Straddling the mouth of the Cavado River, Esposende is an attractive coastal town in Portugal’s Braga District. It lies on the Portuguese Way as it winds its way north to Santiago de Compostela. In addition to ancient villages such as the Castro de São Lourenço, Esposende boasts wild beaches and exceptional birdwatching within Parque Natural del Litoral Norte.
Things to do in Esposende
Occupying a Beaux-Arts-style theatre is the Museu Municipal De Esposende, which exhibits artefacts dating from the Palaeolithic era. On its upper floors, you’ll find centuries-old spearheads, coins and glassware, as well as objects uncovered from the medieval cemetery of Fão. Temporary exhibitions are showcased in the ground-floor Sala dos Azulejos.
Perched atop a granite spur overlooking Esposende is Castro de São Lourenço, which preserves the remains of an Iron Age fortified village. Archaeological excavations continue to this day, with artefacts dating back to the 4th century BC uncovered at the site. Some of the ancient dwellings have been recreated, offering a fascinating insight into life for our ancestors.
Backed by dunes just north of the town centre is Praia Suave Mar, which can be reached on board a tourist train during the summer months. It forms part of Parque Natural del Litoral Norte, a scenic coastal area that provides important habitat for migratory bird species. On the opposite side of the Cavado River lies Praia de Ofir, where you’ll find surfable waves and towering maritime pines.
Getting around Esposende
Esposende is around 30 minutes’ drive from Braga and 40 minutes from Porto. Francisco Sa Carneiro Airport is 30 minutes away and has flights to destinations across Europe and North Africa. Regular buses connect to Esposende and the city centre is compact enough to explore on foot.