"That" time has come in Olive Grove!

M. Araújo
Oct 2
7 min read

The olive tree completes another cycle. The olives begin to ripen. It's that time of year in the olive grove.

Although the harvest can extend until January, the harvest season for "green" olive oils is already beginning.

It's an opportunity to visit and stroll through the olive groves, participate in, and witness the entire process that leads to new olive oil.

“That” time has arrived in Olive Grove!

When the air changes and the mornings dawn with a golden silence, something changes in the fields of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro. It's October, and the sun, though brief, glides between the twisted branches of the olive trees, as if visiting them to say goodbye for a few months.

The olive groves take on a different tone; the earth sighs, and the fruit ripens in secret. At this point, the days are full of promise—the harvest is near. azeiteanorte

Between the quiet sound of the leaves and the laughter of those who come to harvest, an ancient ritual unfolds unhurriedly.

It's not just picking, it's a reunion. The hands, many of them feminine and experienced, glide through the branches with the same care they use to cradle memories or caress children.

The scent of damp earth, the sun warming the face, and the murmur of stories held in these fields—everything blends together, everything is part of it.

The olive tree doesn't just bear fruit; it gives time, patience, and a landscape.

Golden Trails — Walking into the Heart of Autumn

It is in the splendor of the days that the walks arrive. Routes through dormant olive groves, paths where the shadow of the Marão River lurks, familiar and confidential trails where families, couples, or friends exchange confidences as they tread ancient land.

Each step reveals a new corner, a stone bench for contemplation, an ancient well, an olive tree that has seen generations pass—a silent witness to so many harvests. azeiteanorte

There's no rush—you can go slowly, feel the pulse of the season. Autumn here is color and flavor.

How often does a group of friends gather just to pick olives, laughing as the basket fills and time passes slowly?

Or does a couple get lost in viewpoints, where the Douro stretches wide and the light turns to gold, and each moment seems like an eternity?

Amidst laughter and conversation, paths and poetry are made.

Flavors that warm the soul

From the mill wafts the intense aroma of new olive oil, and each visit is an invitation to discovery.

Beside the table, everything makes sense: freshly baked bread, glistening olive oil, stories shared with those in no rush.

At this time, in small villages, the traditional magustos (magustos) begin.

Chestnuts, new wine, and long conversations warm the body and heart. It's a time to receive, to share, to savor, and to cherish. azeiteanorte

Discoveries and memories — experiences for everyone

And if the weather permits, there's always a trail to discover — from Faia da Água Alta to Montesinho Park, breathtaking landscapes.

There are viewpoints overlooking the Douro, routes through ancient olive groves, farms where you can learn to harvest and taste olive oil, workshops for families who want to embrace tradition, or romantic plans with a lit fireplace and dinners lit by fresh olive oil. Every visit is a celebration of the land and time.

Autumn in Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro is like this: an invitation to feel, to gather, to renew.

In the homes where women preserve the wisdom of generations, in the fields full of gold and hope, at the tables laden with laughter and fresh olive oil, one finds that rare time where everything makes sense.

Here, each season is a memory—each harvest is a promise, each walk is poetry. And those who walk the paths of the olive groves never forget the taste of autumn. azeiteanorte

Let yourself be enveloped by the golden light of the season, the scent of new olive oil, and the warmth of encounters. Autumn in Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro is much more than a season: it's an invitation to feel. azeiteanorte

And, because autumn only reveals itself fully to those who let themselves be carried away, invitations of all colors and flavors remain—open and discreet suggestions for those who wish to fully experience this special season.

It's time to participate in the harvest and feel the gentle weight of the season in your hands. Whether invited by a local producer or by chance, there is always a space where the earth begs for company, where the olive tree welcomes.

The mills, at this time, come to life; they become the stage for rituals of fire and aroma, and those who enter with an open heart feel part of an ancient work, of hands that multiply, of voices that learn and share. Here, olive oil is not just tasted—it is celebrated like the first smile of a season.

For those who prefer to discover the landscape slowly, the trails wind through olive groves and natural parks, inviting contemplation. There are paths for every pace: some cut through valleys and geosites, such as the Terras de Cavaleiros GeoPark, others lead to the banks of the Azibo Reservoir, where the sunset light plays among olive trees and borders the golden water.

