"It was in Porto and the north that Portugal came into being as a country, which is why the region has such a rich and fascinating heritage."
Northern Portugal is crossed by the Douro, the once mighty river that has been tamed by a series of damns. The Douro Valley is a beautiful spectacle, which can be explored on foot, by boat or via the Douro railway. The nearby Foz Côa Archaeological Park is home to fascinating Palaeolithic rock engravings, which date from 30,000 years ago. Like the Douro Valley, Foz Côa is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Monte da Penha - Guimarães, photo by CMG / PPacheco
It was in the 12th century that the country of Portucale, as it was then known, was established in the area between the Douro and Minho Rivers. The Minho region in the north-west of modern-day Portugal is coated with vineyards and forest, brimming with history and culture, and bordered in the west by long sandy beaches. To the north-east is Trás-os-Montes (meaning 'beyond the mountains'), a region made up of river valleys and forests, where life has remained unchanged for centuries. At the mouth of the Douro lies Porto, Portugal's second city and the main gate to the Porto and Norte region, situated about 60 miles south of the Spanish border. Some come here to enjoy the faded elegance of the buildings that line the steep streets; most are drawn by the beauty of the river that separates the city from Vila Nova de Gaia, and to sample the rich fortified wine named after the city.
Activities
- Douro cruising: Take a cruise down the Douro Valley, past the vineyards that line the steep slopes, or a longer voyage to Barca d'Alva. Alternatively, there's a scenic train ride along the river.
- Touring Northern Portugal: Visit the towns of Porto, Barcelos, Viana do Castelo, Ponte de Lima, Braga, Guimarães, Amarante, Lamego, Vila Real, Bragança and Chaves for a taste of northern Portugal.
- Harvest: The grape harvest takes place in northern Portugal during September.
- Nightlife: The Ribeira, Foz do Douro and Matosinhos have enough trendy bars to cater for young, fun-loving travellers. During the warm summer months, the towns of northern Portugal come alive with regional festivals.
Porto e Norte is perfect for...
- Wine Tours: For those keen to sample the region's Port wine, vinho verde (green wine) and the Douro wines.
- Architecture enthusiasts: From the Roman to baroque and the modern Porto school of architecture.
- Discerning Travellers: Touring the north, staying in Manor Houses (Solares) or Pousadas.
- Nature Explorers: For those keen to explore nothern Portugal's varied landscape.
- Shopping: The region offers an array of quality shopping opportunities.
More information: visitportugal.com
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