Minho Viana Portugal
3
Day Itinerary •
Portugal
Three days in the Minho and Viana do Castelo reveals the most extraordinary green corner of Portugal, its remarkable landscape of granite-walled vineyards, extraordinary Romanesque churches, the finest baroque sanctuary in the country at Bom Jesus do Monte and the most beautiful town in northern Portugal at Viana do Castelo, its remarkable hilltop basilica giving the finest view over the Lima estuary and the Atlantic. This route covers the essential Minho experience: the extraordinary Viana do Castelo with its remarkable Santa Luzia basilica, the fine historic centre and the extraordinary Lima river, the remarkable Bom Jesus do Monte sanctuary above Braga, the finest baroque staircase in Portugal, the extraordinary Peneda-Geres National Park and the remarkable Romanesque churches of the oldest settled region in Portugal.
Best Time To Visit
May to September , the greenest and most extraordinary period
Getting There
Drive from Porto (1 hour to Viana do Castelo) or fly to Porto.
Getting Around
Car essential. Train connects Porto to Viana do Castelo.
Budget Per Day
Approx 70 to 140 euros per person per day
Difficulity
Easy , mostly driving, walking and some climbing at Bom Jesus
DAY 1
VIANA DO CASTELO
MORNING
SANTA LUZIA BASILICA AND VIEWPOINT
The Santa Luzia Basilica above Viana do Castelo is the most extraordinary hilltop religious building in northern Portugal, its remarkable neo-Byzantine dome and twin towers giving the finest panoramic view in the Minho over the Lima estuary, the Atlantic coast and the extraordinary green hills of the Minho valley. The remarkable funicular from the town gives the finest ascent. The extraordinary mosaic interior is the finest in northern Portugal. Entry approx 2 euros. Drive: Funicular down
MIDDAY
VIANA DO CASTELO OLD TOWN
Viana do Castelo is the most extraordinary historic town in the Minho, its remarkable Praca da Republica with the finest Renaissance fountain in northern Portugal, the extraordinary Misericordia church with its remarkable loggia, and the fine 16th-century town hall giving the most complete Renaissance town square in Portugal. The extraordinary folk costume tradition of Viana is the finest in the country. Free to explore. Drive: Walk to river
AFTERNOON
LIMA RIVERFRONT AND PRAIA DO CABEDELO
The Lima riverside promenade in Viana do Castelo gives the finest river walk in the Minho, the extraordinary views over the Lima estuary to the sand dunes beyond giving the finest natural harbour panorama in northern Portugal. The remarkable Praia do Cabedelo across the estuary, accessible by ferry, is the finest Atlantic beach near Viana do Castelo. Ferry approx 2 euros.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Citania de Santa Luzia on the hill beside the basilica is the finest Iron Age Celtic settlement accessible from Viana do Castelo, its remarkable circular stone house foundations giving the finest pre-Roman heritage in the Minho. Almost entirely unknown to tourists who visit only the basilica. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Viana old town Outstanding Portuguese coffee on the finest Renaissance square in northern Portugal. | Lunch: Restaurant in Viana old town Outstanding Minho lunch with local bacalhau, arroz de sarrabulho and excellent Vinho Verde. | Dinner: Fish restaurant on the Lima waterfront Outstanding fresh Atlantic fish dinner on the extraordinary Lima estuary waterfront.
DAY 2
BRAGA
MORNING
BOM JESUS DO MONTE SANCTUARY
Bom Jesus do Monte is the most extraordinary pilgrimage sanctuary in Portugal, its remarkable baroque staircase of 577 steps ascending the wooded hillside above Braga in a series of extraordinary fountain-decorated terraces. The remarkable hydraulic funicular, the oldest water-powered funicular in the world operating since 1882, gives the finest ascent. The extraordinary views from the sanctuary terrace over Braga are remarkable. Free. Drive: 20 min drive
MIDDAY
BRAGA CATHEDRAL AND OLD TOWN
Braga Cathedral is the most extraordinary religious building in northern Portugal, the oldest cathedral in the country founded in 1070 and containing the remarkable treasury with the finest collection of religious silver and vestments in Portugal. The extraordinary old town of Braga with its remarkable baroque fountains and the finest 18th-century Archbishop's Palace gives the finest city promenade in the Minho. Entry approx 3 euros. Drive: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
SAMEIRO SANCTUARY AND BRAGA VIEWPOINTS
The Sameiro Sanctuary above Braga is the most extraordinary secondary pilgrimage site in northern Portugal, its remarkable neoclassical church on the highest point of the Braga hills giving the finest panoramic view over the entire Minho valley. The extraordinary gardens and the remarkable views over the green Minho landscape give the finest afternoon experience above Braga. Entry free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Citania de Briteiros on the hillside above the Cavado river is the finest Celtic Iron Age settlement in Portugal, its remarkable hilltop ruins of circular stone houses giving an extraordinary insight into pre-Roman Iberia. Almost entirely unknown to international tourists. Entry approx 3 euros.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Braga before Bom Jesus Outstanding Portuguese coffee in the finest religious city in Portugal before climbing the extraordinary baroque staircase. | Lunch: Restaurant in Braga old town Outstanding Minho lunch in the most extraordinary baroque city in Portugal. Local bacalhau and Vinho Verde. | Dinner: Restaurant in Viana or Braga Outstanding northern Portuguese dinner after the extraordinary Bom Jesus and Braga day.
