With excellent accessibility and transport network, São Pedro do Sul, in the heart of lafões valley, is located in the center of nature, mountains, rivers and valleys, offers living conditions and revitalizing holidays, full of experiences and emotions.
At the entrance to the historic center of S. Pedro do Sul is the robust and imposing Solar da Lapa, a 16th century building with a characteristic façade of the time. Just above comes the Church of the Mother Church. Further up, in The Republic Square is the Palace of the Marqueses de Reriz, a majestic 17th century palace, former Royal Palace of S. Pedro do Sul and the beautiful Chapel of St. Anthony. The Cineteatro Jaime Gralheiro, built in 1925 has an interior of great refinement and beauty. Following Rua Direita visit the Town Hall where the Municipality is located integrated in the Franciscan Convent of S. José. You can enjoy an afternoon of leisure at The Lenteiro do Rio or a walk on the Ecopista, the old railway line, where the natural landscape along the cool waters of the Vouga River transmits health and well-being.
The tourist , mountain, cultural and heritage, differentiated and genuine, are an attribute of this county, and contribute to a higher quality of life, allowing it to dcover the natural and balanced solution to various health problems, enjoy relaxing sensations that only water and nature offer. We highlight, therefore, the Spa of São Pedro do Sul which, with more than 2000 years of history, is considered the largest spa center in Portugal and is among the best in Europe. In the same context, and so that you can realize the thermal importance of the region, be sure to visit the Roman Spa, where people from other times, kings and queens, now requalified in a cultural and museum center.
The massifs of the Arada , Gralheira and São Macário mountains, with their green landscapes, their streams of cold and crystal line water, their villages hidden in the valleys and mountains allied to the magnificent sunset and sunrise, are a piece of the world that serves as a refuge for inspiration. Full of green valleys, which contrast with rugged landscapes, it allows us to distinguish the tectonic movements that defined the planet's surface, and imagine tropical forests, with water falls, lush and unknown flora, to the banks of rivers and streams, such as the Vouga, the South or the Paiva.
In the mountains life flows to the taste of the calm of time and in a space that arrives for everyone to live in harmony with nature. Shale is king in construction and punctuates the landscape with typical houses, spun in this stone. This whole mountain massif is wrapped in traditions, rituals, myths, legends, beliefs of goats who kill wolves, snakes that eat men and saints who carry burning embers in their hands, whose memories have not been erased in the course of the new times.
The gastronomy of São Pedro do Sul excels in the quality of meat and the mastery of seasonings, which make The Cabrito da Gralheira or Veal of Lafões are the most appreciated dishes in the municipality. The regional sweets reflect the knowledge and flavors transmitted over the generations allied to innovation in the use of endogenous products.
This is a destination of nature par excellence, and so it is no wonder that you can observe and stroll through unique landscapes through the various walking routes that will allow you to discover traditions, heritage or nature in its pure state. The rivers, mountains and valleys provide fans of nature sport and the open air with excellent conditions for the practice of various modalities such as climbing, canyoning, canoeing or mountain biking. Waterfalls, wells and lagoons of crystal clear waters are a constant presence in a privileged natural area that allows the observation and interpretation of biodiversity. Discover the Water and Stone Route in the Magic Mountains, or go on a pilgrimage to the top of the Serra do São Macário in July.
The county has a great heritage diversity that marked the history of the county. In Serrazes you can observe the Written Stone, in Carvalhais you can visit the Castro da Cárcoda and, throughout the municipality, there are several manorhouses, churches and chapels that you can meet. The Convent of St. Kitts of Lafões, the Casa das Malafaias, quinta da Comenda are architectural testimonies that are part of the cultural identity of the municipality, with histories of kings and queens and, therefore, mandatory crossing point.
But the intangible heritage also assumes special relevance in this region.
See the interview we held to Vitor Figueiredo, president of the Municipal Chamber of São Pedro do Sul, and realize what the municipality has to offer the best.
Source: St. Peter's South Town Hall
Source: St. Peter's South Town Hall