Gerês Park Tour small group, Culture, Nature, Waterfalls, Viewpoints & Lunch

The Gerês Park Full-Day Tour includes the visit to Braga and Tibães Monastery, followed by a wonderful regional lunch at Covide in Gerês National Park. In the afternoon we will proceed exploring the natural wonders of Gerês, the most beautiful section of the roman road Via Nova XVIII at Mata da Albergaria, Pedra Bela viewpoint and Arado waterfall. Before returning to Porto we will stop at Caldas do Gerês village and taste local sweets. Highlights:  • Full-day Gerês tour from Porto with an expert guide • Visit to the city of Braga with tasting of local sweets • Visit to Tibães Monastery • Regional lunch at Covide • Visit to Gerês national park, with stop at Caldas do Gerês village

1. 1

   Braga

   1.5 hours

   From your hotel in Porto, you’re picked up in the morning for the drive to Braga. We will stop at the city of Braga to visit the city center. The Braga Diocese is the oldest in Portugal and, in the Middle Ages, the city even competed with Santiago de Compostela in power and importance. You will have the opportunity to taste some delicious sweets at a well known cake-shop.

2. 2

   Mosteiro de Sao Martinho de Tibaes

   1.5 hours

   After Braga city center we will proceed to visit Tibães Monastery. Founded by Saint Martin of Dume in the 6th century it became the Portuguese and Brazilian headquarters of the Order of Saint Benedict em 1567. The current building, one of the most grandiose in the country, was built In the 17th century.

3. 3

   Geres

   1.5 hours

   We will stop for lunch in Covide already at Gerês National Park. The lunch includes several tasting starters (pataniscas de bacalhau, chouriço assado and local cheese), loin of veal with a special rice with red beans and a Crème Brulée dessert. White or red Vinho Verde or Douro wines are served.

4. 4

   Miradouro da Pedra Bela

   1 hour

   In the afternoon the tour continues through Gerês, starting at Mata da Albergaria along one of the most beautiful sections of the Via Nova XVIII, a roman road built at the end of 1st century AC that connected two important iberian cities: “Bracara Augusta”, present city of Braga, and “Asturica Augusta”, present city of Astorga, in a distance of 215 miles (~318kms). Then, we will descend from the Spanish border of Portela do Homem to the village of Caldas do Gerês for a short stop. We will proceed to Pedra Bela a view not to be missed at the most beautiful and sought-after viewpoint of Peneda-Gerês National Park. From this viewpoint, located in a mount, one can observe the whole of Caniçada reservoir, a part of Gerês valley, as well as the mountains all the way up to Portela de Leonte.

5. 5

   Stop 5

   45 min

   In Gerês the mountainous terrain is cut across by rapidly flowing rivers and streams, including many waterfalls. In the surroundings of Ermida village we will visit the Arado Waterfalls. They can be reached by the road and a staircase that leads to the lake rising above the waterfalls. Your Gerês Park full-day tour ends with return transport to your Porto hotel.

• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Child rate applies only when sharing with 2 paying adults
• Children must be accompanied by an adult
• Children ages 3 years and under are free, but their seats are subject to availability

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.