Sabor Lakes Itinerary | Things to do

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The Sabor Lakes became a new tourist route in Portugal in 2016, with the creation of the Lago de Cilhades, Lago dos Santuários, and Lago do Medal, following the construction of the Baixo Sabor Dam. A region that was already rich in tourism gained an extra reason to visit — with enormous potential still waiting to be explored.

• In Torre de Moncorvo, the São Lourenço and Póvoa Viewpoints emerged, which would have had little appeal without the lakes.
• In Alfândega da Fé, the impressive Santo Antão da Barca Viewpoint was created, along with the Cabreira Viewpoint.
• In Mogadouro, the highlights are the Fraga do Poio Viewpoint, overlooking the Fragas do Sabor, and the Foz do Azibo Viewpoint.
• Macedo de Cavaleiros gained the least from the Sabor Lakes — but since it was already extraordinary with its Azibo reservoir and Geopark, it hardly needed the boost!

In this 3-day itinerary through the Sabor Lakes, I’ll take you across four municipalities — and even into Vimioso, which, although not officially part of the Sabor Lakes territory, is well worth a quick detour for some incredible hidden gems that absolutely deserve a mention here. 😉

Where Are the Sabor Lakes located, in Portugal?

The Sabor Lakes are located in the Trás-os-Montes region, in the district of Bragança, northern Portugal, spanning the four municipalities already mentioned. They sit close to the Douro region, particularly the Douro Superior and the Douro International Natural Park. The area is also conveniently near the Tua Valley Natural Park.

MORE ARTICLES ABOUT BRAGANÇA DISTRICT:
- Things to do in Vinhais
- Things to do in Bragança
- Things to do in Mirandela
- Things to do in Vimioso
- Things to do in Miranda do Douro
- Things to do in Mogadouro
- Things to do in Torre de Moncorvo
- Things to do in Freixo de Espada à Cinta
- Things to do in Carrazeda de Ansiães
- Things to do in Macedo de Cavaleiros
- Things to do in Vila Flor
- Montesinho Natural Park Itinerary
- Lagos do Sabor Itinerary
- Douro International Natural Park Itinerary
- Tua Valley Itinerary
- Trás-os-Montes Itinerary

Scenic Driving Circuits Around the Sabor Lakes

This is a highly scenic region, which is why three dedicated driving circuits were created around the Sabor Lakes. If you don’t have a car, it’s worth renting one (for example, through Discover Cars) — you’ll definitely need it.

• Foz do Sabor Scenic Circuit → About 40 km around the mouth of the Sabor. Highlights include Torre de Moncorvo, the Baixo Sabor Dam, and several extraordinary viewpoints over the lakes, such as the Póvoa Viewpoint and the Vale do Sabor Viewpoint.
• Sabor Lakes Scenic Circuit → About 120 km around the three main lakes: Cilhades, Santuários, and Medal. This circuit also passes through the town of Alfândega da Fé and features viewpoints such as São Lourenço and Santo Antão da Barca.
• Fragas do Sabor Scenic Circuit → About 110 km around the Fragas do Sabor region. This route takes you through Mogadouro, the Mouth of the Azibo River, and part of the Terras de Cavaleiros Geopark.

If you plan to do these circuits, I suggest stopping by one of the region’s tourist offices to request a map like the one shown in the photo below. It highlights the main scenic stops along the three routes. It can be a useful complement to this article — though, of course, my guide is far more complete. 😀

When to Visit the Sabor Lakes?

You can visit the Sabor Lakes at any time of year, but I would especially recommend summer or spring, during the almond blossom season.

• In summer, you’ll enjoy excellent weather for admiring the landscapes — and you can also take part in water activities.
• In spring, the temperatures are milder, perfect for nature hikes.

If you’d like to experience the region during its main local festivities, check the dedicated articles linked at the start of this guide. And although it’s a bit of a detour, why not plan your Sabor Lakes trip around Carnival and combine it with a stop in Podence to join the Entrudo Chocalheiro celebrations with the famous Caretos? 😉

Gastronomy and restaurants in the Sabor Lakes region

The traditional cuisine of Trás-os-Montes is absolutely delicious! In Torre de Moncorvo, I had the best Mirandesa-style veal steak of this trip at Restaurante O Lagar — a dish I’m sure you’ll love. Be sure to finish with a chestnut-based dessert. 😉

You’ll also find plenty of sweets made with almonds, such as the Barquinhos and Rochedos of Alfândega da Fé. In this town, you can enjoy an excellent meal at Restaurante São Sebastião.

