You would be hard pressed to find a more charming town than Miranda do Douro. It has it all; ancient walls, medieval architecture, breathtaking views of the Douro River Gorge, great food, wines, and even its own dialect.  Just missing one thing – tourists. Think of it as Volterra before the vampires...
 
Close to the Spanish border, in the far northeast, Miranda do Douro is set amid the beauty of the Douro International Natural Park. The roots of Miranda date back to Celtic times. In the 8th century, the Moors named this site "Mir Andul". Its border location led D. Afonso Henriques, the first king of Portugal, to order its fortification. The walls still stand, including part of the citadel and some sections of the city walls. This walled town is home to grand buildings testifying to the wealth of past times, including the Church of Santa Maria Maior, that held cathedral status throughout two centuries and was key to ensuring Miranda’s importance to the region.

Still, Miranda is known for its Celtic folk heritage featuring the Pauliteiro stick dancers in their traditional dresses. Celtic bagpipes accompany the performance and represent another legacy of the Iron Age Celtic settlement in this region. You can listen to the locals and discover the lost "Mirandês" language, unique to this wild and beautiful region.