MAKE THE MOST OF THE MINHO
Sightseeing & Sports
The Minho region is one of the undiscovered gems of Europe. We have compiled some notes based on our experiences in the area to help you settle in quickly. However, the best way to ensure you have a great holiday is to explore the attractions of the Minho for yourselves. Please add your discoveries and experiences to the visitor book for the benefit of other guests. Sergio Monteiro and his wife Diana are not only excellent guides, but they can usually negotiate cheaper rates for sports, excursions and other activities.
Descubra Minho Tours
The Descubra Minho website offers several tours of the north of Portugal. The guides speak several languages and offer fascinating insights into the local area. Highly recommended.
Sightseeing
On the Atlantic coast about 15 minutes north of Viana do Castello. Ancora has a stunning beach and several excellent restaurants. Along with Afife and Viana this beach is popular with surfers and other water sport enthusiasts. A bustling fishing village, you can see the fishermen land their catch, the women sell the fish and the older men repair the nets. A great day out.
The weekly market in Barcelos, held every Thursday, is one of the largest in Europe. This is probably the best place to buy pottery and local handicrafts, often at 50% of the price in other outlets. Locals selling their own produce – from bread to hams and cheeses – add to the market’s bustling atmosphere.
About 30 minutes away on the A3 motorway, Braga is still the religious capital of Portugal with many ancient churches and an impressive Archbishop’s Palace. More recently Braga has become an important financial centre and boasts a wide range of fashion boutiques and trendy restaurants. Braga also has one of the best football teams in Portugal and a unique stadium carved into the mountainside.
A village only 10 minutes away and well worth a visit. Wander around its picturesque church and the grounds of the magnificent 17th century Paco de Calheiros manor house. The panoramic views across the Lima valley are stunning.
This is a fabulous day out. You leave Porto at 09.00 am heading up river to Regua Guests enjoy breakfast, aperitifs and lunch as they sail through stunning scenery on both banks of the famous Douro River, home to some of the oldest wine and port producers in the world. When the boat reaches Peso da Regua guests disembark for a port tasting experience before travelling back to Porto by train. Price is €85 per person. Highly recommended.
The first capital of Portugal enjoys UNESCO World Heritage status due to its labyrinth of narrow streets and an imposing castle. The students at the University of the Minho help create a lively nightlife in the many bars and cafes in the historic centre. Guimaraes also has a football team in the top Portuguese league.
This area produces what is widely recognised to be the best vinho verde in the country. The wine is made from the Alvarinho grape and at 12.5% has a higher alcoholic content than other vinho verdes and is able to age. A wine tasting trip with lunch is a relaxing and enjoyable day out. It is probably better to arrange an excursion through Sergio and Diana and to leave the car at home.
Established in 1971, Portugal’s only National Park aims to protect the region’s landscape, archaeology, wildlife and the traditional way of life of the locals. Deep gorges with rushing streams and waterfalls are carved from the rugged terrain and the park has so many places of interest that it is worth several visits. With mountains rising to 5,000 feet, the views are breath-taking. The 19th century Senhora da Peneda Sanctuary with its monumental staircase and twenty chapel buildings is an awe-inspiring sight. There are numerous trails to explore on foot or on horse-back. Sergio and Diana can arrange excursions.
The oldest town in Portugal is about 7 km from Quinta de Agriboa. The town takes its name from the bridge that crosses the River Lima. Originally built by the Romans about 1000 years ago the bridge is the main focus of the town. Ponte de Lima has a relaxed atmosphere that lends itself to wandering through the narrow streets dipping into small boutiques, coffee houses or historic buildings. There is an excellent 18-hole golf course about 2 km south of the town. Every 2nd Monday Ponte de Lima is the venue for the oldest market in Portugal. A place to visit again and again.
Portugal’s 2nd largest city, based at the mouth of the Douro River, the most important wine making region in the country is less than an hour from Quinta de Agriboa. During the day you can take a cruise by riverboat on the Douro, visit the world famous Port Houses or go on a shopping expedition to the exclusive boutiques in one of the coolest cities of Europe. At night there is a vibrant music and club scene, the restaurants are world class and the city is also home to one of the top teams in European football. This is where Jose Mourinho, or “the special one”, first made his name by winning the UEFA Cup and the Champions League in successive seasons.
The border is about 20 minutes north of Quinta de Agriboa. The spectacular International Bridge designed by Gustave Eiffel links the towns of Valenca in Portugal and Tui in Spain, with its mediaeval walled town overlooked by a 13th century Cathedral. The nearest large town is Vigo, which is dominated by a large port. It is probably better to head inland to the more picturesque small towns and villages for interesting walks and good food. The beautiful city of Santiago de Compostela is about an hour and a half away. This has been an important destination for pilgrims for centuries. The Cathedral and the surrounding old town were declared a UNESCO world heritage site in 1985. Remember Spain is one hour ahead of Portugal.
Viana is the main resort town in the north of Portugal. It was the first centre for the shipment of Port to Britain and most of the historic centre owes a lot to this period. Viana has a lot of interesting shops and restaurants and one of the best markets in the Minho region. The beach, Praia do Cabedello, lies across the river from the town and is popular with water sport enthusiasts.
Sport
The Minho region offers a diverse range of sporting activities at very competitive prices.
Highlights we have enjoyed include: learning to surf on gigantic Atlantic rollers with the surfing school at Afife or Ancora, kayaking down the river from Ponte Barca and going up a mountain in the National Park on horse back.
Ponte de Lima has a beautiful golf course two miles south of the town. The main challenge in the opening nine holes is to avoid the trees that line the fairways. The back nine is more open but equally challenging. A buggy is recommended.
Estela is a beautiful but challenging links course about 30 minutes south on the motorway to Porto. When you leave the motorway follow the Golf signs that take you through a couple of small villages. Estela will challenge golfers of all abilities. Many of the tees and greens enjoy stunning views along a glorious beach and out to the Atlantic. Both courses have highly recommended restaurants.
For football fans there are three teams in the top Portuguese league within an hour of the villa. To the north, Celta Vigo, about an hour and a half away, play in the Spanish Primera Liga.
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