Vila Verde Nautical Station

Due to its antiquity and cultural richness, this municipality possesses a vast heritage, reflected in its archaeological remains, civil and religious architecture, typical rural settlements, ethnographic aspects of popular culture, handicrafts, traditional gastronomy, verdant landscape, and the rivers that cross it. Festivals and pilgrimages constitute one of the many expressions of the religiosity of its inhabitants. They are characterized by religious and pagan manifestations that coexist in communion and complement each other. Around one hundred and fifty of these festive and religious events take place throughout the year in the chapels and churches of the municipality and reveal, in themselves, the dynamism and religiosity of a people committed to preserving their cultural heritage and transmitting ways of living and feeling to new generations.

Vila Verde also stands out as a stage for emblematic events – the Gala Namorar Portugal, the Municipal Festivals in honor of St. Anthony, the Harvest Festival, the International Biennial of Young Art, among others. Craftsmanship is increasingly taking center stage, due to its growing economic importance, the preservation of ancestral manufacturing techniques, and innovation in the design of other products. The "Lenços de Namorados" (Lovers' Handkerchiefs), true emblems of this land, linen articles, rag weaving, miniatures and wooden toys, ox yokes and harnesses, musical instruments, pottery, hand-painted ceramics, and granite pieces are some of the products with a strong artisanal character. The natural heritage offers numerous leisure activities, including hiking, jeep tours, mountain biking, hunting, and others.

The Cávado and Homem rivers offer excellent conditions for canoeing and sport fishing, and there are excellent river beaches along their banks. Rural tourism establishments in Vila Verde are also an excellent opportunity for visitors to be seduced by spaces that prioritize family hospitality, the beauty of the surrounding landscape, local products, and traditions, providing unforgettable experiences.

The gastronomic legacies, marked by the roots of Minho and its cultural diversity and richness, are reflected in the culinary creativity, with unique flavors and palates that surprise with their authenticity and succulence. Added to all this is the aroma and freshness of the region's Vinho Verde and the guarded secrets of a rich and diverse traditional confectionery.

The menu for discovering and visiting Vila Verde, with its 1001 charms to explore, is now open.

The certification of Vila Verde as a Nautical Station allows for the continuation of all the work that has been carried out in the territory aimed at enhancing a range of resources associated with water (the Cávado, Neiva, and Homem rivers, streams and their banks, river beaches) and the surrounding landscape. This initiative has been reinforced through investment in awareness-raising and outreach campaigns, as well as the construction of a range of supporting infrastructure and equipment (the Cavado and Homem Ecovia, the Municipal Network of Trails and Walking Routes, among others) that will allow for enjoyment along the riverbanks, environmental preservation and enhancement, and the creation of a new tourist attraction for the municipality. As a territory with strong ties to the rivers and a tradition of nautical activities (especially canoeing promoted by the Prado Nautical Club), the ENVV (Vila Verde Nautical Network) presents itself as a platform for cooperation and coordination between the various stakeholders identified with the territory, aiming to promote an integrated and synergistic offer capable of adding value and contributing to the promotion of Vila Verde as a destination for nautical sports and leisure.

The objectives of ENVV are:

• To add activity to the tourism chain in the municipality, attracting new audiences, new segments, and new markets, with emphasis on the Rio Grande do Sul market, combating the preponderance of the domestic market and seasonality;
• To promote the stay and spending of visitors in Vila Verde, due to the polarization of supply and the structuring of higher value-added products, capable of integrating activities and experiences (gastronomy, culture, heritage, nature, and water), enhancing networking and partnerships;
• To contribute to visitors repeating and recommending the destination, whether through adequate communication, promotion, and quality image, or through the presentation of a Nautical Agenda based on events that combine sporting activities and local events, thus increasing the emotional connection with the destination throughout the year.