Although Lamego rests among the terraced vineyards of the Douro Valley, wine isn’t what brings most people to this town. In fact, the main reason travelers pop in is to see the spectacular staircase leading to Lamego’s Santuário de Nossa Senhora dos Remédios (Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies). But there are other things to do in Lamego that showcase the town’s role as an important (and pretty) regional hub, such as visiting the local museum and small castle and, yes, maybe enjoying a glass of the local drop.
Spring and autumn—late March to June and late September to November, respectively—provide the ideal conditions for exploring Lamego. These seasons are especially good for climbing the town’s iconic staircase, which is hard enough without chilly winter or sizzling summer weather. However, coming to Lamego at the tail end of summer in September does have one perk: the Festival of Nossa Senhora dos Remédios, where parades, concerts, sports events, and more entertain a flood of visitors for weeks.
Lamego is not a large town, so walking is the most common way to get around when sightseeing. Some attractions, such as the Castle of Lamego, are hard to reach any other way thanks to very narrow and old streets. Walking is also the best way to see all of the town’s famous staircase, although you can drive to the top to visit the Santuário de Nossa Senhora dos Remédios if climbing 686 steps is out of the question.
The Santuário de Nossa Senhora dos Remédios receives most of the attention from visitors in Lamego, so people often overlook Lamego Cathedral and the lesser-known Igreja do Desterro (Church of Exile). Both have gorgeous interiors—the cathedral with its painted ceiling and the Igreja do Desterro with its fantastic gilded woodwork. Also overlooked too frequently is the nearby village of Lazarim, which hosts one of Portugal’s few Carnival celebrations that follow ancient Celtic traditions.
