Northern Portugal

Mini Guide

Where to eat, stay, shop and explore in Northern Portugal.

Portugal is easily not just one of my favourite destinations, it’s a favourite for so many people. Affordability, amazing food, deeply rooted traditions, some great wine and incredibly welcoming people are a few things that draw me in. One region in Portugal, Northern Portugal, has all of that in spades. It’s home to Portuguese folklore, that famous vino verde, stunning artistry… and one very famous rooster. Northern Portugal is known to be the birthplace of the nation. It’s not as bustling and busy as its southern parts, but it is packed with all the things that make Portugal so famous. The UNESCO-listed Douro Valley wine region, picturesque and historic cities like Porto and Braga, and most of all, its authenticity. Let’s kick off our visit in the town of Braga, a place with deep religious meaning to the Portuguese.

Visit

Braga and the Bom Jesus

Braga is known as the “Portuguese Rome,” and for good reason. It is one of the world’s oldest Christian cities. Its Cathedral is a focal point in the city, but the main draw for tourists and pilgrims alike is the UNESCO-listed Bom Jesus do Monte sanctuary. Overlooking Braga, The Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte is a sacred Catholic pilgrimage site perched on Mount Espinho’s slopes. The most notable feature is its baroque stairway that zigzags up to the sanctuary. The 573 steps are divided into three main sections: the Stairway of the Portico, the Stairway of the Five Senses, and the Stairway of the Three Virtues. Don’t worry–you don’t need to climb all the stairs to get to the very top. A funicular powered completely by a nearby water source is a sustainable, and easier on your knees option.

STAY at the Hotel Vila Galé Collection Braga

In a town as historic as Braga, you’ll find no shortage of places to stay steeped in history. But this one in particular holds a lot of significance to Braga. If these walls could talk it would tell tales of religion and even surgeries–yes, surgeries. The Hotel Vila Galé Collection Braga is a converted monastery and former São Marcos Hospital dating back to 1508. The dining room is what used to be the surgical room. The suites and rooms are richly decorated to depict the building’s history, but modern touches were added in 2018 with an outdoor pool and a complete renovation.

STAY at at the Monverde Wine Experience Hotel

When you arrive at the Monverde Wine Experience Hotel, you’ll do a double take. You’re not in the South of France, or in Tuscany. These rolling hills are here in Northern Portugal and this vineyard with accommodations mixes in art with wine perfectly. And it’s where I’m going to learn more about vinho verde. The stunning Monverde Wine Experience Hotel can be found in Amarante, right in the heart of the Vinho Verde wine region. Some of the 46 rooms and villas on the property feature private pools, vineyard views and balconies for gazing out over the vine-covered land.

VISIT a filigree museum and workshop

The art of filigree is so delicate that only a few people in the world master it. And filigree from Northern Portugal is some of the most coveted in the entire world. The name filigree comes from the Latin filum granum, which means granulated thread. Very fine strands of gold or silver are carefully twisted and interwoven, creating complex geometric patterns that are known for their delicacy. The region of Gondomar is the most well known for filigree and it is considered to be the finest in the world. Arlindo Moura is one of the most skilled filigree artists in Portugal. His creations have even graced our TVs, with his masterful work featured as a key piece in the Netflix drama The Heist. To get an even closer look at the work of filigree, you can also stop by the Museum of Filigree in Gondomar.

TOUR the town of Barcelos

End your time in Northern Portugal in Barcelos–home of the famous Portuguese Rooster. You’ll find depictions of said rooster all over town–sculptures, statues, trinkets, in shop windows and at cafes. It’s a symbol of luck and one of the most recognizable symbols of Portugal. The Rooster of Barcelos (Galo de Barcelos) is one of the most recognizable symbols of Portuguese culture. It’s a vibrant, colourful folk symbol that encompasses faith, honesty, and luck, all stemming from a miraculously crowing roasted rooster that proved a pilgrim’s innocence. Today, the colourful rooster is often sold as a souvenir. It’s believed to bring good luck and honesty. Some traditions suggest the tail should face the door to bring fortune.

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