Ave
Portugal · Europe
About Ave
Minho is a province of Northern Portugal. On the northernmost Atlantic tip of the country, Minho borders the Spanish region of Galicia, sharing with it many affinities in geography, tradition, people and language. There are however two Minhos, the Alto Minho and the Baixo Minho, being the first one characterised by the folk dance and vivid green.
Ave travel guide
Understand
Although 20% of the Portuguese territory is under some type of ecological protection reserve, the Minho (MEE-nyoo, /ˈmi.ɲu/) features the country's only national park, Parque Nacional da Peneda-Gerês, covering some 72,000 hectares (180,000 acres).
Getting there
The major cities are reachable by train or bus and also served by modern highways. From there it is possible to explore the smaller towns using the local transportation system (bus) or by renting a car.
Getting around
Train (linha do Minho: Porto-Valença); Ramal de Braga.
See
Many local religious festivals (''romarias'') are frequent all over the summer. The annual fair at Viana do Castelo, in the third week of August — Nossa Senhora da Agonia — renowned for the impressive display of folk art and traditional clothes.
Itineraries Braga/Guimaraes Braga/Barcelos/Esposende/Viana do Castelo/Caminha Braga/Terras de Bouro/Parque nacional da Peneda-Gerez.
Do
Braga: cathedral, sanctuaries of Bom Jesus and Sameiro.
Eat
The region's gastronomical treasures are some of the most representative of the country.
Drink & nightlife
Vinho verde — Renowned for its uniqueness, "green wine" is only produced in the Minho region.
Go next
Amarante — Chaves — Douro Litoral — Lamego — Porto — Vila Real —
Overview adapted from Wikipedia, travel guide fromWikivoyage (CC BY-SA)。Photography via Wikimedia Commons.