Live the experience:Private Circuit in Northern Portugal and Rías Baixas

• Day 1: Departure - Porto

On the first day, our driver will pick you up at the airport or train station in Porto and take you to the designated accommodation in Porto, which will be your place of rest for the next two nights.

Once in Porto, the first thing we will do is check in at the hotel. Depending on your arrival time, we may eat, rest, or take a walk around the city. If we have the afternoon free, it could be a good moment to do some sightseeing.

We will take a walk through the old town where we will visit the Capela das Almas de Santa Catarina, one of the most special churches in Porto due to its façade featuring typical Portuguese blue-and-white tiles. Although this type of decoration was typical in the 18th century, it was added to this church in the 20th century.

Walking through the famous Mercado do Bolhão towards Av. Dos Aliados, we will see the Câmara Municipal do Porto and various modernist palaces along the avenue.

We will head to the beautiful Clérigos Tower and visit the famous Livraria Lello, a luxurious bookstore decorated in the Art Nouveau style with a grand wooden spiral staircase. It is particularly famous among Harry Potter fans. The entrance fee is about 5 €, but the cost is deducted if you purchase a book.

Heading towards the river, we can see the Fernandina Wall or the Casa do Infante, an old customs house with Roman ruins and interesting mosaics.

We can end the walk at the Porto Cathedral and the famous Luís I Bridge, where you can dine in the nearby cantinas or taverns. If you wish to enter the Cathedral, it’s important to visit early, as it closes at 5:30 PM.

We will rest on the first night 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 embark on the six bridges cruise.

This tour lasts approximately 50 minutes and is guided in your chosen language among English, Spanish, Portuguese, and French, sharing history and details about the buildings and bridges in the city as we pass by.

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

The first one we will find is Porto Cálem, but if we go a little further, we can see some of the more renowned wineries, like Sandeman, where we can learn about its history, visit the museum, and of course, taste its wines. Other options include the Santa Eufemia Winery, Ferreira, or Graham, among others.

It’s important to note that if you want to buy bottles of wine at the winery, you should know that unless you’re looking for a special bottle, prices at wineries tend to be higher than in markets. Additionally, it is advisable to book your visit in advance to avoid long lines or missing out.

For lunch, we can take advantage of the wide variety of restaurants in the area offering diverse options.

After lunch and some rest, we can stroll along the river towards the Palácio da Bolsa and the Alfândega Congress Centre, an old and unique building hosting exhibitions that might interest us.

Climbing up the terraces of the Parque das Virtudes, we will reach the Soares dos Reis National Museum and the Crystal Palace Gardens. If visiting at the right time of year, you can see blooming roses or tulips, as well as peacocks wandering the area.

If time permits, we can also visit the botanical gardens at the Natural History Museum.

Porto has a lot to offer, and two days might not be enough to see everything. It is recommended to take your time to enjoy the most important places rather than rushing to see it all. It’s better to fully experience a few places than to skim through many.

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

The map shows routes around the city for the first two days.

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

We will have breakfast at the hotel and check out. Our driver will be waiting to take us to Viana do Castelo, making a stop in Guimarães.

Guimarães is a charming city with several interesting landmarks. The most notable are the Castle of Guimarães, a well-preserved medieval castle, the Palace of the Dukes of Braganza, and the large gardens in the area.

We will also enjoy the stunning views from the hills of Penha Park, which can be reached by cable car.

Highlights include the Largo do Toural, where you’ll find lovely gardens, an interesting church, and the Basilica of São Pedro. The entire historic center of Guimarães is highly recommended.

After exploring the city, we will head to Braga, also known as the "City of Archbishops."

Before arriving, and depending on your preference, our driver may take a detour to see Bom Jesus do Monte, a magnificent sanctuary offering unique views of the city.

In Braga, we will visit its Cathedral and stroll through the Fountain and Republic Square. A delightful spot in the city is the Public Gardens of Santa Bárbara, located near the old Episcopal Palace. Other points of interest include various churches, such as Santa Cruz, the Palácio do Raio, the Hospital de São Marcos, and the Teatro Circo de Braga.

We will have lunch in the city, where you can enjoy a variety of local restaurants and taverns with regional specialties. Afterward, we will head to Viana do Castelo, where we will check into the selected hotel.

After the trip, we will take a leisurely stroll through the town, visiting landmarks such as Republic Square, the two-tiered Eiffel Bridge, the Igreja da Misericórdia, and most notably, the Monte de Santa Luzia, where the Santuario do Monte de Santa Luzia is located.

This charming spot offers scenic viewpoints, beaches, and ruins, such as the remains of the Convento de São Francisco do Monte.

We will spend the night 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. Once ready, our driver will take us to the Valença Fortress, our last stop in Portugal, where we can admire its impressive moats and walls.

Next, we will head towards Tui, crossing the bridge over the Minho River and passing the border between Portugal and Spain. Tui is a city with much to offer, starting with its Monte Aloia Natural Park, the Tui Cathedral, the Monastery of Santo Domingo, and other fascinating landscapes and churches.

We will stop at the Castro de Santa Trega, located at the southwesternmost point of Galicia, a privileged location overlooking the entire estuary of the Minho River. The Castro is a walled settlement where you can observe the layout of the houses. Additionally, there is an archaeological museum providing insights into the cultures that once inhabited the area.

