2026-06-02
The village of Gerês, formerly known as Termas do Gerês, belongs to the municipality of Terras de Bouro, in the North of Portugal.
It’s a charming locality where the main street is filled with craft shops, souvenir stores, and traditional restaurants.
It’s also an excellent base for exploring the Peneda-Gerês National Park.
So, when visiting Gerês, don’t just stick to the center, as around this peaceful village there are viewpoints, waterfalls, and many trails to discover.
So, are you ready to join us on this journey through the green heart of Northern Portugal?
Best Things To Do and See in the Village of Gerês
Exploring the center of Gerês Village
Visiting Gerês Village is quite peaceful, except during the peak summer season, particularly in August, when it gets crowded.
Take a leisurely stroll through the village center, paying close attention to the small local craft shops.
From what I’ve seen, the crafts sold in Gerês are genuinely local. Apart from the refrigerator magnets, which are produced elsewhere, most products come from the region.
If I may make a recommendation, I particularly like the clay pieces, which besides being beautiful, are very practical for everyday use.
Moreover, the embroidered textiles for the home are national, which (almost always) ensures quality.
Another safe purchase is food products like sausages, sweets, liqueurs, and wine. Don’t forget you’re in the heart of the Vinho Verde region, with unique wines you won’t find elsewhere in Northern Portugal.
After visiting the village center, input the GPS coordinates for Miradouro da Fraga Velha (viewpoint) (continue walking until you reach Miradouro da Boneca) and Miradouro da Junceda (viewpoint).
I’m sure you’ll enjoy these spots, but I still have more suggestions for you.
For example, there’s Miradouro da Pedra Bela and Miradouro das Rocas, just a few kilometers before reaching Arado Waterfall.
And speaking of waterfalls, check out my recommendations for ones very close to Gerês Village.
Waterfalls near Gerês Village
There are many waterfalls in Gerês, some more accessible than others, but near the village of Gerês, we recommend the Arado Waterfall, the Portela do Homem Waterfall, and the Fecha de Barjas Waterfall.
The Arado Waterfall
The Arado Waterfall is easily accessible, so you have no excuse not to include it in your itinerary in the village of Gerês. In fact, as it’s just a few kilometers from the Rocas viewpoint, don’t miss the opportunity.
The Portela do Homem Waterfall
The Portela do Homem Waterfall is hidden in a bend on National Road 308-1 (N308-1).
To get there, head towards the Spanish border, and a few meters before, you’ll hear the sound of water falling. The waterfall is marked, so don’t worry, but the sound of the water is so strong that it really stays in your memory.
It’s definitely worth it, trust me.
The Fecha de Barjas Waterfall
The Fecha de Barjas Waterfall is known as the Tahiti Waterfall, because of the paradise-like scenery of the place. However, there is a catch, as the access is not easy at all.
In fact, accidents are common, and for that reason, you must exercise extra caution when hiking to the Fecha de Barjas waterfall.
Trails from the Village of Gerês
We went in search of hiking trails starting in the Village of Gerês and found the PR3 – Currais Trail (10 km), which passes through Curral do Gaio, Miradouro da Pedra Bela, Curral da Carvalha das Éguas, Curral da Lomba do Vidoeiro, and also through the Medronheiros Forest.
On the other hand, the PR6 – Miradouros Trail (12 km) passes through Miradouro da Junceda, Miradouro da Boneca, Miradouro da Fraga Velha, and Penedo da Freira Viewpoint.
Finally, the PR10 – Preguiça Trail (6 km) passes through Casa da Preguiça, Ribeira da Laja, Leonte Waterfall, and Laja Waterfall.
👉Did you know that the Village of Gerês was known as Termas do Gerês?
Visiting the Gerês Hot Springs
The use of Gerês water for therapeutic purposes dates back to Roman times, although the first tanks were built in the 18th century.
More recently in our history, a violent fire destroyed the thermal baths (hot springs), rendering them inactive for many years.
Currently, treatments can be performed at the spa of the thermal baths, using modern techniques, so take advantage and book a massage.
Are you a fan of thermal therapy? Then you will enjoy our articles about the Melgaço and Pedras Salgadas Thermal Baths.
Accommodation in the Village of Gerês
You must have realized by now that you’ll need a few days to explore the Peneda-Gerês National Park.
So, it’s a good idea to stay in the region for a while. If you’re a fan of camping, you can choose the Rural Campside Rio Caldo Gerês, which is 7 km from the village.
Another affordable accommodation option is the Adelaide Hotel(2 stars), which usually offers the option of including half-board meals in the summer.
If you prefer the comfort of staying in a hotel, the Hotel São Bento da Porta Aberta & Spa (4 stars) gathers excellent reviews.
However, if you didn’t like any of these suggestions, I recommend exploring the map below.
👉 Find the best hotels in Gerês
Map and how to get to the Village of Gerês
The village of Gerês is 96 km from Porto, 43 km from Braga, and 406 km from Lisbon. However, to confirm the best route to get here, we suggest taking a look at the map below.
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We are a Portuguese Family traveling around the world and sharing our journey and experiences at passaportenobolso.com. Here you can find plenty of family budget travel tips as well as practical information about numerous destinations in Europe, Africa, Asia and America. We have visited 40+ countries and we don’t plan on stopping anytime soon. From time to time I travel alone… Follow everything on YouTube / Instagram / Facebook / TikTok / X / Pinterest.
