Pinhel. A real cool place that is off the tourist radar. That’s too bad, as the interior town of 9,500 has some great architecture and a really great wine

Also known as Cidade Falcão, Pinhel's region include lot of very interesting towns, including Vila Nova de Foz Côa, to the northeast by Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo, to the east by Almeida, to the south by Guarda and to the west by Celorico da Beira, Trancoso and Mêda. The name Pinhel comes from the great amount of pines existing in the area.

The proximity of Pinhel to Spain means that most of these towns are very well fortified. Then there is Pinhel Castle, the guardian of one of the oldest towns in the country: a fine example of Portugal's unique Manueline architecture.

Surrounded by walls and rivers, and lying at the heart of a system of fortifications that included the castles of Trancoso, Marialva and Castelo Mendo, Pinhel was one of the most advanced strongholds in this part of Portugal until the 13th century. That one reason this is still Portuguese territory…

In the northern part of the Pinhel region, is the Archaeological Park of the Côa Valley, with some fascinating prehistoric cave paintings

Pinhel is also a wine region and its wines are quite good! Located south of the Douro region, Pinhel is known primarily for its earthy, full-bodied  sparkling white wine.

The main grapes of the Pinhel region include Arinto, Assario Branco, Bastardo, Codo, Fonte Cal, Marufo, Rufete and the famous Touriga Nacional.