O lugar paradisíaco de Barca d’Alva fica situado em pleno Parque Natural do Douro Internacional.

Built in the mid-13th century, the Church of São Tiago and Cabrais Chapel are an important testimony of the late Romanesque in Beira Interior. Inside, one can observe a granite Pietá and wall paintings from at least two eras, and one can find traces of a triptych built by figures representing Our Lady, St. James (orago) and St. Peter. The Cabrais Chapel, or Cabrais Pantheon, is where the tombs of several members of the Cabral family are, such as the tombs of Pedro Álvares Cabral's parents.

It appeared at the time of the War of Reconstruction (1640-1668) to ensure the supply of water to the population in case of need during the war years.

A ghostly and uninhabited place full of old ruins and circular dwellings, probably ancient castros. There is only one strange circular house re-erected by an emigrant, which corresponds to the only testimony of someone living there.