Explore Portugal: The North & Douro Valley - 10 Days

Highlights

• Take two different guided food tours of Porto, Portugal's culinary hotspot
• Discover the sweeping beaches and ruins of ancient villages near Esposende
• Hike through the stunning landscapes of Peneda-Gerês National Park
• Go port wine tasting and take a riverboat cruise in the iconic Douro Valley

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Porto, Afternoon Walking Foodie Tour

Welcome to Portugal! Upon arrival at Porto's airport, you'll be met by a driver who will transfer you to your hotel. Take some time to rest before you start exploring. In the late afternoon, you'll learn more about Porto and its cuisine with a 3.5-hour walking tour of the historic downtown. Guided by a friendly English-speaking native, this excursion offers a first-hand look at the culinary renaissance that the city is experiencing, including the rebirth of specialty food shops and new restaurants that are adopting old methods.

You'll take part in several distinct tasting locations that harken back to an era of simple, quality products and recipes created by people who love what they do. Learn about these family-owned businesses and why they are an integral part of Porto's gastronomy, and witness the revival of Portuguese cuisine while you explore local restaurants, cafés, and stores. The evening, of course, wouldn't be complete without an introduction to the famous drink of Porto: port wine. As you taste three different versions, including one vintage, you'll learn about the history of this drink and why it is a timeless favorite.

Day 2: Get to Know Porto: Half-Day City Tour & Evening Food Tour

Today you'll join a half-day tour of the city with a local guide. This excursion will lead you through the most important landmarks of Portugal's second-most populous city as you travel from place to place in a comfortable private vehicle. Your guide will explain the rich history of the city, also known as "Invicta" (the Unbeaten City), with stories of heroes and battles, as you make your way to the trendiest and most culturally-rich area of town. Here you'll explore Boavista Avenue, one of the city's most important streets, and Foz, home to some of the most revered museums and modern local treasures.

Next, you'll head to the city center—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—to admire renowned Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque, and neoclassical monuments and sites, including the São Bento Railway Station, Clerigos Tower, Lello Bookshop, Sta. Catarina Street, Majestic Café, and Bolhão Market. After visiting the imposing Porto Cathedral with its superb silver altarpiece, you'll finish the tour along the banks of the Douro River with views of Ribeira Plaza and the Dom Luís I Bridge. End the tour with a visit to a small-scale canning factory, which produces the country's popular gourmet-quality tinned fish with centuries-old hand-processing techniques.

In the evening, after you've had some time to rest, it's time for another tour—this time centered on the city's exciting food scene. This is your chance to get off the well-worn tourist path for a side of Porto that most travelers rarely see. You'll be welcomed by local families in their small, authentic restaurants, cafés, and bars as you taste a range of traditional dishes, local pastries, and, of course, Portuguese wines.

Day 3: Transfer to Viana do Castelo via Esposende

Today you'll join your driver and transfer an hour north to Viana do Castelo, stopping en route for a self-guided visit to Esposende, a resort town by the Cávado River Estuary. The coastline here is blessed with a chain of gorgeous beaches, all within the Parque Natural do Litoral Norte (North Coast Natural Park) that stretches for miles in each direction. If the water is calling to you, learn to ride the tube-like Atlantic waves at a surf camp or simply lounge on the luxurious white sands and meander around the dunes.

When you're looking for a break from the sun, head into town to check out the beautiful 17th-century church and the few but fascinating museums. If you're looking for something extraordinary, though, head to the granite-filled mountains, where you can discover captivating religious sanctuaries and ancient villages like Castro de São Lourenço deep in the forest. Once you've had your fill exploring, continue up the coast and spend the night amid the charm of Viana do Castelo, a gorgeous town known for its exquisite basilica, great beaches, and quaint city center. 

Day 4: Explore the Historic Town of Viana do Castelo

After breakfast this morning, you'll have the day free to explore the extraordinary Viana do Castelo, the jewel of Portugal's Costa Verde. Discover the secrets of this beautiful town, its nearby beaches, or the surrounding valleys however you like, depending on your mood and interests.

If you're itching for exploration, spend the day walking through town; the city showcases a beautiful medieval center and riverfront. In the old quarter, you'll be charmed by leafy 19th-century boulevards, narrow lanes crowded with Manueline manors, and rococo palaces—all under the watchful gaze of the dramatic, pearly-white neo-Byzantine Santa Luzia Church, perched on a hilltop high above the town. To visit the top, you can drive, hike, or ride the small cable car up the mountain.

Stop into the Gil Eannes, a former war hospital ship now open as a museum, then when hunger strikes, line up for one of the city's delectable specialties: bolas de berlim, a mouthwatering custard-filled donut dusted with sugar. The treats sell out twice a day but are definitely worth the wait. If you're interested in checking out the areas beyond the city, you have some great options. Viana's setting by the Lima River Estuary makes the town a great jumping-off point for exploring the lower Lima Valley, and you'll also find some lovely beaches just outside the city center.

