Esposende

Esposende is an old fishing village with some fine old buildings and airy town squares.

Boasting an idyllic setting on the estuary of the River Cávado, some 50 km north of Oporto, it is a popular resort town for the people of Northern Portugal, who take full advantage of the area's excellent bathing conditions during the summer months.

What to see. Archaeological diggings around Espinho have revealed the remains of a Roman city and necropolis. Worth seeing also are the ruins of the 18th-century fortress, while the town's parish church of the Misericórdia was built in the 16th century. The chapel of Our Lord of the Navigators has impressive ornate paintings and gilt carvings.

Nearby. Ofir on the south bank of the Cávado features an expanse of golden, sandy beach, ideal for bathing, surfing and windsurfing. Just south of Ofir and dating back to Roman times, the sleepy village of Fão is close to the old Roman camp of Belinho and the ruins of Banho Monastery. Visitors driving in the countryside along the river are rewarded with panoramas and secluded spots for river swimming or picnicking.

Extracted:http://www.portugaltravelguide.com