Circuits · North

Authentic North

Porto, the birthplace of Portugal, the only national park and the green Minho.

7 days26 stopsPorto 2 nights · Braga 2 nights · Gerês (village) 1 night · Ponte de Lima 1 nightCar recommended
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Dom Luís I bridge over the Douro and Porto's Ribeira riverfront at dusk

Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

DAY 1

Porto

Night: Porto
1

Ribeira riverfront

Colourful houses stacked along the Douro, a World Heritage Site. Best early in the morning or late in the afternoon.

1h30FreeAll year
↓ a few minutes on foot
2

Porto Cathedral (Sé)

Romanesque cathedral on the highest point of the old town, with views over the Ribeira and Gaia.

45 minCloister paidAll year
↓ a few minutes on foot
3

São Bento Station

A station hall lined with around 20,000 azulejo tiles that tell the story of Portugal.

20 minFreeAll year
↓ a few minutes on foot
4

Clérigos Tower

Climb the Baroque tower for the best 360° view over Porto.

45 minPaidAll year
↓ a few minutes on foot
5

Livraria Lello bookshop

Neo-Gothic bookshop with its famous staircase. Buy a timed ticket to skip the queue.

30 minPaid (book online)All year
↓ a few minutes on foot
6

Bolhão Market

Renovated historic market: fish, fruit, cured sausages and local snacks.

45 minFreeAll year (closed on Sundays)
DAY 2

Porto · Porto / Gaia · Vila Nova de Gaia

Night: Porto
7

Palácio da Bolsa (Stock Exchange Palace)

19th-century palace with the dazzling Arab Room.

45 minPaid (guided tour)All year
↓ a few minutes on foot
8

Dom Luís I Bridge and Jardim do Morro

Walk across the upper deck. The Jardim do Morro is the classic spot for sunset.

30 minFreeAll year
↓ a few minutes on foot
9

Port wine cellars

Visit one of the historic cellars on the Gaia riverbank, with a Port wine tasting.

1h30Paid (tour and tasting)All year
↓ ≈ 10 min by road · 7 km
10

Foz do Douro

Where the river meets the sea: a stroll along the seafront promenade, the Felgueiras lighthouse and the sunset.

1h30FreeAll year
↓ ≈ 30 min walk
11

Serralves Foundationoptional

Contemporary art museum, an Art Deco villa and a vast park.

2hPaidSpring to autumn
DAY 3

Guimarães

Night: Braga
12

Guimarães historic centre

The birthplace of Portugal and a World Heritage Site. Largo da Oliveira and Rua de Santa Maria.

2hFreeAll year
↓ a few minutes on foot
13

Guimarães Castle and Palace of the Dukes of Braganza

The castle of Portugal's founding and the 15th-century palace, side by side on Monte Latito.

1h30Palace paidAll year
↓ ≈ 5 min by road · 3 km
14

Penha cable car and Monte da Penhaoptional

Ride the cable car up to the sanctuary, with views over the city.

1h30Cable car paidSpring to autumn
DAY 4

Braga

Night: Braga
15

Braga Cathedral (Sé) and centre

The oldest cathedral in Portugal and the streets of the historic centre.

1h30Treasury paidAll year
↓ ≈ 5 min by road · 6 km
16

Bom Jesus do Monte

Baroque stairway and World Heritage Site. Ride up on the water-powered funicular of 1882 and walk down.

1h30Free (funicular paid)All year
↓ ≈ 25 min walk
17

Sameiro Sanctuaryoptional

One of the largest Marian sanctuaries, with views over the Minho.

30 minFreeAll year
DAY 5

Peneda-Gerês

Night: Gerês (village)
18

Pedra Bela viewpoint

Views over the Caniçada reservoir and the mountains of the National Park.

30 minFreeSpring to autumn
↓ ≈ 25 min walk
19

Arado waterfall

A waterfall tumbling over several tiers near the village of Ermida. Wear walking shoes.

1h30FreeSpring and autumn (more water)
↓ ≈ 5 min by road · 4 km
20

Gerês village

A spa village in the heart of Portugal's only National Park. Base for the night.

1hFreeSpring to autumn
DAY 6

Peneda-Gerês · Ponte de Lima

Night: Ponte de Lima
21

Soajo and its granaries (espigueiros)

Granite village with a unique cluster of espigueiros (stone granaries) on the communal threshing floor.

1hFreeAll year
↓ ≈ 10 min by road · 7 km
22

Lindoso

Border castle surrounded by dozens of espigueiros (stone granaries).

1hCastle paidAll year
↓ ≈ 50 min by road · 46 km
23

Ponte de Lima

Portugal's oldest town, with its medieval bridge over the Lima. Try the arroz de sarrabulho (rich pork and rice stew).

1h30FreeAll year
DAY 7

Viana do Castelo

Night: Return to Porto
24

Santa Luzia Sanctuary

Take the funicular up to the sanctuary: one of the most beautiful views over the Lima and the sea.

1hFree (dome paid)All year
↓ ≈ 20 min walk
25

Viana historic centre

Praça da República, its fountain and Manueline houses. Home of the traditional Viana costume and gold filigree.

1hFreeAll year
↓ ≈ 25 min walk
26

Cabedelo Beach

A wide sandy beach known for kitesurfing. Then return to Porto (about 1h).

1h30FreeSummer