northern portugal beach towns

One of the many Porto Wine Caves open for tours is Caves Ferreria. All opinions, words, and photos, remains those of the editor. From the center of the bridge, most of the city of Porto, and much of the Douro River is visible. Go to find deals on everything from fruits, vegetables, and meats, to clothes, tools, and bedding. 10. Northern Portugal Central Portugal The Azores The Algarve The Algarve is a region that covers the southern part of Portugal. The city of Aveiro is located about 50 km south of Porto in the mouth of the Vouga River, the Aveiro Lagoon. Gavio Nature Village. Melgao . Lined with colourful restaurants serving traditional Northern Portuguese cuisine on terraces overlooking the river, this district is a must see for any traveller. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Canide Beach is easy to reach, just 15 minutes from Porto, and is a huge sweep of soft sand divided into Sul and Norte. In this article we cover our Best Coastal Towns and Beaches in North Portugal including top attractions and a few off the beaten track gems. Posted on Last updated: 17th February 2023. Its a truly atmospheric and ancient village where local traditions are still played out in the streets, especially during religious holidays and its good walking country too. Explore the River Douro en Route on a Cruise to Foz a Barca DAlva. After tracing every inch of the incredible Portuguese coastline, we present to you the ultimate compilation of best coastal towns in Portugal. Planning a big event? Douro Valley 6. Olivers Vampire Weekender Only the Undead Should Apply! Mindelo Beach. With long stretches of sand and some picturesque rock outcrops, Apulia does not disappoint. Magical and enchanting, the landscape follows the Douro River, one of the main rivers of the Iberian Peninsula. I believe that if we dont know our origins we dont truly know ourselves. From the Basilica of the Sacred Heart on Santa Luzia Hill, a stunningly ornate 19th century domed church overlooking the town and the Atlantic Ocean, to the Praa da Repblica, the old town central square surrounded by an assortment of Baroque, Gothic and Renaissance buildings and monuments, Viana will never leave you feeling empty handed. Built with excellent craftsmanship and attention to detail, many of the historical navigation instruments, sails, ropes, and other details are just as they would have been centuries ago. Here is our top 10 of the places to visit in Northern Portugal. You don't need to bring your own boards; there are plenty of places to rent them. Otherwise, for drinkers of vinho, a sample of the local tipple is an absolute must! Despite its wonderful setting, Foz Coa only became a tourist attraction and one of the best places to visit in the last 20 years. Northern Portugal is a region of rich culture and history. The landscape is beautiful and surrounded by stunning villages with, I think, the best wine in the world, and typical Alentejo cuisine. There is also a university, founded in 1559; this is truly a cultural city. This is one of the prettiest beaches in Northern Portugal and even Europe. may take at least half a day but count on a day because, once in Ponte de Lima, you wont want to leave. It's a veritable paradise for lovers of sand, sea, and sun. Buying a bottle to bring home from your trip makes for a great Portugal souvenir. The Nau Quinhentist is a replica of a Vila do Conde built ship used around the 16thcentury for Portuguese explorers and navy. Subscribe to Sophies YouTube Channel. Situated in a tiny village characterised by its many slate houses, the Romanesque Monastery of Cte is made all the more magical by the presence of a tiny cloister with plenty of greenery. In the north of Portugal's west coast, exposed to the throes of the Atlantic Ocean, there are many industrial old seafaring towns fraught with history and impressive architecture, while the central and southern west coast is where you'll find surfers en masse, stunning natural parks, and staggering cliffs. Many offerings of restaurants, entertainment, boating and the entryway to the Wine tasting across the bridge. Cities 1 Porto the main hub and largest city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site 2 Amarante a beautiful city and a popular pilgrimage destination 3 Braga the country's religious capital city, sprawling along the Cvado valley 4 Bragana one of the oldest cities in Portugal, with a fine medieval castle 5 Espinho a seaside resort and fishing town While visiting the Douro Valley, some of the mandatory stops are Pocinho, Pinho, Peso da Rgua, and Miranda do Douro. JK Rowling lived in Porto from 1991 1993, while she was writing the first Harry Potter book. One of the most pleasant things one can do in Braga is leisurely stroll around the historic center to visit the many churches and admire the houses and historical buildings. The beaches close to Viana do Castelo are also very nice, however, the water is coldvery cold!even in Summer. The around