Families can venture on guided tours, learn to make homemade bread, share a picnic in the shade of the trees; couples can find lookouts of silence and infinite views, where time stands still and intimacy is renewed.

It is a generous land, always inviting you in, where doors open with a smile and local partners wait to share secrets and sincere traditions. azeiteanorte+1

In this cycle, olive tourism producers and partners become guardians of memory.

Each visit is welcomed as if it were the first—with enthusiasm, pride, and a desire to showcase the best of autumn that fills the entire region with color.

There are no strangers; only guests. And each person, upon participating in this harvest season, takes with them more than memories: they take with them the taste of time, the warmth of hands, and the embrace of a land where there is always room for another story.

And so, as the light fades and the new olive oil arrives at the table, the invitation remains: find a path, accept a smile, experience the magical autumn of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro—because here, every day is always a day of celebration around the olive grove. azeiteanorte+1

The olive tourism experience: more than just visiting, it’s about living!

Between endless olive groves and modern or traditional olive presses, the experiences offered by the DOP Olive Oil region of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro are designed to engage all the senses. azeiteanorte

New olive oil tasting: enjoy the now-classic guided tasting, learn to distinguish aromas and flavors, and be amazed at how unique each olive oil is. Learn more about the experiences at Conhecer o Azeite a Norte. azeiteanorte
Visiting olive oil mills: feel the warmth of the mill, see how tradition and innovation coexist, and marvel at the intense aroma of freshly extracted olive oil. Tips and highlights: Oliveira e o Azeite. azeiteanorte
Participate in the harvest: several farms open their doors to involve families, couples and groups in authentic experiences – harvesting olives by hand, hearing ancient stories from the producers and ending the day at the table, enjoying flavors of the region.
Gastronomic workshops: prepare bread, learn traditional recipes and discover how olive oil can transform any regional dish.

Route and Tour Ideas: Autumn Walking and Feeling

To enjoy the area with all your senses, here are some suggestions for families, groups, or couples getaways:

Mirandela Olive Groves and Olive Press Route: travel the trails between Mirandela, Valpaços and Vila Flor, where you can see centuries-old olive trees, taste olive oils and visit themed museums.
Family tour in Macedo de Cavaleiros: a tour that combines contact with nature with short tasting stops, perfect for children and families.
Sunset walk in Alfândega da Fé: an invitation to romance, with views of golden hills and stops for rustic picnics with aromatic local olive oils.
Cultural itinerary in Torre de Moncorvo: discover ancient wine presses, small chapels surrounded by olive groves, and local markets with guaranteed entertainment for all ages.

All itineraries can be complemented with suggestions from Roteiro de Olivoturismo da Azeite a Norte, adjusting to the group's wishes: by car, on foot or even by bicycle. azeiteanorte

The Olive Tree Cycle — Emotion and History to Share

The landscape shaped by time, the memory of women who immortalize this tradition, and the unique flavor of new olive oil come together in an autumn filled with meaning. As Antonio Ramos Rosa wrote:

“In the oil rest the hands that harvested. And, in them, the taste of time.”.

With each visit, producers share their pride in a know-how that spans generations. Local museums, such as the one in Mirandela, are must-see places to understand, see, and touch the region's heritage. Don't miss the themed tastings and small markets where you can chat and learn directly from the people who make it happen. azeiteanorte

Tips for enjoying every moment:

Book experiences directly from suggestions in azeiteanorte.pt, selecting the type of experience, producers or itineraries that are ideal for you.
Plan a lunch or snack with fresh olive oil straight from the mill, pairing it with artisanal breads, regional cheeses, and traditional sweets.
Ask producers to share family recipes that bring to the table the most authentic flavors of autumn in Trás-os-Montes.
Bring someone special and discover together how olive oil unites generations, stories, and flavors—from the olive grove to the table, a celebration worth experiencing and remembering.

Olive Tourism: Celebrate this Autumn with all the Emotions

The true autumn of Trás-os-Montes is made of the aromas of cut grass, olive branches, and roaring fireplaces. It's a time for women gathered around the table, couples sharing golden landscapes, and families creating lifelong memories.

It's a time to taste, learn, give thanks, and celebrate—in the fields, at the wine press, and at the table. azeiteanorte+1

Discover all the information, get inspired by new routes, and choose your next experience with your family, friends or as a couple directly at azeiteanorte.pt.