Top Things to do in Northern Portugal
Countries
The 10 Best Things to do for Honeymoon in Northern Portugal, Portugal
Brimming with both history and natural wonder, Northern Portugal is home to Porto, the city that gave the country its name, as well as the important ancient town of Braga. Also here is Peneda-Gerês, Portugal’s only national park, a gorgeous wilderness area of mountains, gorges, water features and wildlife. Many picturesque villages and manor houses dot the countryside. Two areas are UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Alto Douro Wine Region, and the Paleolithic rock art in the Côa Valley.
Restaurants in Northern Portugal
1. Miradouro de Sao Leonardo de Galafura
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 315 reviews
Reviewed By dexxyAberystwyth
Not easy to reach but well worth the effort. Continue down the road from Galafura to Covelhinas and on to Regua for a real treat.
2. The Douro Valley
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 523 reviews
Reviewed By judythr
We stayed at the Quinta Monte Bravo, a bit off the beaten track but lovely and Teresa's dinners were far better than at any restaurant we visited in Portugal except maybe one. The sheer beauty of the terraced vineyards and olive groves plus the beautiful and historic river Douro are just amazing! And, yes, this is a UNESCO World Heritage site, which speaks for itself!
3. Taylor's Port
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,767 reviews
Taylor’s, accepted by most wine authorities to be the greatest of all port shippers, invites you to a pleasant and informative tour of its famous lodges at Vila Nova de Gaia. During the tour the visitor will be given the opportunity to learn about the fascinating history of Port wine, as well as that of the House of Taylor Fladgate making it one of the oldest Port companies.
Reviewed By 45philips - Crewe, United Kingdom
Super interesting self guided audio tour, done at your own pace. Well laid out with plenty of photos, maps and diagrams to explain the history and process without getting too technical or boring. No need to book just turn up, we arrived around 11 on a Sunday morning and it wasn’t busy. Fantastic value at €15 a per person for the tour and 2 generous samples one red one white Tasting is in a beautiful garden area where you can also purchase a selection of snacks to compliment the ports you are tasting. Helpful and friendly staff throughout our visit. You can’t visit Porto and not come here.
4. Ponte de Dom Luis I
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 24,398 reviews
Built in 1886, this bridge links Porto and Gaia.
Reviewed By 364anac - Porto, Portugal
This Eiffel style bridge is the perfect spot to see the Rebelo boats where the Oporto wine barrels were carried down the river from the Douro valley, the historic Porto town center and a perfect background for the trip picture from the Gaia cable car (teleférico de Gaia)
5. Douro River
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7,397 reviews
Reviewed By The_Loup_Garou - Phoenix, United States
A Mighty River of Commerce In November, we were once more on the Douro River, or above it, watching it flow. We spent hours on the patio of our room at the Yeatman in Vila Nova de Gaia, observing the life blood of northern Portugal, the Douro River. Unlike our previous visit, we did not have time to take a cruise on the Douro, higher above Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia, but we actually had more time to just watch the river flow - the water taxis, the tourist cruise vessels, and then the flow of commerce. Looking out at the replicas of the rabelos, the boats used to bring the Port wines down from the vineyards, far upstream, to the Port Houses of Vila Nova de Gaia, and Porto, I could almost imagine those earlier journeys. Though the River has been tamed somewhat, by a series of dams and locks, it is still a powerful current, heading toward the Atlantic, just a few miles away. In some ways, the Douro reminded me of the Mississippi River, in the USA, with the various types of vessels plying it hourly. Just watching commerce, in various forms, became a pastime with us, and with a bottle of wine, we could have spent the entire trip, just watching this river.
6. Palacio da Bolsa
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,347 reviews
National Monument, located in the historical centre of the city, classified as World Heritage Site by UNESCO, the Palacio da Bolsa, built by the Porto Commercial Association on the ruins of the Saint Francis Convent, has become by excellence the Porto city’s drawing room, welcoming the most illustrious visitors, amongst which are monarchs, presidents and ministers from almost every country, transforming this building into the most visited monument in northern Portugal.
Reviewed By JimRiesterer - Edina, United States
Formerly the HQ for the rich merchants of Porto and today the center of the chamber of commerce, you will want to take one of the short guided tours of this place next to the famous golden church. Tickets cost €10 and you will be guided through some historic and breathtaking rooms in the Stock exchange palace. Tours are offered in different languages throughout the day and you just need to pop into the ticket office to find out the day's schedule as it varies (apparently). We arrived 9:40 and we able to book the 10:15 English tour. Each group has around 50 people which can be a bit tedious. The tours follow a consistent plan beginning in the lofty hall of nations and ending in the amazing Arabic room. You also see the business court room and several others of note. We were done in a little under an hour.
7. Centro Historico de Guimaraes
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,021 reviews
Reviewed By maude52
It’s a beautiful city. The real Portugal. Lots to see. Very walkable. Great restaurants. They light the city at night. It’s like Christmas
8. Quinta da Aveleda
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 329 reviews
Reviewed By Martinha_Mar - Guimaraes, Portugal
The visits to the historical gardens. The old cellar. The main house. The manueline window, the tea house on the lake and the Nossa Senhora da Vandoma Fountain. The picnic. Everything is gorgeous.????????
9. Cais da Ribeira
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 10,851 reviews
Reviewed By rhmclapham - Swansea, United Kingdom
The beating heart of an incredible city, just sitting in one of the myriad cafes and restaurants and watching the world bustle past....one of life's must do moments that will linger for a lifetime. Ships ploughing their way up the river, ferries making their way between banks, couples laughing, glorious food, wine and vistas to die for... Did I mention it was a nice place to visit?
10. Largo da Oliveira
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 940 reviews
Reviewed By Bozeman-Dublin - Trim, Ireland
A stunner of a square, thr nicest in the whole old town although the Sao Tiago right next door through the arches runs it close! The beguiling Padrao Do Salado draws the eye, a lovely monument to those who died in the 14th century battle of Solado against Muslim forces. It has a big cross inside a gothic style portico. Behind it the Oliveira Church is a masterpiece. Its wonderfully intricate inside and out, such a peaceful place with beautiful stonework and sunshine pouring in the windows. All atound the Square there are restaurants with outdoor seating. It's a wonderful atmospheric area, one of my favourite places in Guimaraes. Dobt miss the old town hall at the far end from the Padrao, the one with the arches and the reddish hue.
