North of Portugal

Here our personal recommendations of areas to visit in the northern part of Portugal, in case you need help to organize your (possible) trip before or after the wedding.

	Click here for a map of the recommendations.

Unless you want to visit main cities only, we recommend you to rent a car.


Porto

Very beautiful historical city on both sides of the Douro.
Plan at least 2-3 days.
Do not miss the Port wine warehouses, Bolhão Market, Clérigos tower and the Porto São Bento train station...
Beach possibility: Esposende, Fāo, Póvoa de Varzim...  be aware of the cold water :)


Douro Valley

Beautiful valley to go up (from Porto) by boat, tourist train or car, Port wine estates.
Plan 1-2 days.




Peneda-Gerês National Park

Large natural reserve.

Visit villages (Soajo, Nossa Senhora de Peneda, Brufe, Germil...), hike, swim in lakes and/or rivers (very cold water!), possibility to visit the hot springs (in Torneiros, across the Spanish border).
You can easily spend a week there in communion with nature.




North coast

There you can visit cities like Viana do Castelo or Valença...
Or even go to beaches: Amorosa, Arda, Paço... again, be aware of the cold Atlantic waters :)




Minho Region 

Several historical cities, such as:

• Braga (city website): birthplace of Ana, 3rd city in Portugal, a
  quieter city than Porto. plan at least 2 days. Possibility to swim
  at the Adaúfe river beach, 
• Guimarães: historical and university city, plan 1-2 days, 
• Arcos de Valdevez: pretty village, Valeta river beach,
• Ponte de Lima: visit the village and/or river.