Read next: Are Fanny Packs Good for Travel in Europe? This is the option where you literally rent a car and drive yourself between these 2 cities - stopping in Porto for a few hours before turning round and heading back to Lisbon. Luckily theres no need as public transport is reliable and decent. Love Porto and Guimaraes (we stayed in the Pousada, which I would highly recommend) and now want to go back to see the other places you suggest! Explore! Theres also a really good costume museum (Museu do Traje). (2.30 each way; 40 minutes) 4. The Douro Valley is a region inland from Porto that has been made famous for its picturesque views and the wine that is produced in the region. Matosinhos is a small beach town located just a short 5 miles (9 km) north of Porto. I have a whole post on how to do 10 different day trips from Porto by train (oh and one is by bus) and a really in-depth post on Guimaraes, which I especially . Most vineyards also offer typical Portuguese lunches with their wine tastings. Contents1 Is [] 3pm: head to some museums of interest or shop for souvenirs. You will find plenty of students and a strong academic vibe here. There are numerous hiking trails, Roman ruins and sparkling waterfalls. The Jeronimos Monastery is extensive enough that it definitely merits a full-day trip from Lisbon. Listen to some Fado and do not forget to try the delicious food atSete Restaurant. Looks like Ive just added a few new spots to my bucket list. For seafood, you cannot miss out on family-run restaurants lining Rua Heris de Frana. How to eat well, go sightseeing, get around and even take a day trip for under 300 euros. The region's most famous produce is Port wine, but in reality, any food or drink that comes out of Douro Valley is set to be an explosion of flavor. These five retailers blend modern style with artisanal quality. But with a set of directions and a map, its easy to get around. The city can be reached by car, public transit, and boat. Porto. Porto. Often overlooked by international tourists it is a popular weekend getaway amongst residents of Porto. The best way to get to Coimbra from Porto is by train. If youre looking for a charming city to explore near Porto, make sure to add Braga to your list! It looks normal from the outside. When shes not traveling, Pafoua loves a fun board game night with her friends or is snuggled up reading a good book. 2 13 Best day trips from Porto. . Learn how your comment data is processed. Small cafs and restaurants dotting the town sell delicious pastries, coffee and other Portuguese delicacies. 2.2 Do a wine tasting & winery tour. This article was first published September 2019 and updated July 2022. Coimbra is also the ideal spot to try typical Portuguese conventual sweets, made with sugar and plenty of egg yolks. If you would prefer to visit Guimares with a local guide, check out this small-group tour that also includes a stop in Braga! Its location is also what made the city important in the trade and production of Port wine. So without further ado, let's dive in and discover all the best day trips you can take from Porto! Plus you can stop at all the beautiful viewpoints along the way (and there are many!). Portugal is the destination with everything. / The medieval city of Guimares. Since youre there you should see both. Alternatively, you can go up via a small cable car. So much to see in Portugal. One of the most popularthings to do in Aveirois to go on a canal cruise in a colorful Moliceiro. day trips from porto. The cheapest way to get there is on the Line 9 bus, which will take just over an hour and cost around $17. A big thank you to the other bloggers who kindly sent me their excellent tips. When planning your itinerary, be sure to place these five outstanding destinations at the top of your list. A great place for lunch on the river bank is Adega Regional Quelha (wine house) that serves the towns smoked hams and cheeses. Santa Luzia funicular - departs every 15 minutes. . You can see how Portuguese traditional clothes were made and evolved over the years. The site is among the best preserved ruins from the Roman Empire. This is a delightful and convenient way to experience the Douro Valley. And just as the city is named, you can expect . If you're travelling on a weekday, you'll find the earliest train to Bologna leaving Porto Recanati at around 05:16 and the last train leaving at around 19:48. Here is a quick glance at all my go-to travel tips and resources that I use to plan every trip! How to get to Amarante: Rede Expressos buses run every 90 minutes or so from Portos Campo 24 de Agosto bus station to Amarante and take about 50 minutes. Back in Braga, Donna Se is a lovely place to have lunch. Alternatively, you can also take a bus, boat, or train from Porto. Oh and dont leave before trying Viana do Castelos local delicacy. 