City guide
June Festivals in Vila Real: Where to Stay
June is festival month in Vila Real. The city celebrates the popular saints, Santo António, São João and São Pedro, with fairs, parades of marchas from the parishes and free concerts in front of the town hall. This guide covers what usually happens and how our two apartments in the city centre fit a June stay.
When it happens
The Festas da Cidade, the city festivities, run through June, built around Santo António on 13 June and São Pedro on 29 June. The council announces each year's programme and line-up in May, so check its announcements before you plan around a particular day.
Santo António
In recent years the Feira de Santo António has run in the days leading up to 13 June. On the night of the 12th, the marchas populares, parade groups from the municipality's parishes, march through the city.
On Santo António's day itself, recent programmes have had the traditional livestock fair, with a contest of Maronês cattle, the local mountain breed, and fireworks.
São Pedro and the black pottery of Bisalhães
The month closes with the Feira de São Pedro, traditionally held on 28 and 29 June. It is where the black clay pottery of Bisalhães, a village near Vila Real, has long been sold. UNESCO lists Bisalhães black pottery making as intangible heritage in need of urgent safeguarding, so the fair is a good moment to buy a piece.
Free concerts in Praça do Município
In recent years the main concerts of the Festas da Cidade have been on a stage in Praça do Município, in front of the town hall, with free entry and well-known Portuguese artists on the saints' days. The Rock Nordeste festival has also been part of the June programme, in Parque Corgo.
Both our Vila Real apartments are at Porta 116, in the city centre and within walking distance of the square, so you can walk to the concerts and back.
Tips for a June stay
Concerts start late and the streets stay lively into the night, so plan quiet mornings. June days are long and warm, a good time for a day in the Douro Valley, just south of the city. Book as soon as you know your dates; you can book directly with us, the owners, with no platform fees.
How far things are from our apartments
| Place | Rua Doutor Roque da Silveira |
|---|---|
| Sé de Vila Real | 0.3 km |
| Vila Real Municipal Market | 0.3 km |
| Vila Real Bus Station | 0.6 km |
| Parque Corgo | 0.8 km |
| Solar de Mateus | 2.6 km |
Where to stay: our apartments
Porta 116
Rua Doutor Roque da Silveira 116, 5000-630 Vila Real, Portugal
Porta 116 - Free private parking
Rua Doutor Roque da Silveira 116, 5000-630 Vila Real, Portugal
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Coming up in and around Vila Real
Tiago Correia
Tiago Correia gives a classical guitar concert at the Teatro Municipal de Vila Real, part of the X Ponto de Guitarra festival, with works for eight- and ten-string classical guitars.
Nov 12Xurcho Varela, Olavo Barros e Hugo Sanches
Xurcho Varela, Olavo Barros and Hugo Sanches play an early music concert of viola da gamba, flute and lute at the Teatro Municipal de Vila Real, part of the X ponto de guitarra festival.
Nov 19Xurxo Varela, Olavo Barros e Hugo Sanches
Xurxo Varela, Olavo Barros and Hugo Sanches play a programme of early music for viola da gamba, flute and lute at the Teatro Municipal de Vila Real, as part of the X Ponto de Guitarra festival.
Nov 19Termas de Chaves
One of Portugal's most important thermal spa towns, with springs that rise at 76°C. The therapeutic season runs from February to December. 1.5 hours from Vila Real, 2 hours from Braga.
Feb 2 – Dec 30Ciclo “Ler Pascoaes”
Ciclo “Ler Pascoaes” is a cultural event held in Amarante, in northern Portugal.
Sep 26 – Dec 12Frequently Asked Questions
When are the June festivals in Vila Real?
Through June, around Santo António on 13 June and the Feira de São Pedro, traditionally on 28 and 29 June. The council announces the programme in May.
Are the concerts free?
In recent years the main concerts in Praça do Município have had free entry. Check the year's programme.
Where can I buy Bisalhães black pottery?
The Feira de São Pedro, traditionally held on 28 and 29 June, is where the Bisalhães potters sell their black clay pieces in Vila Real.
More guides
- Where to stay in Braga
- Braga in 2 days: a weekend itinerary
- A Douro Valley day trip from Vila Real
- Semana Santa in Braga: where to stay for Holy Week
- Christmas and New Year in Braga
- Christmas and New Year in Vila Real
- São João in Braga: where to stay for the festival
- Braga Romana: where to stay for the Roman festival
- Easter in Vila Real: Holy Week and the Douro in spring
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