Most visitors combine these two destinations into a single-day trip, visiting Aveiro in the morning and trekking 8 miles (12 km) to Costa Nova in the afternoon. 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. To get to Braga from Porto, youll want to hop on the train, which takes just over an hour and costs 13 each way. Answer 1 of 2: My husband and I will be vacationing in Portugal this coming September. Santiago is best known for the Caminhos de Santiago (St. James Way) pilgrim trail following the cult of St. James. And with so many charming villages and towns located nearby, there is no shortage of things to see and do. Do the timetables stay the same all year? This includes Lindoso, where you can see a 13th-century castle that played a key role in Portugals Restoration War. Braga - 54 km or approximately 45 minutes. And if you enjoy my blog, you can also buy me a drink. The Douro Valley region is a mandatory visit for those who travel to Porto. The site is among the best preserved ruins from the Roman Empire. Although it is possible to do with public transport, the Douro Valley as a day trip from Porto is easiest by tour or with your own vehicle. If you make a purchase through these links, I earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Guimares andits castle can fill a full day but knowing how much time you have makes it easier to plan. Its location is also what made the city important in the trade and production of Port wine. Wow! Day trip from Porto to Viana do Castelo. Typical to European dinner times, many restaurants don't open until 7:00 or 8:00 pm. The waves have been known to reach up to 100 feet at times. And since youll be walking a lot, the lighter your bag is, the less strain itll put on your body! From the vibrant nightlife of Lisbon to the beaches of the Algarve, here's our pick of the best places to go. Youll also want to stop by Tibias de Braga, which has the Tibias dessert that originated from Braga. Several restaurants line the plazas so you have plenty of options. Its a great spot to enjoy the views of Porto across the river with the sun setting on the Douro river. By car, its a 1 hour and 15-minute drive on toll roads A4 and A24. The journey takes just over an hour and a return ticket costs 7. Its rare to find a battle-tested castle you can visit. The history of Tomar will fascinate you. Theres so much to do in Porto itself (have a look at my main blogpost on Porto for lots of ideas) that you can easily just visit the city and stay there. Coimbra is a beautiful city, home to the oldest university in the country and a must-visit on any Portugal itinerary.. There are plenty of points (such as Granja, Aguda or Miramar) where you can leave and walk inland to a railway station and catch the train back to Porto. Its popular for surfing, which is mildly entertaining to pause and watch. 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. to get trip updates and message other travellers. 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. 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. 8:13 a.m. took 1 hour - 3:08 p.m. return took 1 hour 20 minutes. Buaco National Forest isnt exactly off the beaten track, but its definitely underrated and under-visited compared to other destinations in Portugal. One can easily spend the whole day here. 2 Best things to see and do in the Douro Valley. Ponte de Lima is a lovely place and then drive through Arcos de Valdevez and Soajo into the Peneda Geres national park. The ticket for the bridge includes access to the pathway and is valid for one day. Amarante is a pretty town and a popular day trip from Porto. 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. Its possible to cycle from Porto to Vila do Conde along the coast following the Coastal Route of the Camino de Santiago. Its better to start your trip early in the morning to have enough time to explore the area. Back in Braga, Donna Se is a lovely place to have lunch. You will find plenty of students and a strong academic vibe here. Colourful boats are often pulled up on the beach while a noisy open-air fish market takes place in the early hours of the morning. 2. One of the best things about visiting Nazare is that there is something at any time of the year. You can choose what to keep and what to change according to your preference. The Douro Valley is famous for its vineyards and incredibly dramatic landscapes, from the winding river to the towering cliffs above. When shes not traveling, Pafoua loves a fun board game night with her friends or is snuggled up reading a good book. The main attraction in Amarante is the 16th-century bridge, Ponte de So Gonalo. Train operators. The Douro River bisects the top half of . After your visit, head down to the old city center. However, if you want to enjoy a wine tasting to the fullest, you can also join one of the many organized day trips from Porto (check out Living Tours for a great and small-scale tour, or find one on Viator). You can see how Portuguese traditional clothes were made and evolved over the years. Among the most prominent landmarks in Aveiro include Igreja de So Domingos (Church of St Dominic), a Roman Catholic church built in the style of Portuguese baroque, the old train station, and the museum of Aveiro. Often overlooked by international tourists it is a popular weekend getaway amongst residents of Porto. / The Duoro Valley. See all. If you want to do a unique day trip from Porto,Buaco National Forest is the place to do so! 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. It costs less than 10 euros to travel to Viana do Castelo from Porto. Hmmm, as for ice cream and dessert, surprisingly we didn't . Porto. The lowdown on Europes best spring break spots from Mediterranean island beach escapes to Norways waterfall-splashed fjords. Peso da Rgua is a city in the beautiful Douro valley. 1 Porto: River Douro 6 Bridges Cruise. 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. Take a packed lunch to enjoy at the top or set off along one of the marked hiking trails. If youre campervanning in Portugal, you can even stay overnight at one of the wine estates (dont drink and drive!). One of the best day trips from Porto by train is going to Coimbra, the third most important city in Portugal. 