Arouca
Belonging to Aveiro' district, but with Porto as the city of reference at all levels, Arouca lived and developed in its monastery's shadow. Built in the 10th century, the monastery lived times of splendor after the inclusion in D. Mafalda, daughter of King Sancho I, religious community, who was later, in the 18th century, beatified. For centuries it was the main pole of economic dynamism in the region, but there are many more places of interest. Rich in worldwide recognized geological and archaeological goods, there are several must-see locations in the county: the Frecha da Mizarela, the Serra da Freita waterfalls and river beaches of the Paiva river, the parideiras stones, the trilobites fossils in Ordovician, the Roman remains of the mining extraction and a number of picturesque villages that are a delight for the eyes and for the soul, such as Albergaria, Mizarela, Castanheira, Tebilhão, Drave and Regoufe, among others. And to better enjoy the visit, there is a network of 13 hiking routes, covering the various areas of historic interest and scenic heritage, at your disposal. Irresistible is also the traditional gastronomy of the region. The arouquesa meat from animals reared in freedom, on the Serra da Gralheira slopes, and fed with natural vegetation without recourse to rations, makes all the difference and provides a superior quality to the local dishes. The veal and lamb recipes are the most typical dishes, always accompanied, of course, by the typical vinho verde wine! And if this meat is a temptation, so are the conventual sweets, an inheritance of the nuns who inhabited the monastery for centuries. Sweet chestnuts, manjar de língua (sweet made with cow tongue), roscas (kind of sweet bread) e charutos de amêndoa (cigar-shaped sweets filled with eggs and almonds), barrigas de freira (kind of mousse made with bread, eggs and almonds), morcelas doces (sausage-shaped fried sweets) e bola de S. Bernardo (cake made with bread) are some examples of the richness of Aroucas' conventual sweets.
What to do in Arouca
Travel Guide
Up to date tourist information about the city's top attractions
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Where to eat in Arouca
Portuguese
20.00 €
A restaurant that serves Portuguese dishes. Some dishes have to be pre-ordered, namely the "cabidel…
Portuguese
15.00 €
Located in the centre of Arouca, this large restaurant features a fine regional cuisine. Varied win…
Portuguese
18.00 €
The restaurant Casa no Campo is located in the Espinheiro village, in an old barn that was remodell…
Portuguese
12.50 €
A space that serves economic meals from Tuesday to Friday at lunch. Its specialities are based on t…
Portuguese
13.00 €
A restaurant with a fine, friendly service that serves regional dishes. Some dishes must be pre-ord…
Portuguese
15.00 €
A large restaurant that serves Portuguese and regional dishes. It has a party salon for large event…
Portuguese
10.00 €
A well located space, with a fine service, that serves regional and Brazilian dishes. It has person…
Portuguese
12.50 €
Simple and welcoming space, serving traditional Portuguese cuisine meals.
Where to sleep in Arouca
Situada no centro da vila de Arouca, as Quintãs Farm Houses oferecem uma verdadeira experiência de viver numa quinta, podendo optar por ter uma estadia mais re…
In an old farm, with approximately 2 hectares and spread over five restored buildings in the primitive moth sec. XVIII is installed, turned to the serra da Fre…
House of 30 years, which has three double rooms with bathroom, private lounge with TV and a T1. This farm produces wine of the region and in the ancient wine c…
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