Chaves is a key place to visit as its famous for being a great thermal region, offering travelers several spas and thermal baths. Last but not least, if youre planning a trip to this stunning destination for yourself, be sure to read our Portugal travel tips guide to help you avoid common travel mistakes that visitors to the South Western European country make! Now it is believed that the different appearance of the Povoans is due to historical interaction and marriage with other seafaring villages in northern Europe. Easy to reach by car (or you can book a jeep tour like this one if you so prefer), these highlands are home to granite tors (i.e. This city has an appealing historic centre. Pido has featured in historical accounts since the 14th century, and was probably used by medieval fugitives hiding in the wild Portuguese mountains. Porto is the crown jewel of Northern Portuguese coast. Passenger boats line up along the waters edge to take travellers on tours up and down the Douro River for a truly unique view of the city. Aplia is a quiet spot with a natural beauty under protection as part of the Northern Litoral Natural Park. Livraria Lello: Is this the Most Beautiful Bookshop in Porto? The beautiful capital of NorthernPortugal doesnt need introduction, but know that by visiting Porto youll have a taste of what the north has to offer. Praia Fluvial de Adafe. You cant visit NorthernPortugal and miss the oldest town in Portugal. Cais da Ribeira. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. If you prefer a more authentic beach holiday, Surf Camp Esmoriz is an excellent option. This is one of the best beaches in Northern Portugal and a great launching pad for Ponte de Barca and Ponte de Lima. Easily some of the best food youre likely to find anywhere in Northern Portugal, the tapas-style dishes are made for sharing. Just a 50-minute metro ride from Porto, this is an easy day trip from the country's second city. Now, this route is limited to 3 500 people per day and they have to pay one euro fee this money will be used to maintain the route in good condition. In order to reach the sanctuary, travelers may climb the steep hill on foot, or take a funicular. Without a doubt, a different way to explore this region and admire the landscape from another perspective. To see the coves, caves and other mesmerising rock formations, walk along the paths of Ponta de Piedade, or take a scenic boat ride; there are plenty of hidden beaches to be found, including Praia do Camilo. From the beach, you can see the neo-Byzantine Temple of the Sacred Heart of Jesus perched atop a mountain. Grab a free table as the sun goes down and watch the light dance on the Douro as the Portuguese have for centuries. Though this beach is teaming with Surf Schools during warmer months, there is still plenty of space for everyone. You can visit Porto in 2 days but it wont be enough. Finally, when visiting Chaves, dont forget to try the local specialties: Pastel de Chaves, the hams, and sausages. A Map of the Most Vegetarian Friendly Countries in the World. As almost half of Portugals circumference is rugged scenic coastline, it probably wont come as a shock to hear that the country is lined with charming coastal towns. Discover the Minho Coast on a 4X4 Tour Minho Coastal Discover the coastline of Minho. solosophie is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Along the oceanfront of Esposende is the protectedNorthern Littoral Natural Park. Our favorites include: Guimares is located 50 km north of Porto and its regarded as the birth of the Portuguese nation due to the fact that the Battle of So Mamede was fought there, which is considered the crucial event for the foundation of Portugal. Walking through the village is definitely the best way to visit it, and while doing so you might as well try some of its famous conventual pastry. Try Tasquinha da Linda, a tiny restaurant that serves excellent Portuguese dishes; feast on oysters, octopus, mussels and, for epicureans, barnacles. With gardens, statues, and a fountain residing before a beautiful backdrop of blue ocean, the Santurio da Senhora da Guia is a must see in Esposende. 3. Try thepastel de nata,bifana, Portuguese beer, Port wines and more! This beach offers entertainment for the whole family. Indeed, this is the most Gothic of all Romanesque buildings in Portugal. The gorse and grassy landscape is also home to a plethora of evidence of human inhabitation from Neolithic times to the Bronze Age. The church itself is iconic and would be enough for a visit, but its location and the lookout over the city, the Lima River, and the ocean is majestic. 