The Fernando Real Museum of Geology is a place where the Sciences of the Earth are represented through a series of artefacts that represent some of the geological processes that have been occurring on Earth for many millions of years. It has an area of approximately 250 m2. The Museum's assets are distributed over various collections, such as: the evolution of life through the geological periods, bringing together pieces of fossils, ichnofossils and models that demonstrate this evolution; minerals such as elements that form rocks; types of rocks according to their origins; and collections of samples related to the main Portuguese mines.

The Luís Torres de Castro Botanical Garden is currently one of the largest botanical gardens in Europe and within it we can observe plant species from the four corners of the world. Four hundred million years are present in this paradise of life and universe of emotions: from Devonian-Carboniferous archaeogenetics to Miocene neogenetics, from the distant late Antarctic to the banks of the Corgo River... There are almost a thousand different species that cover what was once waste ground dispossessed of its primitive nature. The transformation of a traditional farm in the Douro region into a space as we know it today shows that it is possible to develop such diverse and rich vegetation as this from the monotony and geometry of a common farm.

One of the most emblematic buildings of the Portuguese Baroque in the Vila Real District, the Palácio de Mateus dates from the first half of the 18th century, having been built by António José Botelho Mourão, the 3º Morgado of Mateus, substituting the former abodes of the family residing in Vila Real since the 17th century. Classified as a National Monument in 1911, this unique specimen of Baroque architecture in the Italian style is attributed to the famous Italian architect Nicolau Nasoni, who is believed as having dedicated himself to the construction of the Palace, between 1739 and 1743. While the Palace is still owned by the founder's descendants, its keeping and subsequent cultural activities have been attributed to the «Fundação da Casa de Mateus» since 1970.

The Vila Real Archaeological and Numismatic Museum (MANVR) is a museum of regional character, since that is the scope of the specimens that compose it. As a primary objective, the Museum is a starting point for the understanding and interpretation of the region in which it operates. This region has a very rich heritage with a long tradition in the field of archaeological research.

Created mostly for the exposition of the fruits of archaeological excavations that have been undertaken in the historical centre of Vila Velha, The Vila Velha Museum allows for an ever deeper knowledge of the occupation of the cities' territory, and consequently, the origins of Vila Real.

The complex, with its modern architecture and a its pleasant location outside the Corgo Park, consists of the Grand Auditorium (capacity of 500 seats), the Small Auditorium (145 seats), the Exterior Auditorium (700 seats), the Exhibition Room, Concert-Cafe, a Gallery-Bar and two rehearsal rooms, in addition to a variety of different technical areas. The same building also houses the Museum of Image and Sound.

The Sanctuary comprises an enclosure where (among others) there are three large boulders were where several cavities of different sizes as well as access ladders have been cut around 200-300 B.C. The rocks contain also some inscriptions. One of the inscriptions, though still existed in the past century, has been destroyed. Today, only three inscriptions in Latin and one in Greek are conserved, offering information on the instructions of rituals celebrated in Panóias, the identification of the gods and the dedicator.

The Douro River is the second largest river in Portugal, with a total length of 927 kilometres from its source in the Serra de Urbión, in Spain, to the city of Porto. In Portuguese territory, this river is 210 kilometres long, and is navigable throughout its course. Once too narrow and dangerous, this river has brought prosperity to the region since the 18th century, offering transport for the Port Wine, produced on the margins of the river and its tributaries.

Around the villages of Covelinhas and Gouvinhas, between the cities of Vila Real and Peso da Régua, the São Leonardo Viewpoint provides several panoramas of natural beauty over the wonderful Rio Douro valley, manifesting excellence in the Trás-os-Montes region. The sights are surprising, as the magnificent beauty of the Douro River is cut by terraced slopes on which the grapes for the renowned Douro Wine are grown, having characterized life in the region for centuries.

The Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora dos Remédios is not only the major tourist attraction in Lamego, but also one of Portugal’s most famous places of pilgrimage.
The awe-inspiring 686 step double stairway, which many pilgrims climb on their knees on the 6th and 8th of September each year, has 9 terraces that lead up to the twin-towered church.
As construction began in 1750 the Temple’s façade shows several Baroque features, having the sanctuary been completed in 1905.

Founded in 1139, this was one of the first monasteries the Order of the Cistercians created on the Iberian Peninsula. While parts are in ruins, impressive remains the monastery's former grandiosity can still be seen nowadays, highlighted by current restoring works.

On the following webpage you can view other points of interest in the Vila Real region.