Minho Voyage Tips and guide

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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.

• 41.533333-8.4166671 Braga — university centre and the country's religious capital, one of the oldest and most important cities in Portugal, sprawling along the Cávado valley; baroque Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
• 41.85-8.4166672 Arcos de Valdevez — historically important town whose motto is "where Portugal was made"
• 41.533333-8.6166673 Barcelos — medieval city and major ceramics centre, whose rooster figurines have become a symbol for the whole country; every thursday, largest weekly rural market in Portugal
• 41.833333-8.8333334 Caminha — a town on the Portuguese Way path of the Camino de Santiago that is a popular summer resort
• 41.516667-8.7833335 Fão — in the Esposende municipality, it is known for its beach; a large part of its coastline is protected within the Litoral Norte Natural Park
• 41.445-8.2908336 Guimarães — the founding place of the nation, an historic city whose old core is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
• 41.766667-8.5833337 Ponte de Lima — the oldest town in Portugal, in the heart of the Vinho Verde region; important rural market twice a month
• 42.02821-8.633888 Valença — riverside border city with Roman and medieval sights; complete set of 17th century fortifications
• 41.7-8.8333339 Viana do Castelo — well-preserved old town, with many gothic and baroque buildings; its hilltop church draws visitors for the Pilgrimage of Nossa Senhora da Agonia and the amazing views over the Lima River
• 41.416667-8.51666710 Vila Nova de Famalicão — the south entrance of the Minho province, and one of the main cultural, commercial and industrial centres of the country

• 41.830713-8.238671 Peneda-Gerês National Park — Portugal's only national park, set in the mountains of Peneda, Larouco, and Gerês

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).

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.

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

Many local religious festivals (''romarias'') are frequent all over the summer.

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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