[1] It was the seat of an extinct Portuguese municipality, established by King Afonso III.
"Portela das cabras" literally means "pass of the goats".
The region had many mountain passes and whenever they became inhabited the name "Portela" was to be given to the settlements therein.
The old Roman road linking Braga to Astorga went through Portela das Cabras.
Portela das Cabras is located in the drainage basin of the rivers Neiva and Cávado.