For a small country, there are many regions to see in Portugal. The country can be divided into seven major regions, each with their own unique offerings. The Norte Region of Portugal sits in the northern section of the country. This is where the country had its beginnings: not only do settlements date back thousands of years, it is also the region where the country was established. Aside from its rich history, northern Portugal is also naturally beautiful. It has lush vegetation spread out over rolling hills and mountains. It is also home to Porto, the country’s second-largest city, and many smaller towns and villages with their own charm. It can be hard to decide how to spend your time in the area, so keep reading for a list of all the things to do in the Norte Region, Portugal.
1. Go on a Douro Valley wine tasting tour and cruise (from USD 102.96)
The best way to get introduced to the Douro Valley is on this full-day tour, which takes you through this breathtaking region by land and water! Feast your eyes on the rolling green hills, which seem to stretch endlessly to the horizon. You will also have two opportunities to treat your tastebuds at local wineries. Duoro Valley is one of the world’s oldest and finest wine regions, and you can enjoy fine table wines and ports against a beautiful backdrop. The tour also includes a sumptuous lunch, where you can try traditional meals made with local produce and ingredients. The entire tour is led by an expert guide, and you will feed your mind and your body as well.
From Peso da Regua: Douro Valley Tour
Duration: 9.5 hour
2. Climb the hills in Viana do Castelo
Viana do Castelo is known for its connection to the water: it sits on the mouth of the Lima river as it spills into the Atlantic Ocean. One of the best ways to orient yourself to the city’s geography is to climb Santa Luzia hill. At the top, you will get a stunning panorama of the city and surrounding waterways and you’ll find the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, a symbol of the city. After that, climb back down the hill and take in some of the city’s other trademark: its stunning architecture. Viana is rich in palaces, fountains, and churches. The design styles vary widely from Renaissance to Baroque to Art Deco, giving the city a variety you will find in few other places.
Viana do Castelo
Address: Viana do Castelo, Portugal
Website: Viana do Castelo
Opening hours: 6am - 11pm (daily)
Price: Free
3. Take a tour of Castelo de Bragança
Castelo de Bragança is both an excellent example of medieval castle architecture and it is also one of the most well-preserved of these structures in northern Portugal. The castle dates back to 1409 but it is still stable enough to welcome visitors and display how castles were built and organized. Surrounding the castle is a double wall with 15 towers and 3 doors. Inside these walls, there is an entire town comprised of houses, churches, and other structures. One of these structures is the Keep, an impressive tower building which you can climb for views of the city. Also, inside the tower is the military museum, an extensive collection that contains artifacts spanning the 12th to the 20th centuries.
Castelo de Bragança
Address: R. Dom João V 62, 5300-025 Bragança, Portugal
Website: Castelo de Bragança
Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 9am - 5pm (closed on Mon)
Price: 3 USD
4. Take a private tour of Porto (from USD 165.0)
Porto is one of Portugal’s best cities. There is so much to see and do that it’s a great idea to book a tour that will take you to all the must-see sights. This private Viator tour is a good option for visitors who want to go to a lot of spots in a little time. The expert tour will make sure to bring you to all the main attractions in just half a day, and the small group size means you won’t waste any time waiting for people to catch up. The tour will even pick you up and drop you off at your hotel so there is no chance of getting lost and missing anything.
Porto city half-day private tour
Duration: 4 hours
5. Visit Parque Arqueológico do Vale do Côa
Posted by Museu do Côa on Thursday, 14 April 2016
Parque Arqueológico do Vale do Côa is unlike any other place in the world. This open-air archaeological site consists of rock formations that line a river bank. They are adorned with carvings that date back 25,000 years to the Paleolithic age. The markings are not all prehistoric, though: other engravings on the rocks date back a couple thousand years and even into the modern era, displaying an extensive representation of human artistry throughout history.
