Amarante - River n Railwayside Walk & Roman Ruins of Tongobriga

An off-the-beaten-path day of nature, heritage, and discovery.

Looking to explore beyond the usual tourist routes? Join us for a relaxed and scenic day along the Tâmega River, starting in the charming town of Amarante. We’ll walk along the former Tâmega railway line, now transformed into a peaceful riverside trail surrounded by greenery, small farms, and sleepy villages. It’s a perfect chance to slow down, breathe deeply, and enjoy Portugal at its most authentic.

Along the way, we’ll stop to admire old railway bridges, local flora, and the quiet beauty of the northern countryside. You’ll hear stories about the region’s past—from Roman times to the golden age of rail—and how nature is gently reclaiming this forgotten path.

To wrap up the day, we’ll visit the Roman ruins of Tongobriga. Far from the crowds, this open-air archaeological site reveals what life was like in a Roman town over 2,000 years ago. With its bathhouses, streets, and temples still visible, it’s a place that inspires both curiosity and awe.
This is the perfect outing for expats who love walking, nature, and a good story. Come along and connect with Portugal in a deeper, more meaningful way.

📏 Distance just a little under 13km / 8 miles – easy to intermediate, it is a well kept and well groomed path, follows along the river and then brings us up to the former Tâmega railway line, nonetheless it’s a bit of a distance to cover thus we’ve allocated some 4h00 hours to cover it in a leisurely place, but it will take whatever it takes for you to do. No special gear is needed, just comfortable clothes and adequate footwear, (of course, if you’re not the most sure-footed individual, a trekking pole is always advisable).

Then, we’re off to Freixo for an altogether different experience! Not the one in Porto, we speak about the place once known as Tongobriga.

Once a thriving centre of Roman life, Tongobriga flourished with public baths, a forum, temples, and well-planned streets that still whisper the rhythms of daily life from two millennia ago. Unlike crowded ruins elsewhere in Europe, here you’ll walk freely among foundations and open fields, where sheep now graze between ancient stones.
Therem a small interpretive centre offers context and insight into the Roman occupation of this inland region, revealing how Tongobriga became a cultural crossroads between indigenous peoples and the empire. It’s the perfect blend of storytelling, landscape, and quiet discovery

IMPORTANT INFORMATION (do not skip this section):
💰 Price €45/ person (includes door-to-door transportation - drive to the location and back to your home), guide fees, entrance to the archeological site.
🚗 “I do have a car, thus wouldn’t need a ride, can I join? Yes, absolutely, we have special conditions, do enquire!
How do I sign up for the tour? Because seats are extremely limited, RSVP-ing alone is not enough, we'll have to insist on advance payment, only that will secure a place. To this effect, do send us a message and we will tell you how to proceed, you can do it here directly, by
Whatsapp at +351910430259 or by email at architectoursporto@gmail.com. As our capabilities are not limitless, (quite the opposite), the first ones to do it will have ensured their presence.