A windless day at Cabedelo does not mean a wasted one. Within an hour or so of Yuna, near Viana do Castelo, you can hike in the mountains of Peneda-Gerês, soak in thermal baths, taste wine at a castle estate, ride a kitebuggy across the sand, walk to a hidden waterfall, or spend a slow afternoon in Ponte de Lima. Northern Portugal is generous like that. We have kept our favourites below, grouped by how far you want to travel. Some are on the doorstep for a lazy morning. Others are a proper day out.
On your doorstep
Walk up to Santa Luzia
The Sanctuary of Santa Luzia sits on the hill above the city, and the view from the top is the one you will remember. It looks out over the mouth of the Lima, the coastline and the Atlantic, a view once singled out by National Geographic. You can drive up, take the old funicular, or walk if you fancy the climb. Go near sunset if you can.
Ride a kitebuggy on the beach
If the wind is gone but the sky is grey, this is the day for it. A kitebuggy from Viana Buggy sends you skimming across the forrest, and it is at its best when the weather is wet or just after rain. You will not stay dry, but that is half the fun.
The Rodanho to Amorosa walk
Our favourite walk from the door, and free. Head south from Rodanho and the path runs the whole way through pine forest and dunes, with no boardwalks underfoot, just sand and shade. It brings you out at Praia da Amorosa, where you can stop for lunch at Maria’s: three courses for around ten euros, and worth every cent. Rodanho is a short walk or cycle from Yuna, so you can start straight from the house.
Wine tasting at Quinta de Curvos
Just five minutes from Yuna, Quinta de Curvos is a quiet, non-commercial estate with a historic castle, award-winning wines and gardens worth wandering. You can explore the hidden caves and taste their vintages, but call ahead before you go, as visits are by arrangement rather than drop-in.
Into the hills
Hiking in Peneda-Gerês
About an hour and a half inland lies Peneda-Gerês, the only national park in Portugal, and one of the wildest corners of the north. Think granite peaks, river pools, waterfalls, Roman roads and the small wild horses you sometimes meet on the trail. Bring good shoes and plenty of water, and give it a full day. If you want more of a thrill, the region is also known for rafting and canyoning.
A soak in the thermal baths at Gerês
While you are up there, the village of Caldas do Gerês has welcomed bathers since Roman times. The thermal baths are a lovely way to end a day on the trails, with mineral waters that rise warm from deep underground. Good to know before you go: it is a proper spa rather than a wild pool, entry is paid, and the spa circuit is for ages sixteen and up, so it suits couples more than young families.
Cascata do Pincho
Half an hour north of us, tucked into the Serra d’Arga, this is a hidden waterfall that rewards a short walk. Our tip is not to drive all the way in. Park where the road narrows and follow the trail on foot. On a warm day the pools are worth a dip.
Mountain biking with Feel Viana
Rent an e-mountain bike from Feel Viana and let the motor do the climbing. From there you can reach waterfalls, wild horses, big views and old castles without needing legs of steel. It is one of the easiest ways to see the countryside behind the coast.
A slower day
A day trip to Ponte de Lima
Half an hour inland, Ponte de Lima is often called the oldest town in Portugal, and it wears its age beautifully. A long medieval bridge crosses the Lima, there is a sandy river beach in summer, and the cafés along the water are made for a slow lunch. This is Vinho Verde country, so order a glass of the local green wine while you are there.
Where to stay when the wind is quiet
Mornings here are usually calm, so even on a windy week there is often time for a walk, a coffee or a drive before the afternoon breeze fills in. That rhythm is part of why we love it.
We built Yuna a few minutes from Cabedelo, on a hillside with a view over the Atlantic, as an easy base for exactly these kinds of days. Yuna One has a private saltwater pool and sleeps up to six, and Yuna Two has a private garden and an outdoor Gardentub. You can book either one directly with us. And when the wind returns, our guide to the best time to kitesurf at Cabedelo will get you back on the water.
Plenty. Within about an hour you can hike in Peneda-Gerês, visit the thermal baths at Gerês, walk to the Cascata do Pincho waterfall, taste wine at Quinta de Curvos, ride an e-mountain bike, or take a day trip to Ponte de Lima.
Roughly an hour and a half by car, which makes it a full-day trip. Combine a morning hike with an afternoon soak in the thermal baths.
Yes. The thermal baths at Caldas do Gerês, inside the Peneda-Gerês National Park, have been used since Roman times. It is a managed spa with paid entry, and the spa circuit is for ages sixteen and over.
A rainy day is perfect for a kitebuggy on the beach, where wet sand makes the best conditions. Ponte de Lima, Santa Luzia and the thermal baths at Gerês also work well when the weather turns.
Yes. It is one of the oldest towns in Portugal, with a medieval bridge over the Lima, a summer river beach and riverside cafés, all about half an hour from Viana do Castelo.