Parque Arqueológico do Vale do Côa
Address: R. do Museu, 5150-610 Vila Nova Foz Côa, Portugal
Website: Parque Arqueológico do Vale do Côa
Opening hours: 9am - 5:30pm (daily)
Price: 7 USD
6. See the unique Espigueiros de Soajo granaries
Soajo is a charming village that sits near the edge of the Peneda-Gerês National Park. What sets Soajo apart from other cute towns in the region are the elevated granite granaries that are unlike anything you’ve seen. These granaries were built starting in 1782 and were used to store food crops, especially corn. They were elevated off the ground by giant granite slabs to protect the crops from rodents and were used communally by the whole town. Today, 24 of these granaries still exist and several are used to store corn to this day.
Espigueiros de Soajo
Address: Espigueiros de Soajo, 4970-651, Portugal
Website: Espigueiros de Soajo
Opening hours: 8am - 8pm (daily)
Price: Free
7. Learn about the history of the O Navio Gil Eannes hospital ship
O Navio Gil Eannes is a unique structure: a hospital ship. Originally, the ship was part of the navy, but it later served the huge Portuguese codfish fleet that sailed to Greenland and Newfoundland. By accompanying sailors to these remote locations, the hospital ship ensured that the fleet stayed strong and productive. It operated for decades, but when there was no longer need, it sat deteriorating in a port. An organization revitalized the hospital ship in 1998 and turned it into a floating museum. Today, visitors can tour this large ship and its unique facilities inside.
O Navio Gil Eannes
Address: Doca Comercial, 4900-321 Viana do Castelo, Portugal
Website: O Navio Gil Eannes
Opening hours: 9:30am - 6pm (daily)
Price: 4 USD
8. Explore the fort and city of Fortaleza Valença
Fortaleza Valença compares to few cities in northern Portugal. The city is entirely enclosed by a huge medieval fortress which still exists to this day. The fortification consists of huge walls and multiple layers of defense. Though Fortaleza Valença was once intended to keep out Spanish invaders, today it is a charming town that welcomes day-trippers from neighboring Spain. Be sure to give equal attention to Fortaleza Valença’s maze of fortifications, passageways, and watchtowers, as you do to its cute shops and eateries.
Fortaleza Valença
Address: R. de Mousinho de Albuquerque 79, 4930-733 Valença, Portugal
Website: Fortaleza Valença
Opening hours: 8am - 11pm (daily)
Price: Free
9. Learn about the founding of Portugal in Guimarães (from USD 140.0)
Guimarães is a city of such historical importance and breathtaking beauty that it deserves as much attention as you can allow. Hop on this half-day Viator tour from Porto to learn all about the city, which is where the country was born. Tour sites like the 10th century Guimarães Castle, the Palace of the Dukes of Braganza, the Padrão do Salado monument, and many more.
Guimarães Half Day Private Tour from Porto
Duration: 4 hours
10. Walk across the Chaves Roman Bridge
Another town near the Spanish border that you’ll want to add to your itinerary is Chaves. This small spa town dates back to 78 AD and it contains many ancient remains from its Roman origins. One of the structures that still stands today is the Roman Bridge, or Ponte Trajano. This stone bridge is 140 m (459 ft) in length and it has gone through many repairs and restorations over the years to ensure it still stands. Pedestrians can walk along the bridge and see its historic touches, like markers indicating the distance to nearby Roman settlements.
Chaves Roman Bridge
Address: R. Caneiro 47, 5400-501 Chaves, Portugal
Website: Chaves Roman Bridge
Opening hours: 6am - 11pm (daily)
Price: Free
11. Visit the impressive Castle of Chaves
Another historic site in Chaves is the castle, also known as the Torre de Menagem. All that remains of this 14th-century castle is the tall square keep, which was built in the Gothic style. Inside the keep is a military museum that covers four stories. The military artifacts are much more modern than the structure they are housed in, and they include items from Portugal’s conflicts with its colonies in the 1960s-1970s. The top of the keep has a lovely view of the surrounding city, the River Tâmega, and the hills beyond.
