Live the experience:Circuit at Your Leisure in Northern Portugal and Rías Baixas

• Day 1: Origin - Porto

On the first day, depending on the chosen mode of transportation (own vehicle or rental car), we will head to the accommodation in Porto.

Once you arrive in Porto, we will check in at the hotel. Depending on the arrival time, we may choose to eat, rest, or take a walk around the city. If we have the afternoon free, it will be a great time to start exploring the city.

We will begin with a walk through Porto's historic center. Here, we will visit the Capela das Almas de Santa Catarina, one of the city's most unique churches, famous for its facade decorated with traditional Portuguese white and blue tiles. Although this style is typical of the 18th century, this church incorporated such tiles in the 20th century.

We will continue walking toward the Mercado do Bolhão, one of the city's most iconic markets, and then head to Av. dos Aliados, where we can see the Câmara Municipal do Porto and several modernist buildings along the avenue.

We will divert to visit the Clérigos Tower, one of Porto's most iconic landmarks. From there, we will head to the famous Livraria Lello, a luxurious bookstore decorated in Art Nouveau style, particularly popular among Harry Potter fans. The entry fee is around €5, but if you buy a book, the cost will be deducted.

Next, we will go to the Douro River to see the Fernandina Wall or the Casa do Infante, a former customs house containing Roman ruins and fascinating mosaics.

We can finish the walk at the Porto Cathedral and the famous Dom Luís I Bridge, where you can find various taverns or restaurants to enjoy a traditional Portuguese dinner. If you wish to visit the cathedral, keep in mind it closes at 5:30 p.m..

We will end the day with a night of rest at the chosen accommodation.

• Day 2: Porto - Six Bridges Cruise - Wineries

We will have breakfast at the accommodation and head to the Bairro da Ribeira, by the river, where we will board the six bridges cruise.

The cruise lasts about 50 minutes and is guided in your choice of English, Spanish, Portuguese, or French. It will provide historical and architectural insights on the city's buildings and bridges as we pass them.

Crossing the Dom Luís I Bridge, we will reach some of Porto's famous wineries in Vila Nova de Gaia.

The first winery we come across is Porto Cálem, but if we go a bit further, we can visit other well-known wineries such as Sandeman, where we can learn about its history, explore the museum, and, of course, taste their wines. Other options include the Santa Eufemia Winery, Ferreira, or Graham's.

It’s important to note that if you want to purchase wine bottles at the winery, prices tend to be higher than in markets unless you're looking for a special bottle. It’s also recommended to book winery visits in advance to avoid long lines or missing out.

For lunch, this area offers a variety of restaurants with diverse options.

After lunch and some rest, we can take a walk along the river toward Porto’s Palácio da Bolsa and the Algandega Congress Center, a historic building hosting exhibitions that might interest us.

Ascending through the terraces of the Parque das Virtudes, we will reach the National Museum Soares dos Reis and the Crystal Palace Gardens. If visiting at the right season, we can admire blooming roses or tulips, as well as peacocks roaming the area.

If we have time, we can also visit the Botanical Gardens of the Natural History Museum.

Porto has a lot to offer, and in two days, it's hard to see everything. It's best to take the time to enjoy key sites rather than rushing to see everything. A thorough experience of some places is preferable to a hasty overview of many.

We will end the day with our second night at the accommodation.

• Day 3: Porto – Guimarães – Braga – Viana do Castelo

We will have breakfast at the hotel and check out. Today’s destination is Viana do Castelo, with a prior stop in Guimarães.

Guimarães is a charming city with several points of interest. The highlight is the Guimarães Castle, a well-preserved fortress that, together with the Paço dos Duques de Bragança and the surrounding gardens, makes for a highly recommended visit.

We can also enjoy the spectacular views from the hills of the Penha Park, accessible by cable car. A picturesque spot is the Largo do Toural, where you will find lovely gardens and an interesting church, as well as the Basilica of Saint Peter. The old town is also a pleasant area to stroll through.

After visiting Guimarães, we will head to Braga, also known as the city of archbishops.

Before entering the city, we can take a detour to see the Bom Jesus do Monte, an impressive sanctuary offering unique views of the city and its surroundings.

