Amarante owes a great deal of its privileged location to the development and historical importance it has achieved. It is a kind of turning table between the coast and the interior on the one hand and between the Douro and the prelude to the Minho.

Monuments

The group of monumental constructions comprises the Bridge, the Saint Gonçalo Church and Convent, framed by very respectable buildings and the woods lining the banks of the Tâmega, are the town’s brand image.
In the Historical Center of the city deserve reference the Bridge, the Convent and Church of S. Gonçalo, the Churches of S. Pedro and S. Domingos, the Casa da Cerca and the Solar of Magalhães. 
The festivities in Amarante, in honor of S. Gonçalo, happen in the first weekend of June. 
The Bridge, whose massive look infuses a feeling of great sturdiness, has two balconies jutting out on both sides of the deck and baroque pinnacles giving it all its grace.

Great festivities and Pilgrimages

Thanks to its proximity to the Minho, the region has assimilated the Minho tradition of great festivities and pilgrimages where the religious character of the people, clearly visible in the processions and the sometimes dramatic fulfillment of vows, goes hand in hand with the idea of fun and fairs. There are scores of them, throughout the council; but none as radiant and lively as the «great feast day» of Saint Gonçalo, the match-maker saint, at the beginning of June.

Gastronomy and Handicraft

The egg-based sweets made by the nuns in the local convents - "lérias", "brisas", "foguetes" and "papos de anjo" – are local favorites.
Two of the most popular dishes of the gastronomy are trout and kid, but veal and codfish (à la "Zé da Calcada" and à la "Custódia") are also very popular.
The "vinho verde" is lively and spirituous.
In the handicraft, you can see the black clay of Gondar, to cestaria, the blankets and the woolen halves.