Castle of Chaves
Address: Praça de Camões 14, 5400-517 Chaves, Portugal
Website: Castle of Chaves
Opening hours: 9:30am - 6pm (daily)
Price: 4 USD
12. Go swimming at Praia de Árvore
One of the nicest beaches in northern Portugal is Praia da Árvore. This long, sandy beach is located on the southern coast of Vila do Conde, and it is part of a long stretch of popular beaches. It is a picturesque waterfront that looks like a postcard. The white sand beach curves around a bright blue ocean and crashing surf. Toward the southern end of the beach is a protected area of dunes where a diverse array of birds nest.
Praia de Árvore
Address: R. Dr. Pinto Ferreira 171, Árvore, Portugal
Website: Praia de Árvore
Opening hours: 9am - 11pm (daily)
Price: Free
13. Hike in Montesinho Natural Park
Montesinho Natural Park is one of the largest park preserves in Portugal. Towering mountains create valleys where clear streams and rivers flow. The park is home to a diverse range of plant and animal life. One of the best ways to explore the park is on foot, and there are lots of hiking trails to explore. Two of the best mountains to climb are Serra da Coroa and Montesinho Mountain. From their peaks, see if you can spot one of the many small villages throughout the park. They have been designed to blend in with the landscape, using natural materials to build the structures in the towns.
Montesinho Natural Park
Address: Montesinho Natural Park, Vinhais, Portugal
Website: Montesinho Natural Park
Opening hours: 6am - 11pm (daily)
Price: Free
14. Admire the awe-inspiring Dom Luís I. Bridge
Though it is not centuries-old like ZChaves Roman Bridge, Dom Luís I. Bridge is impressive in a different way. This huge bridge is made of an iron framework between two granite pillars. It spans the River Duoro in Porto, linking the two sides of the city. Though it was constructed in the late 1800s, the bridge looks very modern and unique. It has two levels with a large arch between them. The lower level carries cars and the upper level carries trains and pedestrians.
Dom Luís I. Bridge
Address: Pte. Luiz I, Porto, Portugal
Website: Dom Luís I. Bridge
Opening hours: 6am - 11pm (daily)
Price: Free
15. Taste local wines at Pinhao
Pinhao sits in a bend of the Duoro River, surrounded by hillsides that are dotted with wineries. Wine lovers should definitely add Pinhao to their northern Portugal itinerary, since the town is very viticulture oriented. If you are looking to learn more about the history of wine production in the region, head to the Quinta Nova Wine Museum. They exhibit ancient tools made for winemaking and have exhibits to explain how the wines of the region are produced.
Pinhao
Address: Pinhao, Portugal
Website: Pinhao
Opening hours: 6am - 11pm (daily)
Price: Free
16. Enjoy kayaking in Peneda-Gerês National Park (from USD 113.8)
This full-day tour will bring you straight from Porto to the park, so you can make the most of your visit there. You’ll start exploring the park by boat, as you kayak around the pristine lake which is surrounded by lush green hills. After that, you’ll visit a stunning waterfall that ends in a clear green lagoon. Enjoy a refreshing dip after the hard work of kayaking in the morning. The tour isn’t all rustic outdoors activities: before heading back to Porto, you’ll stop in the small village of Ermida to try traditional Portuguese cuisines paired with local green wine, or vinho verde.
From Porto: Peneda-Gerês National Park Kayaking & Waterfall
Duration: 10.0 hour
17. Explore the historic cities of Guimarães and Braga (from USD 142.0)
This tour takes you to two of Portugal’s oldest cities: Guimarães and Braga. Guimarães has retained much of its medieval atmosphere, with stone buildings and windy cobblestone streets. It is also the city where the nation was born, earning it a UNESCO World Heritage Site distinction. Braga was built by the Romans and has a strong religious heritage. It is home to the oldest archdiocese in Portugal, as well as an 11th-century cathedral and the impressive Sanctuary of Born Jesus.
Guimarães and Braga
Duration: 9 hours
A beautiful region that is rich in culture
The Norte Region has something for everyone: outdoor enthusiasts will love the many opportunities to enjoy the area’s natural beauty and history buffs will love seeing the artifacts and structures that date back to medieval times, the days of the Romans, and all the way back to the Paleolithic era. The Norte Region is someplace you will fall in love with and want to return to again.
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