northern portugal beach towns

Check my top 10 of the places to visit in Northern Portugal Please try again. Diving in the Bahamas: Best Spots for Amazing Wildlife, The 10 Best Beaches in the South of France, Dive In! The beach at Caminha wraps around the coast and alongside the river giving beachgoers two options: the ocean or the river. Bragas Cathedral was built in the 12th century by the parents of Portugals first King, D. Henrique, and D. Teresa, who were later buried there. Contedos do Artigo - Sommaire - Contents. Best coastal towns and beaches in north Portugal Northern Portugal travel guide, Copyright 2023 Surfivorcamp - All Rights Reserved. In Guimares, the two main buildings are the Castle of Guimares and the Palace of the Dukes of Bragana. Vessels from Vila Do Conde spread Portuguese influence to Asia, Africa and South America. The centre of the local municipality, it used to provide a summer retreat for the wealthy. 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. Azenhas do Mar is a quaint seaside town perched on a spine-tingling cliffs edge in the Parque Natural de Sintra-Cascais. Aveiro is usually dubbed as the Portuguese Venice because of its high-prowed boats, bridges, and the network of picturesque canals. She currently splits her time between Paris and London. In this article youll find some of the most beautiful places in this Portuguese region and in the country. 3. The shopper in any travel group could spend hours here wandering through the stalls hunting for deals. Today, tourists travel to Porto to enjoy the exquisite food, the beautiful views, and the charm of its historic center. A wide promenade traces the coastline, which is great for sea-view strolls. JK Rowling lived in Porto from 1991 1993, while she was writing the first Harry Potter book. Theres also plenty to capture your imagination within the walls of Lagos old town too, like the medieval Castle of Lagos and Igreja de Santo Antnio, as well as its vibrant atmosphere. Gavio Nature Village. Photograph: Jon Lovette/Alamy A beautiful historic city, vora is a living museum with monuments from Roman times. 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. 20. Geeks, Phoenicians, Romans, and Moors all recognized the importance of the town port. 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. To visit the Douro valley I encourage you to go on a Douro cruise leaving from Porto or to visit the region by car, through the roads next to the river Douro, to enjoy the marvellous landscape. Livraria Lello: Is this the Most Beautiful Bookshop in Porto? One can have a river cruise, a road trip, a train trip, a helicopter ride, or even explore it by bike! A 10th century ruined Moorish castle watches over Aljezur, which is split in two by a narrow river. Towns you shouldn't miss near the Spanish-Portuguese border. Viana do Castelo was known until 1848 as Viana da Foz do Lima. During Roman times, Braga (Bracara Augusta) was the capital of the province of Gallaecia, and later on Braga became the first Portuguese Diocese. may take at least half a day but count on a day because, once in Ponte de Lima, you wont want to leave. 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 9 Best Beach Towns in Portugal to Visit this Summer - Travel Snippet Bragas history dates back more than 2000 years and is considered the Portuguese Rome because of its countless churches and two shrines Bom Jesus do Monte and Sameiro. Walk through the cobblestone roads to take in the evolving architecture of this small village. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Incredible Things To Do In Madeira Portugal, 10 Incredible Things To Do In Madeira Portugal. You cant visit NorthernPortugal and miss the oldest town in Portugal. In other words, it's a paradise for beach lovers. Lamego Central . Its in this region that the famous Port wine is produced. Ofir Beach is one of the gems of Esposende. Around 200 meters off the coast theres the impressive (and picture-perfect) 17th century Forte de Insua. Chaves has also been strategically important for centuries since it was the first defense against invaders. Visit theofficial siteto get the necessary information (GPS coordinates, map, opening hours and buying tickets). Indeed, this is the most Gothic of all Romanesque buildings in Portugal. The route stretches from the river beaches of Areinho and Espiunca, lying between them, the Vau beach. The city had a glorious past thanks to its strong maritime tradition, particularly due to its naval shipyards. Miranda do Douro is also famous for its delicious posta mirandesa, an extremely tasty and large veal steak made from calves raised in this region. . Here, traditional houses and narrow alleys combine to reveal glimpses of the town's rich past, filled with history and intrigue. Visit Olivers Travels to check out our full portfolio of beautiful villas all over the world, and if you fancy making your holiday that bit extra special, contatc our friendly concierge team who will be happy to help tailor your stay to make it unique and memorable! Their mission is to keep on discovering new countries and sharing their tips on smart and budget traveling on their site Travel Drafts. Many offerings of restaurants, entertainment, boating and the entryway to the Wine tasting across the bridge. Minho and Northern Portugal Travel Guide | Oliver's Travels The beaches have fine sand, clear water, and good waves. Lose yourself in the streets of Chaves and visit historical places like the Fort of So Francisco, the Fort ofSo Neutel and the donjon of Chaves castle. Miramar beach is a great way to spend an afternoon relaxing outside of the relative bustle of Porto. Lets dive into the most interesting things to do in Northern Portugal, and what you should know when planning when, where, and how to visit. Magical and enchanting, the landscape follows the Douro River, one of the main rivers of the Iberian Peninsula. 10 of the Best Beach Towns in Portugal Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. 