Côa Valley rock art
Vila Nova de Foz Côa, Portugal
Thousands of Palaeolithic engravings of horses, aurochs and ibex along the Côa river, a World Heritage Site. Start at the museum above the valley; the open-air sites are visited on guided tours that must be booked.
The Côa Valley Archaeological Park has more than 80 rock art sites, spread over around 1,200 engraved rock surfaces along the Côa and Douro rivers. The engravings were discovered in 1991 during work for a dam, and the project was halted in 1995. The oldest images date from the Upper Palaeolithic, roughly 22,000 to 10,000 BC. They show horses, aurochs and deer, among other animals. UNESCO inscribed the site as a World Heritage Site in 1998.
The starting point is the museum near Vila Nova de Foz Côa. The open-air sites of Canada do Inferno, Penascosa and Ribeira de Piscos can only be visited with official guides and advance booking; book early in high season. Allow a full day for the museum and one or two guided tours. Spring and early autumn are more pleasant than the hot summer. Ribeira de Piscos is the most demanding tour, Penascosa the easiest.
- Nearest town
- Vila Nova de Foz Côa, Portugal
- Category
- History & culture
- GPS
- 41.0790, -7.1130
- Editor's pick
- ★
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually April–June and August–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in March, July and November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- Portugal: Electronic tolls by number plate. Some motorways only have electronic tolls; register your plate or rent a transponder. Motorway limit for cars: 120 km/h.
Sources
Featured in these trip guides
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Nearby
© Vitor Oliveira from Torres Vedras, PORTUGAL · CC BY-SA 2.0Marialva Castle
© Sanjorgepinho · CC BY-SA 4.0Miradouro de Casal de Loivos
© Vitor Oliveira from Torres Vedras, PORTUGAL · CC BY-SA 2.0Almeida star fortress
© Ray Swi-hymn · CC BY-SA 2.0Miradouro de São Leonardo de Galafura
Campsites nearby
- Motorhome stopover · Vila Nova de Foz CôaMotorhome stopover3 km from Côa Valley rock artMotorhomes
- Área de Autocaravanas Jean Pierre Rossi e Alberto Brochado TexeiraMotorhome stopover9 km from Côa Valley rock art · 28 pitchesMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- Área de Serviço para Autocaravanas de Torre de MoncorvoMotorhome stopover13 km from Côa Valley rock art · 7 pitchesMotorhomesShowersToilets
- Parque Municipal de CampismoCampsite17 km from Côa Valley rock art
- Parque de Campismo de Vila FlorCampsite24 km from Côa Valley rock art
- Motorhome stopover · Castelo RodrigoMotorhome stopover25 km from Côa Valley rock artMotorhomesElectricity
All campsites in Portugal · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Côa Valley rock art?
Côa Valley rock art is in Vila Nova de Foz Côa, Portugal, at GPS 41.0790, -7.1130. It is about 26 km from Castelo Rodrigo.
Can you camp near Côa Valley rock art?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Área de Autocaravanas Jean Pierre Rossi e Alberto Brochado Texeira, about 9 km away; within 25 km there are 8 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Côa Valley rock art?
Côa Valley rock art is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: The Douro Valley and the N222.
What is there to see near Côa Valley rock art?
Places worth a stop nearby: Marialva Castle (21 km), Miradouro de Casal de Loivos (38 km), Almeida star fortress (43 km) and Miradouro de São Leonardo de Galafura (55 km).
When is the best time to visit Côa Valley rock art?
The most pleasant months are usually April–June and August–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in March, July and November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)