Starting by the North…
The Green Coast is located in northwest Portugal north of the Silver Coast and covers around a 100 km of coastline on the Atlantic coast from the Rio Minho and the border with Spain to the Rio Douro in Porto.
The main attractions of the Costa Verde are its pleasant beaches and historic cities. Though the beaches get busy in the peak tourist season in the summer the further you are from Porto the quieter they are.
Beginning in the North and heading South here are some of the main attractions on the Green Coast.
Viana do Castelo
This is by far one of the most beautiful cities in the northern part of Portugal. Viana do Castelo is characterized by beautiful beaches, historical sites, and a rich and fascinating Portuguese culture. Here you can climb to Monte de Santa Luzia and visit the Basilica enjoying there one of the best panoramic views in the world according to the National Geographic
Braga
Braga is the oldest town in Portugal and one of the oldest Christian cities in the world, known as the religious city of Portugal thanks to old historical churches. Braga is a peaceful city with a cooler weather in the winter. Its surroundings are full of green areas, and nice vegetations. A city of beautiful landscapes, with a historical architecture. On the outskirts of the city, on the top of the hill, you can see Bom Jesus do Monte, one of the most visited sanctuaries in Portugal listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site.
Guimarães
Often referred to as the birthplace of Portugal, Guimarães is a historical city with well-preserved medieval buildings like the 10th-century Castle with its stunning city views. The rich history is manifested in plenty of sites around the city, like the magnificent gothic Monastery. This historical city is also listed among the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It’s ideal for anyone who loves history and enjoys living in a smaller city.
Porto
Porto, also known as the Invicta city, is the epithet granted to the city because during the 19th century Portuguese civil war, Porto withstood a siege of over a year. World-famous for its port wine, Porto is the second-largest city in the country after Lisbon and it lies along the Douro River. Porto’s old town in the city centre is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The city of Porto is popular not only thanks to its famous wine industry but also because of its historical architecture and beautiful bridges. It also has one of the most beautiful train stations in the world.
Vila Nova de Gaia
South of Porto you will find Vila Nova de Gaia, a city linked with Porto through a magnificent network of bridges, and by their shared history of winemaking. The wineries of Porto have been forced to be in Vila Nova de Gaia since the 18th century. Nowadays, only taking into account those located in the riverside, there are seventy wineries and wine warehouses. The most known are Taylor’s, Graham’s, Ramos Pinto, and Sogevinus.
