Situated on a hillside overlooking the Lima River, Cidadelhe comprises a concentrated nucleus of older houses with more recent buildings being dispersed away from the old centre. Surrounding the village are small farm plots on terraces where vines and olive trees predominate.

The origin of this village is lost in time but it is believed there was a Castrejan settlement here.

Just a few meters away from the village at the spot known as ‘Cidade’, is located the Citânia de Cidadelhe, where archaeologists site the Roman city of Bretalvão or Flávia Lambria.