Gallery Itinerary Prices Accommodation Activities Location

Overview

The ancient region of Minho is where Portugal came into being – discover its fascinating history and enchanting landscape on our Braga and Viana do Castelo Holiday.

Officially, the northern province of Minho no longer exists – it was consigned to the history books over forty years ago, as borders were redrawn during the tumultuous years which followed Portugal’s Carnation Revolution. For the people who live Minho, it’s still a title in common use. They feel a powerful connection reaching back to Roman times – even as far back as Celtic Minho – and it’s too strong a connection to be severe by anonymous bureaucracy from Lisbon.

Minho’s capital was the city of Braga: the start point for your journey. Its historic quarter is an impressive mix of Moorish, Gothic, Manueline and Baroque architecture representing almost every era of the city’s long and illustrious history whilst the impressive Termas do Alto da Cividade ruins point to ‘Bracara Augusta’s’ high status during the Roman occupation of the Iberian Peninsula.

Modern-day Portugal owes its existence to Dom Joao I and his victory at the Battle of Aljubarrot in 1385 – his royal tunic takes pride of place in the Museu de Alberto Sampaio in Guimaraes.  The Roman Catholic monument at Bom Jesus do Monte is of equal significance to many and has been an important site of pilgrimage for the devout for over four centuries.

Your journey takes you deeper into old Minho – to the old roman towns of Barcelos, Ponta da Barca and Ponta da Lima: considered by many to be the home of Vinho Verde, Portugal’s popular, sparkling young wine.

Following the river Lima to the sea brings you to the port city of Viana do Castelo. Often celebrated for the iconic Santuario do Sagrado Coracao de Jesus, with its dramatic setting high on the Monte de Santa Luzia, Viana is now attracting more curious visitors thanks to its ancient Celtic settlement, medieval landmarks and award-winning contemporary architecture.

Gallery

Itinerary

Day 1

You’ll begin your holiday with a direct flight to Porto. You’ll be collected by our driver on arrival for your transfer to the Hotel Carris Porto Ribeira in the centre of the city.

It’s a short walk down to the Cais Ribeira district, home to Porto's most famous landmark: the Ponte Luis I bridge.

Day 2

You’ll be transferred to Campanha station where you’ll catch the lunchtime train to the city of Braga. Your hotel, the Vila Gale Braga, was once the city’s Sao Marcos university hospital. Founded by the Archbishop of Braga in the 16th century, the most-impressive, original architectural features can be seen in the shared guest areas: the gable archway in the entrance lobby, the vaulted ceilings in the Versatil Restaurant, and the inner cloister with its baroque fountain.

Day 3

You’ll be free to explore Braga on foot – you might like to visit the Se de Braga, the first cathedral to be built in Portugal, the Arco da Porta Nova triumphal arch, the Jardim de Santa Barbara, and Museu Nogueira da Silva.

Day 4

You’ll explore Braga’s ancient Roman heritage at the Fonte do Idolo, Domus da Escola Velha da Se, and the impressive ruins at Termas Romans do Alto da Cividade. In the afternoon, you’ll collect your hire car before driving to to Bom Jesus do Monte – the baroque Roman Catholic pilgrimage site on the summit of Mount Espinho.

Day 5

You’ll drive west to the Bronze Age settlement at Citania de Briteiros, and on to Guimaraes - the 10th century medieval city which is considered the birthplace of the Kingdom of Portugal. It’s UNESCO-protected centre is a pleasantly dizzy maze of narrow medieval passageways and cobbled pavements, overlooked by the 15th century Paco dos Duques de Braganca and the fairytale Castelo de Guimaraes.

Day 6

You’ll leave Braga today, driving north to our new accommodation at the the Terra Rosa Country House & Vineyards on the outskirts of Ponta de Lima. Enroute, you’ll visit Barcelos- the town is inextricably linked to one of Portugal’s national symbols, the O Galo de Barcelos: the Rooster of Barcelos.

Day 7

You’ll visit the riverfront towns of Ponta de Lima, Ponta da Barca and Arcos de Valdevez. The origins of all three towns are firmly rooted in the Roman Lusitania era, but they also played a leading role in the political machinations which helped to create Portugal.

Day 8

You’ll drive west to the Atlantic coast to your final destination - the Pousada Viana do Castelo. You’ll be staying on the Monta de Santa Lucia, with its striking, panoramic view over Viana Bay and the mouth of the River Lima.

Day 9

You’ll head down into the centre of Viana do Castelo, where you can get pleasantly lost in its maze of narrow alleys, bustling arcades and medieval squares.

Day 10

Our driver will transfer you to Viana train station for your return to Porto and your final evening in the city.

Day 11

You'll be transferred to the airport for your flight home.

From £2400 per person

We can create a tailor-made holiday to suit your budget.

Direct flights from the UK to the Porto, accommodation in twin/double en-suite rooms on a B&B basis, airport and train station transfers, prebooked train tickets and car hire.

Accommodation

Hotel Carris Porto Ribeira

Activities

Portuguese Food and Wine Portuguese cuisine has experienced something of a revolution in recent times. Once…

Location

Northern Portugal

You may also like

The Best Evora Aveiro, Canals and Coimbra
Porto and the Douro Valley by Train Porto to Lisbon Fly Drive

Our customers know that Feefo reviews are the real deal. We trust Feefo to independently collect reviews from our customers

Feefo believe that only authentic reviews are worth collecting: genuine feedback that has been matched to a holiday with us

Holidays with full financial protection

© 2024 Archipelago Choice

Designed & built by Thinking Fox