Miranda do Douro

High above the gorge of the Douro, on the border with Spain, Miranda do Douro is a town of stone houses, a great cathedral and a language of its own. It is the capital of the Mirandese plateau, where the old language and traditions of the border country survive.

History and identity

Miranda was a frontier fortress in the Middle Ages and became a bishopric in the sixteenth century, when its cathedral was built. The town was heavily damaged in the eighteenth century during the war with Spain, and its old walls now overlook the deep valley of the Douro. Mirandese, the second official language of Portugal, is still spoken here.

What to see and do

• The historic centre, with its cathedral and old streets.
• The ruins of the castle and the views over the Douro gorge.
• River cruises along the Douro, from the town’s quay.
• The surrounding plateau, with its villages and birdlife.

Gastronomy and traditions

The Mirandese culture is celebrated in the Pauliteiros dance, performed with sticks and traditional dress, and in the local gastronomy of the plateau. The town’s markets and festivals keep the language and customs alive.

Visiting Miranda do Douro

Miranda do Douro is in the north-east of Portugal, on the border with Spain, reached by road. For river cruises and local events, check the official website before your visit.

Visitor information: cm-mdouro.pt.

Image credit: Miranda do Douro, Portugal, by Carlos Cunha, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.