Crawling up the cliffs of the Douro, this quaint village dates back to Roman times and was historically a key docking point for rebelos, the traditional Portuguese cargo boats that plied the river for centuries. These days, most river traffic comes from the cruise boats that regularly lay anchor here, though the nearby hiking and biking trails, a small marina, and a riverfront beach with kayak rentals are big draws for day-trippers and outdoors enthusiasts.
The area around Bitetos is thick with Roman ruins and there are even a few crumbling remains in the village itself, as well as small medieval alleys and winding, cobbled lanes. The village itself is navigable, if hilly, by foot, but take care as sidewalks are scarce and the streets are impossibly narrow.
