Porto is the capital and gateway to the north of Portugal, a region rich in history, culture and gastronomy. The vibrant city of Porto is built on the steep northern banks of the River Douro with a rambling old town packed with monuments and beautiful buildings adorned with tiles, in varying degrees of preservation.
The medieval cobbled streets of Ribeira, Porto’s oldest district remain a hub of activity day and night with cafes, restaurants and street performers all vying for your attention along its main square. From here you can view the district of Gaia famed for being the home of the vast port wine cellars that line the banks of the Douro such as Taylor’s, Sandeman & Graham’s to name a few. Along with the cellars, Gaia has 17 blue flag beaches along its coastline.
A trip to Porto would not be complete without a guided tour of these impressive cellars which lead you through a warren of immense oak barrels filled with wine at different stages of the ageing process. It is also a great opportunity to learn about the history of this unique wine and the way in which it has been made through the ages with an optional tasting at the end to complete the tour.
Other sights include the magnificent Stock Exchange building Palacio da Bolsa, the Sao Bento train station with it’s remarkable azulejos and Livraria Lello, one of the most visited bookshops in the world.
Northwards, the Minho region is the home of vinho verde, a dry white wine only produced in Portugal and typically paired with fresh fish dishes. Many of the ‘vinho verde’ vineyards are open to the public and visitors can enjoy tastings and guided tours of the cellars.
Situated in the heart of the Minho region is the city of Braga with the highest concentration of religious building in all of Portugal making it one of the country’s main religious centres. Braga is a lively city with grand plazas lined with shops, restaurants and bars and lots of buildings of interest. Just outside the town is the impressive and tranquil Bom Jesus do Monte, a pilgrimage sanctuary with a striking Baroque staircase, which winds up the mountain to the church at the top, from where you can view Braga in all its glory.
Forty minutes from Braga is the beautifully preserved Medieval city of Guimarães the birthplace of Portugal and a UNESCO World Heraitage Site. In 2012 it was given the title of European Capital of Culture which has made it a popular tourist spot. With its cobbled narrow streets, Medieval houses, artisan shops, atmospheric restaurants, cafés and bars; Guimarães is a city which must not be missed. A trip by cable car to Monte da Penha will will allow you to take in the beautiful panoramic view of the city and the surrounding countryside.
To the east of Braga you have Portugal’s only national park Peneda-Gerês or simply Gerês covering the mountain ranges of Peneda, Soajo, Amarela and Geres. It is one of the most stunning natural reserves in the country and boasts a wide range of ecosystems, from dense forests, high mountains, river valleys to granite peaks and pristine waterfalls. You can camp, horse ride, hike or simply just relax and recharge and if you are lucky, maybe even catch a glimpse of an Iberian wolf or a Golden Eagle.
The Douro Valley is another region not to be missed by any wine aficionados or those wanting to immerse themselves in the calming and breath-taking landscape along the meandering Douro River flanked by its impossibly steep terraced valleys. You can discover the enchanting region of the Douro Valley by road, train or cruise. Many of the Quintas (wine vineyards) offer intimate tours, wine and food pairing experiences as well as overnight stays.
