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. Day trip from Porto to Viana do Castelo. Listen to some Fado and do not forget to try the delicious food atSete Restaurant. 352 -4050-418 Porto, next to So Bento train station for the tour with no hotel pick up included - Tour only option. Do the timetables stay the same all year? A 3-hour round trip from Rgua to Tua and back. We briefly spent some time in Lisbon and it just wasnt enough! Train station Viana do Castelo. After your visit, head down to the old city center. A train from Porto stops in Pinho, from where a number of wineries, such as Quinta das Carvalhas, are accessible by foot. If you don't have much time, a Porto day trip from Lisbon is definitely possible in a single day. Here are some top day trips from Porto into the scenic Douro Valley, historic cities in northern Portugal, and beyond. 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. You can be saving yourself some dollars if you only have time to do 1 or 2 day trips from Porto. Sintra for Palaces. 2 13 Best day trips from Porto. Straddling an aqueduct, the ornate bridges and adorable cobblestone streets make for a lovely stroll about town. I am now wondering if maybe taking the train from Porto to Sintra and staying in Sintra that night would be better. Here, Lonely Planet's Austin Bush takes us along northern Portugal's Douro Valley by train. The beautiful village of Costa Nova is mostly known in Portugal because of its colorful striped houses. Another one of the many awesome day trips from Lisbon is Serras de Aire e Candeeiros National Park. 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. 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. 1 Porto: River Douro 6 Bridges Cruise. Coimbra is also the ideal spot to try typical Portuguese conventual sweets, made with sugar and plenty of egg yolks. Day Trips from Porto: Douro Valley. 2. You can also purchase access only for the trail. Guided tours are a great way to learn about the history and culture of the destinations you visit, as well as do some sightseeing along the way. Day bag Youll want a small day bag to carry any personal items, snacks, or souvenirs you buy along the way. It takes 1 hour to travel by train and 50 minutes by car. The lowdown on Europes best spring break spots from Mediterranean island beach escapes to Norways waterfall-splashed fjords. It even has UNESCO World Heritage status. From the vibrant nightlife of Lisbon to the beaches of the Algarve, here's our pick of the best places to go. How to get to Sintra: Start your journey at Rossio Station in Lisbon, and take the urban train to the last top in Sintra. 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. 2.1 Vila do Conde. These five retailers blend modern style with artisanal quality. Other interesting sites in Braga city centre are the Castle of Braga and the beautiful Arco da Porta Nova. With its stunning architecture, delicious food, and unique sights, its not one to be missed. Spend the first half of the day in Pinhao - take a Rabelo boat ride and/or tour a winery, have lunch. 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. . To make this a more comprehensive list of possible day trips, I roped in some other travel bloggers to give me their ideas too. Popular day trips 1) Braga 2) Guimares 3) Douro Valley 4) Aveiro 5) Matosinhos 6) Coimbra. From this vantage point, you can appreciate the unique geography of the city. Amarante is called home of the artists as several early 20th-century Portuguese artists were born there, including the popular expressionist, Antonio Carneiro. Beautiful sandy beaches around Vila do Conde are one of the main reasons to visit the town. 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. 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. This impressive aqueduct with hundreds of arches was built in the 18th century and is considered one of the most beautiful aqueducts in the world. The most popular beach is Praia de Matosinhos, which is where the bus typically stops. 5 Porto: 6 Bridges Douro River Cruise. 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! If youre not comfortable or confident driving in Portugal, then sticking with public transportation is your best bet. Taking a day trip from Porto by train is easy and convenient. It's known for its architecture, food, and river views. Guimares castle survived two medievel seiges! You should also visit the Old Santa Clara Monastery and the New Santa Clara Monastery. Your post is so detailed! You wont be disappointed. The following tours provide suggested routes for a one-week touring holiday using public transport; 1-week tour with a focus on the beaches. The site is among the best preserved ruins from the Roman Empire. Douro Valley - the most beautiful day trip from Porto (1-2 hours journey time) 2. We will be arriving in Lisbon early in the morning and will be spending the night there. City Sightseeing Day Trips from Porto. day trips from porto. Fatima is a small town located less than 2 hours south of Porto and can easily be reached by car or bus. Here's my complete guide to the best things to do in Obidos on a day trip from Porto. 18 Spectacular Things to do in Cayucos, California, Monterey + Big Sur Itinerary: The Perfect Road Trip, 2023 Her Wanderful World - WordPress Theme by Kadence WP. Alternatively, you can take a train from Porto to Nazar via Coimbra-B and Valado in around 3h 57m. You will travel by train to Rgua, while enjoying the beautiful landscape of the Douro Valley, as the sun sets in the horizon. Of course, I now want to go back to Porto and do all the places Ive not yet done. Located in the north of the country, spending one day in Braga is an excellent day trip from Porto by train. Several restaurants line the plazas so you have plenty of options. How to get to the Douro Valley: A number of companies run day tours to the Douro Valley and include tastings. Contents [ hide] 1 Best travel modes for these trips around Porto. But swings and roundabouts! Im not a fan of buses and will always go for the train option if possible. The Douro Valley was recognized as a demarcated wine region in 1756, making port wine exclusive to Portugal in the same way Champagne is exclusive to its namesake region in France. Matosinhos would be a good idea if you want to escape the heat and hustle and bustle of Porto for an afternoon on the golden sand. There are three rail-based options that will allow you to go to nearly the places in this guide. