Situated on a hilltop at 660 metres above sea level, on the left bank of the Côa River, the city of Pinhel boasts a rich and ancient past. While its origins trace back to the Chalcolithic period, the municipality is home to even older heritage, such as the prehistoric rock paintings and engravings of the Côa Valley, found in Cidadelhe.
The authenticity of the local gastronomy, paired with the excellence of Pinhel’s wines, makes this welcoming "Falcon City" an essential stop on any journey through the Beira Interior.
Historic Centre
The historic centre of Pinhel is characterised by narrow streets that follow the contours of the land, offering a wealth of architectural heritage from both the medieval and early modern periods.
Pinhel Castle
Enhanced during the reign of King Dinis, with a keep tower dating from the Manueline period, Pinhel Castle is surrounded by a defensive wall measuring around 800 metres in perimeter. Visitors can now explore this legacy by walking the newly restored “Caminho de Ronda” (Rampart Walk).
16th-Century Houses and Noble Estates
On Rua de Santa Maria, 16th-century houses bear witness to the historical presence of the Jewish community in Pinhel. Throughout the old town, 17th and 18th-century manor houses (solares) stand out for their grandeur and refined decorative elements, adding elegance and distinction to the urban landscape.
Festivals and Traditional Fairs
• Fair of Traditions – Held on the weekend before Carnival, celebrating local heritage and custos;
• Medieval Fair – First weekend of June, featuring historical reenactments and themed markets;
• City Festival – Late August, with music, cultural events and community celebrations;
• Beira Interior – Wine & Flavours Fair – Mid-November, showcasing regional wines and gastronomy.
Message from the Mayor
Rui Ventura
In recent years, the Municipality of Pinhel has consistently championed the creation of synergies to promote the Wines of Beira Interior, firmly believing in the importance of this sector for affirming the identity and value of our wider region.
Beyond the vital role that viticulture plays in many municipalities across Beira Interior — and the significant impact it has on local economies — we are also witnessing a growing demand for quality wines, increasingly paired with the search for authentic experiences that only wine tourism can offer.
Bringing these realities together, the creation of the Beira Interior Wine Route, under the initiative of the Beira Interior Regional Wine Commission (CVRBI), was a long-overdue step — and one that the Municipality of Pinhel has supported from the very beginning.
As a long-standing partner of the CVRBI, with concrete joint initiatives in recent years — such as the "Beira Interior – Wine & Flavours" fair — the Municipality of Pinhel firmly believes that the Wine Route may well become the missing piece that allows us to finally coordinate efforts towards the national and international promotion of Beira Interior wines.
Moreover, we are confident this initiative will attract both national and international tourists seeking a holiday destination where they can experience unique and meaningful connections to the culture of the Vine and Wine.
Should this vision be fulfilled — as we strongly believe it will — then the founding objectives of the Beira Interior Wine Route will have been fully achieved.
And Pinhel will be proud to have been there from the very beginning.
