Located in the south inland of the AMP, the municipality of Arouca stands as a border between the coastal area and the inland, and between Portugal’s northern and central regions. The Arouca valley is surrounded by the Gamarão Mountains to the north, by the Mó Mountain do the east, and by the Freita Mountains to the south, crossed by the river Paiva, one of Europe’s less polluted rivers. Arouca holds a remarkable historical and natural heritage, with special mention to the fantastic Mizarela Waterfall and the Pedras Parideiras (Birthing Stones), in the Freita Mountains, the Monastery of Arouca and the Arouca Geopark, known for its exceptional internationally relevant geological heritage. Land of traditions, Arouca provides rich food with unique dishes, from the Arouca veal to conventual sweet food.

Further information:

https://www.cm-arouca.pt/

Municipality located in the AMP’s south coastal area, Espinho has a magnificent seaside with inviting beaches, equipped for sports such as beach volley, surf or body board. With a mild climate and long sand areas, Espinho is a tourism city and a special natural and privileged spot to enjoy summer days. It is provided with cultural and sports facilities capable of hosting national and international events in the fields of music, plastic arts, literature, cinema, astronomy and sports, therefore presenting iconic events such as the Cinanima -  International Animation Cinema Festival, the "Festival Internacional de Música" (International Music Festival) and the "Festival Internacional de Folclore" (Popular Music International Festival), as well as tennis, golf and horse riding international competitions.

Further information:
http://portal.cm-espinho.pt/pt/

Located in the central quarter of the AMP, the Gondomar municipality is crossed by the river Douro along its largest chunk within the AMP. It holds a unique and historical ethnographic heritage, such as lamprey fishing and traditional fishery. Gondomar is also a land of agricultural traditions, where traditional agriculture is still practiced, therefore being one of Porto’s markets’ main supplier of fresh vegetables. The region’s fishing and agricultural tradition characterizes Gondomar’s food, with references such as the shad, the lamprey and the turnip soup. The municipality hosts the most relevant gold transformation industries and Gondomar’s goldsmithery represents a significant percentage of the national production, making the world’s most beautiful filigree. The woodworking industry is also relevant in the Gondomar municipality, with special mention to the art of wood carving, the delicate wood carved “lace”.
 

Further information:
http://www.cm-gondomar.pt/

Located in the central quarter of the AMP, the Maia municipality holds the country’s largest industrial park, particularly in the field of technological infrastructures. TECMAIA, Maia’s Science and Technology Park, provides the necessary conditions for business settlement and incubation. Owing to its location and easy access, namely from the Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport, Maia is a real platform that serves Portugal’s entire northern region, as well as one of the country’s most relevant business destinations. Rich in significant real estate, Maia stands as an avant-garde city, marked by modern Portuguese architecture’s worldly renowned names, particularly from the “Porto School”, such as Álvaro Siza, Souto Moura, Álvaro Rocha, João Leal, Alfredo Ascenção.

Further information:
http://www.cm-maia.pt/

Located in the north coastal area of the Porto Metropolitan Area, the municipality of Matosinhos evidences its strong connection with the ocean, holding one of the country’s best port infrastructures, the Leixões Port, with its drawbridge linking both sides of the port and winner of several international and national awards. The relation established with the seaside is also reflected in its typical food, particularly fish and seafood, one of the municipality’s main attractions. Contemporary architecture in Matosinhos is strongly marked by the work of renowned architects such as Álvaro Siza, Fernando Távora, Alcino Soutinho or Souto Moura, namely the Casa de Chá da Boa Nova (Boa Nova Tea House), the Piscina das Marés (Tides Swimming Pool) or the waterside.

