Santo Tirso is a town along the wooded left embankment of the Rio Ave. Staying at this little community would be a daily pleasure especially if you get a car hire at St. Tirso for travelling around the lovely countryside.

Santo Tirso has a thriving economy based on the textile industry. All over town are references to the medieval period with concentration on Rococo and Baroque architecture. In the 10th century, Benedictine priests founded a convent here, the Convent of Sao Bento. It is now home to an agricultural school. Linked to it is the Abade Pedrosa museum displaying medieval, as well as prehistoric, artefacts.

The villages around Santo Tirso are worth seeing too as they provide their own unique backdrops to each historic monument in the area. Cheap car hire at St. Tirso enables you to drive to the towns of Roriz, Grijo and Penafiel. The town of Vila Nova de Famalicao is particularly interesting being the watch making capital of Portugal.

The city of Porto stands 25 kilometres to the southeast. You can visit here on a daytrip through car rental in St, Tirso. Porto is home to some great architectural masterpieces but if you are looking for more interesting old buildings such as those in Santo Tirso, drive to Braga or Guimareas instead.

The town of Santo Tirso is welcoming and warm. Set in a naturally relaxing atmosphere, you are bound to enjoy your holiday this side of Portugal