Getting there
Fly directly to Porto and hire a car – the best options are:
A Taste of Northern Portugal PO1
Minho Coast – Porto – Douro Valley Tour
Based on 7 nights self-drive independent tour in Portugal
Discover the charms of Northern Portugal: the wild Atlantic coastline, world famous wines, the stunning scenery of the ancient Douro vineyards and the enchanting cities of Porto, Viana do Castelo, Braga and Guimaraes – all in a one week tour!
Brim-full of culture, art and history, including four Unesco World Heritage sites, the region is also blessed with a multitude of historic manor houses and mansions dotted amongst the vineyards and well-preserved old towns.
Enjoy the fantastic Port wines but don’t miss the wonderful table wines the north of Portugal now produces, both in the Douro and Vinho Verde regions. Wherever you go you’ll find hearty local gastronomy and warm hospitality.
- Tour Highlights:
- Delightful fortress towns of Valença, Monção and Melgaço along the Minho
- Port wines, Vinho Verde, Vinho del Douro and superb gastronomy
- Guimaraes, a World Heritage Site, full of culture and art
- Historic Braga with the oldest Cathedral in Portugal
- Porto with its World Heritage Site awarded Old Town
- Famous Port Wine Lodges, just across the impressive Dom Luis I bridge
£850 p/p
Indicative mid-season price for 7 nights (including car hire – flights not included) in our suggested hotels.
Full details (PDF)
Accommodation options
Accommodation options
Accommodation options
More about Portugal
Day 1 & 2 – Porto
- Ribeira, Porto’s fascinating historic centre, a World Heritage site
- Cross the impressive Dom Luis I iron bridge to the Port Wine Lodges
- Art for all from finest museums to simple galleries
- Walk the lanes, sail the river, live and breathe Porto
- Ferry to Afurada and the golden beach of Estrela
Day 3 & 4 – Minho Costa
- Delightful Caminha and the fortress towns of Valença, Monção and Melgaço, dotted along the river Minho
- Historic step in the Portuguese Santiago pilgrim way
- Imposing Viana do Castelo with its long surfy windswept Atlantic coastline
- Graceful Ponte de Lima with its Roman bridge
- Sample the Vinho Verde wine and hearty local fare
Days 5 to 7 – Douro Valley
- Fabulous Douro scenery – take an unforgettable boat trip
- World Heritage Douro vineyards, the World’s oldest!
- Romantic Amarante on the River Tamega
- Lamego – famous stairs of Nossa Senhora dos Remedios
- Superb gastronomy in the atmospheric “adegas” taverns
The itinerary includes the following:
- Accommodation in our listed hotels – 2 sharing 1 std. double ensuite, B&B
- Economy 4dr car hire
- Regional guide book
- Personal Travel App including highlights, weather forecast and restaurant suggestions for all areas en-route
- Instructions to find all accommodation
Not included:
- Flights – but we are able to advise
- One-way car hire charges, where applicable (see your quote email)
- The following car hire extras – these can be added at pick-up point
- extra driver
- Portuguese toll device (we highly recommend to take this service)
- child seats
- GPS
- Garage parking where applicable (mostly city stops) – please ask us about parking charges
- From London Gatwick: TAP Portugal or Easyjet
- From London Stansted: Ryanair
- From Liverpool: Ryanair
- From Manchester: Easyjet, TAP or Easyjet
- From Birmingham: Ryanair
- From Luton: Easyjet
- From Bristol: Easyjet
- From Dublin: Ryanair and TAP
PLEASE NOTE some flights are seasonal.
Alternative airport
Santiago de Compostela in Spain is a good entry point for northern Portugal tours
NB: Flights are not included
Alternatively you could fly to Lisbon (3 hours drive) or Santiago de Compostela in Spain (2hrs 30mins drive).
Getting around
As part of your package we will include a hire car. Normally we include a 4 door economy class car but please let us know if you would like something different.
AITO reviews
Excellent. Good introduction to Northern Portugal. This was our first time and the variety of accommodation and the geographic area covered was just right
A beautiful country to visit, not expensive and the food was excellent.
A fantastic holiday that was well organised and went like clockwork. Would definitely us this company again.
A truly wonderful experience from start to finish!
A Taste of Northern Portugal
Porto, the Atlantic coast and the stunning Douro Valley
