Vinho Verde, green valleys and ziplines: an adventure in northern Portugal

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| Reading time: 12 minutes | By: Fleur |

North Portugal is known for its wines and port wine, but the region also has a raw and adventurous edge that I was allowed to discover during my trip. At the invitation of Hotéis Rurais de Portugal, I set out to see what else this region has to offer. It is an area where culture, gastronomy and outdoor activities blend seamlessly. For those who want to exchange the city for fresh air and a good dose of adrenaline: this is the place to be.

Meandering along the Douro

Wine, port and the famous Vinho Verde

My trip took me further into the famous Douro Valley. This area is truly beautiful: everywhere you look, the river winds through the landscape, surrounded by vineyards forming a tight pattern on the steep slopes. Following the route along the river, you drive along winding roads where each viewpoint is more impressive than the last.

The region is all about wine and port, and of course I tasted them extensively. The wines are all locally produced, including the famous Vinho Verde. As an aperitif, I was often served a board with cheeses, cold cuts, bread and olives from our own garden. A dish you see everywhere are small croquettes, pastéis, with meat or cod. Fresh cod is rare here; the Portuguese eat almost exclusively the dried and salted variety: the famous bacalhau. The food is honest, pure and served with great pride.

Not only for wine lovers

The longest cable car in Europe

For those who want more than just wine tasting, there are plenty of adventurous activities. I myself went on Europe's longest cable car and raced across the green valleys at breakneck speed. Highly recommended for those who are not afraid of heights. But you can also go mountain biking or abseiling down waterfalls. Keep in mind that the weather can be changeable: I had days of 28 degrees, but as soon as the rain fell, it cooled down by ten degrees. So always pack plenty of layers.

Country houses with a story

Hotel Casas Novas & Hotel Quinta das Quintães

After such an active day, it was great to relax at Hotel Casas Novas. Like the other hotels on this trip, this is a former country house, in this case from the eighteenth century and built in Baroque style. What is special is that historical elements have also been preserved: in the ballroom, you can still see the place where grapes used to be crushed for wine. In addition, we were able to relax in the spa. I love opening the curtains in the morning and looking out at the first sunlight hitting the vineyards on the mountain slopes.

Hotel Quinta das Quintães also made an impression: a former farmhouse on a hill overlooking the village and the surrounding vineyards. We were warmly welcomed and told with visible pride how the hotel came about. The photo book of the renovation was immediately pulled out. Such hospitality, I noticed time and again, is characteristic of the entire region.

Ponte de Lima: pilgrims, terraces and pig's blood

One of the oldest towns in Portugal

My trip also took me to Ponte de Lima, one of Portugal's oldest towns and a surprisingly vibrant place. With more than a hundred restaurants, it is a foodie's paradise, yet it does not feel too crowded. People relax on terraces, locals chat by a bench and a group of rowers train in the river Lima. There is a fine, convivial atmosphere.

One of the highlights is the historic bridge over the river Lima, which has played an important role for centuries for pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. Thousands of pilgrims still pass through the city every year, following the route by yellow arrows. I walked a section of this path myself.

In a Lima restaurant I tasted sarrabulho: a traditional dish of rice with pig's blood. Fair is fair: it was not my favourite. But I enjoy trying everything, and it's also a bit part of the experience.

Northern Portugal surprised me in ways I didn't expect. It is a region that appeals to you on multiple levels: adventurous enough for those seeking adrenaline, but at the same time soothing for those who want to slow down. You sleep in country houses with centuries-old history, taste local food and drive through landscapes with beautiful viewpoints. The region simply has much more to offer than most people think.

Love,
Fleur

This content was made possible by Hotéis Rurais de Portugal. Hotéis Rurais de Portugal is a collection of charming rural hotels spread throughout Portugal. Places where you wake up among vineyards, mountains or quiet villages, and where hospitality still feels truly personal. Through their website, you can directly search and book your favourite accommodation: from a charming hotel in the countryside to a quiet base far away from the famous hotspots. This way, you discover the Portugal that feels just that little bit quieter, more local and authentic, with room for nature, culture and real attention.

 

No, definitely not. Although the Douro Valley is known for wine, port and Vinho Verde, the region also has a lot to offer travellers looking for adventure. Among other things, you can zipline across green valleys, mountain bike or abseil down waterfalls. This makes northern Portugal a fine destination for those who want to combine gastronomy with outdoor activities.

Also wine tasting closer to home? We share the most beautiful vineyards in the Netherlands with you.

During this trip, I stayed in former country houses and farms with lots of character, such as Hotel Casas Novas and Hotel Quinta das Quintães. These places combine comfort with history: think old wine rooms, views of vineyards, baroque architecture and a personal, welcoming atmosphere. After an active day, this is a wonderful way to unwind.

Ponte de Lima is one of the oldest towns in Portugal and has a cosy, relaxed atmosphere with many restaurants and terraces. The historic bridge over the river Lima is a highlight, partly because pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela still pass here. For those who like to try local dishes, sarrabulho is a special experience, although rice with pig's blood is not for everyone.

Across the border - Slow travel tips

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Written by:

Fleur

With my camera in my pocket, I set out to capture the beauty of nature. From wild landscapes to small details that we often overlook. As an outdoor photographer, I believe you don't always have to travel far for adventure; sometimes you can find the most beautiful places just around the corner. Always looking for that special light and those unique moments that bring a place to life. Because if you learn to look differently, even your backyard becomes a place full of wonder.

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