Valadares is a former civil parish in the municipality of Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal.

The sanatoriums were established here because the region is extremely rich in iodine, valuable for its antiseptic uses in medicine.

During the first half of the 20th century, Valadares enjoyed a considerable development, being one of the most developed parishes of Gaia, due to the existence of the Cerâmica de Valadares, one important Train Station, Sanatoriums, several Schools and a theatre (Cine-teatro Eduardo Brazão).

There is a traditional dessert in Valadares - The "Velhote", a kind of sweet bread with lemon and cinnamon.

The origin of this dessert isn't cleared yet, but most people believe that it was created in the 19th century by a lady who came from Braga.