From the Castle to the Douro River — 3 Days Between Tradition and Innovation
A route that crosses the heart of the Northern Olive Oil region, from the medieval castle of Bragança to the centuries-old olive groves of Mirandela, ending with the digital innovation of Quinta Acushla in Vila Flor.
The Route
The Detailed Itinerary:
Bragança → Mirandela → Vila Flor
Duration: 3 days / 2 nights
Municipalities: Bragança, Mirandela, Vila Flor
Best time to visit: October to December (harvest) or Spring (landscape)
Difficulty: Easy (optional trails)
Ideal for: Couples, groups of friends, cultural tourism, foodies
Highlights: Santulhana (a unique variety worldwide), Michelin Star, DPP
Day 1
Bragança: Where It All Begins
Theme of the day: The Castle, Santulhana Olives, and Haute Cuisine
Bragança is where the history of olive oil from Trás-os-Montes has its deepest roots. It is here that the Santulhana variety originates—a world exclusive, found nowhere else on the planet.
Morning Arrival and Historic Center Arrival in Bragança and visit to Bragança Castle and the Military Museum, with panoramic views of the olive groves surrounding the city. The Castle is the natural starting point — symbolic and photogenic. PR1 BRG Route — Castle and Olive Groves Trail Circular route connecting the historic center to nearby olive groves, with points of cultural interest and natural landscapes. Duration: 1h30-2h. Passing through areas of centuries-old olive trees where the Santulhana variety is found. Lunch O Geadas Restaurant / G Pousada Chef Óscar Geadas, distinguished with a Michelin Star and Golden Fork. Cuisine that reinterprets the Transmontana tradition with contemporary technique. The region's olive oil is the protagonist in practically all dishes. Reservation required. Alternatives: Contradição Restaurant (olive oil as the star, contemporary ambiance), O Abocanhado (regional cuisine, welcoming atmosphere), Solar do Nelo (traditional dishes, wine list). Afternoon Visit to a Cooperative or Local Olive Mill Olive oil tasting with an explanation of the production process. Highlighting the Santulhana variety — a sensory profile with medium to intense fruitiness, notes of green almond and a slight bitterness. Experience the difference between single-varietal and blended olive oils. Stroll through the Historic Center Medieval streets, Domus Municipalis (a unique monument in the Iberian Peninsula), Church of Santa Maria, Iberian Museum of Masks and Costumes. Bragança's historic center is among the best preserved in Northern Portugal. Dinner A Cozinha or O Páteo Restaurant Regional cuisine: Mirandesa-style steak drizzled with extra virgin olive oil, oven-roasted kid goat, alheira sausage, Transmontano sourdough. Pair with regional wines. Overnight Stay Accommodation in Bragança Hotel Mercure Bragança — modern, central location Hotel São Lázaro — comfortable, family-friendly atmosphere Casa da Sé — charming historic guesthouse Casa da Cisterna — traditional house, welcoming atmosphere
DAY 2
Mirandela: The Heart of the Olive Groves
Theme of the day: Centenary Olive Trees, Ecotrail and Olive Oil Gastronomy
Mirandela is the municipality with the greatest olive oil tradition in the region — here the olive groves are centuries old, alheira sausage reigns supreme, and the Olive Oil Museum tells centuries of history.
Morning Bragança → Mirandela Trip (~50 min) A road trip that crosses the Trás-os-Montes landscape — olive groves, villages, valleys. The journey itself is an experience. Olive Oil and Olive Museum Hosted in an old olive press, it offers exhibitions on the history, culture and production of olive oil, with the possibility of tastings and themed visits. Essential for understanding the relationship between the territory and the olive tree. Medieval Bridge and Historic Center The Roman/Medieval Bridge over the Tua River is one of Mirandela's landmarks. A stroll through the historic center with a visit to the Távoras Palace (current City Hall). Lunch Dining in Mirandela Restaurants like Rei D'Orelhão offer typical dishes with options for gastronomic olive tourism. Mirandela's alheira sausage — chosen as one of the 7 Wonders of Portuguese Gastronomy — is a must. Served with generous olive oil and local greens. Afternoon Tua Ecotrail Cycling and walking route along the old Tua railway line, crossing olive groves, vineyards and agricultural landscapes. Bicycle rental available. Ideal for families and couples. Visit to Quinta dos Avidagos Agritourism surrounded by centuries-old olive groves, ideal for families and groups. Experiences related to olive oil production, hiking and direct contact with the olive growing process. Dinner and Overnight Stay Accommodation in Mirandela Quinta dos Avidagos — agritourism in the centuries-old olive grove Quinta Vale da Pereira — rural setting, swimming pool, breakfast Quinta Entre Rios — next to the Medieval Bridge, easy access to the center Coração do Tua Hotel — central location Dinner at one of the partner restaurants, with tasting of local olive oils as an accompaniment.
DAY 3
Vila Flor: Where Innovation is Born
Today's theme: The DPP, the Acushla Farm, and the Future of Olive Oil
Vila Flor is where tradition and innovation meet. Here, the first Portuguese olive oil with a Digital Product Passport was born—and here is Quinta Acushla, one of the largest olive tourism projects in the country.
Morning Trip Mirandela → Vila Flor (~25 min) A short drive that keeps the olive grove landscape as a constant backdrop. Acushla Farm (ANA Partner) 300 hectares and over 70,000 olive trees. Guided tours, olive oil tastings (single-variety, blends, flavored), workshops from beginner to advanced levels. Seasonal activities (olive picking, harvesting). Space for events and team-building. Contact: acushla@acushla.com | +351 278 107 372 | www.acushla.pt Advance booking required. The DPP Experience Digital Product Passport — Gold Edition It is at Quinta do Prado, in Vila Flor, that Gold Edition olive oil is produced — the first Portuguese olive oil with complete digital traceability. A QR code on the bottle provides access to the entire chain: the origin of the olives, harvesting and extraction processes, sustainability practices, and certifications. This project, developed by Azeite a Norte with Data CoLAB, anticipates European regulations (ESPR) and positions the region as a pioneer. It was covered by Jornal Económico, Executive Digest, Green Savers, and Diário de Trás-os-Montes. For the landing page: include a photo of the bottle with the QR code and a screenshot of the traceability interface on your mobile phone. This is the technological "wow" moment of the itinerary. Lunch Lunch at Quinta Acushla (by reservation) or at a local restaurant in Vila Flor. Olive oil pairing with regional cuisine to conclude the experience. Afternoon — Departure Shopping of olive oils and local products. Departure with the feeling of having discovered a unique territory — from the deepest tradition to the most advanced innovation.
Culture and Innovation
Living Archive of Olive Growing
The Partners
