Things to do in Norte Region

Explore the stunning beauty of the Douro Valley on a tour to 2 wine estates. Make a quick stop at the town of Amarante and taste regional wines at both wine estates. Sit down to a delicious lunch before sailing through the lush landscapes of the Douro Valley on a river cruise. Begin your tour in Porto and learn about the region's history and wine while driving to the Douro valley. Stop for a coffee break in the historic town of Amarante and admire the town's Church and Convent of São Gonçalo, or purchase some of the pastries at one of the iconic pastry shops. Continue to a wine estate in Sabrosa. Enjoy a guided tour of a family-owned wine estate. Learn about and try 3 of the estate's wines during a guided tasting. Savor a lunch paired with red and white Douro wines while overlooking the vineyards. After lunch, drive to Pinhão, with a photo stop at São Cristovão viewpoint. Take in panoramic views of the Douro valley. See where the Pinhão river joins with the waters of the Douro River before embarking on a cruise at Pinhão.  In the afternoon, take a guided tour of a famous wine estate (Quinta da Roeda – Croft/Taylor’s group or Quinta São Luiz – Kopke/Burmester group). Uncover the history of the vineyard and the secrets if the wine-making processes. Taste 3 of their fine wines before returning to Porto by one of the world's most scenic roads, the N222.

Get out of Porto and into Portugal's gorgeous wine country. Take in views from the window of your vehicle, visit vineyards and taste their wines, embark on a boat cruise, and more on this all-inclusive trip. Take advantage of a morning pickup by choosing that option during booking. Begin your tour with a stop at a viewpoint to enjoy the views. Then, sit back and relax as your vehicle hits the road for the Douro Valley. Enjoy an excursion which includes a visit to different 2 visits to two distinct places, with the opportunity to taste some of the different types of wine which are produced there. You'll also experience a typical (and delicious) Portuguese meal. Partake as well in a relaxing ride along the Douro River. Your excursion also includes being taken by your driver to what the BBC called one of the most beautiful viewpoints in the world.

Explore the historic Palácio da Bolsa in Porto with an entry ticket and guided tour. Discover master architectural work completed over 3 generations and pass through the elegant rooms in a palace that's over 180-years-old. The Associação Comercial do Porto started the construction of the Palácio da Bolsa, its headquarters, and property in 1842. Over three generations, many masters and craftsmen worked to build this architectural jewel of the 19th century in neoclassical style. Great names in architecture, painting, sculpture, and decorative arts contributed to the construction of the building, which is now classified as a National Monument and one of the main attractions of Porto e Norte, receiving more than 450,000 visitors annually. During this guided tour with a certified guide from Palacio da Bolsa, you will visit the authentic and impressive rooms of a building that is now over 180 years old. Learn about how the building has received governors from almost every country in the world and is the location of most of the official state receptions held in the north of Portugal.

Start your full-day tour in the center of Porto where your guide will introduce you to the rich history of the city and share some intriguing anecdotes with you. Travel in style in a comfortable vehicle to Peso da Régua and relax there. Next, head to the first tasting stop on the itinerary. Discover and taste the region's famous wines while admiring the panoramic views of the vineyards that weave across the landscape. Around midday, you’ll move on to a restaurant for a delicious local Portuguese lunch. Choose from fish, meat, and vegetarian options. Continue your journey to the second vineyard visit and enjoy a tasting conducted by an expert in wine. Before returning to Porto, take a scenic 1-hour river cruise along the Douro River, where you can mingle with the other guests you've met along the tour.

Discover the beauty of the Paiva river and gorge on as you hike along the Paiva Walkways and experience the thrill of crossing the 516 Arouca suspension bridge on this guided tour with hotel pickup and drop-off in Porto. Indulge in some local fare with the included lunch at a restaurant.  Starting from Porto, you be picked up in an air-conditioned van and relax on the drive through the Portuguese countryside. Enjoy a short rest stop in Arouca where you have the chance to purchase a snack in this town that is known for its sweets.  Reach Areinho and enter the Paiva Walkways and start your journey by climbing a stairway of around 300 steps and reach the incredible 516 Arouca bridge which is at an elevation of about 175 meters above the Paiva River. Learn about local culture from your guide along the way. Admire views of the Aguieira Waterfall and Paiva River as you cross this stunning bridge. Continue your journey following the path of Paiva Walkways as it follows the flow of the river. Walk at your own pace, take in the lush vegetation, and try to spot wildlife like birds.  Relax at Vau beach mid-way through the hike and carry on all the way to Espiunca, where our hiking ends. From Espiunca travel to a restaurant in Alvarenga where you can try “Arouquesa” DPO beef (other non-meat options available).End your day with a comfortable ride back to your hotel in Porto.

