Caminha: A Perfect Retirement Town Blending Nearby Mountains With Ocean Beaches
- Infinite Solutions
- 15 de jul.
- 4 min de leitura
There are plenty of reasons Portugal is considered the best place in Europe to retire to, although there is one significant caveat to that (hint: taxes). But finding the right place in Portugal is a matter of personal taste. Do you prefer the buzz of city life or a quiet country escape? Warm, sunny beaches or cool, green mountains?
For those seeking the old Portugal — before tourism transformed the streets of Lisbon and Porto or the crowded beaches of the Algarve — consider a trip to the small town of Caminha - one of Portugal's best-kept secrets right on the border with Spain.
It sits at the mouth of the River Minho as it cuts through the mountains and empties into the Atlantic Ocean. This geographic mix of river, sea, and mountain provides Camhina with fresh local seafood and plenty of local Vinho Verde, the so-called green wine, named after the lush landscapes of Northern Portugal.
The town of Caminha is an hour's drive north of Porto Airport, right along the Atlantic coast, close to the Spanish border. Perched between the mountains and the sea, this coastal area of Portugal gets busy only during the summer months, then quiets down the rest of the year. There is a small but growing community of immigrants who have decided to make this corner of Portugal home.
Living in the Medieval Center of Caminha
A good place to begin exploring Caminha is the old medieval center and its landmark, the Torre de Relógio, or the Clocktower. The medieval tower is much older, part of the stone walls that surrounded ancient Caminha when it was a fishing village, but the clock was set into its stone since 1673. It has taken center stage ever since.
Right next to it is the Renaissance-era Igreja de Misericordia, the Church of Mercy, where, if you're lucky, you'll catch a concert featuring the church's fully restored historic organ. The nearby Igreja Matriz is the main church of Caminha, an interesting mix of Gothic and Renaissance.
Swing by the Mercado Municipal, one of the region's best markets for fresh seafood, fruit, and vegetables. This modern building has a glass front for sweeping views of the River Minho, which marks the border with Spain. Getting a little lost is part of the charm, and the area is so small, you'll never be lost for long.
Living in the old city center can also be surprisingly affordable. A recent listing for a sleek 2-bedroom, 1 bathroom apartment with sweeping views of the River Minho was listed at just 1,200€ a month, with most listed rentals coming under €1,000.
You can get an affordable "menu do dia," a three-course lunch menu, for as little as €10 — a deal so good that residents in Spain's neighboring Galicia region regularly cross the border for lunch!
Beach Walks and Hiking in Caminha
Of course, many are drawn to Caminha by the mountain views and sandy beaches. The Camino de Santiago - Europe's equivalent to the Appalachian Trail has a branch that extends to Portugal through Caminha, and the old railway line along the River Minho has been converted into a 25-mile eco-trail with views of the estuary.
Caminha also has several beaches a short drive away. The closest, Camarido Beach, is a sandy stretch where the river meets the Atlantic, surrounded by pine forest. The Foz do Minho area of this beach was ranked by the British newspaper, The Guardian, as one of the best beaches in Europe.
While Caminha has mild winters, rarely dipping below 59 degrees, December and January in Caminha can get grey and rainy with strong winds sweeping across the ocean. April to November are the sunniest months.
For a taste of Portuguese cuisine, Restaurant Papero, one of my favorite go to bistros in Moledo, a small fishing village on the ocean, where the host with the MOST Marco Machado and his team specialize in fish, serving local specialties like grilled cod or sea bass as well as octopus, and you can finish it all off with a homemade gelato. It's conveniently right next to the train station and taxi stand that
Local expats also like Restaurant Solar do Pescado. They specialize in fresh fish and seafood, and be sure to tell Sr. Arménio you are a friend of Tony!
I’ll be more than happy to share my experience with you, after almost 23 years living in Portugal.
I’ll also walk you through Portugal using Google Maps, show you the best Cities or communities and neighborhoods that match your ideal lifestyle and budget, and go over the moving and buying process as well as the best Visa process to establish residency and ultimately Citizenship.
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As a seasoned realtor with 23 years of firsthand experience living in Portugal, I am here to guide you through every step. From virtual tours using Google Maps to identifying the ideal cities, communities, and neighborhoods that match your lifestyle and budget, I’ll make your transition smooth and informed
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