Foz do Douro Attractions

About 5km/3mi downstream from Oporto, on a road which runs immediately above the steep bank of the Douro, with fine views back over the city, lies Sao Joao da Foz (or Foz do Douro), a suburb of Oporto, and a very popular bathing resort, beautifully situated at the mouth (foz, from Latin fauces) of the Douro. The Douro Litoral beach is fringed by palms, and from the breakwater with the harbor light there is an impressive view of the coast and the mouth of the river, commanded by the Castelo da Foz (1570). Further northwest, on the road to Matosinhos, is the 17th C. Castelo do Queijo, built to protect the coast against pirates from North Africa.