Day 1: Porto

Begin in Portugal’s second metropolis, capital of the north. Wander the waterside Ribeiro district. Marvel at Baroque structure and gilded church buildings. Bounce on a tram, or rent a motorbike and pedal, to river mouth Foz do Douro suburb.

Stroll throughout the highest of double-decker Dom Luís I Bridge to the dual metropolis of Vila Nova de Gaia, house of the port wine lodges and the brand new World of Wine district.

Day 2: Historic core

From Porto, journey north first to Guimarães, cradle of the nation and UNESCO World Heritage Website. The citadel and Paço dos Duques palace are twin gems, crowning a hill like a theatre backdrop to the tightly-packed medieval centre.

Day 3: Heaven’s above

Braga, ecclesiastical capital of the nation the place each different constructing appears to be a Baroque church. Besides that Braga can also be a college city fizzing with the youthful vim of scholar life.

Day 4-5: Coast and hinterland

World class views unfurl from hilltop Basilica de Santa Luzia above the port of Viana do Castelo. Past Viana, swathes of wind-harassed sand unfurl, backed by dunes. Caminha, going through Spain on the mouth of the Minho, is defended by defiant stone partitions.

Head on into the wilds of Peneda-Gerês NP. Uncover the mountainous area of port wine-growing fame in and round Pinhão. In the event you nonetheless have a head for top tradition, drive on alongside the river to Lamego and its assortment of work by Portuguese grasp Grão Vascoin the regional museum. Cease at Amarante for the photogenic São Gonzalo bridge, and to eat egg-sweets of the identical identify.