Best Places

This article explores the best beaches in Northern Portugal, showcasing their unique landscapes, family-friendly atmospheres, and stunning sunsets. From Miramar Beach with its iconic Senhor da Pedra chapel to Leça da Palmeira's famed Piscina das Marés, these beaches offer a mix of cultural landmarks and natural beauty. Perfect for surfing, relaxing, or exploring, Northern Portugal’s coastline is a must-visit destination.

This article explores the best viewpoints in Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia, highlighting stunning locations like Jardim do Morro, Clérigos Tower, and Cristal Palace Gardens. It provides insights into panoramic views, historical landmarks, and cultural attractions. Perfect for travelers seeking to discover Porto's charm and breathtaking sunsets.

Porto, Portugal, is a city full of vibrant experiences, from its rich food and wine culture to its historical landmarks and stunning landscapes. Whether you’re looking to enjoy delicious local cuisine, taste world-renowned Port wines, or explore the UNESCO-listed Ribeira district, Cooltour Oporto offers tailored tours to make your trip unforgettable. Download our Travel Guide App for insider tips and activities to help you plan your perfect Porto adventure!

The Douro Valley is one of the most renowned wine regions in the world, recognised both for its stunning scenery and for producing the famous Port wine. The region's unique geography is fundamental to the quality and variety of its wines. With roots dating back to Roman times, wine production reached a milestone in 1756, when the Marquis of Pombal established the Douro Demarcated Region. This pioneering act regulated production, especially of Port wine, reinforcing the territory's importance in creating wines with unique profiles. 

The Palácio da Bolsa in Porto, a neoclassical architectural masterpiece, began construction in 1842, with contributions from several renowned architects over the years. Today, it serves as a cultural hub, featuring the opulent Arabian Room and exquisite craftsmanship like the Portrait Room's table, crafted by Zeferino José Pinto.

The Serralves Foundation, or Fundação Serralves, is a prestigious cultural institution in northern Portugal renowned for its contributions to art and landscape. The Foundation encompasses several notable sites: the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Art Deco House, the Manoel de Oliveira Cinema House, and Serralves Park, which includes an 18-hectare area with a Treetop Walk offering panoramic views.

Discover northern Portugal's culture, history, and gastronomy with day trips from Porto. Visit Guimarães, "The Cradle of the Portuguese Nation," with its UNESCO-listed historic center; explore Braga's ancient sites like the Santuário do Bom Jesus do Monte; enjoy Aveiro's canals and moliceiros boats; see Coimbra's historic Universidade de Coimbra and Biblioteca Joanina; and experience Pinhão's terraced vineyards and Port wine in the Alto Douro Wine Region. For in-depth experiences, consider Cooltour Oporto's tours.

Let’s get to know this city a bit more, and what better way than to travel back in time, from its centuries-old history to modern times? To understand the city’s history over these centuries, there’s nothing better than to visit its churches. To fully grasp this scope, there are more than 180 churches scattered throughout…

Not far from Porto, Northern Portugal boasts diverse wine regions blending tradition with unique flavors. From the terraced Douro Valley, birthplace of Port wine, to Dão‘s rugged terrain with elegant reds, to Bairrada‘s sparkling Baga wines influenced by the Atlantic, to Vinho Verde‘s crisp delights from the northwest, these regions offer a surprising journey through…

Everything you need to know in one Place! Known as the Cidade Invicta (Unvanquished City), Porto has earned prestigious awards, including Best European Destination in 2014 and, in 2022, Best City Destination in the World and City of the Year at the Food and Travel Reader Awards. These accolades reflect the city’s unique allure, annually…