Further information:
https://www.cm-matosinhos.pt/

Located to the south of the Porto Metropolitan Area and belonging to the Aveiro county, the municipality of Oliveira de Azeméis stands out, not only because of its built heritage, like the Ul and Ossela old settlements, the windmills, the Park and Chapel of La Salette, the Oliveira de Azeméis and Bemposta historical centres, but also because of its natural heritage covering the rivers Antuã, Caima and Ul. In cultural terms, it is linked with great names of Portuguese literature from the twentieth century, such as Ferreira de Castro or Eça de Queiroz. The Oliveira de Azeméis municipality presents a competitive and innovative business framework, with national and international projection, particularly the metallurgic and metalwork industry considered to be a national strategic sector. Special mention goes also to the district’s handcraft, namely the one made with copper, glass, wood, or even basketry and sacred art. Owing to the millers’ activity in Oliveira de Azeméis, rice and flour are a reference of quality enabling the production of the Ul bread, the “regueifas” (loaf of bread) and the Cesar pork fillet rice. The district has a rich variety of typical food, like pork backbone rice, “rojões” (stewed pork), Fajões-style lamb, Cesar “rabanadas” (bread fritters) or S. Miguel “papas” (kind of stew).

Further information:
http://www.cm-oaz.pt/

Located on AMP’s inland, the district of Paredes has an excellent location and access conditions, linked to four highways that facilitate the access to the municipality, placing travellers a few minutes away from the main international exits, such as the Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport and the Leixões Port. Paredes’ population is one of the youngest in the country. It is the country’s 27th most populated district and Porto county’s 7th largest one. This district produces 65 percent of the country’s furniture, an art that has been significantly progressing, adjusted to new technologies and production methods. Woodwork’s tradition/modernity relation supports a cultural and tourism product called “Rota dos Móveis” (Furniture Route). The “Rota do Românico” (Romanesque Route) is another cultural and tourism project in which Paredes participates, presenting monuments such as the Monastery of São Pedro de Cete, the Church of Nossa Senhora do Vale and the Tower of the Castle of Aguiar de Sousa. It’s considered an anchor product for the entire region, nationally and internationally recognized in the tourism, accommodation and food sectors.

Further information:
http://www.cm-paredes.pt/

Embraced by the river Douro, Porto is one of Europe’s oldest cities. In 1996, its historical centre was designated Word Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. The city, whose name is worldly known thanks to the famous Port Wine, holds a remarkable historical heritage, clearly evidenced by its medieval, baroque, neoclassical and romantic monuments. Never forgetting this historical and cultural heritage, Porto modernized through its University’s research centres, and created public spaces with a bold design, such as the Casa da Música, the Serralves Contemporary Art Museum, and the Faculty of Architecture, introducing the city into the routes of Modern Architecture. At the same time, it created new infrastructures and accessibilities capable of hosting world scale events. The Porto Airport is now one of the city’s relevant development factors, as are cruise ships and tourists arriving by road. Its current excellent transport network, its remarkable hospital network, the security levels shown and its social and cultural dynamics make Porto a welcoming and attractive city, elected European Best Destination in 2012, 2014 and 2017.

Further information:
http://www.cm-porto.pt/

The municipality of Póvoa de Varzim is located in the AMP’s north coastal area. This district also designs the border between the AMP and the Ave Intermunicipal Community. The city centre stands as an area dedicated to leisure, preserving the fishing community’s tradition to use the street as its living room. Póvoa has a beach and holiday resort position, attracting numerous national and international tourists. All year long, the city stands as meeting and gathering point for people of all ages.

Further information:
http://www.cm-pvarzim.pt/

Located to the south of the AMP, in the confluence of an important road network that guarantees an easy and fast access to the large urban centres of Porto, Aveiro and Coimbra, the district of Santa Maria da Feira holds a dynamic and diversified industry, being the headquarters of the world’s largest cork processing centre and hosting the  highest concentration of footwear factories, and others in the fields of metalwork, metallurgy, paper, ceramics, dairy, toys, childcare and equipment for children’s industries. Santa Maria da Feira has relevant tourist attractions, both as far as monuments and landscape are concerned, special mention going to the Castle, remarkable exemplar of medieval military architecture, the S. Jorge Thermal Spa, considered to be one of the country’s best thermal facilities, the Lóios Convent Museum, the Terras de Santa Maria Paper Museum and the Romariz Settlement. There is also the Europarque and Visionarium complex, the Museum of Santa Maria de Lamas and the Municipal Ornithological Park – Lourosa Zoo, gathering fauna from the five continents, duly integrated in their natural habitat, as well as many rare endangered species. This district also promotes cultural and tourism activities: the festivity of Fogaceiras, the Imaginarius – Street Theatre International Festival, and particularly the Medieval Journey in Terra de Santa Maria, a huge 10 day-event that recreates historical locations and episodes from medieval times.

