Cavado river and Peneda-Geres National Park

©Sergey Peterman/Getty Images

The Minho

The Minho delivers world-class natural beauty with a knowing smile. Here are lush river valleys, sparkling beaches and granite peaks patrolled by locals – who, whether they are charging into 2m waves along the Costa Verde or shepherding their flock into high mountain meadows, seem particularly in tune with their homeland. This is, after all, the birthplace of the Portuguese kingdom, and it would be hard to find better-preserved landmarks than those lit up and on display in the Minho’s gorgeous old cities.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • cathedral of Braga, Portugal; Shutterstock ID 93397054; Your name (First / Last): Tom Stainer; GL account no.: 65050 ; Netsuite department name: Online Editorial ; Full Product or Project name including edition: Cities app

    Sé

    Braga

    Braga’s extraordinary cathedral, the oldest in Portugal, was begun when the archdiocese was restored in 1070 and completed in the following century. It’s…

  • Barcelos, Portugal - August 23, 2012: A man is cutting bacalhau during the market day. Bacalhau dishes are very common in Portugal.; Shutterstock ID 241520329; Your name (First / Last): Tom Stainer; GL account no.: 65050 ; Netsuite department name: Online Editorial; Full Product or Project name including edition: Best in Travel 2018

    Feira de Barcelos

    The Minho

    The largest, oldest and most celebrated of the Minho's markets is the Feira de Barcelos, held every Thursday in Barcelos on the banks of Rio Cávado…

  • Ponte Medieval

    Ponte Medieval

    The Minho

    The city’s pièce de résistance, this elegant 31-arched bridge across the Rio Lima is now limited to foot traffic. Most of it dates from the 14th century,…

  • Escadaria do Bom Jesus do Monte

    Escadaria do Bom Jesus do Monte

    Braga

    Climbing dramatically to the hilltop pilgrimage site of Bom Jesus do Monte, 5km east of Braga, is this extraordinary staircase, with allegorical fountains…

  • Miradouro da Pedra Bela

    Miradouro da Pedra Bela

    Parque Nacional da Peneda-Gerês

    For spectacular views over the Albufeira de Caniçada reservoir and the southern reaches of Parque Nacional Peneda-Gerês, snake 6km uphill through the…

  • Museu Alberto Sampaio

    Museu Alberto Sampaio

    Guimarães

    Built around the serene Romanesque cloister of Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Oliveira, this museum has an excellent collection of ecclesiastical art and…

  • Fortaleza de Valença

    Fortaleza de Valença

    The Minho

    Valença's fortaleza is in fact two fortresses, bristling with bastions, watchtowers, massive gateways and defensive bulwarks, connected by a single bridge…

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Plan with a local

Articles

Latest stories from The Minho

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A view of a village clinging to a hill rising from the banks of the Cavado river in Peneda-Gerês national park in northern Portugal, with rugged green hills beyond.

Sports

Why adventure lovers should head to northern Portugal

Jul 9, 2019 • 6 min read

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Go Beyond

The Minho and beyond

Beyond The Minho
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