Alijó is a village located on the right bank of the Douro River, which is about 44 km from Vila Real – the district capital. It is a county, for the most part, linked to the primary sector – agriculture, where there are good areas for this practice. The landscape is made up of mountains, rivers and valleys, where the vineyards are the great ex-libris of this county. The rivers Douro, Pinhão, Tua and Tinhela pass through here.

In the county there are several vestiges of other peoples (from the Bronze Age, the Neolithic or the Romans) that passed through here and left their marks. Like Roman roads, forts or cave paintings.

From the Neolithic period and the Bronze Age, there are the Cave Paintings of Pala Pinta – in Carlão, which at the moment are one of the only three known examples in Portugal. There are also engravings (cup marks and footprints) of Castro do Castelo and a curious example of unculture nearby, a Verraco (sculpture of a boar).

In the town of Pegarinhos, there are rock engravings: Igreijinha and Botelhinha. And close to Vila Chã, there is a Dolmen or Anta da Fonte Coberta. The religious architecture in this area is complemented by the chapels of Senhor do Andor or dos Passos, with the chapel of Nossa Senhora dos Prazeres – in Monte da Cunha and that of Santo António – in Monte do Vilarelho.

Also noteworthy at an architectural level, the Pelourinho and the City Hall building – Paços do Concelho – where a part was built in the 18th century and the other in the 19th century.

But this land was abandoned for long periods, as a result of the invasions it suffered due to being in a border area. It was finally repopulated in 1226 at the behest of D. Sancho II by high members of the nobility and high bourgeoisie.

In gastronomy, wine stands out, of course. Especially the Moscatel de Favaios. But also roasted kid (young goat), Portuguese stew, tripas à transmontana, smoked meats, bôla de carne, corn and Favaios bread. Sweets such as cavacas and covered almonds from Santa Eugénia, quinzinhos, almond pudding, water sponge cake, borrachão cake, are also very popular.

In terms of leisure, Alijó has several offers for those who want to visit the county, with river tourism on the Douro River or ecological tourism at the mouth of the River Tua, unique places in landscapes and viewpoints with wonderful views.

To visit:

• Alijó Mother Church
• Town Hall Building
• Pillory
• Maurício Penha House-Museum
• Favaios Wine Village
• Favaios Cooperative Winery
• Pinhão Village
• Pinhão Railway Station
• Cave Paintings of Pala Pinta – Carlão
• Cup Marks and Footprints – Carlão
• Dolmen or Anta da Fonte Coberta – Vila Chã
• Chapel of Senhor do Andor or dos Passos – Alijó
• Chapel of Nossa Senhora dos Prazeres – Monte da Cunha
• Chapel of Santo António – Monte do Vilarelho
• Castro do Pópulo
• Favaios Museum Center
• Viewpoint of Casal de Loivos

Festivities and Pilgrimages:

• Santa Maria Maior, from 13th to 16th of August