From Porto up to the Spanish border is the Costa Verde, the Green Coast. This includes the regions of the Douro Litoral and the Minho. The northern Portugal Coast from Povoa Varzim to Caminha is pretty much one long beach. The coastline around Porto includes several vibrant resorts that have often been the holiday destinations for the city dwellers of Porto and the Portuguese from north and central Portugal. The further north you go the more traditional the resorts and some of the smaller towns retain their traditional seafaring traditions. Much of this coast is protected from development and interesting methods of agriculture have evolved including cultivation between the sand dunes. Caminha is a pretty and quiet river port that sits at the mouth of the River Minho and its estuary. This is one of the most northerly towns in Portugal and although not a coastal resort it is almost entirely surrounded by water. It is very much influenced by its border position with Spain where several battles have been fought at different times with invaders including the Celts, Romans and Spanish.

The main square contains several delightful 15th and 16th century buildings such as the Renaissance castellated clock tower set within the medieval city walls. The Igreja Matriz is the most distinguished building built at the end of the 15th century when the town rivalled Porto in terms of trade. The inlaid ceiling, intricate azulejos and granite pulpit are of particularly interest. There are also two figures carved on the Renaissance doorways that make their opinion of Spain clear! There is a small museum nearby with local archaeological finds and the tourist office which opens daily 9.30 am-2.30 pm and 2-6 pm. Standing on a tiny island in the middle of the estuary are the ruins of the fort of Insua, built to defend the entrance to the river in the fifteenth century. A daily ferry-boat links the two banks of the river (Portugal and Spain). Ferries run every 45 minutes until around 7 pm depending on season.

Several superb long sandy beaches are within easy reach of Caminha at Moledo, Vila Praia da Ancora, Carreo and Viana do Castelo. Vila Praia da Ancora and Moledo are Blue Flag beaches with disabled access.

Minho Thermal Spas A few minutes from the city centre is one of the hottest springs in Europe. Water here bubbles up at a temperature of 73 degrees centigrade (163 degrees Fahrenheit).

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