Day-by-day itinerary
| Day | Stop | Approximate driving |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Porto, Braga (Bom Jesus) | about 1 h |
| 2 | Guimarães, road to Gerês | about 1 to 2 h |
| 3 | Peneda-Gerês National Park, waterfalls and hikes | mountain roads |
| 4 | Amarante, Régua and the Douro Valley | about 2 h |
| 5 to 7 | Pinhão, quintas, return to Porto, or extend | about 2 h back |
Times are indicative (October 2026): check them in your navigation app on the day.
Renting, tolls, parking
Book the car at Porto airport and compare the companies (renting a car at Porto airport). Ask for the Via Verde transponder: Porto-Braga costs a few euros in motorway tolls depending on the payment method (guides read in October 2026 give 2 to 5 euros). In historic centres, park on the outskirts (driving and parking in Porto).
The stops
Braga and the Bom Jesus sanctuary: Braga from Porto. Guimarães, medieval town: Guimarães from Porto. Gerês needs at least half a day of walking: Peneda-Gerês park. For the Douro, follow the Douro Valley by car.
FAQ
How many days for northern Portugal? Five days for the essentials, seven to hike in Gerês and sleep in the Douro.
Do I need an international licence? An EU licence is enough; for other countries, check with the rental company.
Which season? Spring and autumn; in winter some mountain roads are slippery.
La rédaction Porto Authority, October 2026.