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'herwanderfulworld_com-netboard-2','ezslot_18',140,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-herwanderfulworld_com-netboard-2-0');One of the best day trips from Porto by train is to the university town of Coimbra in Central Portugal. Theres a promenade walk (2.5 miles), ideal for a sunny day with an ice cream in hand. Located along the bank of the Sado River, Setubal is known for its fishing industry, especially for sardines. Being traditionally a fishermens village, they serve fresh fish and shellfish dishes that are to die for. Its been a tough few years for travelers, which is why were taking inspiration from these 10 travel ideas for our 2023 trips. 2.7 Soak up the views. Cant wait to go to Portugal! Seeing the city skyline and the hills with vineyards from the water gives a whole new perspective. / The holiday town of Matosinhos. Though, if you are only going to the city center, it probably won't be worth it to drive. Start time. / The Duoro Valley. Comfortable shoes As mentioned above, youll be doing a lot of walking. 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). With thanks to Kat from Wandering Bird for this contribution. But inside its a riot of gorgeous gold and blue-and-white azulejo tiles, with an intricate ceiling fresco. This article was first published September 2019 and updated July 2022. 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. Coimbra. 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. A return ticket is only 6.50! Besides being a great place for a day trip from Porto, Vila do Conde is a popular stop for pilgrims walking the Portuguese Camino de Santiago. It was first home to a monastery, and the forest was attended by monks. This includes Lindoso, where you can see a 13th-century castle that played a key role in Portugals Restoration War. If youre staying for longer than a few days or returning to Porto for a second visit, a few day trips would be well worth it. Often simply referred to as Gers, the park covers a series of mountain ranges and spills over the Spanish border. When booking your Portugal car rental online, I recommend using Discover Cars. To get to Braga from Porto, youll want to hop on the train, which takes just over an hour and costs 13 each way. Plus Nazare is only 1.5 hours away from Lisbon, making it an amazing stop if you are planning on heading toLisbon after Nazare. Matosinhos, Portugal. Porto Tourism Porto Hotels Porto Bed and Breakfast Porto Holiday Rentals Porto Packages Flights to Porto Porto Restaurants Porto Attractions Porto Travel Forum Porto Photo Porto Map Porto Guide . This can impact your experience and may mean that the church is inaccessible. The tickets for every attraction in Guimares are sold here. Step 2, take a bus from Faro to Seville. How to get to Guimares: The Linha de Guimares train takes about 1 hour 15 minutes from Campanh. You will find plenty of students and a strong academic vibe here. Uphill from the center are the well-preserved ruins of the imposing Castelo de Guimares; nearby is the Palace of the Dukes of Bragana, which showcases 15th-century decor and manicured grounds. They are simply delicious! There are guided boat trips, canoes and pedalos to rent, and a fun water park. Near the plazas, youll find the Padro do Salado monument and the Chapel of So Nicolau. And if you enjoy my blog, you can also buy me a drink. / The iconic Spanish city of Santiago de Compostela. Grapes for both port and table wine are grown . Back in the day, these wooden boats were used to remove algae from the canal but fell into disuse once the process was automated. Portugal is the destination with everything. the Lima river in Peneda Geres, the only national park in Portugal. Guimares plays a central role in the nations history as the first capital of Portugal. The gorgeous coastal city of Viana do Castelo is a bit of a hidden gem in Portugal. The most specialthing to see in Costa Novais the striped houses, but they are not the only attraction in town. Its popular for surfing, which is mildly entertaining to pause and watch. Are Fanny Packs Good for Travel in Europe? For the rest of the day, the beach (Praia de Espinho) fills up with locals enjoying the golden sand and the waves. Day trips from Porto by car or bus can be a bit more difficult to navigate than by train, as the roads can be winding and narrow or the trains just dont run to these amazing destinations. / The old city of Braga. If youre there at the right time, you might spot a lot of locals queuing up outside a fairly non-descript little bakery called Confeitaria Natrio. 6. They provide the best deals for car rentals in Portugal! Whether youre seeking a nature escape with rugged trails and waterfalls or want to explore some surprisingly amorous elements of village life in the Minho, Porto makes an ideal gateway to the wonders of northern Portugal. Alternatively, you can go up via a small cable car. Please be aware that this is the hardest of all the day trips from Porto by public transport, but it is just about doable, especially if you stay over. Its a perfect place for break from the city. So pack a pair of comfortable shoes to keep your feet happy. 2. The Costa Nova is a beach area located just outside of Aveiro. This has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since June 2013. Contents1 Is [] With thanks to Alya from Stingy Nomadsfor this contribution. For several destinations, youll need a car to visit, but others are easy to reach either by train, bus or, if youre visiting the Douro Valley, by boat on an organized tour. Matosinhos is a port and fishing town with the biggest sandy beach in the Porto area. Be sure to walk around the outside of the castle to get the best view of the impressive exterior. You can board the train at So Bento,Campanh, and Rio Tinto stations. 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