Portugal is a treasure trove of awe-inspiring destinations, and we'd love you to explore some of its most captivating places. When booking flights please consider which Airport you plan to depart from as if you plan to travel whilst in Portugal the Airport you depart from may differ from the airport you arrive.
Here are a few suggestions for post-wedding travel in Portugal:
1. Porto: Just a short distance from Braga, Porto offers stunning architecture, charming riverside walks, and world-renowned port wine cellars waiting to be discovered. (Porto Airport OPO- Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport) – 30/40 mins away, accessible by car, taxi and bus.
2. Douro Valley: If you love wine and picturesque landscapes, a trip to the Douro Valley is a must. You can enjoy breathtaking vineyards and take a leisurely cruise along the Douro River. (Porto Airport OPO- Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport)
3. Lisbon: The vibrant capital city of Portugal, Lisbon, boasts a mix of historical landmarks, clubs, rooftop bars, vibrant neighbourhoods, and delectable cuisine that will captivate your senses. (Lisbon Airport LIS - Humberto Delgado) - around 2 hours 45 mins away by car, 3 hours by train (£9 tickets are available) 3.5 hours on a coach (£5-£8 tickets) and just an hour by plane (£18 -30 for a ticket, *not including luggage)
4. Sintra: A fairytale-like town with enchanting castles and lush gardens, Sintra is a UNESCO World Heritage site that will transport you to another world. this can be paired up with Lisbon. (Lisbon Airport LIS - Humberto Delgado)
5. Algarve: For beach lovers, Algarve coast are a paradise of golden sands and hidden coves, offering a perfect blend of relaxation and adventure. (Algarve FAO - Faro Airport) - By car 4.5 hours, by plane 1 hour 15 mins (£18- £40*not including luggage)
Praia de Suave Mar is a scenic beach located in the town of Esposende, Portugal. It is situated near the mouth of the Cávado River and is part of the Natural Park of the Northern Coast. The beach is known for its expansive sandy landscape, primitive dunes, typical vegetation, and a well-consolidated dune system, contributing to its rich natural beauty.
Braga is one of the oldest cities in Portugal and one of the oldest catholic cities in the world; with over 2000 years of history. Founded by the Romans in the year 16bc and named “Bracara Augusta” in honor to the emperor Cesar Augusto.
It is a very lively city with university students and tourists from around the world. You will find historic buildings, gardens, monuments, Cathedrals and churches.
Braga typically needs a day trip to see all sites and extra day could be used for hiking at Peneda-Geres National Park.
The Sanctuary of Bom Jesus
This is Braga's ultimate touristic landmark. Surrounded by beautiful gardens, a few artificial caves with wishing wells, and one or two convenient cafés, the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus is accessible via funicular (a type of cable railway based on two counterbalance carriages) or via a stunning Baroque staircase (which can be kind of hard to climb). On the top of the Sanctuary, visitors can enjoy a nice boat ride in a lake with fish.
Your stroll through Braga's historic center should begin with the Arco da Porta Nova, an ancient gate that is (and always was) open. Because of this monument, bracarenses are famous in the whole of Portugal for "leaving the door open" (the expression is still widely used today).
Inside the city limits, there are several other monuments worth visiting. The thousand-year-old Sé de Braga cathedral makes for a rare sample of a brilliantly preserved Roman Catholic Church, the Biscaínhos Museum has a beautiful garden and a fine collection of 18th-century ornaments, and the Santa Bárbara Garden is the prettiest free-access public garden in the whole city.
Peneda-Gerês is the only national park in Portugal and when you’re looking to escape into nature, there’s nowhere better to go in the entire country. Covering over 70,000 hectares (270 square miles) and encompassing around 20 rural villages, this is Northern Portugal at its most glorious: untouched and naturally stunning.
Peneda-Gerês is a sparsely populated mountainous region covered in lush forests, postcard-like waterfalls, rivers, and a great diversity of plants and animals. Add in a few campgrounds, countless scenic viewpoints, some great hiking trails, and an abundance of opportunity for adventure sports, and you’ve got just about everything the park has to offer.