Practising a responsible and sustainable tourism is the way to balance the economic, environmental, social and cultural aspects of any tourist destination. Melgaço is not indifferent to this action

It is up to all of us to be the main characters of this movement through conscious actions translated into wise decisions that contribute to the sustainable balance of each territory.

In this article, we share 3 sustainability tips to adopt in Melgaço whenever you visit our destination!

1. Buy locally and enjoy our products
Buying products from a shop in Melgaço is a way to contribute to the the local economy and to sustain local families businesses. In Melgaço there is a diversity of shops and traders selling the iconic products of the region, in which it is important to highlight:

• The sweet specialities: Bucho Doce (usually only by order) and Roscas de Melgaço;
• The local cheese produced by the company “Prados de Melgaço”;
• Alvarinho Wine is produced from a wine grape variety whose grapes are some of the most expensive in the country;
• The are two types of honey: Dark-coloured with an intense flavour produced on the mountain and lighter-coloured, softer, produced in the mid-slope stream area.
• The Melgaço smokehouse;

2. Choose a walking tour to discover Melgaço
Nature walks are sustainable actions that benefit both the destination and the walker because, apart from the reduced carbon footprint, they are a good way of preventing cardiovascular problems.Enjoy our network of walking and cycling trails, take a walk along the riverside paths of the river Minho and discover the walkway that contemplates a beautiful landscape under the river and all the charm of nature.

Leave your waste in the appropriate places and avoid contaminating nature, which is also yours. When you notice any unusual situation, you may report it to our Tourism Office. Our team will expedite efforts to solve it.

3. Try our radical and outdoor activities in nature
Outdoor activities are a way for human beings to connect with nature and realise how wonderful it is to taste the fruits that it offers us. Our obligation is to return this sustainability.

Melgaço, “the most radical nature destination in Portugal”, is, since 2022, a certified sustainable tourist destination, by EarthCheck, an element that proves the commitment of the City Council.

In Melgaço there are touristic animation companies, linked to nature tourism, which are national and international references, both in terms of the activities they offer and their attitudes towards sustainability, such as Montes Laboreiro, Melgaço Radical, Melgaço WhiteWater, Just Natur, Vertigem Trilhos, Azevim Natur and Ecotura, which can provide you with a wide range of activities, adequate to your profile:

• Rafting;
• Canyoning;
• Hidrospeed;
• Canoeing;
• Horse ride;
• BTT cruising;
• Pendulum Jump;
• Rappel;
• Side;
• Walking trails;
• Arborism;

Besides being companies that operate according to the highest safety standards, they often participate in actions to promote the sustainability of the destination. One of the most recent examples was an action to remove a vehicle that had been in Laboreiro River for several years. The company Montes Laboreiro joined other entities (GNR, Firemen, local Parish Council, etc.), to improve the environmental conditions of the river and increase the safety of the radical activities practiced there. You can find out more about this action here