About Barca d’Alva

From Barca D’Alva you can already see Spain. Here begins the Portuguese Douro and the beauty that makes it such a unique river. This border region belongs to the municipality of Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo and is part of the Douro Internacional Natural Park.
Known for being one of the most typical towns in Portugal, Barca D’Alva served as a refuge and inspiration for Guerra Junqueiro, who for several years owned Quinta da Batoca, once one of the largest in the Douro.

Natural beauty of almond trees

A region with unique landscapes, the beauty of Barca D’Alva does not stop at the green of the banks and the serenity of the river. Between the end of February and the beginning of March, the village is dressed in white and light pink, with the almond trees blooming, giving the inhabitants the first spring air. It is, in fact, around this time that the Festa do Almendro is celebrated, a tradition that is over 70 years old and that extends from the banks of the Douro to Spanish territories.

Railways that transport History

Barca D’Alva station was in operation between 1887 and 1988. Despite being abandoned, the centuries-old structure resists the passage of time and the change of seasons, preserving many pieces of its history.

For the more adventurous, the journey to Pocinho is on foot, along the inactive section of the line. These are walks with more and more followers and that generate a mix of emotions: amazement and enchantment at the natural beauty of the region and an almost anguish at the degradation of the line, which is slowly swallowed by wild vegetation.

Points of interest in the city:

Barca D’Alva train station
Hiking along the inactive part of the railway line
Almendro Festival