Discover its fascinating wilderness, good food and ancient cities. Visit Guimarães and take a trip back in time with its castle that tells the story of the very beginnings of Portugal, or climb the steps of the Sanctuary of Santa Luzia, in Viana do Castelo, with its stunning panoramic views over the sea and the city. Lovers of nature can roam through the striking natural landscapes endowed with waterfalls and lush mountains in the Peneda-Gerês National Park.
You can visit Northern Portugal at any time of the year, as each season offers different landscapes and distinctive traditions which are well worth experiencing.
The weather is milder in spring and autumn and this is the best time for engaging in various outdoor activities. In summer, the warm days are an invitation to take a swim at any of the beaches along the coast or bordering rivers. If you prefer cold weather and hearty food, you can visit this region in the winter, as some areas are covered in snow and provide a magical spectacle.
There are several ways to get to the North of Portugal and the best way depends on your preference and starting point. If you are travelling a long distance, the best option is to fly to Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport in Porto. If you are starting your journey in mainland Portugal, the train and bus are comfortable and affordable alternatives.
If you intend to explore the region at your own pace and with greater flexibility for visiting places that are off the beaten track, then you should travel by car, as the region has several high-quality roads.
This region is known for its delicious, abundant cuisine, rooted in local ingredients and traditions.
Braga-style cod, Minho-style rojões (fried pork) and Mirandesa steak are some of the delicacies you really should taste. Try a glass of the region´s refreshing Vinho Verde with your meal. As for desserts, Northern Portugal is equally well served with mouth-watering options such as Amarante sponge cake and Abbot of Priscos pudding.
Discovering the north region entails visiting magical places dating back to ancient times. Regarded as the “cradle of the Portuguese nation”, every street in the city of Guimarães, a UNESCO World Heritage, tells the story of Portugal.
Further north, in Braga, climb the steps up to the Bom Jesus and Sameiro sanctuaries for a unique experience and admire the breath-taking landscapes.
Visit Valença and prepare to be impressed by the majestic fortress guarding the city and the incredible views over the River Minho.
Travel on to Bragança, where you´ll find a magnificent castle, considered one of the best preserved in Portugal. In Gerês, visit the Peneda Sanctuary, where the surrounding nature and spirituality of the place create an inspirational setting.
The North of Portugal is home to a number of impressive natural wonders. Head to Peneda-Gerês National Park, be mesmerised by the majestic mountains, trails, natural pools and stunning waterfalls.
One of the highlights of the Atlantic coast, between Esposende and Viana do Castelo, is the Parque Natural do Litoral Norte (North Coast Nature Park), a setting of rare beauty with golden dunes, serene beaches, estuaries and wetlands. The region is a vital refuge for migratory birds and is home to a rich diversity of coastal flora and wildlife.
Are you looking for a Pestana Hotel in Northern Portugal? Check out these suggestions.
Our hotels in Northern Portugal
Northern Portugal stretches from the Atlantic coast to the mountains of the Trás-os-Montes interior, with Porto as the region's capital city and the second largest in the country. It is known for the Douro Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the oldest demarcated wine region in the world (since 1756), where Port wine originates, cultivated on terraces. It also encompasses the verdant Minho region (Vinho Verde) and historic cities such as Guimarães ("birthplace of the nation", a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and Braga (sanctuaries). In addition, there is the Peneda-Gerês National Park, the only one in the country.
In the North, the Pestana Group has four hotels in Porto and the Douro Valley: the Pestana Vintage Porto (5 stars, in Ribeira, UNESCO, overlooking the Douro River and the Dom Luís I Bridge); the Pestana Palácio do Freixo (18th-century Baroque palace by Nicolau Nasoni, a National Monument on the riverfront, part of the Pousadas de Portugal and The Leading Hotels of the World); the Pestana Porto - A Brasileira (on Rua Sá da Bandeira, connected to the century-old café A Brasileira); Pousada Porto Rua das Flores (on the emblematic Rua das Flores, in the heart of Porto, housed in an 18th-century building); and the Pestana Douro Riverside (former 19th-century factory, on the banks of the Douro River, 10 minutes from the city center). The offer is completed with Pousadas in the North, such as Guimarães (Santa Marinha), Amares/Gerês, Caniçada-Gerês, Viana do Castelo, Bragança, and Valença do Minho.
You can visit all year round, but the best time is between May and October, with mild weather for the Ribeira do Porto, the Douro Valley, and the Gerês mountains. Spring fills the Minho region with greenery and flowers; summer allows you to combine city, mountains, and the beaches of the northern coast. September and October are magical in the Douro Valley: it's the harvest season, when the terraced vineyards take on golden hues and many wineries open for grape picking. Winter, cooler in the summer, is the season of warm flavors, wineries, and the sanctuaries of Braga.
The gateway is Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport in Porto (OPO), one of the highest-rated in Europe, with quick access to the city center via the Porto Metro. The region is well served by highways and trains (Campanhã and São Bento stations). For the Douro Valley, the options are scenic: by car along the terraced roads, by train on the historic Douro Line (along the river), or by boat, on cruises departing from Ribeira and Gaia towards Pinhão and Régua.
In Porto: the Ribeira district along the Douro River (a UNESCO World Heritage site), the Dom Luís I Bridge, the Clérigos Tower, the Lello Bookstore, São Bento Station, and the Port wine cellars in Gaia. In the Douro Valley: explore the terraced vineyards, take a cruise to Pinhão, and enjoy wine tastings in the world's oldest demarcated wine region. Further north, visit Guimarães (its medieval center and castle, the birthplace of the nation) and Braga (the Bom Jesus do Monte Sanctuary and its Baroque staircase). Nature takes center stage in the Peneda-Gerês National Park
On the Porto-Braga-Guimarães axis, the train and the Porto Metro are the most practical and fastest, avoiding traffic and parking; in the center of Porto, many points are accessible on foot or by historic tram (Ribeira-Foz). For the Douro Valley, the interior of Trás-os-Montes and Gerês, the car is the most flexible, giving access to farms, viewpoints and villages. Alternatively, the Douro Line offers a scenic train journey, and river cruises allow you to travel between Porto and the Upper Douro by water.