Named after the bridge that leads to the town over the River Lima, Ponte de Lima is a small, rural destination located slightly inland on Portugal’s stunning Costa Verde. Old streets, lined with elegant buildings and architectural gems, lead to a central square where you can enjoy a cup of coffee or glass of wine in one of the cafés that spill out on to the pavement. Not only one of the prettiest towns in the north, Ponte de Lima is also famed for the hospitality of its people, good food, locally produced Vinho Verde and more recently the addition of an 18 hole golf course.

Caminha is a small port town located on the River Minho, towards the north of the Costa Verde. Historically a town of industrial importance and known for its exports, the town is now simply a pretty market town steeped in history and character. The main square retains several 15th and 16th century buildings as well as some delightful cafés and restaurants with tables and chairs outside on the cobbled streets. From Caminha, there are a number of great sandy beaches within easy reach; including the blue flag beaches of Modelo and Vila Praia do Ancora.

Sitting 35 minutes north of Porto, the popular coastal resort of Esposende is enviably bordered by a choice of sandy beaches. The town itself has a lovely selection of restaurants, cafes and a small selection of bars, both facing the coast and in the quaint historic centre. From Esposende, the best of the Costa Verde can easily be enjoyed, with the interesting cities of Viana do Castelo and Braga within a 30 minute drive.

Afife is a quaint, old village in the north of the Costa Verde. Blessed with a three kilometer stretch of beautiful sandy beach, Afife has become a popular beach destination in this region. The village itself has a bakery, supermarket and a good range of cafés and restaurants both in the centre and along the beach. However, if you would like to explore further afield, the slightly larger town of Caminha with its cobbled streets and elegant buildings is just a short drive away.

Located close to the bustling city of Braga, Amares is a small rural town, hidden by citrus trees and known for its production of oranges. For dining out, the centre has a varied selection of restaurants offering international cuisine as well as local dishes. Reasonably centrally located within the region, Amares is a great place from which to base yourself and explore the Costa Verde. Nearby Caldelas Spa is famous for its thermal waters and provides an interesting day out or why not take a scenic drive to La Guardia in Spain, another famous wine producing region.

The picturesque riverside town of Barcelos enjoys a quaint medieval centre, lined with charming buildings, adjourned with Portuguese tiles, narrow streets and pretty squares, dotted with a selection of shops, restaurants and pavement cafes. The impressive square at the centre of the town, the Campo de Feira, is truly enormous, home to a large weekly open-air market where you would be hard pushed to not find something you would want to buy. From Barcelos, some of the beautiful beaches of the Costa Verde are within a 25 minute drive.

Cabeceiras de Basto is a small village located inland on Portugal’s stunning "Green Coast". Here, like many of its neighboring towns and villages, you will more than likely be blown away by the breathtaking scenery and architecture. Two popular attractions in the village are the Monastery of Saint Michael whose dome reaches an impressive thirty three meters high, and the ancient granite statue of a roman warrior. There are also a handful of restaurants worth visiting, serving both seafood and regional cuisine. Alternatively, the cosmopolitan city of Guimaraes is within a 40 minute drive and provides an extensive range of amenities and eateries.

Surrounded by beautiful countryside and vineyards, the town of Paredes de Coura offers a selection of bars, restaurants and shops. In a fantastic position for exploring this stunning region, with the coastline within a 50 minute and the attractive towns of Ponte de Lima and Vila Nova de Cerveira within a 35 minute drive, which are both well worth exploring. Activities such as horseback riding in the mountains and water sports on the Minho river are available nearby.

Located in the heart of the region, Póvoa de Lanhoso is a small traditional town within easy reach of the coast. Visiting the town you will notice the imposing castle of "Monte do Pilar" perched on the top of the hill, whose turrets offer fantastic views over the streets below as well as the surrounding mountains and valleys. Póvoa de Lanhoso also offers a range of facilities including a small selection of bars and restaurants serving regional dishes. For a greater choice of dining options and tourist attractions both the larger city of Braga and cosmopolitan town of Guimarães are just a short drive away.

Within half an hour of the sandy beaches at Vila do Conde and lively Pavoa de Varzim, Santo Tirso is a town typical of this region of Portugal. Wander through its narrow streets, marveling at the cultural heritage and sampling renowned sweet pastries and locally produced wine. The excitement and atmosphere of stunning Porto is also within easy reach; whether for an evening out, boat trip or sightseeing the thirty kilometer journey is well worth it!