Caminha is the northernmost town on the Portuguese coast, after which the road and railway from Porto both follow up the Minho [Miño in Spanish] frontier river.  It occupies a small peninsula at the confluence of the Minho and the Coura, 2 km from the sea.

Probably a small Phoenician settlement, it prospered under the Romans. Refounded in Middle Ages, it followed a typical bastide layout here superimposed over a Roman plan. It was a major seaport from the 14th to the 16th centuries, trading extensively with Northern Europe, Brazil, Africa and Asia; its most impressive buildings date from this period.  The border setting and difficult river mouth brought its decline.

The town’s main square is very attractive, with a lovely renaissance fountain of 1553 and a clock topping a medieval tower.  The town also has a grand late-gothic parish church in granite, with Manuelino and Renaissance elements;  in the interior, the wooden ceiling is a major work of the 16th century showing mauresque and even Indian influences.  Remains of medieval fortifications, later expanded, still remain.

There is a camping ground set within a large pinewood, a five-minute walk to river and oceanic beaches.  An old fortress occupies an islet barring the river estuary (boat required for the crossing; dangerous sea currents).

The Vilar de Mouros rock festival is the oldest and one the largest in Portugal.

The ferry setting out for A Guardia, in Spain, crosses the wide estuary of the Minho, and looks most appealing as the lights are just coming on.

Like a number of places on this coast it makes an excellent setting for a meal late in the day if you are waiting for the last [second!] train of the day to Spain.

Interesting excursions can be made up the Coura and Minho valleys, and up the Serra de Arga, a granitic mountain range reaching 823 m (waterfalls, wild horses, a small romanesque chapel).