# Northern Portugal: Minho and Gerês

> 3-day road trip of about 155 km (96 mi) with 5 stops, from Porto to Ponte de Lima. About 2 h 08 min of driving in total.

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/guides/minho-geres/

**At a glance:** 3-day road trip of about 155 km (96 mi) with 5 stops, from Porto to Ponte de Lima. About 2 h 08 min of driving in total. The birthplace of Portugal, Baroque Braga, granite mountains and a Roman bridge at Ponte de Lima.

| | |
|---|---|
| Distance | 155 km (96 mi) |
| Driving | 2 h 08 min |
| Suggested days | 3 |
| Stops | 5 |
| Route | Porto → Ponte de Lima |
| Countries | Portugal |
| Updated | July 9, 2026 |

## Route description

From Porto, head north-east to Guimarães, known as the birthplace of Portugal, with a castle and the Palace of the Dukes of Braganza above a medieval old town. Braga, a short drive away, is a city of Baroque churches, and just outside it the Bom Jesus do Monte sanctuary is reached by a monumental zigzag staircase or a water-powered funicular.

From Braga, head north-east into the Peneda-Gerês National Park, Portugal’s only national park, with granite mountains, waterfalls and old Roman milestones along the ancient road known as the Geira. The spa village of Gerês is a good base.

The route ends in Ponte de Lima, one of Portugal’s oldest towns, with a long medieval bridge on Roman foundations across the river Lima. Its riverside market is held every other Monday.

The mountain roads in Peneda-Gerês are narrow, and wild camping is prohibited in the park. Many Portuguese motorways have electronic-only tolls, so register your vehicle or use a toll device before you travel.

## Stop-by-stop itinerary

1. **Porto** (Portugal)
2. **Guimarães** (Portugal)
3. **Braga** (Portugal)
4. **Peneda-Gerês National Park** (Gerês, Portugal): Granite mountains, waterfalls and old Roman milestones in Portugal’s only national park.
5. **Ponte de Lima** (Portugal)