To make this a more comprehensive list of possible day trips, I roped in some other travel bloggers to give me their ideas too. Some may be obvious but you never know. There are numerous hiking trails, Roman ruins and sparkling waterfalls. A couple of Portugals most popular dishes are cod and sardines, but you can order anything that comes from the sea! Theyre quite dramatic against the mountainous backdrop. Porto is a great travel destination with a lot to do and see, but sometimes you need to get away and explore the surrounding areas. One can easily spend the whole day here. Start time. I am now wondering if maybe taking the train from Porto to Sintra and staying in Sintra that night would be better. So I wanted to share with you some of my favourite day trips from Porto by train (and a few by bus) that Ive enjoyed. It even has UNESCO World Heritage status. But in the case of northern Portugal 's Linha do Douro, the train line that connects this rural village and Porto, it's more about the journey to get there. Though, if you are only going to the city center, it probably won't be worth it to drive. Renting a car in Porto is a great way to explore some of the off-the-beaten-track destinations nearby. City Sightseeing Day Trips from Porto. You will find plenty of students and a strong academic vibe here. Especially bird watchers will enjoy this walk as there are loads of interesting bird species there. Douro Valley day trip #3 - Vila Real (2 hour journey time) 4. Youll also want to stop by Tibias de Braga, which has the Tibias dessert that originated from Braga. Here's one highly-rated private Porto day trip from Lisbon that shows considerably more than the others. The Douro Valley is famous for its vineyards and incredibly dramatic landscapes, from the winding river to the towering cliffs above. Aveiro. Day Trip Lisbon to Porto: Self-Drive. But, the best part is walking along the walls! Fabulous scenery, and the best ever ruined castle at Castro Laboreiro, high on the top of the cliff and almost impossible to see until you climb up there. Visitors can hike through the parks mountains and forests, swim or kayak in the huge lakes, explore its numerous caves, Roman ruins, or go on a road trip in the wilderness. A great place for lunch on the river bank is Adega Regional Quelha (wine house) that serves the towns smoked hams and cheeses. Amarante is also an artsy town, known to have been the home of many 20th-century artists where you can find many pieces in the Municipal Museum. In the middle is a stop at Pinho. If you would prefer to visit Guimares with a local guide, check out this small-group tour that also includes a stop in Braga! Travelers don't need to visit Italy to experience romantic gondola rides, and Aveiro is actually nicknamed the 'Venice of Portugal'. You should also visit the Old Santa Clara Monastery and the New Santa Clara Monastery. The main beach close to Costa Nova is called Praia da Barra, and it gets quite busy during the summer months. Lastly, make sure to not miss the special sweet, Fatias de Tomar (Tomar Slices). Running for 150km, most of the Douro Valley is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the worlds oldest demarcated wine regions. They serve traditional Portuguese dishes and a few international stables. Portugal is definitely on my list to see, it looks so beautiful! Here, Lonely Planet's Austin Bush takes us along northern Portugal's Douro Valley by train. Amarante is also home to a few good restaurants like Adega Regional Quelha, which serves up local specialties like smoked meats and the popular vinho Verde grown from its Terras de Basto wine region. Setbal. Sunscreen The sun can be quite intense in Portugal, especially in the summer months. Take a stroll amid the colorful flowers of Jardim de Santa Brbara and visit the S for a peek inside the oldest cathedral in Portugal. One of the best day trips from Porto by train you can do is to Portugals Venice Aveiro. Its working fishing port is a bit fugly and totally dominates the landscape. Typical to European dinner times, many restaurants don't open until 7:00 or 8:00 pm. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. And if you want to stay longer than 3 days in Porto, maybe do a day trip out of the city If you were staying longer than 3 days in Porto, you could head out to explore further afield. 2.4 Stop by the capital of the region. Day Trips from Porto: Douro Valley. This imposing cathedral was built in the 11th century and is beautiful both on the inside and the outside. However, the locals decided to paint the boats in vivid colors and created the biggest tourist attraction in Aveiro and which has put the town on the map. Its better to start your trip early in the morning to have enough time to explore the area. It is home to the magnificent Santa Cruz Cathedral, the Royal Palace of Alcacova, and an opulent Joanine Library the inspiration for the library at Hogwarts. In fact, one of the most appealing day trips is over the border to the Spanish city of Santiago de Compostela. Get your best pair of walking shoes because Coimbra is quite hilly, and youll need to walk around a bit. For a fun night out you can head to NBar or grab