Top Things to do in Northern Portugal
What to do and see in Northern Portugal, Portugal: The Best Things to do Good for a Rainy Day
Brimming with both history and natural wonder, Northern Portugal is home to Porto, the city that gave the country its name, as well as the important ancient town of Braga. Also here is Peneda-Gerês, Portugal’s only national park, a gorgeous wilderness area of mountains, gorges, water features and wildlife. Many picturesque villages and manor houses dot the countryside. Two areas are UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Alto Douro Wine Region, and the Paleolithic rock art in the Côa Valley.
Restaurants in Northern Portugal
1. Teatro Cinema de Fafe
2. Igreja Matriz de Santa Maria de Valega
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 145 reviews
Válega church is a true masterpiece of tile painting art and surely one of the remarkable churches in Portugal! On sunset the church facade, facing west, is particularly beautiful, bathed by sunlight. A true golden temple that sparkles with its amazing tiles of many colours. The patronage of the church belonged to private owners until 1150. Válega is located 6,5 km away from the city of Ovar and it sure deserves a visit!
Reviewed By AndreAlvesPT - Lisbon, Portugal
It's a not that known gem in the country. Beautifully tiled church in a tiny village and the interior is also imponent with painted walls, wooden ceiling and the cemetery adjacent to it is also an "attraction".
3. Porto Augusto's
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,396 reviews
Reviewed By Alberto1102002 - Las Rozas, Spain
Fantastic, great experience and highly recommended. Our guide Sandra explained everything very warmly and solved our doubts. Best part is the final taste. The only thing is that Spaniards always like to eat something while drinking
4. Taylor's Port
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,767 reviews
Taylor’s, accepted by most wine authorities to be the greatest of all port shippers, invites you to a pleasant and informative tour of its famous lodges at Vila Nova de Gaia. During the tour the visitor will be given the opportunity to learn about the fascinating history of Port wine, as well as that of the House of Taylor Fladgate making it one of the oldest Port companies.
Reviewed By 45philips - Crewe, United Kingdom
Super interesting self guided audio tour, done at your own pace. Well laid out with plenty of photos, maps and diagrams to explain the history and process without getting too technical or boring. No need to book just turn up, we arrived around 11 on a Sunday morning and it wasn’t busy. Fantastic value at €15 a per person for the tour and 2 generous samples one red one white Tasting is in a beautiful garden area where you can also purchase a selection of snacks to compliment the ports you are tasting. Helpful and friendly staff throughout our visit. You can’t visit Porto and not come here.
5. Museu Grao Vasco
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 318 reviews
Reviewed By pedroa843 - Lisbon, Portugal
One of the most beautiful cathedrals that I have visited (I have seen quite a lot !). Intimist, well preserved and with an historical treasure which is unique!
6. Museu de Aveiro
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 405 reviews
Reviewed By carposmrs - Balbriggan, Ireland
This museum has to be one of Portugal's unsung heroes. There is so much to do and see in Portugal but this museum is a must see. My husband and I were blown away by the beauty of the little church and the wonderful ceilings. We spent about an hour and a half here wondering around taking photos just taking in the beauty all around us.
7. Palacio da Bolsa
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,347 reviews
National Monument, located in the historical centre of the city, classified as World Heritage Site by UNESCO, the Palacio da Bolsa, built by the Porto Commercial Association on the ruins of the Saint Francis Convent, has become by excellence the Porto city’s drawing room, welcoming the most illustrious visitors, amongst which are monarchs, presidents and ministers from almost every country, transforming this building into the most visited monument in northern Portugal.
Reviewed By JimRiesterer - Edina, United States
Formerly the HQ for the rich merchants of Porto and today the center of the chamber of commerce, you will want to take one of the short guided tours of this place next to the famous golden church. Tickets cost €10 and you will be guided through some historic and breathtaking rooms in the Stock exchange palace. Tours are offered in different languages throughout the day and you just need to pop into the ticket office to find out the day's schedule as it varies (apparently). We arrived 9:40 and we able to book the 10:15 English tour. Each group has around 50 people which can be a bit tedious. The tours follow a consistent plan beginning in the lofty hall of nations and ending in the amazing Arabic room. You also see the business court room and several others of note. We were done in a little under an hour.
8. Estadio do Dragao
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,947 reviews
Have you ever thought of taking a seat on the 22nd chair of the Dragao Stadium's Presidential Box? By visiting the Dragao Stadium, you will be able to experience the President's Jorge Nuno Pinto da Costa place and enjoy an inside and privileged look over this worldwide referenced work designed by architect Manuel Salgado. You will have the opportunity to see the pitch from the access tunnel's point of view, to feel the scent of the dressing rooms, to take the coach's seat on the press conference room just like you are making the match analysis... On this path you will appreciate an engineering project that delivers all of the requirements that make it environmentally friendly, you can witness on the stands the 29 kilometres of rows that can fill up to 52 thousand spectators and amaze yourself with the artistic legacy of Master Julio Resende and Alberto Carneiro. All of this in one tour only!
Reviewed By Prenton2
A fantastic place to visit tour of ground and museum €15 per person well worth the money as a trip. Tour guide very knowledgeable and after the tour of the stadium finished you are able to go around the museum unguided and at your own pace you can easily spend over 2 hours here the museum is never-ending ! Interesting day out if you like football. There is also a competitively priced cafe .
9. Paco dos Duques de Braganca
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,845 reviews
Reviewed By iolandaa21 - Lisbon, Portugal
Built in the first quarter of the 15th century its inner space is divided in several rooms, whose artifacts are just stunning - such as those in the Banquet Hall or the Hall of the lost steps, to mention just a few. The roof designed as the interior wooden keel of a boat is worth being admired. I was fortunate enough to have equally watched a temporary exhibit on Medieval torture instruments in one of the upper floor rooms.
10. O Navio Gil Eannes
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 818 reviews
Reviewed By Anfrist - Bucharest, Romania
This ship offers a very complete dive into the life of a sailor in modern days, showing living quarters, command rooms, engine rooms, decks, kitchen, social areas and medical ones. Very nice views as well.