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. Enjoyed reading about the highlights of Northern Portugal? Every Monday Espinho hosts one of the largest weekly markets in Portugal. Lagos is a typical Portuguese white-wash terracotta-tiled town teetering on the cliffs of the Algarve onto the Atlantic Ocean. 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. Tips For Organising an Event at a Private Venue. Tavira sits along the scenic inlet of the Ria Formosa Natural Park on Portugals Algarve Coast, where rivers weave through dry marsh-like islands creating a natural 60 kilometre-long playground for both humans and wildlife. But thats one of its key appeals. Ribeira is probably the most famous area in Porto with its old houses, narrow alleys, the Douro river, and D. Luis Bridge. Some of the most famous (and beautiful) attractions in Gers National Park are: Here are four key tours to consider to get the most out of a visit to Gers National Park: The Douro valley is a big region where the Douro river snakes through the hills of vineyards creating incredibly scenic views. Plenty of spots and beaches have opened up in the north of Portugal for people who want to avoid the crowds of the Algarve. One particular similarity is the unique staircase of the bookstore and the moving staircases in Hogwarts castle. From the beach, you can see the neo-Byzantine Temple of the Sacred Heart of Jesus perched atop a mountain. More than 8 000 people visited this marvellous place every day. The small fee is worth it to enjoy the spectacular view of Viana Do Castelo. Considering herself, and the rest of us, as global citizens, Emilys mission as a writer and journalist is to expand global consciousness of the fundamental importance of travel, culture, and diversity. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Matosinhos Beach and Porto are the perfect Surf City combination. And if its warm enough ,one can even dive into the water to refresh! The landscape is beautiful and. 10. Portugal Inspiration The Most Beautiful Small Towns in Portugal From coastal Carvalhal to 13th-century Marvo. 15 Best Portugal Beach Towns - THE EVOLISTA Lamego Take a trip into this region to eat well, bask in history, and chill like the locals. Planning a big event? Caves Ferreria was founded in 1751. Back ashore, you can admire the sea crash thunderously against the 25-metre-tall limestone cliff face at Cabo Carvoeiro, or watch it swirl and tumble at Praia dos Superturbos, one of the towns many beaches, where the worlds best surfers catch a wave. solosophie participates in various affiliate marketing programs. See below my suggestions! in a day and the historic centre in half a day. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Every year in Spring Espinho hosts the WSL Espinho Pro Junior surf competition, and most years the WSLLongboardPro. The Sanctuary of Santa Luzia is a beautiful structure located on a hill overlooking the city of Viana Do Castelo. Nevertheless, we strongly advise you to visit some other important attractions, too, like the neoclassical Stock Exchange building, the Cathedral, Clrigos Tower, the modernist House of music, and Portos city park. After all this time in the hills, take a leisurely bike ride along the ocean front. 20. In 1314, Queen Isabel of Portugal ordered expansion of the building with renovations designed to block off the river flooding so the nuns could return to living at the convent. Originally from the UK, Emily Draper has lived in Chile, with an Amazonian tribe in Peru, in a Wisconsin trailer park, and on a boat in the Mediterranean Sea. This city on the Douro River of just under 300,000 people is dripping with rich history, stunning architecture, and unique culture. It can be worth going twice to see it in the day and night. Beaches. Sites like the town fortress, the castle, the aqueduct and the army museum I found to be very interesting. Port wine grapes are grown in the Douro Valley of northern Portugal, so why is it that this world famous wine is named after the city of Porto? Conveniently located 75 km north of Porto, it is easily accessible by car and rail. Try Tasquinha da Linda, a tiny restaurant that serves excellent Portuguese dishes; feast on oysters, octopus, mussels and, for epicureans, barnacles. The Costa Verde is renowned for its seafood, with a cluster of restaurants serving eel, Minho trout and salmon. Situated on the far north of Portugals west coast on the mouth of River Ave, Vila do Conde is a little more industrial and somewhat unusual than the towns youd find in the south, as it was historically a seafaring and shipbuilding town. The small cobbled alleys and the balconied houses lend a medieval and even romantic touch to Amarante. Northern Portugal is a region of rich culture and history. In order to reach the sanctuary, travelers may climb the steep hill on foot, or take a funicular. Nazar 8. I was astonished by the amazing landscape, by the kindness of the population and by the beauty of the little villages, some of them still communitarian. Olivers Vampire Weekender Only the Undead Should Apply! Here are three we recommend! Some of the newer structures built around 4thcentury AD embody Roman influence. A gondola provides an easy route up Penha hill, a huge area of forest and gigantic boulders, with a remarkable mid-20th-century church drawing crowds on Catholic feast days and festivals. All opinions, words, and photos, remains those of the editor. The spacious property is set amongst vineyards and is around a fifteen-minute walk on foot from the town of Lousada, a town thats home to many bars, cafs, and of course, the interpretation centre for the Romanesque. Information: do you want to discover the Alto Douro Wine Region in a different way, in the company of an experienced guide who will show you the most beautiful corners of this region considered by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site? In 2011, Lonely Planet named Livraria Lello the 3rdmost beautiful bookstore in the world. However, many of Portugal's best beach towns are off the main transport routes. There was an error submitting your subscription. Alternatively and leaving from the square Praa de So Domingos, next to beautiful street Rua das Flores,this 4-hour activity starts at 17:00 so that you get hungry for what is coming. This city has an appealing historic centre. Foz Coa literally means the mouth of Coa (river) and its where the Coa River drains into the Douro. The picturesque Saint Gonalo bridge and the beautiful church next to it are the most important features of the historic center, while the garden park by the Tamega river gives Amarante the special touch that makes this village so appealing. 