Our next destination will be Baiona, where we will enjoy a hearty lunch and visit the ex-Collegiate Church of Santa María and the Fortress – Parador of Monterreal.

Afterwards, we will head to Vigo, where we can sample some of the region’s specialties, such as the freshest fish and seafood in Galicia. Upon arrival in Vigo, we will check into the selected hotel.

Vigo boasts an interesting old town and the Castle of San Sebastián, located on Monte del Castro. You can also visit the Museo de Arte Contemporáneo (MARCO), the fishing port (one of the most important in the world in terms of fishing), and other attractions such as the Pazo de Castrelos, now the Quiñones de León Museum, or the Pazo de San Roque.

We will spend the night at the selected accommodation in Vigo.

• Day 5: Vigo – Cíes Islands

We will have breakfast at the hotel and then, on this new day in Galicia, our driver will take us from the hotel to the ferry station. After visiting the Cíes Islands, we will return to the city or the hotel.

Depending on the selected time for the ferry to the Cíes Islands, we may take a walk around Vigo or head directly to the maritime port.

The islands are part of the Atlantic Islands National Park and are a natural paradise, perfectly balancing tourism and a preserved ecosystem. They feature some of the best beaches in Europe and the world, such as the spectacular Rodas Beach.

There are two restaurants on the islands where you can eat, so we recommend making a reservation in advance.

Upon returning from the Cíes Islands, we can end the day on a relaxing note by strolling around Vigo and visiting places we may have missed the previous day.

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

• Day 6: Vigo – Pontevedra – Santiago

We will have breakfast at the hotel in Vigo and check out before leaving the city with our driver.

On the way to Pontevedra, we may visit an abandoned Pazo with incredible gardens, such as the Pazo de Lourizán, an impressive manor house in French Romantic style that is truly spectacular.

We will take a guided tour of Pontevedra. The city’s name comes from Latin, meaning “old bridge,” and it is one of the important hubs along the Portuguese Way of St. James. During the guided tour, we will explore its old town, full of numerous chapels, squares, convents, ruins, and interesting museums. This is a city that invites you to stroll and enjoy its landscapes and atmosphere at leisure.

In the city, you will find the Pazo de Mugartegui, a baroque building featuring intricately carved stone by local stonemasons. Its large noble coat of arms is particularly noteworthy on the façade.

We will have lunch in Pontevedra and then our driver will head towards Santiago.

Upon arrival in Santiago, we will check in at the hotel. If there is time, we recommend taking a brief visit to the old town for dinner before taking a well-deserved rest in Santiago de Compostela.

• Day 7: Santiago de Compostela

We will have breakfast in Santiago and explore the city on a guided tour. We will visit various places in this UNESCO World Heritage Site, such as its Cathedral, entering through the Pórtico de la Gloria, Plaza de Platerías, Plaza del Obradoiro, and the Reyes Católicos Parador.

We will have lunch in the city to try its exceptional gastronomy, including caldo gallego, pulpo, raxos, cheeses, and wines. We will enjoy the afternoon in the city, ending the day with our final night at the hotel in Santiago.

• Day 8: Santiago de Compostela – Departure

After breakfast, we will check out from the hotel. Depending on your departure time, our driver will take you to the airport or the nearest train station, marking the end of the tour.

We wish you a pleasant journey home and hope these days in Galicia and Northern Portugal leave unforgettable memories.

• The meeting point will be the one previously indicated in Porto, where our driver will meet you in a suitable vehicle (5, 7, or 9 seats), depending on the number of passengers in your group.
• Check-in time: From 12:00 p.m., at your chosen time.

There is a possibility that the meeting point could be at another airport or station, in a different city.

In such a case, an additional fee would apply (to be confirmed).

• It is recommended to wear comfortable clothing and appropriate footwear to ensure optimal comfort and prevent potential discomfort, especially on routes that traverse uneven 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.
• Please note that the activity itinerary is subject to availability at the time of booking the tour. Therefore, we recommend confirming the details as soon as possible.

• Private transfers included throughout the tour.
• 8 days / 7 nights in Hotels with Breakfast (B+B).
• Cruise on the mouth of the Duero River in Porto.
• Guided tour in Pontevedra.
• Guided tour in Santiago de Compostela.
• Ferry tickets to visit the Cíes Islands.
• Processing of the visitor’s authorization for the National Park.
• Complete route itinerary.
• Basic travel insurance.

Additional Options:

• Half board supplement.
• Single room supplement.

How to Formalize Your Booking

For better management by our travel agency, we recommend making your booking at least 15 days in advance. However, if the booking is made with less time, we will still process it, although it is always advisable to book in advance.

To formalize the booking, a payment of €60 per person is required as a deposit and handling fee.

Once your booking is formalized, our team will contact you as soon as possible to finalize all the details.

After the booking is formalized, we will send you all the related information for your review and confirmation.

Once all services are confirmed, and with 15 days’ notice before the start of the trip, the client must pay the remaining amount of the booking, i.e., the total price of the trip minus the deposit already paid.

If the booking is made less than 15 days in advance of the trip's start date, the client must pay the total amount of the trip at the time of booking.

Free Cancellation Fees Up to 7 Days Before

If you wish to cancel your booking, you will not incur any cancellation fees if you do so at least 7 days in advance of the trip's start date, with the corresponding refund of amounts paid.

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

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