Minho

Minho is a province of Northern Portugal. On the northernmost Atlantic tip of the country, Minho borders the Spanish region of Galicia, sharing with it many affinities in geography, tradition, people and language. There are however two Minhos, the Alto Minho and the Baixo Minho, being the first one characterised by the folk dance and vivid green.

Cities

• 1 Braga — the main city and the country's religious capital city, one of the most important cities in Portugal, sprawling along the Cávado valley, with a UNESCO World Heritage Site
• 2 Arcos de Valdevez — historically important town whose motto is "where Portugal was made"
• 3 Barcelos — medieval city whose rooster figurines have become a symbol for the whole country
• 4 Caminha — a town on the Portuguese Way path of the Camino de Santiago that is a popular summer resort
• 5 Guimarães — the founding place of the nation, an historic city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
• 6 Ponte de Lima — the oldest village in Portugal, in the heart of the Vinho Verde region
• 7 Valença — riverside border city with Roman and medieval sights
• 8 Viana do Castelo — it draws visitors for the Pilgrimage of Nossa Senhora da Agonia and the amazing views of the Lima River
• 9 Vila Nova de Famalicão — the south entrance of the Minho province, and one of the main cultural, commercial and industrial centres of the country

Other destinations

• 1 Peneda-Gerês National Park — Portugal's only national park, set in the mountains of Peneda, Larouco, and Gerês

Understand

Although 20% of the Portuguese territory is under some type of ecological protection reserve, the Minho (MEE-nyoo, /ˈmi.ɲu/) features the country's only national park, Parque Nacional da Peneda-Gerês, covering some 72,000 hectares (180,000 acres).

Get in

The major cities are reachable by train or bus and also served by modern highways. From there it is possible to explore the smaller towns using the local transportation system (bus) or by renting a car.

Get around

Train (linha do Minho: Porto-Valença); Ramal de Braga.

See

The annual fair at Viana do Castelo, in the third week of August — Nossa Senhora da Agonia — renowned for the impressive display of folk art and traditional clothes.

Itineraries

Braga/Guimaraes Braga/Barcelos/Esposende/Viana do Castelo/Caminha Braga/Terras de Bouro/Parque nacional da Peneda-Gerez.

Do

• Braga: cathedral, sanctuaries of Bom Jesus and Sameiro.

Eat

The region's gastronomical treasures are some of the most representative of the country.

Drink

• Vinho verde — Renowned for its uniqueness, "green wine" is only produced in the Minho region.

Stay safe

Because Minho is not a destination for mass tourism, the chances of you being robbed are low. But of course, one should always pay attention.

Go next

• Amarante —
• Chaves —
• Douro Litoral —
• Lamego —
• Porto —
• Vila Real —