The Minho
The Minho is northern Portugal's green corner, where visitors come for pilgrimage churches in Braga, the medieval castle in Guimarães and the vinho verde made in its valleys.
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The Minho is the northwest corner of mainland Portugal, a region of towns and river valleys along the Spanish border. Its name comes from the Minho River, which forms the boundary with Galicia. Braga is the place for churches and pilgrimage sites, including Bom Jesus do Monte. Guimarães is where Afonso Henriques, Portugal's first king, was born, and its castle is medieval. Viana do Castelo sits at the mouth of the Lima River, with an old center and a viewpoint on the hill above it.
The region suits travelers who want old towns, churches, castles and food and wine at a slower pace. Vinho verde, a young, lightly sparkling wine, is made here. Plan at least three nights for Braga, Guimarães and Viana do Castelo, or a week with day trips. May to October suits walking and outdoor sights best, and winter is wetter. A car gives the most freedom; trains and buses link the main towns to Porto.
The Minho in five
- Choose one base and day-trip the restBraga, Guimarães and Viana do Castelo are close enough to visit from a single base. Moving every night wastes the best hours of each day.Braga travel guide
- Budget 5 euros for the Guimarães castleMuseus e Monumentos de Portugal lists 5 euros for the Castelo de Guimarães and the Paço dos Duques de Bragança, and 7.50 euros for Braga's Museu dos Biscainhos. Children up to 12 are free.Guimarães travel guide
- Add a coast stop at Viana do CasteloThe Minho has an Atlantic coast as well as hills. Viana do Castelo gives a river mouth, a hilltop basilica and beaches, and works as a base or a long day.Viana do Castelo
- Rent a car, or plan around the trainThe region is green and hilly, with villages that buses reach only a few times a day. A car makes wine estates and valleys practical, while the cities connect by rail and bus.Trains in Portugal
- Pack for rain in most monthsRainfall in the north-west is higher than in the south, so a waterproof layer is useful from autumn to spring. The wet weather is the reason for the green valleys.
Things to do in The Minho
See all attractions in The Minho
Need to know
- Airport
- Porto (OPO), the nearest large airport
- Getting there
- Train or car from Porto; Braga and Guimarães are the main hubs
- Getting around
- Trains between cities; a car for villages and wine estates
- Best base
- Braga for central access; Viana do Castelo for the coast
- Time needed
- 3 to 5 days for two or three towns
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain13 rainy daysHigh13°Low5°Mild, rainJanuaryRain
Poor
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 246 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, rain
- FebruaryRain11 rainy daysHigh14°Low6°Mild, showersFebruaryRain
Mixed
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 172 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, showers
- MarchRain14 rainy daysHigh16°Low6°Mild, springMarchRain
Mixed
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 199 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, spring
- AprilRain13 rainy daysHigh19°Low9°Mild, greenAprilRain
Good
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 178 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, green
- MayPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh22°Low11°Warm, calmMayPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 120 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, calm
- JunePartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh25°Low14°Warm, long daysJunePartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 74 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, long days
- JulyClear4 rainy daysHigh29°Low16°Hot, busyJulyClear
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 23 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, busy
- AugustClear3 rainy daysHigh30°Low17°Hot, busyAugustClear
Best
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 25 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, busy
- SeptemberClear7 rainy daysHigh26°Low14°Warm, harvestSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 86 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, harvest
- OctoberRain13 rainy daysHigh21°Low12°Mild, rain startsOctoberRain
Mixed
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 281 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, rain starts
- NovemberRain16 rainy daysHigh15°Low8°Cool, wetNovemberRain
Poor
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 252 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, wet
- DecemberRain16 rainy daysHigh13°Low6°Cool, wetDecemberRain
Poor
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 251 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, wet
Average daily high and low in Braga, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in The Minho
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
19
- Feels like
- 17°
- Humidity
- 31%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
The Minho
08:47 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today23°8°0%Monday: Cloudy. High 23°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue19°8°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 19°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed17°6°0%Wednesday: Clear. High 17°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu17°4°4%Thursday: Cloudy. High 17°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 4%.
- Fri15°4°67%Friday: Rain. High 15°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 67%.
- Sat16°12°71%Saturday: Rain. High 16°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 71%.
- Sun18°15°96%Sunday: Thunderstorms. High 18°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 96%.
Updated 05:51 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Every year
- AugVilar de Mouros FestivalViana do Castelo, a day trip
Day trips by train
- Guimarãesby train, bus or carA castle town often called the birthplace of Portugal.Read the guide
- Viana do Casteloby train or carA coastal city with a basilica and beaches.Read the guide
- Ponte de Limaby carA river town with a long old bridge and a historic center.
Before you go to The Minho
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Rules for The Minho, checked
- Castelo de Guimarães and Paço dos Duques de Bragança: 5 euros each; Braga's Museu dos Biscainhos: 7.50 euros; children to 12 free.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
Plan around The Minho
Churches and a hill sanctuary in the Minho
Read the guideGuimarães travel guideThe castle town and old center
Read the guideViana do CasteloRiver mouth, basilica and beaches
Read the guidePeneda-Gerês travel guideThe national park in the Minho hills
Read the guidePorto travel guideThe main gateway to the north
Read the guideTrains in PortugalCP and buses compared
Read the guideTrás-os-Montes travel guideThe far north-east beyond the Minho
Read the guideAll of PortugalCities, coast, islands and entry rules
Read the guideThe Minho FAQ
What is the Minho known for?
Green valleys, vinho verde, granite towns such as Braga and Guimarães, and an Atlantic coast around Viana do Castelo. It is also known for hearty food and a rainy, lush climate.
How many days do you need in the Minho?
Three to five days cover two or three towns from one base. A week lets you add the coast and a wine valley without rushing.
Which is better, Braga or Guimarães?
Braga is larger and good for churches and a sanctuary, while Guimarães is smaller and compact around its castle and old center. They are close, so many travelers see both.
Do you need a car in the Minho?
Not for the main cities, which connect by rail and bus. A car helps for villages, wine estates and valleys, where services are less frequent.
When is the best time to visit the Minho?
May, June and September to October balance mild weather with green hills. Winter is wet, and July and August are warm and busier in town centers.