Northern Portugal
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

NORTHERN PORTUGAL TRAVEL GUIDE

Recommended destinations to discover selected by highly-rated travel experts.

 
 
 
 
 

NORTHERN PORTUGAL

 

Why travel to Northern Portugal?


Are you are a traveller fascinated by discovering the best food and wine when visiting a new destination? Then this Northern Portugal travel guide is one you should definitely consider! Experience the North of Portugal, not only tasting the gastronomy but explore the rich history visiting UNESCO Heritage sites like in Porto, Guimarães, and the Douro Valley. Get in touch with the natural richness that Northern Portugal has to offer, by walking some of the best nature trails like in the Peneda-Gerês National Park. 

Irresistible food

Slow down to savour the secrets of Northern Portuguese cuisine, by nature, a slow food culture that can be seen in the rural villages and countryside of the north producing amazing wines and preparing traditional dishes with recipes handed down through the generations. Portuguese gastronomy is very rich with a wide range of flavors, taste fresh locally-made products like the Queijo Serra da Estrela, a delicious cheese with a unique flavor handmade for generations by the local shepherds. In the region, you will also find artisan bread, cured meat, slow-grown vegetables, etc.

Here are some popular dishes that you must try in Northern Portugal:

  • Tripas à Moda do Porto: Traditional tripe stew of O Porto cooked with veal tripe, white beans, smoked ham, pork sausage, carrots, onions, spices such as paprika, and cumin, and different cuts of pork and chicken.

  • Cozido à Portuguesa: Originally a dish from the north of Lisbon (Beira) that consists of vegetables like rice, potatoes, beans, and cabbage with different slow-boiled meats such as sausages: chouriço, morcelo (blood sausages), pig ears, beef, chicken. A tasty unadorned dish, that will fill up your belly for the whole day!

  • Bacalhau à Braga: The star ingredient of Portuguese cuisine, is codfish. This dish consists of sliced fried cod with fried potatoes and onions accompanied by bay leaves and cloves.

  • Caldo Verde: Traditional soup from the Minho province, highly popular around the world, made with basic ingredients: potatoes, onion puree, and collard greens. Usually served as a starter at the beginning of a larger meal.

Endless riverside wine trails 

Without any doubt, the northern region of Portugal produces excellent wines that pair perfectly with the varied cuisine. You can enjoy different wines in Northern Portugal, for example in the Douro wine region, you can find the famous fortified Port Wine, known for its characteristic sweet-aged taste.  Other unique recommended wines of the region that you can taste are Douro Muscat or Douro Sparkling wines.

Popular wine regions of Northern Portugal:

  • Douro DOC: The Douro Valley, called the enchanted valley for its beautiful landscape and for producing the famous sweet fortified wine, Port wine. But that is not the only type of wine found in the Douro Valley, as well you can taste young reds of the Douro DOC wine region, even white wines made from the Alvarinho grape variety. Lots of great wines to choose from for wine lovers looking at a new wine destination to explore. Pairing with the wines savour the delicious traditional local food in small villages deep in the Douro valley. Apart from nature and gastronomy in this area, you can visit historic churches and landmarks in the quaint town along the banks of the Douro River.

  • Vinho Verde DOC: Vinho Verde (green wine) is produced, between the Douro and Minho region (north-western Portugal). It is the biggest DOC of Portugal where vines grow up in the green, cool, rainy mountainous area of north-western Portugal. The Vinhos Verdes are light and fresh, and you can find the best green wines in the sub-region of Melgaço and Monçao. The wines can be made as a blend of 6 different local grape varieties: Alvarinho, Arinto, Azal, Avesso, Loureiro, and Trajadura. The Alvarinho is the most popular grape and is also made as a mono-varietal wine of the same name.

Unspoiled natural wilderness and historic cities

Nature is dominant in Northern Portugal, dotted with historic villages that stand the test of time made of solid granite the main building material of this region. You could spend days wandering the streets of the small towns, slowing down to really understand the local culture.

Here are some must-see nature parks, towns & cities of Northern Portugal:

  • Peneda-Gerês National Park: This beautiful national park is the only one in Portugal, and it is located in the districts of Viana do Castelo, Braga and Vila Real. The national park covers over 270 square miles up to the northwestern Spanish border. Here the soil, water, flora and fauna of this privileged landscape have all been preserved. A must for nature lovers to spend at least a day walking the spectacular green nature trails.

  • Viana do Castelo: One of the most beautiful cities of the country popular for its connection to the sea especially the city’s expertise, cod. Dramatic coastlines, breathtaking natural scenery makes this city a must-visit if you are thinking to travel to Portugal.

  • Braga: The third largest city of Portugal, full of history and culture considered the religious center of the country, here you can find numerous important landmarks.

