Guided Walking Tour in Portugal's north

Oporto airport arrival

Today at the appropriate time, you will be met at the airport to transfer you to your hotel. There are no activities planned for this day. No meals provided today. Overnight in Porto.

Porto

The tour starts with a pleasant walking tour in the UNESCO World Heritage Historical Center (without van or car) where you can admire magnificent monuments and sites, starting by the impressive settlement of over 20.000 blue tiles in São Bento Train Station. Then, proceeding to the 12th century Porto’s Cathedral where we’ll get to know even more about the city history and the History of Portugal. Then, we’ll be venturing down the alleys of the medieval district all the way to the commercial street “Rua das Flores”, filled with flowers, street live artists and art-craft, passing before the astonishing City Hall, up to the Clérigos Tower and its beautiful noble quarter. Being the most animated location in town, it’s where we will have lunch at a restaurant with local gastronomy.

In the afternoon, discover the modern district of the city, such as Boavista and its magnificent “Casa da Música”, modern and architectural city landmark, proceeding to meet the river and crossing the riverside of the Douro river to Vila Nova de Gaia, where you will be presented with a guided visit in a traditional Wine Cellar “Cave” and taste this rich, complex and worldwide renowned fortified wine – the Port Wine (Standard 2 great wines). Still having the flavor of this nectar on our tongues, it’s time to enjoy the 6 Bridges Boat Cruise on the River Douro (duration: 1 hour), aboard a traditional “Rabelo” boat and experience the panoramic views of the surrounding hills and at the red-tiled rooftops of the medieval houses, as well as the famous bridges of the city. Dinner is not included. Overnight in Braga.

Braga and Guimarães

After breakfast, we have a small briefing about Bom Jesus do Monte Shrine. Ascent will be made on the lift. This is the first funicular of the Iberian Peninsula. This lift uses the system water balance, and it is currently the world oldest, in service, use this ecological system. The cabins have a water tank, full when you are at the top level, and emptying at the bottom. The difference in weight allows the obtained displacement, the amount of water is calculated depending on the number of passengers. The descent of the mount will be done on foot. Then, we will visit the cathedral and downtown. On the afternoon we visit Guimarães. A historic town, exceptionally well-preserved and an authentic example of the evolution of a medieval settlement into a modern town. (Guimarães’ Castel – ticket is included). Lunch and dinner are not included. Overnight in Braga.

Walking in Douro

Our challenge for the day is to join us and discover some of the most beautiful treasures the Douro has to offer... After a journey of about one and a half hour, the day starts at Pinhão, with an excellent view over the Douro River. The walking tour will be around the vineyards of the Quinta. That is an easy walking tour, which affords glorious views of the river. The Douro Valley demarcated wine region is one of the most scenically impressive in the world, as evidenced by its status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From this unique terroir come the grapes used to make Portugal’s famous Port wine as well as exquisite table wines. We will have lunch at a restaurant with local gastronomy.

After lunch, it is time to visit the famous train station of the region. To finish the day we will visit a wine estate and taste the famous Port wine (Standard 2 great wines). Difficulty: Easy. Distance: 5 km – 3.10 miles. Duration: 1 day. Dinner is not included. Overnight in Braga.

Walking in Sistelo – Arcos de Valdevez

Sistelo won this title in 2017, in the category of Rural Villages, standing out for its endless agricultural terraces. That is the reason Sistelo also called "Little Tibet". These have created a peculiar landscape and example of human resilience in adapting to the environment. This tour will pass through mountain areas, rural areas and remarkable villages in the history of Portugal. With about three hundred inhabitants. Everything and everyone in Sistelo sounds like the good old days. The fountain, in the centre of the square, marks the ending point and the details of the houses invite us to curiosity. Iron staircases, stone steps, sheer white draperies, and half-open wooden doors are typical of a village where peace reigns. It includes a guided walking tour in the Vez Ecovia, an incredible path, where we will admire wooden walkways, Roman road, green mountains, crystal-clear lagoons, native flora, and fauna. Difficulty: Easy. Distance: 10 km – 6.20 miles. Duration: 1/2 day. Lunch and dinner are not included. Overnight in Braga.

Póvoa de Varzim (Portuguese Way of Santiago)

The last day of the trip we have a beautiful walk on the beach. Follow your local guide the boardwalks alongside sandy beaches and between sand dunes and windmills. A walk with a lesser degree of difficulty, which will serve to appreciate the landscape, learn the fisher community of Póvoa de Varzim and smell the sea air. Along the walk, you will see small groups doing the Camino Portugues Coastal Way. Lunch and dinner are not included. Overnight in Braga.

Transfer to the airport (Oporto Airport)

End of the program. The transfer is included from your hotel in Braga to the airport. There are no activities planned for this day. Suggestion: Book extra night - Full day post-tour extension, contact us for details.