Other options worth trying include lamb and wild boar — in fact, any game dish here is a great choice. In Mogadouro, good places to eat include O Lagar do Nicolau, A Tasquinha, A Lareira, or Restaurante Primavera.

Where to stay in the Sabor Lakes region?

Sabor Lakes Itinerary | Things to do in 3 days

Finally, here’s the actual itinerary for exploring the Sabor Lakes. Below you’ll find a map organized into four stages, with a driving circuit around the lakes. I’ll present the itinerary in a clear and straightforward way — and for more detailed information about each place, you can always check the dedicated articles for the different municipalities.

Map with all the highlights of the Sabor Lakes

Stage 1 | Torre de Moncorvo to Mogadouro

The first stage covers all the main attractions between Torre de Moncorvo and Mogadouro — essentially, the southern region of the Sabor Lakes.

1. Historic Center of Torre de Moncorvo

• Start in the heart of the town at Praça Francisco Meireles.
• Wander through the Old Quarter of Torre de Moncorvo, with highlights including the castle ruins, the Church of Mercy, the Town Gate, and the main museums: the Casa da Roda dos Expostos, the Museum of Sacred Art, and the Photography Center.
• Visit the impressive Parish Church of Torre de Moncorvo and the Iron Museum.

2. Serra do Reboredo

In the Serra do Reboredo, you can follow hiking trails such as the Rota do Corço and the Rota do Lobo. I wouldn’t call them essential, though, since you can also drive up to the three main viewpoints of the range — although note that the second and third require navigating dirt roads:

• Santa Leocádia Viewpoint
• Fraga do Facho Viewpoint
• Fraga do Cão Viewpoint

3. São Lourenço Viewpoint (and Swing!)

After finishing your tour around Torre de Moncorvo, head towards the Sabor Lakes, making your way to the São Lourenço Viewpoint. From here, you’ll enjoy privileged views over the Lago de Cilhades — and there’s even a swing perfectly positioned to face the landscape.

4. Village of Carviçais

The village of Carviçais is entirely optional — unless you’re looking for hiking trails in the area. Three Sabor Lakes routes start here:

• The Chapel of the Angels Route, whose main highlight is the chapel ruins.
• The Fonte do Gil Route, featuring the old tungsten mines of Lugar Velho.
• The Cigadonha Route, which leads to the Cigadonha Hillfort.

Carviçais is also the endpoint of the Sabor Ecotrail — a 34 km trail that begins in Pocinho and follows the former railway line along the north bank of the Douro.

5. São Cristóvão Viewpoint (with Swings!) — towards Mogadouro

Between Carviçais and Mogadouro there aren’t many major stops, but it’s worth highlighting the São Cristóvão Hill Viewpoint, right at the entrance to Mogadouro. From the top, you’ll have an incredible view over the town and the surrounding landscape — and there are also swings to enjoy at the summit.

Stage 2 | Mogadouro to Macedo de Cavaleiros, via Vimioso

The second stage of the Sabor Lakes itinerary begins in the town of Mogadouro and continues to the Chacim area in Macedo de Cavaleiros. I’ll also suggest a detour to Vimioso — this isn’t part of the official panoramic driving circuits I mentioned earlier, but it’s a personal recommendation worth considering. If you prefer, you can go straight from Mogadouro to Foz do Azibo and then directly to Chacim. 😉

1. Historic Center of Mogadouro

• Visit the Casa das Associações (dedicated to the bagpipe and its players) and the Mogadouro Archaeology Museum, both located near Praça Engenheiro Duarte Pacheco.
• See the Church and Convent of São Francisco, today home to the Mogadouro Town Hall.
• Explore the grounds of the Castle of Mogadouro, where you’ll also find the Parish Church, the Clock Tower, the Pillory, and the Church of Mercy.

2. Fraga do Poio Viewpoint

After visiting Mogadouro’s historic center, it’s time to discover a viewpoint over the Fragas do Sabor: the Fraga do Poio Viewpoint. Access by car isn’t easy — at least from what I remember — unless you have a 4×4 vehicle. It may be preferable to hike there from the village of Brunhoso.

