Porto

the Costa Verde, literally ‘the green coast’

Things to see and do:
Oporto, the country’s second city and the focal point of the north, is a city of contrasts. Ancient neighbourhoods that date back centuries sit alongside a thriving contemporary arts scene. There’s also a dance theatre and numerous fashionable clothes shops. The riverside area and bustling downtown provide plenty of distractions. Alternatively visit the cellars of some of the best known port producers and try your hand at tasting.

If you head up the Douro valley you’ll find some of the finest vineyards in Portugal. Whether your trip is by boat or road you won’t fail to be impressed by the beautiful scenery. Slightly further afield but definitely worth the journey is the Peneda-Gerês National Park. Some of the peaks in this spectacular park soar to over 7000ft above sea level. Day walks and horse riding are all up for grabs here, as are longer treks.

A visit to Braga is an absolute must if you are staying in the north. This town has been inhabited since before 300 BC. As well as some ruins dating back to ancient times, there’s an abundance of magnificent buildings still fully intact. If the coast is more your scene, make for Póvoa de Varzim. When you’ve spent enough time on the beach head into town and enjoy the restaurants and shops. The combination of traditional fishing town and popular beachside resort makes for a great combination.

On the beach:
The Costa Verde has a number of beautiful secluded beaches stretching to the Spanish border. Do remember, however, that here you are swimming in the Atlantic Ocean and the water can be cold and the beaches windswept. The best beaches in the area are at Esposende and Vila Praia da Ancora. Watersports are available in all the main resorts.

In the shops:
Northern Portugal is renowned for holding the best local craft markets in Portugal and folk art is available in most towns and villages. Gumara~es, approximately 50km Northwest of Oporto, is the place to find embroidered and woven items, for lace visit Vila do Condo and Minho is known for its fabulous handicrafts. If you fancy a traditional embroidred Portugeese festival costume try Viana do Castelo, north of Oporto.

Eating out:
For the best choice of restaurants head for the capital where the food is traditionally rich and heavy, produced using local ingredients and may have a French influence. Every town along the coast will have its own recipe for cooking fresh fish and the towns close to rivers in the mountains serve fabulous trout dishes. Generally restaurants in Northern Portugal are good value and reservations usually aren’t necessary.

After dark:
The best nightlife in the region is in Oporto where you can relax over an evening drink in one of the old style cafes. There are 2 casinos within reach of the city and the best discos can be found to the west of the city centre in the new commercial developments. Outside the capital Braga is surprisingly lively in the evening – the café bars are busy day and night and there are 2 discos on Av, da Liberdade. Viana do Castelo also has a handfull of bars and cafés, the most lively can be found on the town beach.