Região do Norte - North of Portugal
Portugal is divided into different regions. The Northern Region or Região do Norte is located in the north of the country and is the most populous region of the country.
The Região do Norte is known as the oldest region in Portugal and is often referred to as the “cradle of the nation”. The birth of the Kingdom of Portugal began here, giving the region a deep historical significance. Porto, the capital of the region, is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe
The Região is a mountainous region. There are mountains in the Serras that reach heights of up to 1544 meters. Some of the mountain ranges are located in the Peneda-Gerês National Park, the Montesinho Natural Park and the Alvão Natural Park. The coastal region is also known as the Costa Verde. The flat strip of land is characterized by sandy beaches and hills. Important rivers such as the Minho, Douro and Lima flow into the Atlantic from the interior. Holidaymakers are mainly drawn to the mountainous region to visit the metropolitan region of Porto and the Douro region.
Holidaymakers can discover several UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the north of Portugal. The historic center of Porto, the rock engraving of Foz Côa, the historic center of Guimarães and the Alto Douro wine region are all on the internationally recognized list.
The Região do Norte is known for its wine culture, especially the world-famous port wine produced in the vineyards along the Douro River. The region offers numerous opportunities to taste local wines and enjoy the region’s culinary specialties.
The people of the Região do Norte are known for their strong sense of tradition. This is reflected in the numerous festivals, customs and warm hospitality that visitors can experience.
Vacation in the Região do Norte
For a day trip to Braga, we boarded the train in Porto in beautiful weather. The trip takes about 1 hour and gave us the opportunity to pick out the most important information and sights in Braga.
The Douro (Duero in Spanish) is a river that rises in Spain and winds through the Iberian Peninsula for almost 900 kilometres until it flows into the Atlantic Ocean. A beautiful river landscape that invites you to linger.
In the Portuguese region of Norte, only about 10 kilometres from Porto, the town of Matosinhos is located directly on the Atlantic coast. The town, which seamlessly connects to the city limits of Porto, is not only a local recreation area, but also very popular with tourists.
Vila Nova de Gaia, or Gaia for short, is a city in Portugal that tourists usually do not recognize as a city in its own right. Many city visitors to Porto mistakenly think that Gaia is still Porto when they cross the Douro to the other side of the river
City trip to Porto
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Parks in Porto →Discover the green side of PortoThe lively city of Porto is known for its impressive sights and charming alleyways. But off the beaten track, there are green oases just waiting to be discovered: the Parque das Virtudes and the Jardins do Palácio de Cristal are two of the most beautiful parks in Porto.
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Ponte Luís I →Porto's most famous bridge: Ponte Luís I
One of the most famous bridges over the Douro connects Porto with Vila Nova de Gaia. However, the Ponte Luís I is not just a transport link, it is one of the most impressive sights in Porto.
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Porto São Bento station →The most beautiful train station in Porto: Porto São Bento station
We enter Porto São Bento station through a rather off-putting, dingy side entrance. This station is supposed to be the most beautiful in Porto? We are curious…
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Golden churches of Porto →The golden churches of Porto
The churches of Porto are something very special. Discover the golden churches of Porto, one that is a little better known and one that we would almost call an insider tip.
Travel information about Região do Norte
Arrival
By plane
The Francisco Sá Carneiro airport is located in Porto. It is the second largest airport in the country, served by numerous airlines, both domestic and foreign.
The airport has an excellent infrastructure. Several highways, cabs, long-distance buses, the Porto Metro and Porto city buses provide access to the entire region.
By Train
The long distance trains, Intercity and Alfa Pendular, connect the cities of Braga and Guimarães, with Porto, from where they continue to Lisbon or the Algarve.
On the way in ...
By car
In the north of Portugal there is a well-developed highway network of about 960 kilometers. There are both toll and non-toll sections.
The most important freeway connection is the A1, which runs between Porto and Lisbon. The A3 forms an important connection between Porto via Braga to Valencia in Spain.
By train
In the Região do Norte there are several railroad lines that run from Porto through the country. Porto’s commuter rail network plays an important role in this regard. A total of 6 lines pass through 80 stations not only through the city center, but also through the entire metropolitan region, the sub-regions of Cávado, Ave, Tâmega e Sousa and even offer a connection to the region of Aveiro (does not belong to Região do Norte).
Regional trains provide access to areas where there is no S-Bahn connection.
Best time to visit
Spring (March to May)
In spring, temperatures in the Região do Norte are pleasant and range between 18°C and 25°C. Spring can still bring a few rainy days, as the north of Portugal is generally wetter than the south. Nevertheless, there is less rainfall compared to winter, making this a popular time to visit.
Summer (June to August)
In summer, temperatures in the Região do Norte can get hot, often over 25°C, and it can get even warmer.
Summer is the driest season in the Região do Norte, with few rainy days.
Autumn (September to November)
Autumn also offers pleasant temperatures between 18°C and 25°C, similar to spring. The number of rainy days increases again in the fall, especially towards the end of the season.
Winter (December to February)
Temperatures are cooler in winter, but rarely extremely cold. Temperatures can be around 10°C to 15°C during the day. Winter is the wettest season in the Região do Norte, resulting in a green and lush landscape.
