DIY Portugal: My Self-Planned Adventure

Northern Portugal: A 3-Week Journey with Friends

Northern Portugal is a region brimming with history, stunning landscapes, and incredible food. Over the course of three weeks, I had the pleasure of exploring this beautiful area with my friend Helene, a true traveling nomad. Adding to the adventure, our friend Denise, who lives in Portugal’s southern Algarve region, joined us for a few days, making the experience even more unforgettable.

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Week 1: Porto, Vila Nova de Gaia, and Coimbra

We began our journey in Porto, where our Airbnb featured a tiny balcony with a five-star view of the iconic Luis I Bridge and the Douro River. Porto quickly captured our hearts with its cobblestone streets, vibrant atmosphere, and delicious cuisine.

Highlights from Porto

Walking and Food Tours
We immersed ourselves in Porto’s culture through two engaging tours—the Taste Porto Food Tour exploring the Bolhão Market and local food scene, and the Craft Beer and Food Tour focusing on the city’s breweries.

Favorite Foods
Porto’s culinary delights became a highlight of our trip. Some favorites included octopus, Francesinha (a heart-stopping specialty sandwich), chouriço sausage, charcuterie plates, pastéis de nata (which we watched being made at Atelier de Pastéis), saladitos (delicious pub snacks), fresh lemonades, and sangria.

Ribeira District
We wandered through the winding alleys, discovering that the best dining spots were tucked away up the hill rather than along the river. Still, we soaked in the vibrant atmosphere of the waterfront, where street performers added charm to the evening, even if most of the restaurants there catered mainly to tourists. A highlight was the free walking tour (tip-based), which began in the scenic plaza of the Porto Cathedral and offered a great introduction to the area’s rich history and hidden corners.

Historic Sites

Porto Cathedral
A Romanesque-Gothic masterpiece with medieval origins and a significant starting point for many Camino de Santiago pilgrims, including Helene, who began her pilgrimage here after our trip.

Chapel of Souls
Its stunning exterior is adorned with blue and white azulejos depicting biblical scenes.

São Bento Railway Station
Inside, breathtaking azulejo tile murals illustrate Portugal’s rich history, making this train station a masterpiece of art and architecture.

Torre dos Clérigos
Climbing this bell tower rewarded us with panoramic, 360-degree views of Porto.

Avenida dos Aliados
The heart of Porto, perfect for shopping and sightseeing. We browsed boutiques, relaxed at cafes, and admired the grand Porto City Hall, a striking landmark at the avenue’s top.

Unique Spots

Livraria Lello
Often called one of the world’s most beautiful bookstores, its grand staircase and intricate woodwork made it feel like stepping into a fairytale.

The “Most Beautiful McDonald’s”
Housed in a neoclassical building, the McDonald’s Imperial features art deco stained glass windows, grand chandeliers, and a lavish interior.

Church of São Francisco
Renowned for its lavish Baroque interior and eerie catacombs filled with an ancient ossuary.

Jardim das Virtudes
A popular park among locals, offering stunning views of the Douro River and a unique vertical garden design. It was the perfect spot to enjoy a “to-go” beer from a nearby craft beer bar.

Across the River in Vila Nova de Gaia: Port Wine Tastings

Calem – Tour & Tasting
A fascinating look into Port wine history and production, followed by a selection of tastings.

Cockburns – Tour & Tasting
A unique experience featuring vintage barrels and an in-house cooper’s workshop.

Taylor Fladgate – Restaurant and Patio
We indulged in an upscale lunch with rooftop views at Barão Fladgate, followed by Port on Taylor’s patio, surrounded by lush gardens and peacocks.

Kopke – Port Tasting with Chocolate Pairing
A decadent journey through the oldest Port house, blending tawny Ports with indulgent chocolate delights.

Day Trip to Coimbra

From Porto, we hopped on the express train for a day trip to Coimbra.

Coimbra University
A UNESCO World Heritage site, with breathtaking views of Coimbra’s red rooftops. We snagged last-minute tickets to the stunning Baroque Biblioteca Joanina and explored the Cabinet of Curiosities, a quirky collection of the university’s most unusual artifacts.

Museu Nacional de Machado de Castro
Beneath the museum, we discovered well-preserved subterranean passageways and structures from Roman times.

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Week 2: Guimarães, Braga, and Peneda-Gerês National Park

Our second week took us to the UNESCO-listed city of Guimarães and the historic city of Braga, often referred to as the “Rome of Portugal.”

Highlights from Guimarães

Guimarães Castle
A fortress steeped in Portugal’s early history, though modest on the inside.

Palace of the Dukes of Braganza
A stunning palace with an intricate wooden ceiling resembling the inside of a boat, and a striking courtyard blending medieval and Renaissance elements.

Historic Center
We explored beautifully preserved squares, including the medieval Largo da Oliveira Square, and wandered charming alleyways.

