Top 10 Nature & Parks in Northern Portugal, Portugal

December 28, 2021 Osvaldo Hartline

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. The Douro Valley

Lugar Da Ponte, Pinhao 5085-060 Portugal +351 939 922 002 http://www.dourovalley.eu/en
Excellent
86%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 523 reviews

The Douro Valley

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!

2. Vinho Verde Route

Portugal +351 22 607 7300 [email protected] http://rota.vinhoverde.pt/aboutus.asp
Excellent
57%
Good
43%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 7 reviews

Vinho Verde Route

3. Parque Natural do Douro Internacional

Portugal http://www.natural.pt/en
Excellent
58%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 52 reviews

Parque Natural do Douro Internacional

4. Douro River

Porto Portugal
Excellent
64%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 7,397 reviews

Douro River

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.

5. Parque Natural do Alvao

Lugar do Barrio Portugal http://municipio.mondimdebasto.pt/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=137&catid=7&Itemid=28
Excellent
67%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 15 reviews

Parque Natural do Alvao

6. Cais da Ribeira

Rua Cais da Ribeira Praca Ribeira, Porto 4050-510 Portugal http://www.guiadacidade.pt/pt/poi-cais-da-ribeira-porto-15385
Excellent
62%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 10,851 reviews

Cais da Ribeira

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?

7. Zoo Santo Inacio

Rua 5 de Outubro 4503, Vila Nova de Gaia 4430-809 Portugal +351 22 787 8500 [email protected] http://www.zoosantoinacio.com
Excellent
53%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 558 reviews

Zoo Santo Inacio

Take a walk on the wild side and visit the biggest and greenest zoo in Porto. There are more than 600 animals and 200 different species, all living in spacious and green habitats.

Reviewed By HighWycombeCouple - High Wycombe, United Kingdom

A hidden gem that is not well signposted, but trust in Google Maps and you will be fine. We went in early February, Winter hours mean it is closed on Mondays, so beware. We were blessed with a sunny day albeit windy. Us, son and his fiancée and their 20 month old daughter. Concessions in theory are for over 65s, but being Portugal grey hair was enough. They were buying season tickets as the zoo is but a 20 minute drive for them and as twos and under are free they intend to make full use of the zoo as a regular place to go. Attractions such as penguin feeding, lion feeding etc start as soon as the zoo opens. The zoo is very much like Chester in the UK being very rare breed and conservation centric, though the site is a bit smaller than Chester. The way the enclosures are designed you get very much up close and personal to the animals. Beware of some of the monkeys as they have a habit of relieving themselves through the bars and if you are under it you will smell the rest of the day. On a peak season day the two car parks would be under pressure. It is downhill to the ticket office so, of course, it is uphill back to the car. Catering is by means of numerous cabins and vans around the whole site and a central restaurant. Low season only the restaurant was open. Well priced, but with what may be seen by some as limited choices. Animals can be adopted and your name appears on the side of the enclosure. The emphasis is on communication of issues surrounding the animals in the wild. With everything that is available by way of attractions and exhibitions the zoo caters for all ages from toddlers through to adults. In sum a great day out for all the family and well worth the 15€ admission.

8. Parque Natural de Alvao

Largo dos Freitas, Vila Real 5000-528 Portugal
Excellent
78%
Good
11%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 18 reviews

Parque Natural de Alvao

9. Jardim do Morro

Avenida da Republica, Vila Nova de Gaia 4430-148 Portugal
Excellent
49%
Good
39%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 425 reviews

Jardim do Morro

Reviewed By Bozeman-Dublin - Trim, Ireland

A fantastic viewpoint at the upper cablecar station, one of the best views you will get of Porto. They have landscaped a beautiful park here, including an amphitheatre- like set of curved concrete benches for you to sit on and drink in the view. The best time to go is in the evening as the sun sets. There will be musicians and a great vibe as a combination of tourists and chilled locals meet to chat and watch the sun go down over the Douro and Porto . I loved it here, I went back every evening I was in Porto!

10. Montanha- Parque da Penha

Vereda Guimaraes Coop, Guimaraes 4800-179 Portugal +351 253 414 114 http://www.turipenha.pt/parque-de-campismo.html
Excellent
61%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 552 reviews

Montanha- Parque da Penha

Reviewed By jezzc_13 - Hethersett, United Kingdom

Really did not think that the trip up the mountain in the cable car €7.50 return per person, would be soo good. Yes we did pick a sunny day, but we enjoyed a 2 hour trek up through the park enjoying all the nooks and crannies between the boulders. The shrines were a delight along with the viewpoints which were fantastic of the city and the surrounding countryside. Totally worth it and a real highlight winding in and out of the giant boulders.

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