugal; only visit to Portugal.
It was so incredibly beautiful countryside with chalk-white houses.
and olive trees on the slopes.
Good continuation of the journey and in general! 🙂
28 December 2014 - 19:25
steel city anna says:
How beautiful!
28 December 2014 - 20:29
Tony says:
Finally, you have arrived in my favourite country of all categories!
There is a city called Cordoba that you should not miss on the way down, as well as Nazare is absolutely super. Quite close to Nazare there is a small community called Sao Martinho do porto that should not be missed either. There is a campsite just outside too!
Have you considered the Algarve coast or ....?
28 December 2014 - 21:28
Stina says:
Lovely pictures. Ugh now it is cold in Sweden and Borås where we live, tonight it is -10 degrees. Nothing I like!
28 December 2014 - 20:38
Marina says:
Well, it's a bit cooler here...!
28 December 2014 - 21:43
Steve says:
That's exactly how it should be when you end up in a small village in a new country. Hassle-free and enjoyable is what you need. Enjoy!
29 December 2014 - 0:15
Rolle o Carina says:
Great, now you have come to a good country, Portugal!
It's nice to have some heat too, isn't it?
Here we have -15, Ugh!!!
Take care
29 December 2014 - 9:43
admin says:
Solveig, thank you so much! We plan to look for that place. Will see if we have to buy a Portuguese tube (tube no. 4) with associated couplings before then, or if we can wait... that would be best!
Ruth in Virginia, thank you very much! Glad to hear you enjoyed Portugal so much!
Stina, that sounds cold!
Tony, thanks for the great tips! We have planned for Nazare and we will see where Cordoba is! We want to see a lot but we also want to go south because it's warmer there, and we know you can fill up on gas there... Yes, we're aiming for the Algarve coast!
Steve, you too!
Rolle and Carina, it feels good to be in Portugal! Huh how cold you are!!!
29 December 2014 - 9:56
Ama de casa says:
It feels a bit strange when you enter Portugal from the north. Even though you are travelling north-south, you have to change the clock. But now you get to sleep in - nice!
🙂
29 December 2014 - 10:15
Åsa says:
It looks Portuguese! Nice! (:
Nice to read all the positive comments about our new home country Portugal! See you soon! / Åsa
29 December 2014 - 10:44
Tony says:
Correction!!!
Coimbra it is!!!
Cordoba is in Spain!
No wonder you didn't find it!
I'm sorry!
/Tony
29 December 2014 - 11:12
Anonymous says:
Cheer up, it is not uncommon to have some technical problems here in the south and they are very helpful!
Has anyone informed you that in Spanish campsites you can usually "deposit" gas bottles? You decide if you want a partial refund when you travel. So you can become the owner of a Sp gas bottle, we use the orange with a black stripe, very important, for purifying propane which can also be filled in Sweden at our gas depots!!! For our big car we never have more than 1 Spanish and 1 LPG bottle! LPG is available throughout Ty, Fr, few places in Sp but then we change the bottle at the campsite. The LPG bottle must not be taken out of the car, it is refuelled directly at the stations. Wish you both
a HAPPY NEW YEAR 2015 now EVERYTHING will be warmer, brighter and more beautiful in these latitudes 🙂 🙂 ðŸ™'
29 December 2014 - 11:59
admin says:
Ama de casa, we weren't prepared for the time change, but sleeping in was great! We sleep and sleep...
😉
Åsa, it will be great to see you! We look forward to it!
🙂
Tony, thank you that makes sense! Don't know if we can make it to Coimbra though, have plans for New Year... Hard to make it all, but we are going to Nazare!
Anonymous, thanks for the encouragement! And thanks for the great info! We start and see how we can solve it all in Portugal. Then there will be another trip to Spain... Wishing you a Happy New Year!
29 December 2014 - 15:21
Scottish Moments says:
Oh so cosy! Longing for warmer weather! Here is frost and cold! But sun so will not complain!
Goodbye!
29 December 2014 - 17:13
Frankie & Co says:
We woke up to -12 this morning here in go: and the snow rolled down and filled up Saturday's little blanket during the day and now tonight around zero - so enjoy!
29 December 2014 - 17:47
Deciree says:
So wonderful that you are warm and comfortable:) With us in Piteå we have -25. Hugs
29 December 2014 - 17:12
Znogge says:
No, you have it guaranteed warmer than we have it because I don't see any snow 🙂.
29 December 2014 - 18:20
Allis & Stellan says:
Oh, if you have time, Viana do Castelo is so worth seeing. The church at the top is special and the view amazing and the coastal road down there beautiful. Good news if we don't hear from you before then.
29 December 2014 - 18:40
admin says:
Deciree, how cold you are! We don't think it's very warm here - but in comparison it certainly is!
😉
Scottish Moments, winter is more beautiful in the sun. Take care!
Frankie & Co, we get cold reports from all over Sweden! We don't think it's very hot here, but it's much warmer than at home!!!
Znogge, no, the only snow we have seen has been on high mountain peaks in the distance in northern Spain...
Allis & Stellan, thanks for the tips, but we've already driven past... hard to see everything!
29 December 2014 - 19:46
Maggan och Ingemar says:
Portugal is not big so you can probably drive both here and there, there is a lot to see and discover in Portugal. Drive down and fill gasoline then you can stay south for a few months, to experience Portugal again in the spring 🙂.
Since you have so much time, you can do Spain as well without any problems 🙂 .
LPG refuelling is available in Boliqueime large sign at the N125 road a little NE of Albufeira.
A good piece of advice is to get something that you can put coordinates on so that you can find both pitches and campsites much more easily. Many sites are free with rubbish, water and emptying.
Enjoy Portugal and Happy New Year!
29 December 2014 - 20:06
Ditte says:
It's nice to have a bit of warmth and cosy with a small village where you can now enjoy some of the outdoor cafes.
In Stockholm it is cold but it has been a wonderful winter weather with nice sunshine.
Let's hope that your besty with "Freedom" is only a memory...
29 December 2014 - 20:15