Information
There are several interesting visits near to Esposende. The Castro de São Lourenço is a Celtic settlement in a wooded area on a hill giving views over Esposende. An information centre gives interesting facts and history and the site is well preserved. There is a maritime museum based in the old sea rescue building and the town’s museum is in an old theatre in the centre. There are also attractive squares, marinas and a church containing a chapel which is classified as a National Monument.
Esposende is at the mouth of the River Cavado. Nearby, at Barca do Lago, the river widens like a lake and at this point ‘barcas’ (small boats) would ferry travellers backwards and forwards from bank to bank.
The Beaches
The coast around Esposende has some of the finest beaches as they are on a protected coastline which keeps building to a minimum. They are often lined with dunes and have soft, white sand. Ofir beach, like most others in this section, is Blue Flag with a rock formation known as the ‘Horses of Fão’ which emerges from the sea at low tide. A few kilometres south of Esposende is the long sandy beach of Apulia, also Blue Flag. Here, the coast is dotted with many old windmills, quite striking with the dunes as their backdrop. There are also several simple but good restaurants lining the beach.
The beach at Esposende itself is also excellent and popular yet relatively peaceful.
Coastal Natural Park
There are 10 nature trails around Esposende, which pass by windmills, dunes, reed beds, woodland and marshland. Around 117 different bird species have been sighted in this natural protected territory.
Eating Out
Octopus may not appeal to everyone but it is rich in nutrients and is served by most restaurants with the name ‘Polvo da Pedra’. The coast supplies octopus with a rich diet of limpets, mussels, shrimp and crabs. In this ‘Land of the Sea’ other fish include sea bass, mullet, and bream as well as the famous bacalhau (cod) and sardines cooked in a variety of ways.
Esposende is the place to try delicious pastries too.
