The Green Coast

The Green Coast is located in northwest Portugal north of the Silver Coast and covers around 100 km of coastline on the Atlantic coast from the Rio Minho and the border with Spain to the Rio Douro in Porto.

Article by Portugal for Retirees - Official Nationwide Relocation Services Partner to KipperTree.

10 09 2023

The main attractions of the Costa Verde are its pleasant beaches and historic cities. Though the beaches get busy in the peak tourist season in the summer the further you are from Porto the quieter they are.

Beginning in the North and heading South here are the 5 main attractions on the Green Coast.

Viana do Castelo

This is by far one of the most beautiful cities in the northern part of Portugal. Viana do Castelo is characterized by beautiful beaches, historical sites, and a rich and fascinating Portuguese culture. Here you can climb to Monte de Santa Luzia and visit the Basilica enjoying one of the best panoramic views in the world according to National Geographic.

Braga

Braga is the oldest town in Portugal and one of the oldest Christian cities in the world, known as the religious city of Portugal thanks to old historical churches. Braga is a peaceful city with cooler weather in the winter. Its surroundings are full of green areas, and nice vegetation. A city of beautiful landscapes, with historical architecture. On the outskirts of the city, on the top of the hill, you can see Bom Jesus do Monte, one of the most visited sanctuaries in Portugal listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site.

Guimarães

Often referred to as the birthplace of Portugal, Guimarães is a historical city with well-preserved medieval buildings like the 10th-century Castle with its stunning city views. The rich history is manifested in plenty of sites around the city, like the magnificent Gothic Monastery. This historical city is also listed among the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It’s ideal for anyone who loves history and enjoys living in a smaller city.

Porto

Porto, also known as the Invicta City, is the epithet granted to the city because, during the 19th-century Portuguese Civil War, Porto withstood a siege of over a year. World-famous for its port wine, Porto is the second-largest city in the country after Lisbon and it lies along the Douro River. Porto’s old town in the city centre is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The city of Porto is popular not only thanks to its famous wine industry but also because of its historical architecture and beautiful bridges. It also has one of the most beautiful train stations in the world.

To find out what the 5th attraction is read the final part of the article here