Famed for its food, wine and beautiful landscapes, Northern Portugal is a charming destination for a romantic couples’ escape or an active family holiday. The area’s popularity means that there is a tremendous range of accommodation available — from pretty B&Bs to imposing luxury hotels. Our pick of the best places to stay in Northern Portugal features fabulous pink-painted manor houses, boutique boltholes in the heart of Porto or Braga, and rambling wineries with stacks of activities for the whole family.
Picturesque Porto is Northern Portugal’s most renowned city for good reason, with heaps of heritage buildings, museums and wonderful eateries. Set on the banks of the Douro River, Porto has been shaped both by its seafaring past as a key trading port, and by the vineyards which surround it. For a quieter city break, head north to historic Braga, where there are Roman ruins, Gothic churches and Baroque buildings to admire. Guimarães, too, is a cultural hub, with a well-preserved medieval centre and some beautiful hotels. Beyond the towns themselves is the glorious Minho region — the birthplace of the Portuguese kingdom. The area’s lush valley and craggy granite peaks will appeal to lovers of the great outdoors who can walk, hike and cycle, or take to the water and kayak along the Minho River, which flows from Spain in the north to Caminha. The verdant landscapes and rich agricultural soil are well-suited to the growing of grapes, and this is where Portugal’s ‘Vinho Verde’ originates.
Northern Portugal’s other natural wonder is the enchanting Douro Valley, its hillsides clad in vineyards. Visit the International Douro Natural Park, learn about the ageing of Port in Vila Nova de Gaia, and discover beautiful Lamego, at the foot of the 686 steps to the Shrine of Nossa Senhora dos Remédios. Whether you’re a wine connoisseur eager to experience the oldest demarcated wine region in the world or a laid-back foodie, it doesn’t get much better than this. Book a room in a hip townhouse hotel in Porto for a stylish city break, hit the tennis court or the cycling trails with the whole family, or unwind in blissful surroundings at an elegant, family-owned quinta. Many of the best places to stay in Northern Portugal are tucked amidst lush vineyards, in historic houses or state-of-the-art extensions, promising gastronomic delights and spectacular views — a perfect escape.
