13 Best Hotels in Northern Portugal, Portugal

The Manueline facade, stone-flagged reception, and massive staircase testify to the fact that this 16th-century former aristocratic abode in the center of Viana is the city's oldest extant house. In addition to the classically decorated rooms in the main building, which all have bathtubs, there are five modern apartments with walk-in showers. On site there's a bar with a piano---where the generous buffet breakfast is also laid out---as well as a cozy library with a huge fireplace. Out back, a walled garden contains a small pool, with direct access from the upstairs suites. The same building houses a branch of Portuguese craft beer chain Letraria, which serves burgers and other well-priced snacks and mains until late.

Time fades away as you sit reading by the fire in the lounge, glass of port at your side, at this charming small hotel in Alijó, 16 km (10 miles) northeast of Pinhão, which is particularly popular with hikers thanks to its pretty setting. It's named for Joseph James Forrester—the scion of a Scottish family of port vintners whose 1848 map of the Rio Douro helped open the river to navigation, and who later became the first foreigner to be given the Portuguese title of baron. Its O Barão restaurant is one of the best in the region—try the river mackerel, when in season, and the chef's delicious sweet pastries—and has two terraces for sunlit lunches and star-filled suppers. That, and the outdoor swimming pool and tennis courts, make the place feel like a small resort. 

The ruins of a 17th-century Franciscan monastery have been transformed into this remarkable hotel with massive walls surrounding extensive gardens and courtyards. The interior is a sober blend of ancient stone and modern simplicity, with public areas dotted with antiques and sacred art. The Franciscan monks would no doubt have frowned on the contemporary comforts of the elegant, well-equipped guest rooms and the sumptuous regional delicacies served in the Cozinha do Convento restaurant, including recipes featuring alheira regional sausage and several bacalhau dishes. They might, however, have winked at the hotel's well-stocked wine cellar installed in their old water cistern.

This family-run establishment in the heart of Parque Nacional da Peneda–Gerês is one of the best-value lodging options in the area, and all of the family-style rooms have views of the town and the surrounding hills. Open fireplaces contribute to a cozy atmosphere in the lounge, the bar, and the restaurant, whose wood-fired oven is used to prepare home-cooked dishes. The staff can arrange guided hikes in the national park and around local villages or boat trips on the Caniçada reservoir.

Conveniently located steps from the train station (and a 10-minute walk from the center), this streamlined hotel lets you revive yourself with a bracing dip in the indoor pool, a soak in the hot tub, or some time in the separate men's and women's saunas and steam baths. Afterward head to the bar and restaurant, which have panoramic views—as do a good number of the guest rooms. 

Many seasoned travelers to the country's northern reaches have made this charming hotel their top choice; housed in a 19th-century building on a wooded hill 3 km (2 miles) outside Braga crisscrossed by marked trails, it's named after the water-operated funicular that hoists the faithful up to the Bom Jesus do Monte shrine. All the high-ceilinged guest rooms have period furniture, and most have panoramic views. Guests may, for a fee, use the indoor pool, spa, and gym of the upscale Hotel do Templo a few steps away.

A stone's throw from the cathedral, this pleasant, well-appointed hotel is one of the city's best bargains. While the decor is simple rather than stylish, there's nothing lacking in terms of basic comforts, and it is squeaky clean throughout.

This family-run hotel has a great mix of historical charm and modern amenities, and its location on a quiet cobblestone street just around the corner from one of the city's main squares is hard to beat. With an imposing granite and white facade, the hotel has spacious and comfortable rooms that each have their own quirky design elements.

Once you get past the boxy exterior, this hotel has everything you need: spacious guest rooms with plenty of light shining through the wide windows, airy common areas where guests actually linger, and a comfortable restaurant and bar. Request a room facing the valley and you'll enjoy views of the dramatic stepped terraces; the indoor pool has a similar outlook.

This plush if somewhat plain resort hotel sits atop a hill, so that most guest rooms look out over the garden to the nearby sandy beach and Atlantic Ocean beyond. Dive into the heated saltwater pools, or opt for thalassotherapy and other treatments in the spa, which has a male and female sauna, laconium, steam bath, ice cabin, and "sensations" shower. Or take advantage of the mini-golf, tennis, bicycles, or nearby activities such as horseback riding. The O Jardim restaurant serves reliably good if unadventurous Portuguese fare, while in summer there's a café that serves light meals by the pool.

One of the city's most stylish and luxurious lodgings, subject to continuous improvements, the Meliá Braga attracts business and leisure travelers with its contemporary style, ample facilities, and professional staff. El Olivo restaurant serves mainly Portuguese cuisine, and the bar often hosts live music. Light meals are served in the pool bar. The well-equipped spa has a pool, Jacuzzi, sauna, steam bath, and frigidarium, and offers a wide variety of treatments. The gym hosts exercise classes and there's a children's pool, to boot.

About 5 km (3 miles) from Barcelos, this fine 17th-century manor house—known for its beamed ceilings and stone walls—retains appealing features such as open fireplaces while adding modern touches. There's a large garden with a pool and a pretty baroque chapel. If you love dogs, note that there's a canine center attached where they breed boxers.

Taking full advantage of its location on a hill high above the Rio Ave, this modern lodging's rooms all face the river and most have their own balconies; the indoor pool and rooftop bar---both open until midnight---have similarly stunning views, too. The decor is sleek and modern, with navy and silver livery adding a touch of luxury. A wide range of massages and other treatments are available in the well-equipped spa (check the website for packages), and you can book outdoor activities such as horseback riding, kayaking, and diving. The Santa Clara restaurant (€19) offers a good selection of traditional dishes, including delicious desserts, and affords views of the eponymous convent across the river.