dinner at one of the most popular restaurants A Tasquinha. How to get to the Douro Valley: A number of companies run day tours to the Douro Valley and include tastings. Braga and Guimares are relatively close to each other (25km distance). Today, Catholics from all around the world come to visit the small town and the Shrine of Fatima. Want to receive notifications of new posts by email? See if you can spot others trying to top it. The greatest draw to Braga is the Bom Jesus do Monte Cathedral, a towering baroque-style church with an Instagrammable staircase and an incredible view at the top. The restaurant also has a bar that serves local beers and wines. The city itself has plenty to offer as well, from the city centers Praa da Repblica to the nearby Casa do Raio, which is a beautiful palace turned museum covered in gorgeous purple-blue azulejos. Distance from Porto: 39 miles/62 km. Today, the city center is a Unesco World Heritage Site, where tidy rows of colorful buildings line the streets, and slender laneways lead to cobbled squares and alfresco cafes. Porto to Rgua, Pinho & Pocinho. Hmmm, as for ice cream and dessert, surprisingly we didn't . 8:13 a.m. took 1 hour - 3:08 p.m. return took 1 hour 20 minutes. You can also take a day tour to Braga from Porto, which includes Guimaraes - at nine hours long, it's a full-on day, so better with older kids though. Top Experiences in Porto. How to eat well, go sightseeing, get around and even take a day trip for under 300 euros. Best Day Trips from Porto with Kids - Porto Serralves Museum and Park Entrance Ticket. Head to A Tasquinha restaurant which serves affordable but authentic food in the heart of Fatima. Braga is a pedestrian-friendly city with atmospheric cafes, boutiques and striking water features seamlessly woven into the ancient cityscape. The vines are grown on trellises above the ground so that crops can be cultivated underneath. 2.3 Go for a Douro River cruise. The best way to explore the region is to rent a car, so you have the freedom to stay at each stop as long as you want. Costa Nova: Best day trips from Porto Portugal. Serras de Aire e Candeeiros Nature Park was created in 1979 and covers about 35,000 hectares - much of it Estremadura's limestone massif, the biggest limestone area in Portugal. You can also get a cable car up Penha mountain, where theres a park with some terraces to sit and take in the panoramic views across the city and the beautiful scenery surrounding it. Thanks! After giving the signature cake a try, visit the church and monastery of So Gonalo and supposedly up your chances of finding love by rubbing the statue above Gonalos tomb. Let's talk travel, teaching abroad, and travel blogging.I also love sharing about my love for Asian dramas and #allthethings to create memorable experiences! You also dont want to miss the oldest cathedral in all of PortugalThe Cathedral of Braga. Guimares plays a central role in the nations history as the first capital of Portugal. The route stretches all the way to Vila Nova de Gaia back in Porto. The Parque Florestal de Amarante contains hundreds of exotic trees and has playgrounds, aviaries, and a deer enclosure. Anywhere you see miradouro on a map is a viewpoint and likely a good one. The journey from Porto to Regua takes around 2 or, 2 and a half hours and costs around 15 one-way. We will be arriving in Lisbon early in the morning and will be spending the night there. I understand your enthusiasm for public transport but if you can it really is worth hiring a car for a day and driving inland from Viana. Peso da Rgua is a city in the beautiful Douro valley. Located just 100 km away from beautiful Porto, Douro Valley is a region in Northern Portugal known for its terraced vineyards and dramatic landscapes overlooking the Douro river. Originally built by fishermen to serve as storage for fishing materials, the houses of Costa Nova are now vacation houses for Portuguese families that spend the summer holidays on the beachside. Obviously, visiting one of the many vineyards for a (port) wine tasting, and buying the bestPortuguese souvenir(aka port wine) is the number one thing to do in the region. 3 Porto Card with Transportation (1, 2, 3 or 4 Days) 4 Porto: Palcio da Bolsa Guided Tour. The best way to explore the town is on foot to stroll along the narrow cobbled streets, stopping at charming street cafs that offer great coffee and delicious freshly baked pastry. This can be on a Rabelo, a traditional boat with which they used to ship the wine barrels. Porto Tourism Porto Hotels Porto Bed and Breakfast Porto Holiday Rentals Porto Packages Flights to Porto Porto Restaurants Porto Attractions Porto Travel Forum Porto Pictures Porto Map Porto . 