Day 5: Hiking in Peneda-Gerês National Park, Transfer to Braga

Immerse yourself in Portugal's wild landscape on a full-day, small-group tour of Peneda-Gerês National Park, where you can hike up incredible mountains, admire local fauna and flora, drink in amazing viewpoints, and splash around in mesmerizing waterfalls.

The park will welcome you with sweeping views of the lush mountains, turquoise waterways, and the park's iconic stone bridges. You'll lead out on a mellow but gorgeous trek to see beautiful lagoons and the stunning Tahiti Waterfall. If you like, you can also go for a dip in the therapeutic (though cold!) waters. You'll also enjoy a traditional picnic lunch at Pedra Bella, one of Gerês' most iconic viewpoints while you rest with the mountain at your feet and admire the incredible surrounding scenery.

After your excursion, you'll get back on the road for the hour's drive south to the charming town of Braga, where you'll spend the night. Explore the city's historic streets as the sun sets and ask your specialist for a recommendation for a great restaurant in town for this evening's dinner!

Day 6: Discover the Triangle of Faith in Braga, Explore Guimarães

Today you'll dive deeper into scenic Braga, where you'll visit the sanctuaries that comprise the Triangle of Faith— the storied Braga Cathedral (one of the most important buildings in the country thanks to its long history and representations of different architectural styles), as well as the gorgeous Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte and Our Lady of Sameiro, both of which are important pilgrimage sites. After you tour the landmarks, enjoy some free time in the city, check out the great local shops, and fuel up with a delicious Portuguese lunch before hitting the road to nearby Guimarães, where you'll spend the afternoon.

Start your exploration of Guimarães with a visit to the imposing medieval castle, then wander around the delightful historic center, which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Wherever you are in the city, you'll have a great view of the fortified towers of the Palace of the Dukes of Braganza, which always loom above the skyline. The architecture of the palace's exterior shows the influence of 14th-century French buildings, but the vibe here is still Portuguese at heart. At the end of the day, transfer back to Braga.

Day 7: Transfer to the Douro Valley, Full-Day Winery Tour & River Cruise

This morning, you'll have breakfast at your hotel in Braga. At the designated time, a driver will pick you up for the 1.5-hour transfer to the Douro Valley, a fertile growing region that produces some of Portugal's best wines. The history of wine cultivation in this area dates back over 2,000 years, and the UNESCO-listed region is known for both its port and table wines.

Your full-day tour includes a visit to a quinta (winery), where you'll tour vineyards and production facilities, and enjoy a wine tasting. You'll then drive to a nearby country town where your guide will recommend the perfect restaurant for a leisurely lunch of traditional Portuguese cuisine, followed by another wine tasting. After a few hours of indulgence, stretch out aboard a riverboat for an hour-long cruise down the tranquil Douro River. Relax and admire the beautiful scenery of the valley's rolling hills and terraced riverbanks before settling into your peaceful local accommodations.

Day 8: Free Day in the Douro Valley, Optional Activities

Spend today in the Douro Valley any way you wish! The area is known for its vineyards chiseled into green mountains and world-famous wine estates that date back to the 18th century. Explore nearby idyllic villages, go wine tasting, and sample fantastic regional restaurants—all accessed by the valley's winding scenic roads. If you're looking for culture, the town of Lamego is home to the Museu de Lamego, one of Portugal's best museums. Located in a grand palace, the collection showcases important paintings, tapestries, and chapels dating back to the 16th century.

Curious about port wine production? Take a guided tour of a winery and enjoy tastings at some of the most notable vineyards in the valley. Or if blends are more your speed, you can instead focus your wine exploration at vineyards specializing in delicious blends and table wines. Foodies can opt to visit a local olive oil producer to learn more about olive harvest and pressing: the valley's olive oil is highly regarded for its incredible flavor.

If you're itching to get back on the water, end your day with another relaxing boat trip along the Douro; relax as you glide atop the water and be sure to bring your camera to make the most of several magnificent viewpoints along your voyage.

Day 9: Transfer to Porto, Free Afternoon

Today you'll bid farewell to the tranquillity of the Douro Valley and return to the charm and flavor of Porto. When you arrive in the city, you'll have the day to spend however you like. Head out to see any sights you may have missed at the beginning of your trip.

If you're looking to discover some of the city's hidden gems, head back to Foz, then relax at one of its nearby beaches. There are a bevy of great museums to see too; in the west of the city, Fundação de Serralves is a massive complex that includes a contemporary art museum, a park, and a stunning villa. When you feel peckish, pop around Mercado do Bolhão; the 19th-century open-air structure is home to vendors specializing in delicious local treats, produce, and lovely home goods.

Tonight, take advantage of the town's culinary scene and enjoy a dinner of fresh locally caught seafood and some wonderful wine from the nearby wine region. 

Day 10: Depart Porto

It's time to say goodbye to Portugal! Depending on the time of your flight, you may be able to squeeze in one more walk through the streets of Porto or perhaps pick up some last-minute souvenirs. At the designated time, you'll be picked up at your hotel and transferred to the airport for your departing flight. Safe travels!

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