Gerez Travel Guide

 
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  • Gerez - Portugal
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Explore Gerez

Things to Do  

S Bento

S Bento, Gerez

 solopes Says:  Right in front of the "Pousada" (Hotel), overlooking Caniçada dam, the sanctuary of St. Bento da Porta Aberta (means "open door" and refers to the old chapel, always with open doors to shelter the pilgrims) is a construction from the 19th century, in place of a former chapel... 

Portela do Homem

Portela do Homem, Gerez

 solopes Says:  Once upon a time there was a frontier here, with a couple of policemen saluting the few people venturing in a so remote place. It is not a particularly nice area of the park, but it is one of the few points allowing to pass to Spain, to verify that me wild remains across the... 

Rio Caldo

Rio Caldo, Gerez

 solopes Says:  The river Caldo is well used to tourism support - it has a fluvial beach, and the lagoon of the dam has a marina, a nautical club, and a boat to regular circuits in the lagoon. 

Caniçada

Caniçada, Gerez

 solopes Says:  The most beautiful dam in Gerês, it is the central point of almost all the visits. It's lake is surrounded by several roads (including the old Roman road) with scenic views, and nearby there are good hotels and the sanctuary of S. "Bento da Porta Aberta" 

Vilarinho das Furnas

Vilarinho das Furnas, Gerez

 solopes Says:  The most beautiful scenery of Gerez is around its dams. Caniçada is the most beautiful, but Vilarinho das Furnas has the special attraction, of being new, having swallowed the village with the same name. When the water is low, the signs of the lost village are still visible... 

Restaurants  

Portela do Homem: In the Middle of Nowhere

Portela do Homem: In the Middle of Nowhere, Gerez

 solopes Says:  I've never been in this restaurant. But I love it.A long, long time ago, I was wandering in Gerez with my family, by lunchtime, and, not knowing the area, we decided to search a restaurant in Portela do Homem. Silly idea. It was only a customs barrier, away from it all, with... 

National Park

National Park, Gerez

 micas_pt Says:  If you are hiking in the National Park or just enjoy this kind of activity, you will find some places inside the Park proper to have meals. Those places are equipped with benches and tables and I think that in some cases they have proper places to lit fire. And pack... 

Nightlife  

Braga

Braga, Gerez

 micas_pt Says:  Braga, being a student's city, has good nightlife providing a wide choice when it comes to pub/bar or even disco. Braga is about 40 km from Geres, so it's "at hand" if you are visiting Geres by car. If you are not fond of bars and discos, there are also cinemas and theatre... 

Pousada de São Bento: Inn

Pousada de São Bento: Inn, Gerez

 micas_pt Says:  The Inn has a cosy little bar with fireplace (that feels so good on autumn/winter nights!!) and plays some quiet music. There is a wide range of drinks available, but not too cheap though. I had caipiroska (vodka, lime, yellow sugar and smashed ice) and i must say it was not... 

Transportation  

Boat

Boat, Gerez

 micas_pt Says:  During peak season you will find some people selling boat tours around the dam in Caldas do Geres, which might be a pleasant activity for a sunny afternoon in the beautiful landscapes of this area. These boat tours are only available during peak season (summer months). Apart... 

By car

By car, Gerez

 micas_pt Says:  The best way to reach Geres and move around between locations is by car, as public transportation (bus) might not be frequent here - that is, you might have to wait for hours or for next day to get the bus. Roads are local, meaning that they are narrow and with lots of... 

Shopping  

Geres - Tea, honey, woollen and leather goods
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micas_pt 1207 reviews

In Geres (the village) you will find some tourist shops, selling the usual stuff you might find in that kind of places. Apart from the shops, you will also find street vendors (on main street) selling varied goods - don't let yourself be fooled, they are there selling touristy things not real art crafts, but still you might want to buy some souvenirs as some of them are cheap. They mainly sell: tea made with local herbs and plants, honey, woollen sweaters and coats and some leather goods.

Written Dec 30, 2003

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Local Customs  

Location
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micas_pt 1207 reviews

Geres is located on the district of Braga, on the North of Portugal, and it is about 40 km distant from Braga. Some areas of the Park, that occupies an area of 700 square km, border Spain. The area of the park spreads to the adjoining district – Vila Real.

Written Dec 22, 2003

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Warnings and Dangers  

Animals on the roads
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micas_pt 1207 reviews

Whether you are driving through the Park or in the surrounding villages you should pay attention to animals:
> Wild animals inside the park that might come on the road at any place;
> Other animals, such as cows, that are often found standing on the middle of the road, inside or surrounding little villages.

Written Dec 22, 2003

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Off The Beaten Path  

Hidden houses

Hidden houses, Gerez

 micas_pt Says:  As we were driving along the park, we came across several small houses made of stone. Some of them looked like they were some kind of house or shelter for what might be a park keeper or forest keeper (because of fires). We decide to stop at some point. The houses shown on... 

Places to rest and to eat

Places to rest and to eat, Gerez

 micas_pt Says:  As you walk or drive along the Park's narrow roads, you will come across some areas that have wooden benches and tables. These places are proper to rest as well as having some meals (providing that you bring your own food). Enjoy the quietness of this fabulous park and... 

Sports & Outdoors  

Water sports

Water sports, Gerez

 micas_pt Says:  For those who enjoy water sports, Geres offers a wide choice. Tours in motorboats are available in several spots and with different prices. There is also the opportunity to do some canoeing and kayaking. And there is also those "boats" in which you must pedal to move around.... 

Trekking

Trekking, Gerez

 micas_pt Says:  There are good choices for trekking in Geres' Park. All paths are signalled on maps available on Tourism Office and at some wood and stone shelters that you find on the way. These treks are classified as medium difficulty. 

Favorites  

Caldas do Geres

Caldas do Geres, Gerez

 micas_pt Says:  Caldas do Geres is a small village by a dam. It is close to the Inn so I visited this place often and each time I visited I couldn't help feeling amazed by the beauty of the place - a small village lost in the bottom of the green slopes of the mountain, by a beautiful... 

Horning vans

Horning vans, Gerez

 micas_pt Says:  In some of these places you might also notice that there are vans that stop on the road and horn and some women approach. Those vans bring goods and work as a kind of supermarket. Most common cases are selling fresh fish and fresh bread and pastries. And when everyone has... 

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Map of Gerez