Board the original boats used to transport the Port Wine barrels from the Douro Region to Gaia and Porto. The boats have been adapted with the most modern navigation equipment to transport passengers with maximum comfort. Enjoy a journey that stretches from the historic center of Porto, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, upstream to Freixo and then downstream toward the mouth of the Douro. Take the opportunity to admire the rich and breathtaking landscape while you learn the history of the 6 bridges that unite Vila Nova de Gaia and Porto. Discover other points of interest in these two cities. 

Cruise along the Douro River with a glass of wine in hand on this return boat trip from Pinhão. Take in the beautiful landscapes and ask your guide questions to enrich your knowledge of the valley, river, and wine. Board your boat and take a seat to begin your sightseeing cruise of the Douro River Valley. During your ride enjoy a glass of wine and indulge in its deep flavors.  From the river, appreciate your striking surroundings and get to know the oldest demarcated and regulated wine region in the world. Take a look at the terraces built by nature and sculpted into vineyards that produce the famous Port wine.  During your boat trip, a guide will be available to ask any questions you have regarding the region and its wine.

Explore the picturesque and historic city of Porto at your leisure with a ticket that gives you access to 2 sightseeing bus tours. Hop on and hop off in areas like Santa Catarina and Batalha. Sample wines at the Calém Wine Cellars and sail on the Douro River on a cruise. Located in the north of Portugal, the city of Porto has a rich history that dates to the Roman occupation of Iberia. This is a notable port city, situated on the estuary of the Douro River, where the river meets the Atlantic Ocean. You can also hop off the bus in the city’s oldest district, Ribeira, to enjoy a traditional Portuguese lunch in a quaint café nestled along the city’s medieval walls and discover Porto’s famous wines. Your ticket gives you access to the cellars of Cales Calém, where top quality port wines have been produced since 1859. You can also sample some of the goods, including white, dry and ruby ports. Once you have seen Porto on dry land, you can take the Douro River Cruise to see it from the water. This is included as part of your tour package and gives you a chance to admire the city from a comfortable river cruiser as you drift down the Douro under 6 of the city’s bridges. Historical Porto: • Cathedral/S.Bento • Cathedral • Pç Batalha • Jardim do Morro/Caves Calém • Porto Viewpoint/Yeatman • Boeira Garden/Poças Junior (10min walk) • Lg Aviadores/El Corte Inglés • City Hall • Jardim Morro • Alfândega/Caves Calém • Cordoaria/Clérigos • Palácio de Cristal • Casa Música/Rotunda Boavista • Shopping/Mercado Bom Sucesso • Ribeira/River Cruise/Palácio Bolsa/Caves Calém Porto Castles: • Cathedral/S.Bento • Cathedral • Praça Batalha • Praça República • Palácio Cristal (SuspendeD) • Casa Música/Rotunda Boavista • Av. Boavista Hotels • Fundação Serralves • Parque da Cidade • Castelo Queijo/Sealife • Anémona • Palácio Cristal • Tourism Office/Cruises Terminal • Matosinhos Beaches • Anémona • Sealife • Passeio Alegre • Fluvial • Tramcar Museum • Ribeira/River Cruise/Palácio Cristal/Caves Calém

Make your way to Porto's Dragão Stadium (Estádio do Dragão) and explore the home of the Portuguese Primeira Liga football team, FC Porto. Get an entrance ticket to the museum and stadium when you exchange your voucher on arrival and benefit from audio guides available to rent in Portuguese, English, French, Spanish, German and Italian. FC Porto Museum: Open 7 days a week, the FC Porto Museum is located in Dragão Stadium in eastern Porto and was nominated for the European Museum of the Year Award in 2016. It was also distinguished with the Innovation and Creativity Award by the Portuguese Association of Museology (APOM) in 2015 and takes a 120-year journey through the history of the club and the city. Marvel at an impressive collection of trophies and other artifacts through the museum's advanced technology and interactive displays. Learn about titles collected in the UEFA Champions League. See a hologram of Jorge Nuno Pinto da Costa, president of the club since 1982 and take a look at the "Valquíria Dragão" by the artist Joana Vasconcelos. Dragão Stadium: Book your stadium tour at reception on arrival and then venture out onto the hallowed ground. Built in 2003 to a design by the architect Manuel Salgado, the Dragão Stadium is 5-star rated by UEFA and can seat up to 52,000 people at maximum capacity. Easily accessible from the city center and Porto International Airport, the modern, multi-functional stadium has been lauded with awards for its architecture and ecological management. Learn more with an audio guide (available to rent in Portuguese, English, French, Spanish, German, and Italian) and follow in the footsteps of some of the stadium's legendary fixtures.

Navigate a unique river, in the heart of the oldest demarcated wine region of the world which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You'll start this adventure from Pinhao, pass under the Eiffel iron bridge going upstream to the Tua area where you will turn around to make the return journey. Along the way, see hills of terraced vineyards with no national roads or traffic in sight. Although you will do the same stretch up and down, it will appear different, as it is seen from two different points of view, and also because there is so much to see in this stunning region of the world. The traditional Rabelo boats have open and closed areas, so navigation can be comfortably be made in all kinds of weather, all year long.