During our Ponte de Lima private tour, travelers will have the opportunity to explore one of the oldest and most charming cities in Portugal. With its picturesque architecture, picturesque streets and stunning views over the river, Ponte de Lima offers a unique insight into the country's rich history and culture.
Our tour will begin with a visit to the city's iconic medieval bridge, which spans the Lima River and offers stunning views of the surrounding countryside. From there, we'll explore the city's charming historic center, admiring its ancient churches, impressive mansions and peaceful gardens.
We will then venture to the stunning Paço de Calheiros manor house, a magnificent 17th century estate surrounded by lush gardens and vineyards, where you will have the opportunity to visit the winery, learn about the region's winemaking traditions and taste its crisp and refreshing wines. .
Travelers will also have the opportunity to indulge in the region's famous cuisine.
Inclusions & Exclusions
✔ Our executive vehicles offer Wi-Fi, bottled water, refreshments and a relaxing environment.
✔ Personal accident and civil liability insurance.
✔ Transport in luxury vehicles, with maximum comfort and equipment adapted to your needs.
✔ Certified Tour Driver.
✖ Gratuities are not included and are left to individual discretion.
✖ No luggage or excess baggage, unless specified.
✖ Extra - Typical Lunch (Start - Main - Drink - Dessert - Coffee) with Wine - €25.00
✖ Extra - Guided visit to Paço de Calheiros and its winery with 3 tastings of Alvarinho - €25.00
✖ Extra - Guided visit to the Vinho Verde Interpretation Center with tasting of Alvarinho - €3.00
Pickup Locations
1. Flag Hotel Porto Maia
2. Hotel Vianorte
3. Hotel Central Parque
4. Holiday Inn Express Porto - Exponor, an IHG hotel
5. Hotel Vianorte
6. Eurostars Matosinhos
7. Sea Porto Hotel
8. Hotel Porto Mar
9. Do Ribeirinho
10. Portofino Motel
11. O Valentim Hotel
12. TRYP by Wyndham Porto Expo Hotel
13. Hotel Aliados
14. TRYP by Wyndham Porto Centro Hotel
15. Holiday Inn Express Porto City Centre, an IHG hotel
16. Tivoli Porto
17. Hotel Amadeos
18. Hotel Senhor de Matosinhos
19. Hotel Nave
20. Portofoz Hotel
Additional Info: We offer transfer to the following places for this experience, from all hotels and B & Bs in central Porto and Gaia
Itinerary
1
Ponte Romana e Medieval
This bridge is the ex-libris of the city which, together with the river that bathes it, gave the town its name.
It is, in fact, a set formed by two bridges: a larger medieval section, which begins on the left bank and extends to the Church of Santo António da Torre Velha and passes this church in two arches; and the remaining section that corresponds to part of the Roman bridge, consisting of five arches starting from the great arch that is in the dry part of the river bed.
It was declared a National Monument in 1910.
Duration: 30 minutes
2
Capela do Anjo da Guarda
Classified as a National Monument in 1978, it possibly dates from the 17th century. XIII.
The Guardian Angel Chapel, also known as Padrão de São Miguel, is built next to the Lima River and the old bridge, that is, next to the Roman section of the Bridge. It may belong to the late Romanesque or early Gothic.
In 2021, it was restored and the intervention opened in March 2022.
Duration: 20 minutes
3
Igreja de Santo Antonio da Torre Velha
This temple dates back to an old hermitage documented since the 18th century, dedicated to Nossa Senhora da Esperança, however its current appearance is due to a reformulation and increase in the 19th century, ordered by the Confraternity of Santo António. It was also at this time that the tile panels appeared.
As the church and the tower of the early medieval fence cohabited until the mid-19th century – when it was demolished – the church was renamed Santo António da Torre Velha.
Duration: 20 minutes
4
Centro de Interpretacao e Promocao do Vinho Verde
The visit includes access to the permanent exhibition, access to the terrace where there is a small plantation of vineyards, viewing of a promotional film about the Demarcated Region of Vinhos Verdes and the tasting of a regional wine.
Duration: 30 minutes
5
Secular tradition dating back to the 15th century, which attracts thousands of visitors from all over the country and even neighboring Spain, who invade the historic center and the sands of the Lima River.
The tradition always takes place on the eve of the religious holiday of Corpus Christi, in the late afternoon.
