Tourism sites highlighted along the Portugal-Spain border

Tourism opportunities are highlighted along the border between Portugal and Spain, specifically focusing on historical and natural sites. In Vila Real, Portugal, the Central do Biel—the country’s first hydroelectric plant—is accessible via a specialized elevator that occupies the space of a former funicular. The plant, established in 1894 by Emilio Biel, operated until 1926 and later served as a tannery. The elevator operates Tuesday through Sunday, with specific morning and afternoon hours.

In the neighboring Galician region of Spain, the Baixa Limia-Serra do Xurés Natural Park offers a transboundary natural area alongside Portugal’s Peneda-Gerês. The area is noted for its thermal waters, particularly in Lobios, which features public hot water pools near the Caldo River close to Roman ruins, and in the municipality of Bande.