Why Northern Portugal?Religious heritage, modern architecture, natural parks, hospitality and gastronomy

are amongst the great attractions of this region, where Portugal was founded in the

12th century, combining to make it a unique destination.

Why Portugal Green Walks? We have many years experience as a tour operator providing top quality tourist

services in the North of Portugal and Porto. The company builds on this in depth

knowledge of the region to offer uniquely creative and innovative tours in the three

specialist areas in which it focuses: Nature, Culture and Gastronomic Tourism.

CC BY-NC-ND - Fundação Casa da Música CC BY-NC-ND - Associação de Turismo do Porto e Norte, AR

The Minho Region has unique characteristics associated to a natural

landscape of enormous beauty and biodiversity. Marked by an intense

green of the fields and vineyards, the Minho’s beautiful landscape

allies itself with the contagious joy of the festivities and processions

and with the unparalleled hospitality of its people.

Min

ho

© Quinta da Lixa

© Boa Morte

Walking in the Heart of thePeneda-Gerês National ParkIf you’re looking for the splendour of the natural world, then the Peneda-Gerês

National Park is definitely the place to visit. The diversity and abundance of its flora and

fauna will provide you with some unforgettable moments in close contact with nature.

Member of the prestigious Pan Parks network the Park offers walkers wonderful

opportunities to follow old granite paved trails from idyllic villages into remote upland

pastures. This itinerary draws on our in-depth local knowledge and ability to show

visitors the very best of Peneda-Gerês.

Active HolidaysAdventure & fun

If you’re looking to enjoy a few days of absolute relaxation or some refreshing

and invigorating holidays, the northern region of Portugal will surprise you with

fantastic opportunities for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.

You have the opportunity to discover a region of lush green Natural Parks, a rich

culture and history visiting Guimarães and Oporto, two UNESCO World Cultural

Heritage cities, whilst tasting our traditional gastronomy and wines, mixed in

perfect harmony, making this a unique program.

© Joel Pereira

Horse Riding in MinhoAn unforgettable experience

Imagine yourself riding a genuine Portuguese horse whilst having the chance to

see wild horses, such as the Garrano, in the mountains of Northern Portugal;

trekking up the hills surrounded by incredible views and viewing the landscape

as though from the top of the world. This is a unique way to visit the remote

uplands of the Peneda-Gerês National Park and the nearby Corno de Bico

Protected area. Here you will find the perfect place for an unforgettable holiday

together with all the tranquility you could wish for.

© Carlos Orlando

There exists a magical landscape in the far northeast

corner of Portugal with plateaus and majestic mountains,

towns and untouched historical villages, where the

Douro river defines part of the frontier between Portugal

and Spain. Places that are simply unbelievable!

Trás

-os-

Mon

tes

CC BY-NC-ND - Município de Freixo de Espada à Cinta

Walking along the old routes of Arribas do DouroYou will have the chance to discover with us some of the best places of

the International Douro Nature Park, a landscape dominated by a stunning

setting with rugged gorges carved out over time by the Douro river,

through a variety of activities including walking tours, boat trips, a donkey

ride, visits to typical villages and birdwatching.

© Arquivo PNDI-ICNF

CC BY-NC-ND - Europarques.com

© Arquivo PNDI-ICNF

The wine region of The Douro is scenically one of the most impressive

demarcated regions in the world, as evidenced by its status as a UNESCO World

Heritage Site. For generations, thousands of men have built extraordinary terraced

staircases on steep mountains, turning almost inaccessible lands into large areas

of cultivation for the production of the famous port wine. From this arises one of

the strongest and most memorable characteristics of the region.

Dou

ro V

alle

y

© José Manuel

Douro Vine Terraces An amazing walking tourFrom the most rugged parts of the Alto Douro Wine Region to the heart of Port wine itself, you are going to discover the legendary Calçada de Alpajares, also named the Devil's Trail, travel the river on a traditional rabelo boat and experience beautiful walking trails in the midst of vineyards and olive groves. All of this without forgetting a visit to a winery farm where the precious nectar of the region is produced. A not to be missed tour that takes you to three sites that have achieved World Heritage status: The archaeological park of Vale do Coa, the world’s largest open-air museum of Palaeolithic art , the Douro Valley and the historic centre of Porto.

©António Martinho Baptista-PAVC

“Portuguese gardens are amongst the most cosmopolitan in the world, a product of the priviledged cultural heritage of our history, bringing together the west and East in a style with is at the same time intimate, exuberant, slightly exotic but always characteristically Portuguese” Helena Attlee in “O esplendor dos Jardins em Portugal”

Gar

dens

and

par

ks

Enchanted GardensAn inspirational tour for garden lovers...

You are invited to discover the charming heterogeneity of the gardens

of Porto and surrounding region, the birthplace of Portugal. Highlights include the picturesque

gardens of a top Verde wine maker’s Quinta, a selection of outstanding manor house gardens,

an ancient Benedictine monastery Cerca, truly old camellia collections, Romantic gardens of

wealthy Port merchants and a unique modernist garden. To make this a very special tour, we

invited site owners and directors as well as connoisseurs to guide us through their treasures

and make you feel as if you were in your own garden.

Way

of S

aint

Jam

es

The Portuguese Way gently winds its way northwards, along ancient tracks and paths run through woodlands, farmlands, villages, towns and historic cities. Paths that cross courses of water flowing over bridges - some of Roman origin - of unmistakable medieval construction. A route enriched by the presence of chapels, churches, convents, shrines and crosses where the comforting image of Santiago the Pilgrim is ever-present, to accompany and hearten the pilgrim on his journey.

The Portuguese WayThe experience of a lifetime… We have designed a walking tour that aims to combine the spiritual sense

and the personal experience of the Way to Santiago with the comforts of

today and the total support of our local guides. Along the last 153 km of the

Portuguese Way, from Ponte de Lima (North Portugal) to Santiago de

Compostela, the traveller will experience the traditions and ways of rural

Galician life whilst enjoying beautiful landscapes, historical architecture, and

delicious food along the way. Travellers can expect to experience

unforgettable days Walking, Feeling and Resting.

In the land of the valleys of Sousa, Tâmega and Douro, in the heart of the North of Portugal, stands an important architectural heritage of Romanesque origin. Common traits that carry legends and stories born with the foundation of the Nationality and which witness the significant role that this territory formerly played in the history of the nobility and religious orders in Portugal.

Rout

e of

Rom

anes

que

© Rota do Românico

Follow the Steps of Princess Mafalda

On a voyage through History, Portugal Green Walks invites you on an inspiring journey

to learn about some of the monasteries and churches connected, according to legend,

to the life and work of Princess Mafalda, daughter of King Sancho I and granddaughter

of King Afonso Henriques. Take the opportunity to relax and recharge your batteries in

the Baths of São Vicente.

© Rota do Românico

© Rota do Românico

© Rota do Românico

© Rota do Românico

A land of genuine flavours... that deserves to be discovered slowly

Known for its hospitality, the region demonstrates exceptional generosity when it comes

to providing good table service. How can you possibly forget the finest fish caught on our

coastline, our delicious horticultural products, the finest fruit, our olive oil, our cheeses, our

wines - first-class products which are recognised by the world’s leading specialists? And of

course how can we possibly overlook our diversified and mouth-watering desserts, that

come from the best traditions of old Portuguese convents?

Let us act as your guide as you set out to discover the region’s tastes and flavours.

Portugal Green Walks is pleased to be your host!Gas

trom

ony

© Jorge Miranda© Rota do Românico