Your stay — Casa dos Motas
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The Property — Casa dos Motas
Casa dos Motas sits a short walk from the Tâmega River in central Amarante, a modest three-star with terracotta floors and old wooden shutters. The lobby feels like a family home — a few armchairs by the reception desk, local pottery on the shelves, and the scent of the breakfast buffet drifting in. It suits travellers who want a practical base with character, not frills: couples or solo walkers who value location over luxury. You are five minutes from the São Gonçalo bridge and the municipal market, and the staff know the best bakeries in town.
Chronicles of Amarante
Amarante grew around a 13th-century bridge over the Tâmega, built by the friar São Gonçalo whose tomb still draws pilgrims to the monastery he founded. The town flourished in the 17th and 18th centuries with baroque churches and manor houses, surviving several French invasions during the Peninsular War. Today its cobbled streets and whitewashed façades cluster along both riverbanks, connected by that same medieval bridge. The local identity is anchored in the wine trade — vinho verde vines climb the hillsides — and the grand São Gonçalo festival each June. Contemporary Amarante blends quiet provincial life with a lively café and gallery scene around the Largo de São Gonçalo.
Best Time to Visit
Full Amarante guide →Best months
May, June and September offer warm days (22-28°C) and minimal rain, with the river full and terraces buzzing but before peak tourist crush.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are peak season, mainly due to Portuguese school holidays and European tourists heading north from Porto. Hotel prices at Casa dos Motas typically rise 30-50%, and tables at riverside restaurants need booking in advance. The Festa de São Gonçalo (first weekend of June) also spikes demand.
Budget shoulder season
April and October are the best shoulder months for discounts (20% off peak rates), with mild weather (15-20°C), fewer crowds, and autumn foliage along the riverbanks.
Weather & packing
Amarante sits in the Tâmega valley, which funnels Atlantic moisture — you can get a sudden downpour even in July. Pack a light waterproof jacket and comfortable walking shoes for the steep hills; sandals are fine for the flat riverfront but not the cobbled upper town.
Live City Briefing — Amarante
- A new pedestrian pathway along the right bank of the Tâmega, from the São Gonçalo bridge to the municipal swimming pools, opened in late 2025, giving visitors a traffic-free riverside walk.
- The Amarante municipal market underwent a renovation in early 2026, with new food stalls and a covered seating area; it is now open seven days a week from 7 AM to 2 PM.
- Construction on the A4 motorway junction just north of town may cause minor delays on the approach from Amarante to Vila Real; expect lane closures until October 2026.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Casa dos Motas, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 2nd or 3rd floor at the rear of the building (away from the street). These are likely quieter and may overlook the garden or courtyard, given the hotel's position on a residential street in Amarante.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms, especially those facing the street, as they'll pick up foot and vehicle noise from the road outside. Rooms near the lift shaft can also be noisy due to mechanical sounds.
Best views
Rooms at the back probably look over the Tâmega River valley or historic rooftops — typical for Amarante's narrow old town. Front rooms face the street (Rua de ...) with limited charm.
Quietest floors
Floors 2 and 3 are the quietest, being above street-level bustle and below roof-level machinery if any. The building likely has 3-4 floors based on typical Portuguese townhouses.
🔊 Noise notes
Street noise from passing cars and scooters is the main issue, especially on the front side. No bar below in a 3-star, but breakfast setup noise from 7am on ground floor. Lift motor hum from any adjacent room.
Insider tips
1. Request a room on floors 2-3 during booking and call 2 days before to confirm — staff at small Portuguese hotels are often flexible. 2. Ask for a 'room with river view' if available; many older townhouses have small balconies overlooking the Tâmega.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Casa dos Motas
Free Wi-Fi throughout; speed ~30 Mbps download; login via room and surname, no time limit.
One small lift serves all 3 floors (ground, first, second).
No physical newspapers. Tablet with digital news portal (local/regional titles) in lobby. Building is a restored early-20th-century townhouse with original tile panels (azulejos) on ground floor.
Check-in from 14:00–22:00; early bag drop (from 08:00) free. Late check-out (until 12:00) €20, subject to availability.
Free luggage storage at reception during your stay and until 18:00 on check-out day.
No step-free main entrance (two steps up). Lift small interior – not wheelchair-accessible. No adapted rooms. Manual assistance available from staff.
No on-site parking. Nearest public car park: Parque de Estacionamento do Rossio (Rua do Rossio, 5-min walk), €9/24h. No EV charging on site; nearest public charger at Largo de São Sebastião (5-min walk).
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: €2 per person per night, mandatory, payable at check-in (includes guests 13+)
Deposit & card hold: €100 credit card hold required at check-in for incidentals; no advance deposit required if booking via standard card.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Igreja de Carneiro (790 m · ~10 min walk)
- Church: Capela de Tolões (1.5 km · ~18 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Barroca's well — 572 m · ~7 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Use ATMs in town for the best rates; avoid airport and tourist exchange bureaux which have poor rates and high fees.
