Itinerary
- Day 1
Ponte de Lima
You'll start at 9:00 AM heading to Viana do Castelo, then take the funicular up to Santa Luzia sanctuary where you get views of the city, river, and Atlantic coast. After that you'll walk through the historic center checking out the squares, noble houses, and churches, plus the traditional costumes museum. There's lunch on your own, then you continue on to Ponte de Lima (one of Portugal's oldest cities) to see the Roman and medieval bridge, Arnado gardens, the main church, and the medieval jail tower. You'll stay overnight in Ponte de Lima.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Santa Luzia Funicular ride
- Santa Luzia Sanctuary visit
- Traditional Costumes Museum visit in Viana do Castelo
- Historic center exploration in Viana do Castelo
- Ponte de Lima historic center exploration
- Roman/medieval bridge at Ponte de Lima
- Arnado gardens visit
- Main church visit in Ponte de Lima
- Medieval jail tower visit in Ponte de Lima
Optional Activities
- Gil Eanes cod tasting
- Angler fish rice tasting
- Local restaurant dining in Viana do Castelo
- Local restaurant dining in Ponte de Lima for Arroz de Sarrabulho, Rojões, or Lampreia à Bordalesa
- Vinho Verde wine tasting in Ponte de Lima
Landmarks Santa Luzia Sanctuary Traditional Costumes Museum Viana do Castelo Historic Center Ponte de Lima Roman/Medieval Bridge Arnado Gardens Medieval Jail Tower 
- Day 2
Sistelo - Valença do Minho - Ponte de Lima
After breakfast you'll leave at 9:00 AM to check out Arcos de Valdevez, an old village with a medieval bridge, Lapa church, and Paço de Giela tower. Next you head to Sistelo for a quick stop to see the traditional stone espigueiros and a castle viewpoint overlooking the stepped hills (sometimes called Portuguese Tibet). You'll arrive in Valença do Minho where you'll have a traditional Minho lunch and free time to look out at the Minho River and see Spain on the other side. Later you return to Ponte de Lima to visit Breijoeira Palace and taste the local Alvarinho wine. Another night in Ponte de Lima.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Traditional Minho lunch at Valença do Minho)
Included Activities
- Arcos de Valdevez historic streets exploration
- Medieval bridge at Arcos de Valdevez
- Lapa Church visit in Arcos de Valdevez
- Paço de Giela medieval tower visit
- Sistelo traditional stone espigueiros viewing
- Castle viewpoint over Vez valley
- Breijoeira Palace visit
- Alvarinho wine tasting at Breijoeira Palace
Optional Activities
- Minho River views in Valença do Minho
- Views over Spain from Valença do Minho
- Local handicraft shops in Valença do Minho
- Lima River stroll in Ponte de Lima
- Local food dining in Ponte de Lima with Green Wine pairing
Landmarks Arcos de Valdevez Medieval Bridge at Arcos de Valdevez Lapa Church Paço de Giela Sistelo Traditional Espigueiros Breijoeira Palace Valença do Minho 
- Day 3
Braga - Guimarães - Porto
After breakfast you'll leave at 9:00 AM for Bom Jesus do Monte, a sanctuary on a hilltop that you can reach by climbing a long baroque stairway (if you're up for it) or taking the unusual 19th-century water-powered funicular. You'll explore this UNESCO Heritage site with its mix of religious and artistic elements. Then on to Braga, called Portuguese Rome because of all its churches including the first Portuguese Cathedral, with time to walk around the historic center. Later you head to Guimarães (the cradle of Portugal and another UNESCO Heritage site) to see the beautiful granite buildings. You'll grab lunch on your own, then visit Guimarães Castle and Paço dos Duques Palace with time to wander the old streets. The tour ends when you return to Porto.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Bom Jesus do Monte sanctuary visit
- 19th-century funicular ride to Bom Jesus do Monte
- Braga historic center exploration
- Braga Cathedral (Sé de Braga) visit
- Guimarães historic center exploration
- Guimarães Castle visit
- Paço dos Duques Palace visit
Optional Activities
- Long baroque stairway ascent at Bom Jesus do Monte
- Local restaurant dining in Braga
- Local restaurant dining in Guimarães
Landmarks Bom Jesus do Monte Braga Cathedral (Sé de Braga) Guimarães Castle Paço dos Duques Palace Guimarães Historic Center Braga Historic Center 