• Viewpoint coordinates: 41.353468, -6.807315

3. Penas Róias and Surroundings

In the surroundings of Mogadouro, you’ll find the Templar Castle of Penas Róias, with a fantastic viewpoint — an incredible spot for watching the sunset. Optionally, you can also head up to the Serra da Castanheira, where another extraordinary viewpoint awaits, set at a higher altitude than the one at Penas Róias.

Don’t miss the Romanesque Church of Azinhoso, and consider walking at least part of the PR2 | Monóptero Trail, which leads to the unique Monóptero of São Gonçalo.

4. Algoso Castle and Bridge

As I mentioned earlier, this stage is optional since it belongs to the municipality of Vimioso. Still, the Castle of Algoso is visible from Penas Róias in the distance — which is why I recommend making the trip there. 😉

In the Algoso area, don’t miss:

• The 16th-century Manueline pillory and the Parish Church of Algoso.
• The stunning views from the top of the castle.
• The trail to the Algoso Bridge, located in the valley of the Angueira River — part of the 9 Steps through the Lands of Trás-os-Montes project.
• The dovecotes of Uva and the Uva River Beach in the surroundings.
• A drive to Campo de Víboras, with its extraordinary viewpoint perched atop a rocky outcrop by the village.

5. Izeda Medieval Bridge over the Sabor River

After Algoso, make sure to cross the Maçãs River Valley along the steepest road in the region — with an incline of about 16%. Check the map included in this article to see the exact route, since I marked it there; Google Maps will usually suggest avoiding it.

Your destination is the Izeda Medieval Bridge, which spans the Sabor River. Dating back to the 13th century, it’s well worth a visit before continuing on to Terras de Cavaleiros.

Stage 3 | Macedo de Cavaleiros to Alfândega da Fé

The third stage of this Sabor Lakes itinerary will take you through parts of Macedo de Cavaleiros, though not to the Azibo Reservoir or the town center. Macedo de Cavaleiros deserves its own dedicated itinerary, as the Azibo Reservoir is absolutely extraordinary — worth at least two full days on its own, especially if you visit in summer. If you’d like to include it in your trip, check my separate guide to Macedo de Cavaleiros.

1. Convent of Balsamão, Poço dos Paus, and Chacim

As the title suggests, the first stop is the Convent of Balsamão, perched on a hill by the Azibo River, near one of the most impressive geosites of the Terras de Cavaleiros Geopark: the Poço dos Paus. There’s a clearly marked trail leading there from the base of the hill.

Also nearby is the village of Chacim, where you shouldn’t miss:

• The Pillory and Parish Church
• The Diving Fountain (Fonte de Mergulho)
• The ruins of the Royal Silk Factory of Chacim (Real Filatório), once dedicated to silkworm farming and silk production in the region

2. Foz do Azibo Viewpoint

On your way to Alfândega da Fé, stop at the Foz do Azibo Viewpoint. Before the construction of the dam, this was the site of a pleasant river beach — now submerged beneath the waters.

3. Santo Antão da Barca Viewpoint, Cerejais Sanctuary, and the Sabor Trail

These two sanctuaries in Alfândega da Fé gave their name to the nearby Lago dos Santuários. The Santo Antão da Barca Viewpoint is my favorite spot in Alfândega da Fé, while at the Cerejais Sanctuary the highlight is the replica of Fátima’s Cova da Iria.

In the area, you might also consider hiking the Sabor Trail, part of the 9 Steps through the Lands of Trás-os-Montes project. For me, though, this trail is optional.

Stage 4 | Alfândega da Fé to Torre de Moncorvo

Stage 4 focuses first on the town of Alfândega da Fé, and then on the northern side of the Lago de Cilhades, part of the Sabor Lakes. It will take you to the Baixo Sabor Dam and to some of my favorite viewpoints in Torre de Moncorvo, near the mouth of the Sabor River where it meets the Douro.

1. Historic Center of Alfândega da Fé

• Follow a route of urban art scattered throughout the town center, with highlights such as the Roman soldier’s head and Lines Lines Lines.
• Stroll through the Green Park of Alfândega da Fé.
• Walk across the Town Square (Praça do Município) and visit the Casa da Cultura Mestre José Rodrigues.
• Climb up to the Church of Mercy and then to the castle square viewpoint.
• Visit the Clock Tower, the ex-libris of Alfândega da Fé.
• See the Parish Church and the Chapel of the Ferreira House.

