Northern Portugal is where the country was born, and where traditions are strongest. This private journey starts in Porto, follows the terraced vineyards of the Douro, and continues to the historic cities of Guimarães and Braga, the markets and coast of the Minho, and the canals of Aveiro. Your guide travels with you every step of the way, like a local friend.
Tour includes
- Exclusive local guide and driver
- Comfortable private transport
- Wi-Fi and bottled water on board
- Insurance, taxes and driver expenses
A journey made for you
Day by day (7-day base itinerary)
Day 1 – Porto. Arrival and a first evening walk along the Ribeira riverfront.
Day 2 – Porto and Gaia. São Bento station, the Cathedral, Livraria Lello and the Clérigos Tower. In the afternoon, cross the Dom Luís I Bridge for a port wine tasting in Gaia.
Day 3 – The Douro Valley. A day among the terraced vineyards of this UNESCO-listed wine region, with a quinta visit and a traditional lunch among the vines.
Day 4 – Guimarães and Braga. Guimarães, the “birthplace of Portugal”, with its castle and medieval centre. Then Braga, Portugal’s religious capital, and the monumental stairway of Bom Jesus do Monte.
Day 5 – Barcelos and Viana do Castelo. Barcelos, home of the legendary rooster that became Portugal’s national symbol, with its market when it falls on your travel dates. Then Viana do Castelo, with its historic centre and the Santa Luzia viewpoint over the Atlantic.
Day 6 – Aveiro. Aveiro’s canals, moliceiro boats and Art Nouveau facades, with a taste of ovos moles and the striped houses of Costa Nova.
Day 7 – Farewell. A final morning in Porto before your departure.
Shorter (5 days): Porto, Douro, Guimarães & Braga, Aveiro. Longer (8 days): Add a second Douro day, or the Peneda-Gerês National Park.
Good to know
- This journey runs from a Porto base — one hotel for the whole trip, with day trips out to the Douro, Guimarães, Braga, Barcelos and Aveiro.
- Hotels are not included. We recommend hotels and Douro quintas.
- The Barcelos market runs weekly; we plan the day around it when it fits your dates.