| Northern Portugal | |
 | |
Location .svg/250px-Regiao_Norte_in_Portugal_(plus_mini_area).svg.png) | |
| State | Portugal |
|---|---|
| Capital | Port |
| Surface | 21 278 km² |
| Inhabitants | 3.689.173 (2011 census) |
| Tourism site | |
Northern Portugal (Região Norte) is the oldest region of the Portugal, the one in which the roots of this people sink.
To know
Geographical notes
It borders the Spain (Galicia to the north and Castile and León east), col North-central Portugal to the south and with the Atlantic Ocean to the west.
Territories and tourist destinations
- Douro Litoral - The territory of Port, second city of Portugal. Other centers of interest are Amarante, a town with a romantic look thanks to its beautiful houses with wooden roofs and the stone bridge over the Rio Tamega. Póvoa de Varzim, Vila do Conde, Vila Nova de Gaia.
- Minho - The northernmost territory of Portugal takes its name from the river whose course marks the border with the GaliciaSpanish. The most interesting centers of this ancient province are Braga, nicknamed the "Rome of Portugal" because of its many churches and Guimarães, where Portugal was born as a national entity. Other centers are: Viana do Castelo is the capital of the northernmost district of Portugal while Valença do Minho is the road and rail crossing on the border with Spain (Galicia).
- Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro - The most important city is Bragança, cradle of the last royal dynasty that ruled the fate of the country until 1910.
Urban centers
- Port (Porto) - The largest city in the area.
- Amarante - Famous for its culinary specialties including smoked dried hams, its cured meats and its vinho verde (a sweet wine).
- Barcelos - Municipality located in the Braga district.
- Braga - After Porto it is the second most important city in the north, a notable agricultural and industrial economic center.
- Braganza (Bragança) - Ancient capital of the Tras-os-Montes region with an interesting historical center.
- Chaves - Known spa with bicarbonate hot waters, it was already known by the Romans who called it Aquae Flaviae.
- Espinho - Municipality located in the Aveiro district.
- Esposende - Municipality located in the Braga district.
- Guimarães - Center of textile industries, trade and crafts, especially cutlery and goldsmiths.
- Lamego - It is a city of art, a bishopric and an important wine center.
- Miranda do Douro - It is the easternmost municipality in Portugal.
- Penafiel - Municipality located in the district of Porto.
- Póvoa de Varzim - It is a small town on the Costa Verde north of Porto, a popular seaside resort and ancient fishing port, around which tourist facilities and a casino were born.
- Viana do Castelo - Important fishing port and seaside resort with a mild climate and thick vegetation on the right bank of the estuary of the Lima river, already famous under Rome.
- Vila Nova de Foz Côa - Here you can admire the Paleolithic art in the Côa Valley (protected byUNESCO).
- Vila Nova de Gaia - It is the second most populous city in Portugal.
- Vila Real - Lively town in the Tras-os-Montes region.
- Vila do Conde - Municipality located in the district of Porto.
Other destinations
- Citânia de Briteiros - Archaeological sites.
- Peneda-Gerês National Park - National park on the border with Spain.
- Alto Douro wine region (Região Vinhateira do Alto Douro (Alto Douro Vinhateiro)) - An area protected byUNESCO.
- Duero Valley
How to get
By plane
Francisco de Sá Carneiro Airport (IATA: OPO) in Porto is the main entry point into the region.
How to get around
What see
- Monuments, museums and bridges of Port
- Santuario do Bom Jesus do Monte di Braga - Located on top of a monumental Baroque staircase.
- Castle of Santa Maria da Feira
- Paleolithic art in the Côa Valley - Protected byUNESCO.
Itineraries
Since Porto is the main access point of the area, below is an itinerary that starts and ends from this city in order to visit the major cities of the area. Port> Braga> Guimaraes> Geres> Amarante> Vila Real> Mateus> Vidago> Chaves> Braganza> Miranda> Coa> Douro> Porto.
What to do
- Visit to the cellars where the Port is aged.
- Douro River Cruise (Douro), the third longest river in the Iberian Peninsula (after the Tagus and the Ebro).
At the table
The bacalhau (cod in Italian) is not the only gastronomic specialty, but it is certainly one that is worth tasting.
Drinks
The most famous fortified wine of this region is certainly the Port.
Safety
Generally safe area.
Other projects
Wikipedia contains an entry concerning Northern Portugal
Commons contains images or other files on Northern Portugal