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. Best for scenery: Praia de Moledo, Caminha 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. Learn how your comment data is processed. 151. The best way to explore Porto is via walking and day tours. While doing an environmental impact study for a dam, researchers discovered an astounding collection of Palaeolithic art. Among historical launch sites of Portuguese exploration and trade posts we find modern beach and surf havens. Surrounded by a vineyard from which local wines are produced, once at the property, you can take a guided tour of the expansive gardens, sample some of the wine, or simply relax and watch the world go by. 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. Angra do Herosmo. This is a cute old town that combines different architectural styles. We loved exploring all the peculiar alleys made of schist rock, and tasting some the local cajadas milk tarts.Laura Di Stefano, Monsanto is a mountain village with houses built into rock formations and a fabulous pousada inn with a superb restaurant. The vineyards in the Douro Valley produce the famous Port wine, and the whole region has been a UNESCO heritage site since 2001. 12 of the Best Coastal Towns in Portugal - Early Traveler Aveiro Located in the mouth of the Vouga River, the charming Aveiro is a discontinuous territory in northern Portugal. In addition to the fantastic lunch filled with regional products, this tour through the Douro Wine Region will stop at three wine estates. As such, Matosinhos is an excellent place to go to learn to surf. The Montesinho Natural Park was my biggest surprise during my tour throughout the North of Portugal. The beautiful Rossio area of Aveiro makes for breath-taking sunset walks. You cant visit NorthernPortugal and miss the oldest town in Portugal. Best Beaches In Northern Portugal | Oliver's Travels Alternatively, click here and do the previous activity, but instead of visiting three, visit two wine estates and take a cruise on the Douro. Before my visit, in September, the route had been devastated by a wildfire, causing the destruction of more than 600 metres of wooden walkways. While one side oozes with Moorish charm, the other is a mix of old and new, and filled with delightful restaurants and cafes. . Our journey through Central Portugal begins in the Paiva Walkways, an 8-km route just 14 km away from Arouca. By Mary Lussiana May 31, 2022 There's more to Portugal than Lisbon and Porto. Nevertheless, if we had to choose a beach to visit using only public transport in the Greater Porto region, Espinho would be. 1. Getting Around Portugal Portugal is well connected with train and bus services, especially for major cities and towns. 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. Best Things To See And Do In Northern Portugal - TravelAwaits Tiago, 33 years old, Parisian for 18 years, I decided to go on an adventure and make my dream come true: get to know our country from one end to the other. Hidden Portugal: where to stay and what to do off the beaten track 15 Stunning Portugal Beach Towns - Museum of Wander Discover the Minho Coast on a 4X4 Tour Minho Coastal Discover the coastline of Minho. 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. Anchored in the river Ave, this replica can be boarded and explored by tourists and locals alike to imagine life as a Portuguese explorer. You can regularly find kite-surfers and surfers as well as football and beach volleyball matches. This long beach with clear water is a favourite among the locals to unwind and enjoy the lovely Portuguese summers. We have visited at least 30 Portugal Beach towns in the Algarve, Costa Vicentina, the Silver Coast and even Madeira. Here youll find ocean reefs, beach, dunes and a variety of fish & birds. Covento de Santa Claraconvent built in 1283 was inhabited and run by Catholic nuns. For a true taste of local cuisine during your time in this region of Europe, you cant miss out on the opportunity to go wine tasting. Well-known for its abundance of slate houses and small interpretation centre, what is perhaps most surprising about this tiny village of just a few hundred residents is the quality of its wine bar and restaurant. Photograph: Manuel Ribeiro/Alamy The only major destination. The plains of east Portugal stretch away to the west and from the castle above the village, it seems that you have a view of the whole country. But most Portuguese surfers are very friendly and localism is not a big problem. You may visit Guimares in a day and the historic centre in half a day. Porto is the crown jewel of Northern Portuguese coast. Posted on Last updated: 17th February 2023. Pvoa de Varzim is a small town and former fishing village with a unique cultural identity in Northern Portugal. Joo Domingues, Elvas is right next to the Spanish border and is full of historical meaning to Portugal, as many battles between Portugal and Spain have been fought in the area. The coast is peppered with old towns and cities built on fishing and ocean industries. Located next to the beach, Espinho Casino makes for an evening of fun and excitement. This well protected beach break has a wave for everyone from beginners to pros. It will be agastronomic tour to Ribeira, with stops along the way to enjoy the best Portuguese snacks and pastry. There is very little shade on the beach, so beware of the intense sun.

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