Porto e Norte is a region full of history, charm and character. It provides tourists with a unique scenery in a mountainous area, boasting wonderful natural parks, sloping hillsides, and the powerful waterways.
The Porto region of Portugal is a captivating destination known for its rich history, stunning landscapes, and world-renowned port wine production, attracting visitors from around the globe to explore its diverse offerings. At the heart of the region lies the vibrant city of Porto, renowned for its historic architecture, charming riverside district, and lively cultural scene. Porto’s historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a maze of narrow streets, historic buildings, and picturesque squares, offering visitors a journey through centuries of history and culture. Highlights include the iconic Dom Luís I Bridge spanning the Douro River, the stunning São Bento Railway Station adorned with intricate azulejo tiles, and the imposing Porto Cathedral overlooking the city from its hilltop perch. Visitors can wander through the Ribeira district, with its colourful houses and waterfront cafes, or explore the city’s vibrant arts scene at galleries, theatres, and performance venues throughout the area.
Beyond Porto, the region is home to the picturesque Douro Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its stunning landscapes, terraced vineyards, and historic wine estates. The Douro River winds its way through the valley, offering breathtaking views and opportunities for boat tours, wine tastings, and leisurely cruises amidst the rolling hills and vine-clad slopes. Visitors can explore charming villages such as Pinhão and Peso da Régua, where traditional wine cellars offer tastings of the region’s famous port wine and Douro wines. The Porto region is also a paradise for food enthusiasts, with a rich culinary heritage showcasing fresh seafood, regional specialties, and world-class wines. Visitors can sample local delicacies such as bacalhau (salted cod), francesinha (a hearty sandwich), and pastel de nata (custard tart) at restaurants, tavernas, and street markets throughout the area. Cultural experiences abound in the Porto region, with festivals, events, and cultural institutions celebrating the area’s heritage throughout the year. From music festivals and art exhibitions to traditional fairs and wine tastings, there is always something to see and do in the Porto region. Put simply, Porto and its surrounding region is a must-visit destination for tourists.
Porto, The Essence Of Portugal
Port Wine
Porto is well known for their production of Port wine, which is matured in the vast cellars that stretch along the banks of the mighty Douro River. With over 14 Port cellars to visit and endless opportunities for Port tastings, you can develop your palate and leave Porto as a Port connoisseur.
The Ribeira District
A network of narrow cobbled streets, traditional Portuguese villas and a wealth of Portuguese character and charm.
Beaches
Porto is situated along the Costa Verde, a dramatic coastline of rocky headlands, sandy beaches and powerful seas.
Explore the Douro River
The scenic backdrop to the city of Porto is crossed by six magnificent bridges which is best explored by many of the cruise boats that
are widely on offer. Take a boat trip through the valley for an exhilarating experience.
Archaeology
View Prehistoric Rock Art at Coa Valley.
Explore more
Beautiful cities like Chaves and Bragança or places like Vidago are worth a long visit. This remote and hilly region offers unique sceneries, like the Almond
blossom, the historical villages, natural landscapes and the richest cuisine.
Where to play in Porto
Estela
There are few golfers who don’t love a quality links course. After all,the essence and soul of the game is captivating… and golfers who visit the golf course at Estela won’t be disappointed. The links terrain rivals that of many links courses across Ireland and the UK, and it clings to three kilometres of sandy beach, stretching away from the clubhouse on both nines. Opened in 1988, this par-72 championship course is located 20 minutes from Porto’s international airport and located in the lively summer resort of Povoa de Varzim. Owing to its exposed sandy terrain, punishing rough, prevailing winds and quick greens, players will revel in the links conditions that demand their best golf, while also thrilling them with some wonderfully designed holes.
Did you know?
Estela offers one of the best buffet lunches you’ll ever experience…and that’s just one more reason to love playing here.
WWW.ESTELAGOLF.PT
Oporto
Porto’s links course portfolio is boosted by this genuine links with deeply rooted values and traditions. Inaugurated in 1890, this par-71
course plays to a length of 5,640 metres from the back tees. This might be shorter than many modern day courses but what’s lost in length on this classic course, is made up for with narrow and undulating fairways, and ever-present northerly winds. The course is located 17 kilometres south of Porto, close to the wonderful beaches of Espinho. As part of the “Espinho Golf Week”, Oporto Golf Club has been hosting a competition called the “Skeffington Cup” since 1891.
Did you know?
Established in 1890, Oporto is the second oldest course in Continental Europe (after Pau in France).
WWW.OPORTOGOLFCLUB.COM
Vidago Palace
Opened in 1936, Vidago Palace is an established golf course that plays an important role in the golf offering of Northern Portugal. The new layout was redesigned by Cameron & Powell, often praised for their specialist work in golf course design. They extended the course to a full 18 holes, with a par of 72, ensuring that the overall visual appeal and charm were maintained as holes roam through a valley. But Vidago Palace saves the best to last, as the final four holes are nothing short of breath-taking, boasting fantastic views and dramatically shaped holes that test and thrill in equal measure. The Vidago Palace hotel lies behind
the 18th green and is one of Portugal’s top resorts.