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. Pickup points. 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! One of the best things about visiting Nazare is that there is something at any time of the year. A more realistic day trip (or trips) is the sights to the west of Lisbon, especially Sintra. Some of the best-guided tours can be found through Viator and the highly recommended ones are day trips to Guimaraes and the famed Douro Valley. Porto is a tough place to leave, with fascinating cobblestone districts, vibrant nightlife and a wealth of great restaurants. 1 Porto: River Douro 6 Bridges Cruise. Check the train timetables before your visit so you know what trains you want. Its a great spot to enjoy the views of Porto across the river with the sun setting on the Douro river. The best way to get to Costa Nova from Porto is to take the train to Aveiro, which takes approximately 1 hour, and then take the bus to Costa Nova, which takes another 30 minutes. From the vibrant nightlife of Lisbon to the beaches of the Algarve, here's our pick of the best places to go. By car, its a 1 hour and 15-minute drive on toll roads A4 and A24. Train from Porto and Douro Valley Cruise. You should also visit the citys Fish Market, the lighthouse (the tallest in Portugal! ), and walk by the sand dunes to the beach. It almost has a dreamlike quality to it, making it a perfect day trip from bustling Porto. The best way to get to Amarante is to catch the bus from the Rodonorte bus station in Porto. But because these routes generally take longer, you may want to consider spending the night in the region or only limit your visit to exploring Pinho. Thus. Porto played a significant role in the country's history, particularly during the Age of Discoveries, when it was a major centre for shipbuilding and trade. If you don't have much time, a Porto day trip from Lisbon is definitely possible in a single day. In fact, one of the most appealing day trips is over the border to the Spanish city of Santiago de Compostela. 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. Twice a day (11.30 and 16:30), the bakery releases a batch of these delicious little beauties. The gorgeous coastal city of Viana do Castelo is a bit of a hidden gem in Portugal. You have a direct IR connection (InterRegional) every two hours starting at 7h15 (then 9h15, 11h15) until 19h30. The most specialthing to see in Costa Novais the striped houses, but they are not the only attraction in town. 16. No part of this site may be reproduced without our written permission. Inside the castle the keep and place of arms are impressive. One of the best day trips from Porto by train is going to Coimbra, the third most important city in Portugal. This has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since June 2013. This area is the world's first demarcated and regulated wine region. After the dissolution of the monasteries in 1834, an extravagant neo-Manueline palace was built. Straddling an aqueduct, the ornate bridges and adorable cobblestone streets make for a lovely stroll about town. The Douro Valley can be visited for its scenery alone, but a vineyard tour (including tasting) adds to the experience and is offered by most wineries or quintas (note that some close over the cooler months). Visitors can enjoy swimming, bodyboarding, sunbathing, and walking on boardwalks along the beach. Here are my picks of the best day trips from Porto by train and bus. Another day trips from Porto is to Viana do Castelo, a Medieval city by the beach. Or do as the pilgrims did and climb the stairs on your knees as penance for your sins. Check the train timetable before signing up for tours, as return trips to Porto can be limited. Id also recommend browsing the citys independent shops for some souvenirs to take home. Though it may seem pretty low-key initially, a day trip from Porto to Aveiro is one of the best ways to spend your time in Portugal. The local fishing industry means that there are plenty of cafs serving fresh seafood straight off the boats. Some may be obvious but you never know. After spending a few days exploring the stunning town of Porto, there are many charming villages and towns located nearby that make perfect destinations for day trips.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'herwanderfulworld_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_2',126,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-herwanderfulworld_com-medrectangle-3-0'); Here are 15 of the best day trips from Porto by train, car, or bus to check out. 9. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. The Douro Valley region is probably Portugal's most famous wine region and one of the most beautiful and oldest ones in the world, recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 2001. 