Private tour to Ponte de Lima, Vinho Verde region

based on 3 reviews

Duration:8 hours to 10 hours (approx.)
Location: Porto, Northern Portugal

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ADULT (Age : 16 to 90)

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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.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

WHAT TO EXPECT

1.
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.
2.
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.
3.
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.
4.
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.
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.
6.
Homage to Queen D. Teresa who granted Ponte de Lima the charter of Vila, in 1125.
7.
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.
8.
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.
9.
The Marquês Palace is a splendid 15th century stone building that currently houses the Military History Interpretation Center.
10.
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.
11.
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.
12.
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.
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.
14.
(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.
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.

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Posted By : highview363
Great day trip. Carlos filled the day with history and explaining all of what we were seeing. He also let us go at our own pace, and answered all questions we had.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2023-10-07 13:25:00

Posted By : John_W
Carlos took extra time to travel at our pace. Explained in detail everything we saw. Also added history of the area we were visiting. Also added recommendations for other areas we might want to visit and also local restaurants close to where we are staying.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2023-10-07 08:20:34

Posted By : marie josée m
We had a Great Vip Tour With Carlos. Braga was our Favorite Place in this Tour.
Carlos make sûre that everything was perfect during This day
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2019-10-03 08:24:08

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Private tour to Ponte de Lima, Vinho Verde region

WHAT'S INCLUDED

WHAT TO EXPECT

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ADDITIONAL INFO

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Retrieving available

Tickets

Private tour to Ponte de Lima, Vinho Verde region

WHAT'S INCLUDED ⟱

WHAT TO EXPECT ⟱

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

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8.

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ADDITIONAL INFO ⟱

CANCELLATION POLICY ⟱

Partner Resources

How it works

Travel

Insurance

Adventure

Contact

WHAT'S INCLUDED

WHAT TO EXPECT

ADDITIONAL INFO

CANCELLATION POLICY