The traditional “Vaca das Cordas” race starts on Rua do Arrabalde, heading towards Largo da Matriz, fulfilling the tradition of going around the church three times. The “race” continues through the streets of the Historic Center, to the beach, where thousands of people try to “dribble” the animal or simply watch this popular show. It is a day of celebration, which shows the soul and tradition of the people.
Duration: 30 minutes
6
Homage to Queen D. Teresa who granted Ponte de Lima the charter of Vila, in 1125.
Duration: 30 minutes
7
Igreja Matriz de Ponte de Lima
Late Gothic church that succeeded an even older one, which grew from just one nave to three. Inside, the highlight goes to the Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Conceição, which belonged to the Solar de Bertiandos.
The Igreja Matriz de Ponte de Lima was built by D. João I in 1425 and its completion was in 1446, but it underwent several transformations and extensions over the centuries that are very visible, due to the overlapping of various styles - Romanesque , Gothic and Neoclassical.
Duration: 20 minutes
8
Igreja da Misericordia de Ponte de Lima
The institution of the Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Ponte de Lima dates back to 1530.
The church is classified as a Property of Public Interest, in a mannerist and baroque style, and was built in the 17th and 18th centuries. It is characterized by a single nave, a chancel with a coffered vault (1638) and a main portico open laterally over the old cemetery, which is currently a churchyard closed by a railing, whose effect is the porch veranda that delimits the space. is remarkable.
Duration: 20 minutes
9
The Marquês Palace is a splendid 15th century stone building that currently houses the Military History Interpretation Center.
Duration: 30 minutes
10
Torres de Sao Paulo e da Cadeia Velha
These two towers, classified as Buildings of Public Interest, as well as the entire wall that unites them, are the most notorious works of what remains of the old Ponte de Lima wall which, in addition to these towers, also included doors and towers, namely the Expectation Tower and Postigo Tower.
This set was built in the 14th century, during the reign of D. Pedro I.
The Torre de Cadeia Velha, or Porta Nova, is the result of major improvement works carried out on the tower that already existed in the same place as part of the walled structure of the 14th century village, built by King Manuel to install the Prison District. , which was completed in 1511.
Duration: 20 minutes
11
Pelourinho de Ponte de Lima
The primitive pillory is attributed to the 16th century and was built on the beach, almost in front of the São Paulo tower.
At the beginning of the 19th century, weapons from the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarve were added. Compulsively demolished at the end of the liberal struggles, it was rebuilt at the time of the Estado Novo in front of the City Hall using some fragments that were identified as being from the primitive monument.
Duration: 10 minutes
12
Largo de Camoes
The Fonte Nobre in Largo de Camões was completed in 1603, after a false tax was levied in 1580 on some consumer goods, such as precious salt, whose revenue served to build what we enjoy today as a monument.
It was built in the current Largo Dr. António Magalhães, at the time one of the main gateways to the town's wall, from where it was transferred to Largo de Camões in 1929. Currently, its Renaissance design and execution are attributed to the famous master Limiano João Lopes.
Duration: 20 minutes
13
Optional - 25€ p/person - Visit the cellar of Quinta do Paço de Calheiros to discover its boutique cellar and taste 3 different wines: Paço de Calheiros, 100% Loureiro with fermentation and aging in stainless steel; Conde de Calheiros, 100% Loureiro aged in oak barrels; and a red sparkling wine also produced at this Quinta.
This will be a unique experience even for those more used to tasting different styles of wine.
Duration: 30 minutes
14
Mosteiro de Santa Maria de Refoios do Lima
(OPTIONAL)
The building of the Monastery of Refoios, founded in the 12th century by D. Afonso Ansemondes, for the Canons of the State of Santo Agostinho, has undergone several changes over the centuries and currently houses the facilities of the Escola Superior Agrária de Ponte de Lima, being close to to the imposing Parish Church that gives the group its name - Refoios de Lima.
It was the largest monastery of all that existed in the area of the current municipality of Ponte de Lima and has been classified as a Property of Public Interest since 1939.
Duration: 20 minutes
15
It was built in the 14th century, and is one of the first known medieval defensive towers in the country and has been classified as a Property of Public Interest since 1996.
It is a very well-preserved tower and is located inside a housing tourism estate, constituting one of the outstanding attractions in the region.
Duration: 20 minutes
Additional info
• Wheelchair accessible
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Service animals allowed
• Specialized infant seats are available
• Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
