Destination Portugal - The Specialists.....31 years experience of travel to Portugal, Madeira and the Azores.
Literally translated as "The Green Coast" the Costa Verde is the beautiful and unspoilt coastal region which bounds Portugal’s northern-most provinces, Douro and Minho. It is on the same latitude as Spain’s Costa Brava. For many people, this is the ‘real’ Portugal, where the way of life, traditions, architecture and scenery remain untouched by mass tourism, or indeed greatly influenced by modern ways.
Places to Visit:
Amarante: A picturesque little town above the right bank of the River Tâmega, neglected by most tourists.
Espinho: A seaside resort south of Porto with broad beaches of coarse sand and a seafront promenade.
Guimarâes: A beautiful medieval town, it was the first capital of Portugal and birthplace of King Afonso Henriques. Every Friday there is a lively open air market.
Moncâo: An old fortified frontier town, on the left bank of the River Minho. Opposite is the Spanish town of Salvatierra de Mino. Home of Alvarinho Vinho Verde, the first wine ever exported from Portugal in the 15th century.
Ofir: A vast expanse of sandy beach fringed by pinewoods. Nearby is the River Cavado which is very good for fishing or canoeing.
Porto: The second largest city in Portugal and the home of the Port Wine trade. The city lies at the mouth of the Douro River, its granite-trimmed red-roofed buildings tumble over each other to the waterfront. One of the best ways to see the city is from the River. The old quarter of Ribeira on the waterfront offers interesting small restaurants, Taylor’s Port Lodge is worth a visit.
Peneda-Gerês National Park: A must for nature enthusiasts, some 170,000 acres of forests, man-made lakes, rivers, rocky ridges and waterfalls, and abundant wild life.