Highlights from Braga

Braga Cathedral (Sé de Braga)
Portugal’s oldest cathedral, featuring a blend of Romanesque, Gothic, and Baroque architecture.

Arco da Porta Nova
A grand 18th-century archway marking the entrance to Braga’s historic center.

Praça da República
A lively square full of cafes and fountains, bustling with locals and visitors.

Rua do Souto
A charming pedestrian street lined with shops, cafes (perfect for a sangria break), and the historic Church of Santa Cruz.

Bom Jesus do Monte
We rode the unique water-powered funicular to the top, then walked down the 573 steps, pausing at terraces to admire the intricate fountains and chapels depicting the Passion of Christ.

Peneda-Gerês National Park

From Braga we did a private guided tour with included transportation to see Peneda-Gerês National Park. Exploring the park this way was a lot easier than trying to plan the all the logistics ourselves, and having a knowledgeable guide was very helpful. Upon arrival to the park we started the day with a scenic viewpoint, followed by a 4-mile hike. After the hike, we stopped for lunch in the town of Gerês. The afternoon included a short but moderately challenging rock scramble down to a secluded natural pool, followed by a refreshing swim. On the way back, we passed by a dam, took in some dramatic landscapes, and rolled through a few charming villages.

It was a fun day spent hiking and swimming in this park, home to lush forests, cascading waterfalls and crystal-clear swimming holes. Along the trails, we spotted wild horses and the park’s charming Cachena cows roaming freely. The afternoon included a short but rocky trail and a moderately challenging scramble down to a natural pool, perfect for a refreshing swim. On the way back, we passed by a dam, took in some dramatic landscapes, and rolled through a few charming villages.

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Week 3: Douro Valley

For our final week, we spent five nights in the Douro Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its breathtaking scenery and world-renowned Port wine.

Highlights from the Douro Valley

Quinta de Marrocos
Staying at this family-run vineyard was a trip highlight, offering unmatched hospitality. We toured the vineyards, relaxed on their large outdoor terrace with scenic views of the valley, enjoyed elaborate breakfasts, and savored a farm-to-table dinner paired with generous pours of Port.

Quinta Vallado
We experienced a lovely Port tasting with local bites, followed by a scenic vineyard and wine cellar tour.

Douro Valley Tour
From Pinhão we joined a small-group day tour through the picturesque Pinhão region. The tour began with a visit to the historic Pinhão train station, where we learned about its iconic azulejos that beautifully depict the story of the Douro Valley. From there, we enjoyed a scenic drive up to a stunning viewpoint overlooking the terraced vineyards and winding river. The day continued with tastings at two Quintas, a delicious lunch featuring traditional Portuguese cuisine, and wrapped up with a relaxing one-hour boat ride along the Douro River.

Lamego
A perfect day trip destination, known for its magnificent Baroque stairway leading up to the Nossa Senhora dos Remédios church.

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Final Thoughts

Northern Portugal exceeded all our expectations. The Douro Valley’s summer heat was intense, but the region’s beauty and charm made it worth it. Public transportation was reliable, ridesharing was widely available, and trains made city-hopping easy. The only challenge was reaching Peneda-Gerês National Park, which required extra planning.

Traveling with Helene and Denise made this journey even more memorable. From city adventures to tranquil vineyard stays, Northern Portugal offered the perfect blend of culture, nature, and cuisine.

🗺️ Recommend Tours

• Taste Porto Food Tours – The tour we chose kicked off at the Bolhão Market, where we began with a glass of crisp Vinho Verde and sampled treats from several local vendors. From there, we ventured to a handful of other spots to try traditional Portuguese dishes.
• Porto Craft Beer and Food Tour – A fun and social pub walking tour where everyone quickly became fast friends. The tour took us to four different spots to sample local beers, enjoy tasty bites—including delicious empadas and another round of the iconic bifana sandwich—and pick up some interesting facts about the city along the way.
• Ribeira Free Tour – An insightful free (tip-based) walking tour of Porto’s historic Ribeira district, which started in the scenic plaza outside the Porto Cathedral. It was a great way to gain context and uncover the rich history of the area—full of stories, details, and hidden gems we would’ve easily missed on our own.
• Douro Valley Tours – The tour we chose included a scenic drive with stunning viewpoint stops, a one-hour cruise along the Douro River, tastings at two Quintas paired with regional bites, a delicious lunch featuring traditional Portuguese cuisine, and a stop at the historic Pinhão train station to learn the story of the Douro Valley.
• Peneda-Gerês Private Tour – This full-day tour included hotel pickup and drop-off in Braga, with optional departures from Porto or Guimarães, and a scenic return route that made the drive especially enjoyable. We visited two stunning viewpoints in the national park, took a 4-mile hike, enjoyed lunch in the town of Gerês (note: lunch isn’t included), and wrapped up the day with a short but moderately challenging hike to a natural pool for a refreshing swim.