Some people call it "the little Portuguese Tibet" because of the terraces that generations have carved there. At the northern end of the municipality of Arcos de Valdevez, at the gates of the Peneda-Gerês National Park (PNPG), seen from the top of the mountain, the village looks even smaller than it actually is. The traditional houses, mills and granaries lose their size in the face of the grandeur of the steeply sloping valley, at the bottom of which flows the river Vez.
Due to the sensitivity of the territory, the village of Sistelo is included in the Natura Network and within the area classified by UNESCO as a World Biosphere Reserve. Amidst the breathtaking beauty of the landscapes and the ancestral wisdom of the population, everything from livestock to handicrafts is produced here and you can breathe in the pure mountain air.
Sistelo Castle, the village's landmark, is definitely worth a visit. Strolling through the streets of Sistelo, you can admire the Parish Church and the House of the Viscount of Sistelo. There is much more to see, such as the Roman bridge and mill, the Sistelo bridge downstream, the small chapel of Nossa Senhora dos Aflitos and the various chapels that abound there. You won't regret your visit!