  • Melgaço: Municipality in Viana do Castelo, known for its unique beauty and delicious food and wine. It is one of the subregions where Vinho Verde is made and you should not leave this place without visiting a winery making the famous Alvarinho, where you can taste the varieties of this unique and delicious wine popular worldwide.

  • Guimarães: Considered the heart of Portugal where king Alfonso Henriquez was born, the first king of Portugal. One of the country’s most important historical cities, its center is declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, making it one of the largest tourist attractions of the region.

  • Valença do Minho: Located above the Minho/Miño river on the northern border. The river separates Portugal from the city of Tui in Galicia. A village surrounded by a fortress where you can enjoy astonishing views of Galicia and the famous Miño river.

  • Porto: Is the second largest city of Portugal after Lisbon and the capital of Northern Portugal, here you can taste some of the finest wines in the country. The city was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1996.

In this Northern Portugal travel guide, our food, wine and walking experts have chosen the best tours and experiences based around walking, food and wine vacations in Northern Portugal. You can check our list of the best food tours to Northern Portugal and recommended historic hotels in the sections of this Northern Portugal travel destination guide. Please contact us if you have any questions!

Capital of Northern Portugal: Porto
Population: 3.573 million (2019)

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Northern Portugal
Northern Portugal
Northern Portugal
Northern Portugal
 

THE 10 BEST DESTINATIONS TRAVEL GUIDES

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MELGACO


 

RECOMMENDED TOURS, EXPERIENCES & TASTINGS

Our top 10 best tours, experiences & tastings in the destination selected by our experts. Slow Way Food Tours, Green Walking Holiday and Exclusive Food & Wine Tours/Tastings.

 
 
 
 
 
  1 to 8 Hours...
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Private Driver Chauffeur Car Services and...

 

Elevate your experience in Porto by booking a private English-speaking chauffeur, ready to assist you throughout your visit and provide personalized tours of the city´s highlights.

 

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Full-Day...  
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Douro Valley: Tasting Port Wines at selected...

 

Experience the beauty of Douro Valley, Portugal´s wine haven. Explore terraced vineyards, taste exquisite Port wines at traditional Quinta wine farms, and celebrate the art of winemaking in this iconic region. Join our wine adventure through history and flavours!

 

  

 
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  4 Days / 3...
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Short break to Porto & Douro Valley: discover...

 

On this food & wine short break to Porto, you will eat and drink your way through the streets of Porto and Gaia where all the port wine lodges are. Then follow the Douro River for a day in the wine country for a slow-paced day of port wines and a fabulous lunch with unforgettable views!

 

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12 Days / 11...  
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A Slow Camino: Food & Walking Adventure on...

 

Walk the beautiful Portuguese Coastal Way tackling the last 150 km of it from Oia to Santiago de Compostela. As well as enjoying beautiful coastal and typical Galician countryside scenery you’ll be samping the local gastronomy along the way...

 

  

 
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  04hrs 30mins....
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Porto Half Day Private Food Tour

 

Visit the city of Porto and enjoy the Portuguese food and wine while getting to know the local culture and history of the city. Admire the vibrant city of Porto and visit a selected wine cellar to taste the famous wine of the region, the Port wine, produced in the Douro Valley and considered Portugal´s flagship wine.

 

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Half Day...  
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Private Historic Porto & Wine Lodge Tour

 

Walking tour of Porto to discover its main attractions like the historic Palacio de la Bolsa and the Se Cathedral. Cross the bridge to Vilanova de Gaia for a tour and port wine tasting at one of the finest wine lodges. Finish the day with a delightful lunch at a wine lodge with panoramic views of Porto.

 

  

 
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TOP RESTAURANTS

The best places to eat selected by our foodie experts in the food destinations we cover.

 
 
 
 
 
  Full-Day...
On Request Best Rate euros 
 

Douro Valley: Tasting Port Wines at selected...

 

Experience the beauty of Douro Valley, Portugal´s wine haven. Explore terraced vineyards, taste exquisite Port wines at traditional Quinta wine farms, and celebrate the art of winemaking in this iconic region. Join our wine adventure through history and flavours!

 

  0 User Reviews

 
See details
 
Half Day...  
On Request Best Rate euros 
 

Private Historic Porto & Wine Lodge Tour

 

Walking tour of Porto to discover its main attractions like the historic Palacio de la Bolsa and the Se Cathedral. Cross the bridge to Vilanova de Gaia for a tour and port wine tasting at one of the finest wine lodges. Finish the day with a delightful lunch at a wine lodge with panoramic views of Porto.

 

  

 
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RECOMMENDED HOTELS

Our travel experts have researched the best hotels in the destinations we cover. Stay in unique accommodations from modern city centre hotels to wine country manor house with amazing food & wine. If you can not find a suitable option just let our experts know and we will suggest something different for you.

 
 
 
 
 
 

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