Northern Portugal itinerary ideas for two weeks with teens

[whoforgottofillthetank]

We're hoping to go to northern Portugal this summer for two weeks. We would likely fly in and out of Porto, and hire a car for the trip. We usually split our holidays into two separate locations, with a week in an Airbnb in both. Happy to do a fair amount of driving, but ideally no more than an hour for day trips.

We have DS13 and DS16. We love castles, museums, river swimming, walking/hiking, history, mountains, remote/quiet beaches, city breaks. Last few holidays have been a combination of a week in the mountains then a week near beaches (Dolomites and Croatia and Slovenia and Croatia) so looking for something similar.

I've got as far as a shortlist of Braga, Guimares, Douro Valley, Geres NP, Coimbra, Serra de Estrella, Aveiro, Arouca Geopark but not much more info.

Can anyone recommend must see sites/towns/activities?

Thanks!

The whole area is lovely. The Peneda Geres NP has a lovely Pousada - Mosteiro de Amares - which is great for a couple of nights stay to use as base for exploring.

Valença close to the border with Spain is a pretty walled city. Ponte de Lima and Ponte da Barca are both worth a visit. Also Bom Jesus do Monte outside Braga.

Porto is a very walkable city and Coimbra is lovely - the nearby Roman ruins of Conimbriga are excellent.

Hi!

Not exactly what you asked for but I travelled for 3 weeks around Portugal last summer top to bottom.

We flew into Porto. I love Porto such a vibrant pretty city.
We went to the Douro Valley for the day and did a wine tour stunning!
Coimbra is stunning stayed for 2 nights. The joannia library is magical.
Evora is honestly a must see place it was ny favourite place on the whole trip.
Sintra lovely at night hammered in the day
Lisbon I wasn't to keen on.
We ended our trip in Albufeira which I wouldn't do again.
Flew out of Faro.

Travelled the whole thing by train which was so cheap and super easy.

Brilliant, thank you both.

@Flower1989999 we did Lisbon - Odceixce - Albufiera a few years ago and while it was a fab holiday I reeeeally didn't like Lisbon at all. Thought it was grotty! (my mates all think I'm mad). So I'm reassured that you also didn't like it but do like Porto!

Gerês has some great rivers to do canyoning and lake swimming if you're into that kind of thing, also great hiking.
The food in Serra de Estrela is rightly famous in throughout Portugal and is utterly divine. (You'll find good food everywhere but Serra de Estrela is something else!).

Oh and Guimarães is lovely! Amazing old castle, real Game of Thrones vibes, and lots of very interesting history as the birthplace of Portugal.

I 100% agree grotty is exactly how I would describe Lisbon!