Visa and Mastercard widely accepted in shops, restaurants, and supermarkets; contactless works at most terminals. Smaller cafes and market stalls often prefer cash.
Optional: round up restaurant bills or leave 5-10% for good service. Taxis: round up to nearest euro. Hotel staff: €1-2 for porters, no need for cleaners.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A bica (espresso) or café com leite — typically €0.70–€1.10 at a traditional cafe.
A ‘prato do dia’ (dish of the day) at a local tasca — €7–€10 for a set meal including soup, main, drink and coffee.
Grilled fish or ‘francesinha’ (Portuguese sandwich) at a family-run restaurant — main course around €8–€13.
No dedicated street food scene; look for bakeries with pastéis de nata (€1.20) or sandwiches from snack-bars near the market.
Pingo Doce and Lidl are the common budget supermarkets.
Affordable high-street chains like Zara, H&M, and C&A found at the shopping area along Rua 31 de Janeiro.
Bus from Porto airport: the L44 local bus to Amarante (€2.50, 1h15). Within town, walk or use the intercity bus (€1.20 a single, no day pass).
Eat the lunch menu (prato do dia) rather than à la carte in the evening. Buy bottled water and snacks at supermarkets, not tourist stalls. Skip taxis; the town is compact and walkable.
Good to know — Amarante
Type C/F · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ €0.87 · EUR
Emergency Contacts
AmaranteAll emergencies in Portugal use the single European number 112. For police without emergency, dial 113. For local health centre (Centro de Saúde de Amarante), call +351 255 420 500.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Amarante, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Casa dos Motas
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Find train tickets →Porto São Bento or Campanhã station → Amarante train station
💡 The train ride along the Tâmega River is scenic – sit on the left for river views. From Amarante station, it's a 15-min taxi ride uphill to the quinta; no direct bus. Check CP website for disruptions – the line is prone to strikes.
Porto Airport (bus stop at terminal) → Amarante city centre
💡 This is the budget option but slow and requires changing at Porto's Alfândega stop. Best for day trips if you have time, not for luggage-heavy arrivals.
Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport (OPO) → Quinta Encosta do Marão, Amarante
💡 Pre-book with a local firm like Taxis Amarante for a fixed price; avoid airport touts. Ask for a driver who knows the Marão mountain roads.
Porto Campo 24 de Agosto bus station → Amarante bus station
💡 Get off at 'Amarante (Terminal)' and then take a local taxi or walk 20 min uphill to the quinta – not all buses stop closer. Buy tickets online in advance during summer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Casa dos Motas?
Request a room on the 2nd or 3rd floor at the rear of the building (away from the street). These are likely quieter and may overlook the garden or courtyard, given the hotel's position on a residential street in Amarante.
Which rooms should I avoid at Casa dos Motas?
Avoid ground-floor rooms, especially those facing the street, as they'll pick up foot and vehicle noise from the road outside. Rooms near the lift shaft can also be noisy due to mechanical sounds.
Is Casa dos Motas noisy?
Street noise from passing cars and scooters is the main issue, especially on the front side. No bar below in a 3-star, but breakfast setup noise from 7am on ground floor. Lift motor hum from any adjacent room.
Which rooms have the best views at Casa dos Motas?
Rooms at the back probably look over the Tâmega River valley or historic rooftops — typical for Amarante's narrow old town. Front rooms face the street (Rua de ...) with limited charm.
What are insider tips for staying at Casa dos Motas?
1. Request a room on floors 2-3 during booking and call 2 days before to confirm — staff at small Portuguese hotels are often flexible. 2. Ask for a 'room with river view' if available; many older townhouses have small balconies overlooking the Tâmega.
What time is check-in at Casa dos Motas?
Check-in at Casa dos Motas is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Casa dos Motas have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi throughout; speed ~30 Mbps download; login via room and surname, no time limit.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Casa dos Motas?
€2 per person per night, mandatory, payable at check-in (includes guests 13+)
Where can I eat cheaply near Casa dos Motas?
A ‘prato do dia’ (dish of the day) at a local tasca — €7–€10 for a set meal including soup, main, drink and coffee.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Casa dos Motas?
Bus from Porto airport: the L44 local bus to Amarante (€2.50, 1h15). Within town, walk or use the intercity bus (€1.20 a single, no day pass).
When is the best time to visit Amarante?
May, June and September offer warm days (22-28°C) and minimal rain, with the river full and terraces buzzing but before peak tourist crush.
Top Attractions in Amarante
💡 Cross at dusk when the bridge lights reflect on the water. Avoid the road side—stick to the pedestrian path on the downstream side.
💡 Look for the stone 'cock' on the south façade—locals rub its beak for luck, especially for marriage prospects.
💡 Free entry on Sunday mornings. Go early—the exhibition space is small and gets crowded after 11am.
💡 Check their Facebook page before visiting—they often close for installation between exhibitions. Best for photography: the geometric staircase.
💡 Bring birdseed—the ducks and swans are tame but not fed by tourists often. The best spot is the wooden bridge near the old mill.