Did you know?
Nine new holes were added in 2011 following a multimillion hotel refurbishment, and the finishing stretch (14-18) is now one of the very best you’ll find.
WWW.VIDAGOPALACE.COM
Axis Golf Ponte de Lima
Ponte De Lima Golf Course is located far enough inland that it avoids the strong northerly winds that affect the coastline. It is a mountainous course
that is set in heavily wooded terrain, distinctive to northernPortugal. Opened in 1995, this par-71 course is spread across a rollercoaster terrain,
swamped in trees and natural vegetation, and even a vineyard. A beautiful restored mansion serves as a clubhouse. Each nine holes is distinctive with
the front-9 streaking through age-old trees and a ravine, with big elevation changes, while the back-9 flow through the valley of Quinta de Pias,
enclosed by vineyards, cornfields and apple and pear trees.
Did you know?
The front nine are so explosive you may want to consider hiring a buggy.Mountainous… and marvellous.
WWW.AXISGOLFE.COM
Amarante
Designed by Jorge Santana da Silva, Amarante is an 18-hole par-68 course that opened for play in 1997. Only a short 30-minute drive from Porto City Centre, the golf course and its sister hotel, Casa da Calcada, are located in the town of Amarante on the Quinta da Deveza estate. Testimony to its design and maturity, the course was quickly chosen to host the National PGA Championships in 1999 and 2000. With the towering mountains of Marao and Aboboreira as its backdrop, the setting of Amarante is typical of the stunning mountainous scenery of Northern Portugal. Its waterfalls and lakes are a welcome addition to the tumbling
landscape and thrilling holes.
Did you know?
Amarante is only 30 minutes from Porto and 35 minutes from Douro, making it the perfect place to stay to get to know this fantastic region.
WWW.GOLFEDEAMARANTE.COM
Where to Stay in Porto
Vidago Palace
The 5* Vidago Palace Hotel is an emblematic palace hidden in the woods, set amid the Vidago Nature Park. Opened in 1910, the hundred-year old Palace now provides a high end luxury service of excellence and comfort it is one the Leading Hotels of the World. It first earned a reputation for its thermal baths, thanks to the excellence of its waters. It offers 70 magnificent rooms & suites, four restaurants and bars and a modern Thermal Spa. Take a visit to the traditional springs or a bicycle ride along the many woodland trails in their 110 hectare home which provides a fantastic opportunity to observe the local wildlife. The traditional Palace Wine Cellar is situated on the ground floor and is a warm, atmospheric space with wine tastings and tapas a speciality here.
WWW.VIDAGOPALACE.COM
Hotel Solverde & Spa
The Hotel Solverde Spa & Wellness Center is the only 5-star hotel in the north of the country, set in a 2-hectare complex with direct access to the
beach. It is only two minutes from Espinho and just 15 minutes from Porto, ideal for both leisure tourism and business. It has a highly regarded modern Spa offering saltwater pools, dry heat sauna and massages and boasts a wide range of facilities, it provides the perfect union between body and mind. They also have a full equipped fitness room and tennis courts. Guests will be able to enjoy a refreshing swim in either the outdoor or the indoor swimming pool. There is also a mini golf course. O Jardim restaurant features stunning Atlantic Ocean views an authentic Portuguese dishes.
WWW.GRUPOSOLVERDE.PT
S. Bento Residences
Stay in any of the 16 amazing self-catered apartments, ideally located in downtown Oporto. The apartments are perfect for those who want to know Porto for its rich history and culture, as well as for its contemporary vibe and distinctive lifestyle. The building, designed by the renowned architecture studio Pedra Líquida led by Nuno Grande, emerges from the heart of Porto and blends in with the historical landscape in which it is inserted. Its origin was an old ruin, located in a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it rises as an extension of the cliff itself. Although minimalist on the outside, the inside houses comfortable self-catered apartments just waiting to welcome you.
WWW.SBENTORESIDENCES.COM
Axis Ponte de Lima
Located in the heart of “Vale do Lima”, the Axis Ponte de Lima Golf Resort Hotel is a two-story building, each with forty rooms. In Ponte de
Lima, gastronomy satisfies lovers of “good food”: quality ingredients, a combination of flavors “old” with “modern” knowledge provide the best food in the region. A perfect wellness retreat awaits. Facilities include; Indoor heated pool, Turkish Bath and Gym. Moments of pure relaxation are ensured by a large menu of massages, organic body scrubs, body wraps and facials. The Hotel is also equipped with various facilities, such as a golf course, tennis courts, games room, pool included indoor heated pool, gymnasium, sauna and massage available. The city of Ponte de Lima is rich in history, traditions and cultural heritage.
WWW.AXISHOTEIS.COM
FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT WWW.PORTOGOLFDESTINATION.COM