2.2 Day trip to Braga from Porto. Other interesting sites in Braga city centre are the Castle of Braga and the beautiful Arco da Porta Nova. 4. Board IR 861 from Porto Campanha at 7:25 am and arrive at Pinhao at 9:46 am. The Golden Triangle of Sintra, Cascais, and Cabo da Roca . The cheapest way to get there is on the Line 9 bus, which will take just over an hour and cost around $17. It makes a great day trip from Porto, although it's too far for a day trip from Lisbon. This sanctuary is located on the slopes of Mount Espinho. Walking along the narrow cobbled streets of Vila do Conde is the best way to explore the town. In Nazare, you can also check out the Forte de Sao Miguel Arcanjo. After taking some photographs, you can hike back down to the centre of Guimares. At about 40 km from Porto, Guimares is perfectly located for a day trip. Enjoy a stroll on the seaside promenade or hang out at the largest sandy beach in the Porto District. And just as the city is named, you can expect . How to Get There: A train runs from Campanha Station to Aveiro Station. Select a pickup point. The capital of the Port wine region is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. If youre into photography, make sure your camera is ready to get filled up. The symmetrical spires of the Nossa Senhora da Consolao and medieval arches of Padro do Salado add architectural interest to the cityscape. Pack The Suitcases uses affiliate links. A long stretch of unspoiled sandy beaches goes south from Vila do Conde for many miles. Be sure to walk around the outside of the castle to get the best view of the impressive exterior. Coach or rail travel may prove more cost-effective for getting to Porto if you're already nearby and will certainly be better for your carbon footprint. Whether you're seeking beachside adventures, summertime celebrations or outdoor experiences, here are the best times of the year to visit Portugal. No part of this site may be reproduced without our written permission. Step 1, travel from Porto Campanh to Faro by train as shown in the Porto to Faro section above . From Coimbra-B, you can take an urban train to Coimbra. There are three rail-based options that will allow you to go to nearly the places in this guide. Its about a 90-minute drive from Porto to either Soajo or Lindoso. Santiago is best known for the Caminhos de Santiago (St. James Way) pilgrim trail following the cult of St. James. Its very close to the city, which makes it one of the easiest day trips from Porto by train and hugely popular with locals. Day trip from Porto to Viana do Castelo. Praia do Forno and Praia Azul are the most popular beaches in Vila do Conde. $11 (9) Direct train. / The medieval city of Guimares. Less than 200 miles away, it . Average journey duration: 1 hour and 10 minutes. You can also marvel at the intricate layout of this planned city by starting in the town square, Praa da Repblica, and working your way up and down the gridded streets. One of the highlights is without a doubt S de Braga. In front of the church, the Ponte de So Gonalo crosses the Tmega River. The Douro Valley region is a mandatory visit for those who travel to Porto. When shes not traveling, Pafoua loves a fun board game night with her friends or is snuggled up reading a good book. Youll also be interested to find this conservative small Portuguese town serving giggle-worthy pastries called bolos de So Gonalo and recognized by their phallic shape. So much to see in Portugal. It is a charming and unique way to see Porto. Or do as the pilgrims did and climb the stairs on your knees as penance for your sins. Visitors can enjoy swimming, bodyboarding, sunbathing, and walking on boardwalks along the beach. Your post is so detailed! This upriver destination is the hub of Portugals famed port-wine industry, with neat rows of terraced vineyards snaking up the mountainside along both banks of the Douro River. Very enjoyable, thanks. The ride costs roughly 7 for an adult ticket, one-way. Located on the banks of the Douro River, the charming town of Porto was founded in the 4th century by the Romans, and its name comes from "Portus", meaning port in Latin. This is a delightful and convenient way to experience the Douro Valley. 2.1 Go hiking. The University of Coimbra was established in 1290 and to this day attracts many Portuguese as well as international students. 12.30pm: call a taxi back to Aveiro and head to a local restaurant for lunch. Near the plazas, youll find the Padro do Salado monument and the Chapel of So Nicolau. Each looks incredible, but Im all about those fairytale vibes in Guimares. Tomar sits just 2 hours by car and 124 miles (200 km) south of Porto. Tickets cost 18 - 26 and the journey takes 2h 40m. What to Pack for the Best Day Trips from Porto, Final Thoughts on Best Day Trips From Porto, link to Her Wanderful World's Instagram account, link to Her Wanderful World's Facebook account, link to Her Wanderful World's Pinterest account, link to Her Wanderful World's Twitter account. Consider hiring a car for the day and nominating a designated driver for full flexibility. Before heading back to Porto, you can dine at riverfront spots in Pinho like Veladouro. In the early 1900s the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared to three shepherd children here which caused it to become a major religious site in Portugal. 9. For example, you can visit the Castelo de Queijo market, walk along the coastal path of Leca da Palmeira, or visit the Bom Jesus de Matosinhos Church. 2 Best things to see and do in the Douro Valley. Your day trips from Porto definitely aren't limited to destinations within Portugal. 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