The northern part of Portugal is a land of dense vegetation and profound historical and cultural wealth. Located throughout Northern Portugal are waterfalls, vineyards and rivers combined with ancestral monuments found in urban centres. Beautiful beaches, delightful small villages and enchanting manor houses can also be found in this region, Portugal’s oldest.

Regional Hotspots:

• Oporto (Porto) – Capital of the north, set at the mouth of the Douro River, this is the second most important city in Portugal. Oporto is known for and named after its internationally renowned Port wine.
• Ponte de Lima – This attractive and picturesque town situated on the Lima River springs to life with various markets offering a wide range of produce including wine barrels, cattle, clothing, fresh fish, fruit, cheese and bread.
• Viana do Castelo – Lying at the mouth of the River Lima, this fishing town dates back to the 15th century. With its beautiful Manueline and Renaissance style houses, it is famous for its colourful regional costumes and handicrafts.
• Guimarães – Situated in north-western Portugal, this city is the birthplace of the first Portuguese King, Afonso I of Portugal. Due to its Middle Age historical monuments, the city of Guimarães was declared a World Heritage Site in 2001 by UNESCO.
• Braga – The capital of the district of Braga has many historical monuments to discover including the Braga Cathedral located in the city centre. Situated outside the city centre, is the neoclassic Bom Jesus do Monte Sanctuary church which features a magnificent baroque stairway.