Minho is a region in Northern Portugal that has it all: history, culture, natural beauty and, of course, wine. Vineyards blanket the slopes of mountains and unfurl from the riverbanks, towns and traditional mountain villages are set against a backdrop of rugged peaks and grand plateaus.

Minho region is a must see for a trip to Portugal. Learn about the best places to visit in the Minho and Northern Portugal. It’s our secret and, in many ways, this place is truly special. We know it like the back of our hand and we’d love to share our experiences and show you around. We have written this guide so you can make the most of your visit to one of Portugal‘s best kept secrets: Minho.

From history, culture and heritage to food, wine and scenery, the Minho region has it all.

Get ready to experience the best the Minho region in Northern Portugal has to offer. As one of the most beautiful regions in Europe, it's no surprise that its charms are attracting an ever-increasing number of tourists. The rich history and cultural heritage of this part of the country alone is reason enough to visit, with historic cities such as Viana do Castelo rubbing shoulders with vibrant towns such as Monção, Melgaço, Valença. The area is also a hotspot for outdoor activities, from cycle trails and hiking paths through iconic mountainous landscapes, to wining and dining in some of the most idyllic wine terraces in the world. This is your essential guide to everything you need to know about this gem of a region and how to find the best places to visit when you go there!

The Minho region in Portugal is one of the most spectacular and underrated destinations in Europe. The wine, architecture, food and people make it a destination that should be on your list if you're looking for a place to visit in Europe.

In this guide we will focus on a 1-day visit to the Alto Minho region, which borders Spain and is located between the Lima and Minho rivers.

With a visit to Ponte de Lima, Monção and Melgaço and tasting of Alvarinho verde wines at Palácio da Brejoeira and Quinta do Soalheiro and Loureiro Vinho Verde at the Center for the Interpretation and Promotion of Vinho Verde 

Highlights of this Tour, you will discover everything about green wine, visiting all the main producing regions: Ponte de Lima, Monção and Melgaço. With three wine tastings included in the price and visits to the main producing estates. We combine a tour with history and gastronomy, the best of both worlds.

Discover the Alvarinho green wine, originally from the north of Portugal, more specifically from the sub-region of Monção and Melgaço. This typical Portuguese variety offers light and fresh white wines,fragrant and delicate, with aromatic notes and moderate acidity. Among the green wines, another variety that stands out, in addition to Rei Alvarinho, is Loureiro, a variety from the Lima River valley area. It produces wines with high acidity and very pronounced floral, mineral and fruity aromas.

We'll start our tour in Ponte de Lima, the oldest village in Portugal, of distinct beauty and unparalleled cultural, historical and architectural value. Known as the most flowery village in Portugal with its gardens and green parks. Characterized by medieval architecture, the landscape is filled with its beautiful rural farms and manor houses with deep roots and traditions. Its trademark is undoubtedly the Roman bridge, over 2000 years old, which crosses the River Lima. In Ponte de Lima we will taste green wines during a visit to the Center for the Interpretation and Promotion of Vinho Verde. In this region, the Loureiro variety predominates.

Continuing the tour, we head towards the Palácio da Brejoeira, in the Monção region. This farm is one of the most famous and recognized for the quality of its Alvarinho. We will visit the sumptuous palace, cellar, gardens and vineyards, with a wine tasting at the end.

Next stop is Quinta do Soalheiro, in the Melgaço region, where we will visit the farm, winery, vineyards and learn about the history of wine, with a tasting at the end.

After the wine tasting, we'll head to Melgaço to discover the northernmost village in Portugal. We will walk through the historic streets with the imposing Castle in the background.

Continuing on we will go to Monção to visit this border town separated from Spain by the River Minho and we will taste another Alvarinho wine from the Monção region.

For more information link: Tour Minho and Alvarinho wine