Rio Alto Beach

The Alto River (Portuguese: Rio Alto, lit. 'High River'; Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈaltu])) is a small river in the municipality of Póvoa de Varzim, Porto District, Portugal. The river's source is at the foot of São Félix Hill in Laundos Parish, and it empties into the Atlantic Ocean at Rio Alto Beach in Estela Parish. The shoreline of Estela is also known as the Rio Alto. The Alto's minute estuary area is known for its wide sand dunes and has become a tourist destination. One of the local facilities is the Camping Park of Rio Alto, which is surrounded by a forest of pine trees planted by the Monks of Tibães in the 18th century and the peculiar masseiras farm fields, which were also made by these monks. Nearby are the Estela Golf Club, and the naturist beach area of Alto River. To the north are the ruins of the Roman villa known as Villa Mendo, which was abandoned in the beginning of the early years of Portugal. In 1908, two local individuals, knowing that ancient artifacts were sometimes found in the area, decided to investigate the place and discovered jewels, gold and silver. They took the jewels to a silversmith who verified the value and antiquity of the artifacts and spoke to António Rocha Peixoto, an archaeologist who was in Póvoa de Varzim. Peixoto and José Fortes asked the finders about the location of the findings. Some time later, Fortes published an article in the Portugália stating that these jewels were of the Castro culture. Several people tried to find the town that was probably below the sand dunes, but without success, and only a few minor findings were made. In June 1992, while removing sands, a bulldozer driver found a wall and ceramics, remains of the lost Roman villa.

Estela is one of the seven civil parishes of Póvoa de Varzim, Portugal. The population in 2011 was 2,307, in an area of 11.54 km². Estela is known for the traditional masseira farm practice in sand dunes and its name derives from Latin Stella (star). It is the largest agricultural parish of Póvoa de Varzim and, along with Aguçadoura and Navais, it forms the agricultural area of Póvoa de Varzim. These parishes despite having small populations experienced very sharp population declines. The built up area is becoming of suburban nature, due to the fast access to the core of Póvoa de Varzim throw the EN13 highway. Local horticultural formerly consumed regionally is currently exported to other Western European markets. Its large fine sand dune beaches are a popular destination for nudists and holds a notable links golf course in the beachfront.

Apúlia is a town and a former civil parish in the municipality of Esposende, Portugal. In 2013, the parish merged into the new parish Apúlia e Fão. It has a population of 4,323 inhabitants and a total area of 10.51 km², population density 411.3. It was a town and a municipality until 1834, when it was incorporated into Esposende. Apúlia is known for its dune beaches and Roman-style folk costumes. It may be related to the region of Apulia in Italy, and a possible migration from there during the Roman Empire.

Apúlia e Fão is a civil parish in the municipality of Esposende, Portugal. It was formed in 2013 by the merger of the former parishes Apúlia and Fão. The population in 2011 was 7,301, in an area of 16.29 km².

Fonte Boa e Rio Tinto is a civil parish in the municipality of Esposende, Portugal. It was formed in 2013 by the merger of the former parishes Fonte Boa and Rio Tinto. The population in 2011 was 1,944, in an area of 10.38 km².

The Ponte metálica de Fão is a bridge in Portugal at Fão. It is located in Braga District, crossing the Cávado River, on the EN 13 (National Road 13 - Porto-Valença). It connects Fão to Esposende.

Bairro Sul, literally the South Neighborhood, also known as Lapa, is the fishery district of the city of Póvoa de Varzim in Portugal. It is one of the six traditional neighborhoods of Póvoa de Varzim and one of the eleven parts in which the city is subdivided. The quarter is situated south of Póvoa de Varzim City Center. It has green and white as neighborhood colors and Lancha Poveira as symbol, also the icon of the city.

Barqueiros is a Portuguese freguesia ("civil parish"), located in the municipality of Barcelos. The population in 2011 was 1,957, in an area of 8.07 km². Barqueiros has an annual festival known as Festa da Senhora das Necessidades, which is considered one of the most impressive festivals of the province of Minho, held annually on September 6, 7 and 8.Barqueiros became daily news in Portugal in the 1980s due to mass protests by the citizens of Barqueiros against the mining of Kaolin. This became known in Portugal as the Guerra dos Caulinos. The conflict dragged on through the 1980s until it finally escalated resulting in the shooting death of 20-year-old José Carlos Manhente Simões on June 26, 1989 by GNR forces (Guarda Nacional Republicana).

The Port of Póvoa de Varzim is a seaport built in Enseada da Póvoa Bay in the city of Póvoa de Varzim in Portugal. During the Middle Ages, it was known as Port of Varzim (Porto de Veracim in Old Portuguese). Once used for trade and shipbuilding, it is currently used for fishing and recreation, with a marina located within its breakwaters. The port was fundamental to the establishment of Póvoa de Varzim as a municipality in 1308 and the development of the town. During the Middle Ages, its profitability attracted knights, kings and the Church. In this small bay the local fishermen developed the Poveiro boats and Povoan knowledge of the seas and shipbuilding were substantial during the Age of Discovery. After 1000 years of recorded history and continuous use, the port of Póvoa de Varzim became a notable and prosperous fishing port in the 18th century due to its fishermen's seafaring and fishing expertise, considered the best in Portugal.The north breakwater, the main one, is known as "Paredão" (Portuguese for "Big Wall"). It was first built in 1795 and rebuilt in the following centuries. The most important works on the port were made during the Salazar regime in the early 20th century; the current configuration of the port corresponds to that New State project. The port is protected by the north breakwater, heading south-southwest, which has a lighthouse with a red flashing light and a siren. The south breakwater heads north-northwest; it has a long-flashing green light.

Farol da Lapa (Portuguese for Lighthouse of (the) Lapa) is a lighthouse in Póvoa de Varzim, Portugal, on the seaport of Póvoa de Varzim in Póvoa Bay.

Lapa Church, officially Parish Church of Our Lady of Lapa (Portuguese: Igreja Paroquial de Nossa Senhora da Lapa) is a Parish church in the Portuguese city of Póvoa de Varzim. It was built in 1772 by the local fishermen community. Despite its simplicity it has some interesting features and cultural interest such its old lighthouse, once a link between the church and the fishermen at sea. Traditional marriage marks, Siglas poveiras, can be found in the church. it is a seaside church and lighthouse, near the seashore in the Port of Póvoa de Varzim.

Farol de Regufe or Regufe Light is a lighthouse in Póvoa de Varzim, Portugal, located in the city neighborhood of Regufe, origin of the lighthouse's naming.