11 of the best beaches in Portugal Regis St. Louis May 9, 2023 5 min read Portugal has many wonderful beaches. Any amateur sommelier or adventurous traveler must take the chance to step beneath the city and see this unique Porto wine being made. We won't send you spam. 1. Home to a plethora of things to do for every taste, budget, and time-scale, heres your guide to the most breathtakingly beautiful places to visit in Northern Portugal. The local granite buildings come with a beautifully formed wooden walkway through the old town. Espinho Beach is the top Surf Destination in the North of Portugal. The city had a glorious past thanks to its strong maritime tradition, particularly due to its naval shipyards. Out in the Atlantic Ocean, almost 1,448km (900mi) west of mainland Portugal, lie the Azores, an intriguing nine-island volcanic cluster. It was in this historic canal city, sometimes regarded as the Portuguese Venice, that we discovered art nouveau buildings, vast and unspoiled beaches lined with distinctively colourful striped houses (originally huts built by local fishermen), and a range of eating options (try the traditional egg sweets ovos moles) including vegetarian/vegan, sometimes a rarity elsewhere in the country. Foz Coa literally means the mouth of Coa (river) and its where the Coa River drains into the Douro. In fact, it isnt only far from the rest of Gers, its far from everything in Portugal. The history buff will not want to miss this unique relic of a time passed. Its a very different attraction, but one that we strongly advise you to check and even spend a night, if you can. You can coast through its canals on a kayak, birdwatching as you go, lay idly on an empty beach, and grab some refreshments in Cabanas de Tavira, a small nearby resort village. Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning i get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you. In fact, one of the citys top attractions are the Roman baths. Last Updated on 17th February 2023 by Sophie Nadeau, Characterised by its rocky terrain, world-famous vineyards, and stunning towns, the North of Portugal remains one of the best-kept secrets of Western Europe. Aveiro has been called the Venice of Portugal thanks to a small network of canals running through much of the city. A short hop from Viana do Castelo, this honey-coloured arc is backed by wide dunes. While youre there, drop into Le Ptit Franais for brunch or coffee and delicious pastries sitting in a quiet sidestreet.Gus MacLeod, Santa Comba Do is a beautiful small inland city that overlooks the Cris river where it joins the Do, before the Do joins the Mondego. Visit in June for the festivities in honour of Senhor da Pedra. Porto is the biggest city and the main travel hub in northern Portugal. So many beautiful places. For any Harry Potter fan or lover of books, this bookstore is a destination that cannot be missed. But Lonely Planet isnt the only world famous name that is partial to this bookstore. Pvoa de Varzim is a small town and former fishing village with a unique cultural identity in Northern Portugal. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. During the day, drive through the wildflower meadows to Arrifana Beach to surf and sunbathe.Joseph Francis, Every week we ask our readers for recommendations from their travels. Amazing place for relaxing and having a good time in nature, with the river and to look at other families and friends. There are lots of surf clubsoffering lessons, and a handful of beach shacks serve up light eats. This mural displays a history of the people and the history of Pvoa de Varzim. In a hindsight, the archaeologists brought the petroglyphs to the worlds attention, the dam construction was canceled, the paintings became a UNESCO World Heritage Site and now Foz Coa is one of the most interesting things to visit in Portugal. There are lovely towns along the southern coast with gold sand beaches in the Algarve. In addition to all this, you will also have the opportunity to enjoy a wonderful dinner and taste wine from Douro Wine Region. From powdery swathes edged by sweeping dunes to rocky bays at the foot of wave-lashed cliffs, North Portugal beaches are some of the finest in the country. The beaches around Caminha are some of our favorite in northern Portugalhowever, remember the water is very cold! Originally an old fishing town on the outskirts of Lisbon, Cascais has become a popular destination for those looking for equal amounts of exploration and relaxation. You may visit Guimares in a day and the historic centre in half a day. The town is much smaller and quieter than Sintra and Cascais, allowing it to offer an authenticity to Portuguese life that its neighbours cant. While discovering the park, dont miss the opportunity to visit the historic centre of the city of Bragana. To reach the coastline, featuring some of the wildest views on the west coast, you have to drive through the Parque Natural do Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina, a breathtaking untouched nature preserve which wraps around Portugals rugged southwest corner. Please read my disclosure for more info. Vila Do Conde is the next coastal city, located at the mouth of the River Ave. From the Age of Discovery until the 20th century, Vila do Conde is known for shipbuilding.

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