Feast of Santa Bárbara in Vilarinho de Cotas

On the last Sunday of August — 30 August in 2026 — the village of Vilarinho de Cotas holds its annual feast in honour of Santa Bárbara, as listed in the official calendar of festas and romarias published by Alijó Municipal Tourism. Set on the high slopes above the Douro River, in the united parish of Vale de Mendiz, Casal de Loivos and Vilarinho de Cotas, this winegrowing village lies a short drive from Pinhão and is an ideal destination for travellers seeking the authentic Douro, away from the busier tourist circuits.

Santa Bárbara, protector against thunderstorms and tempests, holds special meaning in wine country: her feast falls precisely on the eve of the harvest, when winegrowers ask for protection for the grapes about to be picked. The main day of the festivity includes a solemn mass, a procession through the village's narrow streets and a lively arraial with music and regional food and drink — cured ham, smoked sausages, homemade bread and the fortified and table wines produced on the surrounding estates.

For visitors, the feast is the perfect excuse to explore one of the most scenic corners of the Alto Douro Wine Region, a UNESCO World Heritage landscape. The route up from Pinhão winds along serpentine roads between centuries-old terraces, passing the celebrated Casal de Loivos viewpoint, considered one of the most beautiful in Portugal. In late August the vineyards are at their peak, heavy with grapes ready for harvest, and the golden late-afternoon light over the valley is unforgettable.

Admission is free. As with all village festas, the detailed programme is set by the local festivities committee, so it is advisable to confirm times with the Alijó tourism office (+351 259 957 100 or [email protected]). Make the most of the occasion by combining the romaria with a rabelo boat trip from Pinhão or a wine tasting at a nearby quinta.