Porto and Northern Portugal: A different side of the country

Welcome to Porto. On arrival at the airport, our local representative will meet you and transfer you to your handpicked hotel, the starting point for your Porto and the North of Portugal: off the beaten track trip.

This is the start of your tailor-made Portugal travel focused on authentic, local experiences. Spend the afternoon at leisure exploring riverside alleys, tasting Port wines, or following our personalized suggestions for hidden viewpoints and neighborhood eateries to make your first evening uniquely yours.

Walk the Historic Center of Porto to see the Torre dos Clérigos, São Bento station, the historic district, the Cathedral of Porto, the Stock Exchange Palace, Lello bookstore, Praça do Infante, Casa da Música, Ribeira, Boavista, and Foz.

Enjoy a guided tour of Casa Ferreirinha cellars with a tasting of three Porto wines, including the famous Barca Velha. The winery is a Best of Wine Tourism Award winner.

Glide along the Douro River past UNESCO-listed terraced vineyards, visiting small quintas and scenic viewpoints. Several stops let you wander the vine terraces, taste local ports, and enjoy a riverside lunch with sweeping views.

This full-day tailored experience is designed for travelers seeking an authentic Portugal itinerary. At day's end, you return to Porto by train or bus.

Today starts in Guimarães, a city set among rolling hills and often called the cradle of the Portuguese nation. It’s one of the best places to visit in Portugal for history lovers. Wander its medieval streets, visit the castle and the Paço dos Duques, and get tailored insights into local traditions and artisanal life.

After lunch, head to Braga, known as the Rome of Portugal. Explore the country’s oldest cathedral, climb the baroque staircase to Bom Jesus for panoramic views, and meet local guides to uncover sacred traditions and hidden chapels tucked away from the crowds.

Walk the 8 km Passadiços do Paiva through Garganta do Paiva, a protected valley rich in unique biodiversity and alive with local stories. This tailored experience is designed for travelers seeking authentic, off-the-beaten-track encounters with nature.

Finish by crossing the dramatic suspension bridge rising 175 meters above the Paiva River, with sweeping views and memorable photo moments.

Explore Serra da Arada by jeep, following scenic mountain roads like the famed Estrada do Portal do Inferno, with dramatic viewpoints revealing rugged, little-seen landscapes.

If you’re planning a trip to Portugal that goes beyond the usual stops, this is a day that delivers. Visit the timeworn village of Regoufe and the abandoned shale hamlet of Drave to trace the legacy of wolfram mining during the world wars and reflect on the quiet simplicity of rural life. Authentic local stories and off-grid scenery turn this journey into something personal and unforgettable.

Start in Amarante with a riverside stroll and local pastries, then visit Vila Real to discover archaeological remains tracing Paleolithic occupation. Cross the Vale do Douro for sweeping vineyard panoramas, a private Port tasting, and behind-the-scenes stories of production.

Stop in Lamego to admire the Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora dos Remédios. Finish in Viseu, in the Dão wine region, enjoying tailored experiences that make this Portugal tour authentic.

Explore Aveiro's canals on a private boat ride aboard colorful moliceiros, wander salt flats and Art Nouveau streets, and sample sweet ovos moles at a local bakery, an intimate taste of coastal culture on your Portugal trip.

In the afternoon, return to Porto, drop off your rental car, and transfer to the airport with personalized service, carrying memories from your Porto and the North of Portugal trip.