Once in the city, we can visit the Braga Cathedral, stroll through the Fountain and the Praça da República, and enjoy other charming sites like the Public Gardens of Santa Bárbara and the Old Episcopal Palace. There are also several interesting churches, such as Santa Cruz, the Palácio do Raio, the Hospital of Saint Mark, and the Braga Theatre.

We will stop for lunch in Braga, which offers a wide variety of restaurants and taverns with local specialties.

After lunch, we will head to Viana do Castelo, where we will check in at the chosen accommodation.

After the trip, we can take a leisurely walk around the town and see places like the Praça da República, the two-tiered Eiffel Bridge, the Igreja da Misericórdia, and, above all, climb to the Monte de Santa Luzia to visit the Sanctuary of Santa Luzia.

This is a delightful location where you can enjoy various viewpoints, beaches, and ruins such as those of the Convento de San Francisco do Monte.

We will end the day with a night of rest at the selected accommodation in Viana do Castelo.

• Day 4: Viana do Castelo – Valença Fortress – Tui – Castro de Santa Trega – Baiona – Vigo

We will have breakfast at the hotel in Viana do Castelo and check out.

We head to the Fortaleza de Valença, our last stop in Portugal, where we can admire its impressive moats and walls. This fortress is an excellent example of Portuguese defensive architecture.

From Valença, we will cross the Miño River Bridge into Tui, entering Spain. This Galician city has much to offer, starting with the Monte Aloia Natural Park, which provides hiking trails and panoramic views. We can also visit the Tui Cathedral, a beautiful example of Romanesque art, the Monastery of Santo Domingo de Tui, and enjoy the city’s fascinating churches and landscapes.

Our next stop will be the Castro de Santa Trega, located at the southwesternmost tip of Galicia, a privileged spot offering spectacular views over the Miño River estuary. The Castro is an ancient walled settlement where we can observe the layout of the dwellings and structures of the Celtic era. It also houses an archaeological museum for a deeper insight into the area’s history.

After this visit, we will head to Baiona, where we can stop for lunch and visit the Ex-Collegiate Church of Santa María and the Fortress-Parador of Monterreal, an impressive medieval castle turned into a Parador. This fortress is an ideal place for a stroll, allowing us to enjoy its history and sea views.

Depending on our timing, we can either eat in Baiona, which has many restaurants, or continue to Vigo, where there is also a wide range of dining options, especially for fresh fish and seafood, the area’s specialty.

Once in Vigo, we will check in at the chosen hotel.

Vigo has an interesting old town, with narrow cobblestone streets. We can visit the Castle of San Sebastián, located on Monte del Castro, offering panoramic views of the city and its port, one of the most important fishing ports in the world. It is also worth visiting the Vigo Museum of Contemporary Art (MARCO), a cultural reference in the city. Other attractions include the Pazo de Castrelos, converted into the Quiñones de León Museum, or the Pazo de San Roque.

We will end the day resting at the selected accommodation in Vigo.

• Day 5: Vigo – Cíes Islands

We will have breakfast at the hotel. Depending on the selected ferry time to the Cíes Islands, we can take a stroll through Vigo or head directly to the maritime port.

The Cíes Islands are part of the Atlantic Islands National Park and are a true natural paradise. Here, tourism perfectly blends with ecosystem preservation, and the islands offer some of the best beaches in Europe and the world, such as the spectacular Rodas Beach.

On the islands, there are two restaurants where you can eat, though we recommend booking in advance to ensure availability.

After returning from the islands, we can enjoy a relaxed day in Vigo, strolling around the city and visiting places we may not have had time to see the previous day.

We will spend the second night in Vigo at the hotel.

• Day 6: Vigo – Pontevedra – Santiago de Compostela

We will have breakfast at the hotel in Vigo and check out before departing.

On the way to Pontevedra, we can stop to visit an abandoned pazo with stunning gardens, such as the Pazo de Lourizán. This pazo, built in the French Romantic style, is truly spectacular.

Next, we will take a guided tour of Pontevedra, a city whose name derives from the Latin term for "old bridge." It is one of the key points of the Portuguese Way of Saint James. We will enjoy a guided tour of the old town, where we will see numerous chapels, squares, convents, ruins, and interesting museums. This city invites a leisurely stroll, soaking in its atmosphere and landscapes.