2.8 Chill out at Congida Beach. Besides some beautiful natural spots, inBuaco National Forest you can also find a rich history. Stroll through the narrow streets of the Coimbra city center and appreciate the street art. There are trains roughly every half an hour so it's easy to organize a day trip. Eating out in Aveiro is lovely with many restaurants and cafs offering everything from traditional to international food as well as organic vegan joints. Walk across the bridge to wander narrow streets dotted with small bars and cafes on either side of the river, and try the regions famed smoked meats and vinho verde (a light, refreshing wine produced only in the Minho). Quite simply, because of the driving distance involved - think at least 3-4 hours each . How to get to Braga: The Linha de Braga train runs frequently from Campanh station taking just over an hour. 11. The beautiful historical center of Vila do Conde is another reason to visit the town. When visiting the city, your top priority is visiting the university complex: the Pao das Escolas, Joanina Library (one of the most beautiful libraries of Portugal), S. Miguel Chapel, Botanical Gardens, and the Science Museum. Nearby is Soajo, with its rows of espigueiros little granite buildings that were elevated to keep water and mice out of the local grain supply. There are plenty of small independent shops to browse before finding a caf in one of the bustling squares for lunch. 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. The CP Tour card will provide free access to the entire Porto Urbano system, to final stops on the Aveiro line, Caide line, Braga line and Guimaraes line, including on/off in-between. Pay attention to the bus schedule because there may be intervals of up to 1 hour between two buses. Select a pickup point. Related articles: Where to Stay in Porto - The Best Areas The Best Things to do in Porto Make sure to check the day when youll be visiting Fatima to keep an eye on any religious celebrations that may be taking place. The symmetrical spires of the Nossa Senhora da Consolao and medieval arches of Padro do Salado add architectural interest to the cityscape. You could rent a car, take the Flexibus, or do a guided tour with a local. But there is much more to do in this area than simply visiting the city. 9. You will then enjoy the boat trip to Porto, with a typical Portuguese meal served at lunchtime. Theres a promenade walk (2.5 miles), ideal for a sunny day with an ice cream in hand. Anywhere you see miradouro on a map is a viewpoint and likely a good one. 2.5 Visit the Archaeological Park of the Coa Valley. 10.30am: snap photos of the colourful beach houses and take a walk to the beach. Back in the day, these wooden boats were used to remove algae from the canal but fell into disuse once the process was automated. The local fishing industry means that there are plenty of cafs serving fresh seafood straight off the boats. The city of Coimbra revolves around the university. Cant wait to go to Portugal! 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! 3 Porto Card with Transportation (1, 2, 3 or 4 Days) 4 Porto: Palcio da Bolsa Guided Tour. There are numerous hiking trails, Roman ruins and sparkling waterfalls. First up, it's the self-drive option. Pickup points. Read my disclosure and privacy policy. If you want to skip all the walking up and down the hills of Vila Nova de Gaia, you can buy a round-trip ticket to ride on the Telefrico, aka cable cars. 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. Take A Douro River Valley Wine Tour. Her Wanderful World is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Dont miss out on a train ride with the historical steam train. Visitors can enjoy swimming, bodyboarding, sunbathing, and walking on boardwalks along the beach. This beautiful UNESCO-listed wine region is located about 60 miles (97 km) from Porto and is most famous for its ancient cultivation of port wine grapes, though they also produce grapes for regular table wine. Pafoua writes from her numerous excursions about all things travel, from fun itineraries to creating memorable experiences on the road. The views along the N-222 as it hugs the river east of Peso da Rgua are magical. 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. Cant wait to see everything in the area and Ill definitely be taking the train. Located just over 62 miles (100 km) south of Porto, Buaco National Forest is a unique place that you have to add to your Portugal bucket list. Another one of the many awesome day trips from Lisbon is Serras de Aire e Candeeiros National Park. We can see that a Lisbon to Porto day trip by train, car, and bus is certainly doable given the 6-7 hours of total journey time. Praia do Forno and Praia Azul are the most popular beaches in Vila do Conde. There are several interestingthings to do in Coimbra. Tickets to the castle are 2 but its only 6 to see the castle and palace. Train from Porto and Douro Valley Cruise. Want to receive notifications of new posts by email? Just outside of Braga, you can find Bom Jesus do Monte, which is possibly even more impressive than S de Braga. And just as the city is named, you can expect . Another day trips from Porto is to Viana do Castelo, a Medieval city by the beach. According to correspondent Austin Bush, thats exactly the point. Each looks incredible, but Im all about those fairytale vibes in Guimares. For a fun night out you can head to NBar or grab dinner at one of the most popular restaurants A Tasquinha. Viana do Castelo has a charming medieval centre full of 19th-century boulevards, impressive fountains and rococo palaces. Its a beautiful city overflowing with history and culture as well as amazing food and drink. Step 1, travel from Porto Campanh to Faro by train as shown in the Porto to Faro section above . Its an important pilgrimage site and a UNESCO World Heritage Site (since July 2019). 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. 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. A train from Porto stops in Pinho, from where a number of wineries, such as Quinta das Carvalhas, are accessible by foot. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'herwanderfulworld_com-leader-2','ezslot_9',135,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-herwanderfulworld_com-leader-2-0');The park covers an area of nearly 70,000 hectares and is home to an abundance of wildlife, including Wolves, Eagles, and Wild Boar. From Coimbra-B, you can take an urban train to Coimbra. Day trips from Porto: Santiago de Compostela. 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