Ponte da Barca

Sitting on the Lima River in northern Portugal's deep Vinho Verde country, Ponte da Barca is a particularly photogenic small town with a café and restaurant scene that punches well above its size. Its name — "Bridge of the Boat" — traces back to a river crossing that served pilgrims on the route to Santiago de Compostela from the 12th century onward. Part of the municipality falls within Peneda-Gerês, Portugal's only national park, which includes the historic village of Lindoso with its medieval castle and traditional granaries.

• Population4,372
• Nearest water0.3 km
• Nearest mountain9.2 km
• UNESCO within 50 km2