Further information:
https://www.cm-feira.pt/portal/site/cm-feira

Santo Tirso’s cultural and natural richness is based on diversity. There is a lot to explore, to feel and to try all year long. We suggest and/or recommend visits and/or stays so that you can share the authenticity of such wealth. Green is all over Santo Tirso and the district’s two main rivers support that scenery. The river Leça contributes to the union with nature, whereas the river Ave surrounds the city of Santo Tirso to be admired by the hundreds of people enjoying the Ave Riverside Walkway. The attendance of the parks is a great sign of life quality demand. There are many good and legitimate reasons to tour every inch of our parks. The choice is not easy, but here goes a hint: begin with the Sara Moreira Urban Park and move forward to the other ones. It’s up to you either to walk or ride your bike. Festivities and pilgrimages, popular gatherings in this piece of land in the north of Portugal, try to enliven and preserve tradition (peacefully divided into laic and religious, rural and industrial landscape, past and present). Santo Tirso has monasteries and convents. These places of seclusion offer shelter and protection, providing excellent conditions for spiritual retreats or, simply, for resting (under very specific conditions). With a young, dynamic and culturally committed population, in the last years Santo Tirso has been witnessing the opening of new nightlife venues. In the city centre, life is contagious and bustling with emotion. The Cultural Programme invites everyone to participate in the events: the Festival Internacional de Guitarra (International Guitar Festival), the Mercado Nazareno (Nazarene Market), Santo Tirso, Aqui é Natal (Christmas in Santo Tirso), Palcos – Festival de Teatro Amador (Amateur Theatre Festival), Santo Tirso, Ultra Trilhos (Super Trails), and many others stand as official and unmissable invitations. The International Museum of Contemporary Sculpture, the highest expression of open air contemporary sculpture is quite unique, a mandatory visit. We’ll be expecting you!

Further information:
http://www.cm-stirso.pt/

Highly industrial city, particularly as far as shoemaking is concerned. Related to industrial archaeology, the Hat Museum, one-of-a-kind in the Iberian Peninsula, keeps the memory of the hatmaking industry. The Oliva Creative Factory, settled in the Oliva industrial complex, provides a business incubator for companies in the sector of creative industries. The city’s creative and industrial character is complemented by green areas, such as the City’s Urban Park, offering beautiful nature and leisure settings.

Further information:
http://www.cm-sjm.pt/

Ancient land and settlement, it is Portugal’s most recent district (1998). Surrounded by mountains, with beautiful landscapes, perfect for nature related activities, “ecotourism” and “active tourism”, it holds a diversified industrial centre, particularly in the textile sector.

Further information:
http://www.mun-trofa.pt/

The region’s food is one of Vale de Cambra’s visiting card, with typical dishes serving as brand image, from roasted veal to homemade sausages and ham, accompanied by the so-called “vinho verde” (wine), unique in flavour.

Further information:
http://www.cm-valedecambra.pt/

Valongo is traditionally known as the land of bread and slate. The mountains that surround it provide the ideal setting for active and nature tourism, enhancing culture and leisure, from walking or cycling trails to scaling and rappel.

Further information:
http://www.cm-valongo.pt/

District located in the north coastal area of the Porto Metropolitan Area, Vila do Conde holds a remarkable heritage, namely its main church, the aqueduct and the Convent of Santa Clara. Its sea port hosts a modern shipyard for fishing vessels. The municipality is also known for having one of Portugal’s main fishing centres and a long beach area.

Further information:
http://www.cm-viladoconde.pt/

Port Wine’s richness and brand attracts thousands of visitors to the cellars located in Vila Nova de Gaia’s characteristic historical centre. With a long seaside, it is currently the country’s district that holds more Blue Flag beaches.  Its wooden walkways by the sea are an invitation to a delightful stroll.

Further information:

https://www.cm-gaia.pt/pt/