Wonders of Portugal — Dornes, the riverside village

Dornes was recently elected one of the 7 Wonders of Portugal, in the category of Riverside Villages.

Bathed by the Zêzere River, this very old locality has always stood out by its position, in a land ledge that enters into the river, surrounded only by water and vegetation.

 

I had the opportunity to visit Dornes in a work assignment for the Via Verde website. Until then, I had only seen pictures and was very curious about this place.

At that time, summer hadn’t come yet, and with it the hordes of tourists who normally invade the village. The streets were almost deserted and much of the local commerce closed down, only opening during the weekends or in the warmer months.

So it was a real privilege having that village almost just for me.

To the sound of the Zêzere River

The small village of Dornes lives on tourism. From those who seek to spend days resting by the river, indulging in nautical activities or fishing, or those who are just visiting to know more about the history of that beautiful village.

The Templars had roots here and to prove it is a tower that has been able to resist the passage of time and that rises over the small local houses.

Also, the Church of Nossa Senhora do Pranto is another of the places to visit in this village. The construction is from the 13^th century.

But it’s really the magnificent landscapes of the Zêzere that never cease to amaze. No matter where we are looking from.

How to get to Dornes

By car, of course! The village is 12 km from Ferreira do Zêzere, which, in turn, is 185 km from Porto and 150 km from Lisbon. And you’ll also have the opportunity to visit other points of interest, such as the Castelo de Bode dam.

I can’t help but suggest that you plan your trip for a weekday, maybe in the spring or fall, when the temperatures are pleasant and the village quieter. So you can feel the true rhythm of Dornes and enjoy all its beauty.

If you want to spend some time in the area, be sure to check out the available accommodations in the box below. If you make your reservation through here, you will be helping the blog and don’t pay more for it. 😉

 

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