UNESCO Sites in Olive Tourism: Landscape, Culture, Agriculture and Sustainability

M. Araújo
Jul 4
5 min read

The Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro region is a mosaic of landscapes, traditions and heritage, where olive and olive oil culture intertwines with some of the most remarkable sites recognized by UNESCO. In fact, it is the area with the largest number of these sites in the northern region.

The Azeite a Norte project, by promoting olive tourism, has a unique opportunity to value and integrate these heritages, offering authentic and sustainable experiences that celebrate local identity.

UNESCO Sites in Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro

The region has four UNESCO sites of enormous importance, which represent different dimensions of the world's natural, cultural and intangible heritage:

Alto Douro Vinhateiro: A World Heritage Site since 2001, this cultural landscape reflects the ancestral relationship between man and the Douro Valley, marked by viticulture, but also by the presence of traditional terraced olive groves, which share a leading role in shaping the territory 1.
Archaeological Park of the Côa Valley: Recognized by UNESCO for its impressive collection of open-air Paleolithic rock art, it is a testament to millennia of human occupation and the deep connection between communities and the landscape.
Meseta Ibérica Transfrontier Biosphere Reserve: The largest in Europe, it encompasses emblematic natural parks such as Montesinho, Douro Internacional and Vale do Tua, and includes 89 municipalities, 12 of which are Portuguese. Here, the ancient human presence, biodiversity and traditional agriculture – including dryland olive groves – are central elements of a sustainable development model (2).
Caretos de Podence: Intangible Heritage of Humanity, this carnival tradition is a living symbol of the culture of Trás-os-Montes, with deep roots in rural life and agricultural cycles, including practices linked to the olive tree3.
Geopark Terras de Cavaleiros: Recognized as a UNESCO Global Geopark, it covers the entire municipality of Macedo de Cavaleiros and values the geological heritage, biodiversity, gastronomy and traditions, where olive oil and olive trees are elements of identity (4).

A Paisagem e a Agricultura: O Olival como Património Vivo

The landscape of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro is marked by extraordinary agroecological diversity. Traditional dryland olive groves predominate, often in small plots, integrated into mosaics of vineyards, almond trees and Mediterranean forest. This resilient agriculture, adapted to poor soils and rugged climates, is responsible for maintaining valuable ecosystems, preventing erosion and preserving ancestral knowledge (5) (6).

The olive oil of Trás-os-Montes is the fruit of this intimate relationship between culture, territory and biodiversity. The olive tree, an emblematic tree of the Mediterranean, is present in all dimensions of rural life: in gastronomy, rituals, festivities and the local economy. Its integration into tourist itineraries allows visitors to understand the value of agricultural work, the richness of native varieties and the importance of sustainability.

Olive Tourism: Experiences Integrated with UNESCO Heritage

Olive tourism, promoted by the Azeite a Norte project, can and should be a common thread between these different heritages, creating experiences that combine nature, culture and gastronomy:

Visits to olive groves and oil mills integrated into UNESCO landscapes, where it is possible to observe traditional cultivation practices, participate in the olive harvest and learn about the olive oil production processes.
Interpretive trails that connect geosites of the Terras de Cavaleiros Geopark to historic villages, festivities such as the Caretos de Podence and olive oil tastings, valuing local authenticity and diversity 4.
Environmental and rural education activities in Biosphere Reserves, promoting nature conservation, the appreciation of local products and community involvement2.
Cultural itineraries that combine the archaeological heritage of the Côa Valley, intangible traditions and gastronomy, showing how the olive tree and olive oil are part of the regional identity.

The integration of landscape and olive agriculture

1. Olive Landscape as Living Heritage

Traditional olive groves are a fundamental element of the region's agricultural mosaic, coexisting with vineyards, almond trees and other Mediterranean crops, and contributing to the diversity and richness of the UNESCO-listed landscape.
The dryland olive groves, often arranged in terraces and delimited by dry stone walls, are living testimonies of ancestral agricultural practices. These walls not only support the land and prevent erosion, but also create paths and dividers that today serve as ecological trails, promoting tourist enjoyment and the appreciation of the territory.
The olive tree, a tree with a wide, evergreen crown, visually marks the territory, giving it a Mediterranean identity and a deep connection with the region's rural history.

2. Cultural and Economic Integration

Olive cultivation is intrinsically linked to local identity: it is part of rituals, festivities and gastronomy, and olive oil is an excellent product with a Protected Designation of Origin, the result of centuries of know-how passed down through generations.
Traditional olive groves, in addition to olive oil, contribute to the production of other local products, such as cheese and lamb meat, forming part of a polyculture system that reinforces the economic and social sustainability of rural communities.

3. Cultural Landscape and Multifunctionality

The Alto Douro Wine Region, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is an example of an evolving cultural landscape, where human activity over the centuries has shaped steep slopes and poor soils into productive mosaics. The olive tree, alongside the vineyard, was essential for the settlement of populations and for the creation of an ecosystem of unique value.
The multifunctionality of the landscape — with vineyards, olive groves, orchards, vegetable gardens and forest — is a legacy of traditional polyculture, today threatened by the trend towards monoculture, but essential for the preservation of biodiversity and the authenticity of the territory.

4. Vernacular Heritage and Rural Architecture

Elements such as dry stone walls, traditional mills, farmhouses and irrigation systems are an integral part of the vernacular heritage, expressing the relationship between communities and the territory, and enriching the tourist and educational experience of visitors.

5. Sustainable and Tourist Narrative

Olive tourism, by valuing these elements — landscape, culture, agricultural practices and built heritage —, contributes to safeguarding UNESCO heritage and to affirming the region as a sustainable, authentic and multifaceted destination.

Sustainable Tourism: Commitment and Future

The integration of these UNESCO sites into Azeite ao Norte’s activities is aligned with the sustainable tourism objectives promoted by Turismo Porto e Norte. The development of olive tourism must be based on responsible practices that respect the environment, value communities and promote authenticity:

Promotion of good agricultural practices, with respect for biodiversity and natural resources 15.
Valuing local traditions and know-how, ensuring the transmission of knowledge between generations 6.
Creating partnerships between producers, entities managing UNESCO sites and tour operators, for an integrated and differentiated offer.
Raising awareness of the importance of heritage conservation, involving tourists and residents in the defense of natural and cultural values.

Conclusion

Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro is a region where olive oil, olive trees and UNESCO heritage meet in a landscape of exceptional beauty and authenticity. The Azeite a Norte project aims to enhance this wealth by promoting olive tourism experiences that integrate nature, culture and sustainability. In doing so, it helps to establish the region as a destination of excellence, where each visitor is invited to discover, taste and preserve the true olive oil pearls of Northern Portugal.

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