Located in the North of Portugal, the Trás-os-Montes region is one of the most beautiful in Portugal. This region has a lot to offer us, and we can easily spend a week there. However, this blog post will be more focused on how to visit Trás-os-Montes in just 2 days. It is, therefore, a shorter itinerary and perfect for a weekend getaway, for example.

This 2 days itinerary in Trás-os-Montes is divided as follows:

• Day 1: Mirandela – Albufeira do Azibo – Bragança – Montesinho Village – Bragança
• Day 2: Bragança – Miranda do Douro – Douro International Park – Freixo de Espada à Cinta

The region of Trás-os-Montes is still quite big, so I recommend at least 7 days to get to know the region a bit more in-depth.

However, I remind you that this is only a 2-day itinerary, to give you a kind of taste of all the good things this region has to offer.

This region is known by the popular saying of “nine months of winter and three months of hell”, which translates into very harsh winters and extremely hot summers.

However, and despite the proverb, in late spring and early autumn, we can find milder temperatures. For example, I visited in June and while one day was very hot and sunny, the other day was very grey and it even rained. It’s all a matter of luck!

💡 EXTRA TIP: If you want to enjoy the various river beaches in the region, such as Albufeira do Azibo (more details below), then you should try to visit Trás-os-Montes in the summer.

The best place to stay in Trás-os-Montes depends a lot on what you would like to visit in the region. For example, if you choose to visit the whole region, it’s probably better if you change accommodation throughout your itinerary.

However, for this 2-day itinerary in Trás-os-Montes I suggest staying in Bragança. It is one of the places with the most offer in the region. In Bragança, I can recommend Baixa Hotel. It’s a very simple hotel, but well looked after, and it also has a great location. I chose not to book with the breakfast option, as there are several cafés nearby quite cheaper.

Anyway, I share with you other accommodation options in Bragança:

This Trás-os-Montes itinerary begins in Mirandela. And Mirandela is one of those pleasant surprises: a small town, but with a charming historic centre.

I suggest starting the visit to Mirandela at the Old Bridge over the Tua river, where we can find some funny flower arrangements in wheelbarrows, or even the artificial water jet in the river.

From here, you can head to Império Park or Dr. José Gama Park – two of the city’s main green spaces.

If the weather allows, take a dip in the waters of Mirandela’s River Beach.

But the visit to Mirandela doesn’t have to end here! I also suggest a stop at St. Anthony’s Gate (Porta de Santo António) or Town Hall Square (Praça do Munícipio), where the Town Hall is currently located and Nossa Senhora da Encarnação Church.

But the most beautiful thing about this tour through Mirandela are its streets, where we feel like getting lost.

If the weather is good, why not take a dip in one of the most beautiful river beaches in Portugal? I’m talking about Albufeira do Azibo, located in Macedo de Cavaleiros.

The water is quite calm, which makes this an excellent option for those travelling with children. It is also a good place to practise some water sports, such as SUP or kayak.

📝 USEFUL INFORMATION: During the summer, this beach is very popular, so it is inevitable that you will have to share the river beach with numerous people.

A visit to Trás-os-Montes is not complete without passing through the city of Bragança. And, although this city is a district capital, its historical centre is relatively small.

The itinerary to visit Bragança can start at the highest part of the city, in the Bragança Castle. The entrance to this part of the city can be done through the ancient Gates of the Wall: Porta de Sol or Porta da Vila. Right next to it, you can also visit the Santa Maria Church.

The whole area inside the wall and around the castle is very beautiful, so I recommend that you let yourself get lost here.

However, Bragança also has other interesting places to visit besides its Castle. These are some of them:

• Old Cathedral Square and Old Cathedral
• St. Vincent’s Church (Igreja de São Vicente)
• Misericórdia Church
• Castle Garden (Jardim do Castelo)
• Convent of St. Francis (Convento de São Francisco)
• Corredor Verde do Fervença
• Mask and Costume Museum
• Abade do Baçal Museum

Just half an hour’s drive from Bragança and inserted in the Natural Park of Montesinho, we find the Montesinho village. Located about 1000 meters above sea level, this village leaves no one indifferent. In fact, I dare to say that this is the most beautiful village I have ever visited.

With small houses covered with flowers of different species and colours, the village’s surroundings immediately make you fall in love with it. Park the car somewhere and then explore its streets on foot. This is undoubtedly the best way to get to know the small village.

Restaurants in Bragança

Although it is not in the historic centre of the city, I recommend the restaurant O Javali. I had the opportunity to try the “xixos” skewers with pineapple and stewed wild boar. To finish, I tried the chestnut pudding! The portions are very generous, so for 2 people I believe it’s possible to order only 1 main course and 1 starter.

Despite its small size, Miranda do Douro still has some points of interest. Entering the walled city through one of the various gates, I suggest a stop at D. João III Square. Apart from some of the emblematic buildings here, the highlight is the two statues representing a Mirandese couple.

I recommend that you continue your visit to Miranda do Douro through Mouzinho de Albuquerque Street, the Old Cathedral, the Ruins of the Episcopal Palace and the ruins of Miranda do Douro Castle.

Having visited Miranda do Douro, I suggest starting the next phase of the itinerary with what to visit in Trás-os-Montes, which consists of visiting several viewpoints. And the first viewpoint on the list is the Fraga do Puio viewpoint (also known as Picote Viewpoint).

The viewpoint is made of glass structure where you can see beneath you and the view is truly breathtaking. A glimpse of things yet to come on this second day.

Restaurants in Miranda do Douro

Although this restaurant is not precisely in Miranda do Douro, it is not far away and I highly recommend it. It’s called A Tasquinha and the speciality is “posta à mirandesa”, which, together with a starter, is more than enough for two people.

💡 EXTRA TIP: Would you like to know more about what you can visit in Trás-os-Montes and extend this 2 days itinerary? Take a look, then, at this 2 days itinerary in the Vale do Tua Nature Park.

Another place that is almost mandatory to visit in Trás-os-Montes is the Douro International Park. Although the park has much more to visit, given the length of this itinerary I suggest only visiting 3 viewpoints in the park:

• Carrascalinho
• Colado (Mazouco)
• Penedo Durão 

These viewpoints are easily accessible, with parking available. The Carrascalinho Viewpoint was my favourite, so if you only want to choose one, I suggest you choose this one!

This itinerary through Trás-os-Montes ends in one of the places with the funniest name in Portugal – Freixo de Espada à Cinta (the name means ash-tree girded with sword). Although the origin of its name is not known for sure, one thing is certain: its streets are a real trip back in time.

A visit to Freixo de Espada à Cinta is not complete without visiting the Castle, the Mother Church, the Church of the Convent of São Filipe Nery and the Territory Museum (Museu da Sede e do Território).

💡 EXTRA TIP: A short drive from the historical centre of Freixo de Espada à Cinta, you can also visit Congida River Beach.

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