For those staying at Casa do Lagar, Ponte de Lima itself is a great place to start sightseeing with its Roman bridge and the 15th century church of Santo Antonio. But there is a lot more to see within an easy drive, including Porto with its old riverside “Ribeira” quarter and the port wine lodges across the rive at Vila Nova de Gaia.
The Minho is known as the birthplace of the nation and has two of Portugal’s most historic cities: its first capital, Guimaraes, and Braga, the country’s main religious centre. From Braga, the baroque splendour of Bom Jesus or the ruins of Citania de Briteiros, the country’s largest Iron Age site, are within easy reach.
Northwards, Valença is an attractive town with an old quarter set in two double walled forts linked by a causeway. The narrow cobbled streets are home to shops full of linen, wickerwork, pottery and handicrafts and there are spectacular views across the River Minho to Spain. Along the river from Valença are the old walled border towns of Caminha, Monçao and Melgaço, while over the river in Spain is Tui with its hilltop cathedral.
Other good days out include: Viana do Castelo with its lovely square and great views from Santa Luzia, Ponte de Barca with its graceful 15th century bridge crossing the River Lima and Barcelos where the country’s leading ceramics and crafts market can be found.