2. Cabreira Viewpoint

The Cabreira Viewpoint won’t disappoint. It’s a simple roadside stop along one of the scenic drives through the Sabor Lakes, on the way to the Baixo Sabor Dam.

3. Póvoa Viewpoint

The Póvoa Viewpoint is an excellent vantage point over the Lago de Cilhades, located right beside the dam.

4. Baixo Sabor Dam

The Baixo Sabor Dam is an absolute must-see. After all, it is the main reason why today we can enjoy an itinerary around the Sabor Lakes. Without it, there would be no lakes at all — only the wild, untamed river.

5. Viewpoints of the Vilariça Valley

As you approach the mouth of the Sabor River, take time to stop at the finest viewpoints in Torre de Moncorvo, overlooking the Vilariça Valley and its surroundings. These include:

• Nossa Senhora do Castelo Viewpoint
• São Gregório Viewpoint
• Vale do Sabor Viewpoint
• Vide Viewpoint
• Talegre Viewpoint

The last of these viewpoints is accompanied by the well-known Sobreiro Swing, a popular tourist stop. Optionally, you can also visit the village of Adeganha and its Church of Santiago Maior. All of these locations are marked on the map included in this page and are described in greater detail in the Torre de Moncorvo article.

6. Foz do Sabor River Beach and Barca Velha Viewpoint

To end the journey, nothing beats a refreshing swim at the river beach of the Sabor’s mouth, where it meets the Douro. It’s a beautiful spot with a grassy area and good facilities.

You can also add a stop at the Barca Velha Viewpoint, which offers sweeping views over the Douro River, the mouth of the Sabor, and the region’s stunning terraced vineyards.

Sabor Lakes Itinerary | Possible Extras Nearby

Since Vila Nova de Foz Côa is so close to the mouth of the Sabor River, I have to mention it here as an option to extend your itinerary. The same goes for the Douro International Natural Park — particularly Freixo de Espada à Cinta or even Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo.

You could also choose to plan a route through the Alto Douro Wine Region, following the scenic N222 road. Or, why not continue on to the Tua Valley Natural Park?

MORE ARTICLES ABOUT BRAGANÇA DISTRICT:
- Things to do in Vinhais
- Things to do in Bragança
- Things to do in Mirandela
- Things to do in Vimioso
- Things to do in Miranda do Douro
- Things to do in Mogadouro
- Things to do in Torre de Moncorvo
- Things to do in Freixo de Espada à Cinta
- Things to do in Carrazeda de Ansiães
- Things to do in Macedo de Cavaleiros
- Things to do in Vila Flor
- Montesinho Natural Park Itinerary
- Lagos do Sabor Itinerary
- Douro International Natural Park Itinerary
- Vale do Tua Itinerary
- Trás-os-Montes Itinerary

Other Itineraries and Travel Guides in Portugal

• N2 Portugal Road Trip Itinerary
• Madeira Itinerary and Travel Guide
• São Miguel Itinerary and Travel Guide (Azores)
• Terceira Itinerary and Travel Guide (Azores)
• Pico Itinerary in Azores
• Faial Itinerary in Azores
• Things to do in Bragança
• Montesinho Natural Park Itinerary
• Douro International Natural Park Itinerary
• Minho | Northern Portugal Itinerary
• Porto Itinerary and Travel Guide
• Things to do In Braga (Minho)
• Things to do in Guimarães (Minho)
• Things to do in Viana do Castelo (Minho)
• Peneda Gerês National Park Itinerary
• Douro Valley Itinerary
• Trás-os-Montes Itinerary
• Things to do in Aveiro
• Things to do in Coimbra
• Things to do in Leiria
• Things to do in Fatima
• Things to do in Santarém
• Things to do in Tomar
• Things to do in Nazaré
• Things to do in Peniche
• Things to do in Mafra and Ericeira
• Things to do in Cascais
• Sintra Itinerary | Things to do
• Lisbon Itinerary and Travel Guide
• Things to do in Setúbal
• Things to do in Évora (Alentejo)
• Things to do in Beja (Alentejo)
• Algarve Road Trip Itinerary
• Things to do in Lagos (Algarve)
• Things to do in Portimão (Algarve)
• Things to do in Faro (Algarve)
• Things to do in Tavira (Algarve)

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