Ancora

Âncora is a civil parish in the municipality of Viana do Castelo, situated at the mouth of the Âncora river on the Atlantic coast. The name means anchor, and the locality has a maritime character associated with both the small river estuary and the coastal fishing tradition of this stretch of the Minho shore.

A Roman bridge survives over the Âncora stream inland, one of several Roman road infrastructure elements preserved in this part of the Minho. The river mouth forms a small estuarine beach where the stream meets the Atlantic, creating a sheltered cove popular with local bathers.

The coastal Camino Português passes through Âncora, making it a waypoint on the scenic clifftop and coastal stretch between Afife and Vila Praia de Âncora.