Portuguese markets are always fun to visit with a wide range of items on sale including lots of local produce. Vila Nova’s market is on Saturdays and is quite large. There is also a permanent Municipal market, ideal for picking up fresh meat and fish and loading up with vegetables.
There is no shortage of restaurants in and around Vila Nova. There are choices for seafood, pizzas, brasseries, and quick lunches. For the really hungry, Francesinhas are heavenly, sandwiches made with bread, ham, sausage and steak covered with melted cheese and a hot, thick tomato and beer sauce. Each café makes its own version of the sauce and keeps its ingredients a secret.
Being on the bank of the River Minho, take advantage of the cycling and walking path that runs parallel and which is planned to reach Valença. Kayaks are available to rent and boat trips run twice a day on the river.
There is also a river beach, the Praia da Lenta, and a riverside park with permanent sculptures, a mini golf course and a climbing wall. A small aquarium is sited here too. The town has a biennial arts festival and more sculptures are in the Convento San Payo Museum in the hills above the town where you can walk in the woods or picnic. The town also has a castle dating from 1321.
The fortress town of Valença is not far and the old town is fascinating. It is also has many shops selling linen, bed sets, towels and wines of the region. Towards the coast Caminha is another quaint town with ferries that cross the Minho to Spain. There is an attractive beach here, Foz do Minho, while other lovely beaches can be found in Moledo and Vila Praia de Ancora, all within a short drive of Vila Nova de Cerveira.