In Pontevedra, we can visit the Pazo de Mugartegui, a Baroque-style building made from intricately carved stone by local stonemasons. Its large noble coat of arms on the facade is particularly noteworthy.

We will have lunch in Pontevedra and then head toward Santiago de Compostela. Midway, it’s worth stopping at the Pazo de Baión, the former estate of drug trafficker Laureano Oubiña, and the Pazo de Rubiáns, near Vilagarcía de Arousa. The latter features French-style architecture, beautiful gardens, vineyards, and wineries, where we can taste Albariño wine and cheese.

Finally, we will head to Santiago, arriving late in the day. We will check in and enjoy a quiet dinner before spending the night in Santiago de Compostela.

• Day 7: Santiago de Compostela

We will have breakfast in Santiago and take a guided tour of the city. We will explore different sites in Santiago de Compostela, a city declared a World Cultural Heritage Site, including its famous Cathedral, entering through its imposing Portico of Glory, as well as the Plazas de Platerías, Plaza del Obradoiro, and the Parador Reyes Católicos.

We will have lunch in the city to savor its exceptional cuisine, such as caldo gallego, pulpo, raxo, cheeses, and, of course, Galician wines. After lunch, we can enjoy the afternoon exploring more of the city, strolling through its charming streets and squares.

We will conclude the day by enjoying our last night in Santiago de Compostela, staying at the selected hotel.

• Day 8: Breakfast and End of Services

On the final morning, we will have breakfast and check out of the accommodation. If we opted for a rental vehicle, we will return it at the designated location (train station or airport).

We wish you a pleasant return journey and hope these days in Galicia leave you with unforgettable memories.

• If you have chosen a rental vehicle, the meeting point will be at the train station or Porto airport.
• If you are traveling with your own car, the meeting point will be at the first accommodation in Porto.
• Check-in time: From 12:00 p.m., at your convenience.

• It is recommended to wear comfortable clothing and appropriate footwear to ensure optimal comfort and prevent potential discomfort, especially on routes that pass through uneven terrain or slippery surfaces. Some of these routes may be longer or more demanding, so it is essential to plan departure times in advance, ensuring you can enjoy the experience without rush or setbacks.

• We recommend exercising caution when driving, as the journey and visits are best enjoyed at a relaxed pace and without haste.

• You have the option to adjust this itinerary to your needs and preferences as you see fit.

• The guided tours included in this itinerary will be subject to availability depending on the season.

• 8 days / 7 nights in Hotels with Breakfast (B&B).
• Guided tour in Pontevedra.
• Guided tour in Santiago de Compostela.
• Ferry tickets to visit the Cíes Islands.
• Visitor permit processing for the National Park.
• Ticket for the Cruise of the 6 Bridges along the Douro River.
• Basic travel insurance.
• The guided tours included in this circuit are subject to availability depending on the season.

Additional Options:

• Half-board supplement.
• Single room supplement.
• Rental vehicle (5 seats) for the entire itinerary.

How to Make Your Reservation

For the best management by our travel agency, we recommend making your reservation at least 15 days in advance. However, if the reservation is made with less notice, we will proceed to manage it regardless, though it is always advisable to book earlier.

To formalise the reservation, a payment of €60 is required as a deposit and administration fee per person.

Once your reservation has been formalised, our team will contact you as soon as possible to finalise all the details.

After the reservation has been confirmed, we will send you all the related information for your review and approval.

Once all services are confirmed, and 15 days prior to the start of the trip, the client must pay the remaining balance of the reservation, which corresponds to the total trip cost minus the previously paid deposit.

If the reservation is made less than 15 days in advance of the start of the trip, the client must pay the full trip amount at the time of booking.

Free Cancellation Up to 7 Days Before

If you wish to cancel your reservation, no cancellation fees will apply as long as you do so 7 days in advance of the trip’s start, with a full refund of the amounts paid.

For more information, you can contact us by sending an email to info@getingalicia.com, or by calling or sending a WhatsApp message to (+34) 639 635 925.

Thank you for trusting www.getingalicia.com.