DAY 3
PENEDA-GERES NATIONAL PARK
MORNING
PENEDA-GERES NATIONAL PARK
Peneda-Geres is the most extraordinary national park in Portugal, its remarkable granite mountains, ancient oak forests, extraordinary waterfalls and the remarkable wild Garrano ponies giving the finest wilderness experience in the country. The extraordinary Vilarinho das Furnas reservoir, where an ancient village occasionally reappears when the water level drops, and the remarkable Caniçada lake give the finest natural landscapes in the Minho. Entry to park free. Drive: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
TAHITI WATERFALL AND GERES VILLAGE
The waterfall walks in Geres are the most extraordinary natural walks in northern Portugal, the remarkable Cascata do Arado and the extraordinary Tahiti falls giving the finest waterfall experience in the Minho. The remarkable village of Caldas do Geres, with its extraordinary thermal spa springs and the fine 19th-century spa gardens, gives the finest mountain spa village atmosphere in Portugal. Free walks. Drive: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
CASTRO LABOREIRO HILLTOP VILLAGE
Castro Laboreiro is the most extraordinary hilltop village in the Peneda section of the national park, its remarkable medieval castle ruins and the extraordinary views over the Laboreiro plateau and into Galicia giving the finest remote village experience in the Minho. The remarkable Castro Laboreiro dog breed, the ancient mountain sheepdog of the Minho, still guards the village flocks. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Roman road in the Geres national park, one of the finest surviving sections of Roman road in the Iberian Peninsula, passes through the extraordinary granite landscape with its remarkable Roman milestones still in their original positions. Free. The finest Roman heritage in the Minho.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast before Geres drive Early start for the national park. The extraordinary granite mountains are finest in the morning mist. | Lunch: Restaurant in Caldas do Geres Outstanding Minho mountain lunch in the finest spa village in the national park. Local trout and Vinho Verde. | Dinner: Farewell dinner in Viana or Braga Outstanding final Minho dinner. Caldo verde, arroz de sarrabulho and local Vinho Verde wine.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Viana do Castelo, Nights 1 to 2 The finest base in the Minho. Hotels from 70 to 160 euros. Walking distance from all old town sites. Braga, alternative Best base for Bom Jesus and Guimaraes. Hotels from 65 to 150 euros. 45 minutes from Viana. Budget option Guesthouses in Viana from 40 euros. The compact old town is walkable from all accommodation.
Top Tips
1. The Santa Luzia funicular runs until early evening. Take it up at dusk for the most extraordinary sunset view over the Lima estuary and the Atlantic coast.
2. Bom Jesus funicular is the oldest water-powered funicular in the world. Ride it down after walking up the baroque staircase. The mechanism is extraordinary.
3. Peneda-Geres in the morning mist is the finest landscape in Portugal. Drive through the park before 9am for extraordinary views and almost no other visitors.
4. Viana do Castelo folk costume: the extraordinary gold filigree jewellery and embroidered costumes are worn during the August Romaria festival. Buy filigree jewellery.
5. Vinho Verde: order the local grape varieties , Alvarinho, Loureiro and Trajadura , rather than the supermarket blends. The difference is extraordinary.
6. Caldas do Geres thermal water: the remarkable sulphurous springs have been used medicinally since Roman times. Drink the water from the extraordinary 19th-century spa.
Total Budget
70 to 140 euros/day