4 TOP THINGS TO DO

Climb

to Bom Jesus do Monte. This crazy 600-step Baroque staircase zigzags up to the pilgrimage sanctuary of Bom Jesus at the edge of Braga. Whimsical flourishes such as stone statues of biblical figures in turbans and cloaks, are at every turn. Cool your head under grinning fountain faces with cascades gushing from mouth, nose and ears. www.portugalvisitor.com/portugalattractions/bomjesus

Walk

in the wilds of Peneda-gerês in the far north, bordering Spain. Portugal’s only National Park is a gorse and boulder-strewn upland splintered by noisy streams and fringed with granite crags where birds of prey soar. A network of signposted trails has recently been waymarked across the area, with suggested routes varying from a couple of hours to all-day hikes. www.visitportugal.com/en/ node/156081

Cycle

Porto’s fabulous new network of cycle paths. Once you’ve seen the sites, hire a bike and pedal along the north bank of the river to Foz do Douro at the mouth of the River Douro. If you’ve time, continue from here along the rocky Atlantic seafront, inhaling the salty air until you reach the Parque de Cidade. This is Porto’s new city park, beautifully landscaped with lakes, woodland, sculptures, walking trails and cycle routes. https://bluedragon.pt/

Cruise

from Porto into the heart of port wine-growing country where vineyards are hewn out of steep mountain-sides. Along the way, pass through a trio of dams via colossal locks including 35-metre elevation Carrapateira, Europe’s highest. Return by rail from Pinhão, completing a full day. www.cruzeiros-douro.pt/en/ 1-day-cruises