6. It was first home to a monastery, and the forest was attended by monks. There are trains roughly every half an hour so it's easy to organize a day trip. Its popular for surfing, which is mildly entertaining to pause and watch. The arched bridge is the site of a victorious battle for the Portuguese against the French during the Peninsular War and now serves as the main vehicular route into town. Other interesting sites in Braga city centre are the Castle of Braga and the beautiful Arco da Porta Nova. 5 Porto: 6 Bridges Douro River Cruise. How to Get There: A train runs from Campanha Station to Aveiro Station. 3 Porto Card with Transportation (1, 2, 3 or 4 Days) 4 Porto: Palcio da Bolsa Guided Tour. The highlight, of course, is the University of Coimbra which was founded in 1290 and is a UNESCO world heritage site today. The train connects Porto with the small village of Pocinho, whereas the 1-day river cruises from Porto only travel to Pinho, much further downstream. 2. Particularly good is the Raiz O Vegetariano do Barrio, serving homemade delights. If you want to have a beach day near Porto, then you must visit Matosinhos, a port and fishing town 8km north of the city of Porto. The main attraction in Amarante is the 16th-century bridge, Ponte de So Gonalo. Book from Rede Expressos. Hassle-free option: Book this half-day tour with a cruise. Hmmm, as for ice cream and dessert, surprisingly we didn't . A day trip might feel insufficient to explore . And its only sold in this town. 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. This was originally a retreat for the Portuguese royal family, but has been converted today to a luxury hotel. Narrow roads twist through a rapidly changing landscape of granite boulders, dense pine forests and stunning river views in Peneda-Gers, Portugals only national park. How to get to Sintra: Start your journey at Rossio Station in Lisbon, and take the urban train to the last top in Sintra. Being traditionally a fishermens village, they serve fresh fish and shellfish dishes that are to die for. Santiago is best known for the Caminhos de Santiago (St. James Way) pilgrim trail following the cult of St. James. Its a beautiful city overflowing with history and culture as well as amazing food and drink. Some fabulous ideas here! Practical information to plan your Aveiro day trip from Porto. Im hoping to visit Porto this year so this is really going to come in handy when Im planning a day trip from there! These are my absolute favorites and saved my feet when we were in Portugal! The waves have been known to reach up to 100 feet at times. Each looks incredible, but Im all about those fairytale vibes in Guimares. It looks beautiful. Popular day trips 1) Braga 2) Guimares 3) Douro Valley 4) Aveiro 5) Matosinhos 6) Coimbra. Walking along the narrow cobbled streets of Vila do Conde is the best way to explore the town. Since you're doing a day trip to Porto from Lisbon, chances are you'll be taking a 6:00, 7:00, or 8:00 pm train or bus back. Its better to start your trip early in the morning to have enough time to explore the area. 600+ stairs. Day Trips in Porto: Check out 613 verified reviews and photos of Viator's Best of Braga and Guimaraes Day Trip from Porto . 2.5 Visit the Archaeological Park of the Coa Valley. The charming city of Braga is known for its baroque and neoclassical architecture, as well as its many churches, which the city is often referred to as the Rome of Portugal. This makes Braga a popular tourist destination. Right across the Jardim do Morro is the Mosteiro da Serra do Pilar, a monastery atop a hill with an incredible view of the city. The action is all over before 9am, though. It's very easy to get to from Porto, whether . This Galician capital is important for religious reasons, since St. James is purported to have been buried there, but it has a lot more to help . Read our Privacy Policy. Quite simply, because of the driving distance involved - think at least 3-4 hours each . 2 From Porto: Douro Valley w/ Boat Tour, Wine Tasting & Lunch. Porto to Sintra - 331 km or approximately three hours. The quaint Linha do Douro in northern Portugal doesnt really get you anywhere. When youre exploring multiple destinations on one day trip from Porto, make sure to pack lightly only bringing the absolute essentials. And youll find them only in Lisbon. In addition to the towns mentioned in this article, the following are also good day trips from Porto. It's much quieter than Venice, however, and arguably more colorful; the painted boats and vibrant buildings are Aveiro's signature features. But swings and roundabouts! Yet youll find that its quieter and calmer than other cities on the tourist trail of Portugal. The train trip from Porto (Campanh station) to Aveiro takes around 50 to 80 minutes with the prices starting at 3.55 euro for a single ticket. 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