Most visitors to Vila Nova de Foz Côa come for one reason: to see its world-famous gallery of rock art. Although the park is currently an active research zone, three sites are open to the public: Canada do Inferno , departures at around 9.30am from the park museum in Vila Nova de Foz Côa; Ribeira de Piscos departures at around 9.30am from the Muxagata visitor centre on the western side of the valley; and Penascosa ,departures from the Castelo Melhor visitor centre on the eastern side, which also offers night tours (€17).
While Castelo Melhor has some of the most significant etchings, Canada do Inferno – which sits by the half-constructed dam – is the ideal place to understand just how close these aeons-old drawings came to disappearing.
Because the entire valley is a working archaeological site, all visitors must enter with a guided tour. Visitors gather at the various visitor centres, where they’re taken, eight at a time, in the park’s own 4WDs, for a guided tour of one of the sites (two hours at Canada do Inferno, which includes 1km of walking; one hour at Penascosa; 2½ hours at Ribeira de Piscos, with 2km of walking). You can take in two sites in one day – one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Visitors with mountain bikes may go on guided bike tours (bring your own bike) in similar-sized groups.
Visitor numbers are strictly regulated, so from July to September book a tour well in advance or you may miss out; reservations are accepted from Tuesday through Friday. You must book at least a few weeks ahead for bicycle trips at any time. You can make bookings through the park office.
Make sure you bring comfortable shoes and a hat, sunblock and water in summer months, as it gets boiling hot in the valley.
