Check the train timetables before your visit so you know what trains you want. The best way to get to Amarante is to catch the bus from the Rodonorte bus station in Porto. Visit the ducal palace and then head up the hill to visit the castle. 2. Contents [ hide] 1 Best travel modes for these trips around Porto. It is known for its beaches and seafoodit is a local favorite. Trust me, we got ourselves burned in just a few short hours! It's much quieter than Venice, however, and arguably more colorful; the painted boats and vibrant buildings are Aveiro's signature features. You can also purchase access only for the trail. Both have plenty of cafs and bars to sit outside and get stuck into a bit of people-watching over a glass of wine. Make sure to check the day when youll be visiting Fatima to keep an eye on any religious celebrations that may be taking place. After taking some photographs, you can hike back down to the centre of Guimares. Join the queue and get a box of them to eat still warm on the train home. 08:45 AM. Just 45 minutes from Porto and you will arrive in the Medieval town of Viana do Castelo, which is also conveniently located right on the beach. Enjoy a stroll on the seaside promenade or hang out at the largest sandy beach in the Porto District. the Lima river in Peneda Geres, the only national park in Portugal. From the vibrant nightlife of Lisbon to the beaches of the Algarve, here's our pick of the best places to go. Visiting the two sites back to back helps to notice the difference between the living quarters of the palace and the defense area of the tower. 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. Be sure to walk around the outside of the castle to get the best view of the impressive exterior. Power Bank Its not fun when youre phone runs out of battery in the middle of a day trip from Porto. Alternatively, you can take a train from Porto to Nazar via Coimbra-B and Valado in around 3h 57m. Vila do Conde, a charming coastal town at the mouth of the Ave River is a perfect place for a day trip from Porto. Twice a day (11.30 and 16:30), the bakery releases a batch of these delicious little beauties. Most vineyards also offer typical Portuguese lunches with their wine tastings. Douro Valley day trip #3 - Vila Real (2 hour journey time) 4. North Beach is one of the most popular beaches in the wintertime because Nazare has one of the biggest swells in the world. The gorgeous coastal city of Viana do Castelo is a bit of a hidden gem in Portugal. The Jeronimos Monastery is extensive enough that it definitely merits a full-day trip from Lisbon. Looks like Ive just added a few new spots to my bucket list. Sunscreen The sun can be quite intense in Portugal, especially in the summer months. Romantic Day Trips from Porto for Couples - Douro Valley Tour: Wine Tasting, River Cruise and Lunch. From the stunning Douro Valley to the charming fishing villages, Portugal has it all. Train from Porto and Douro Valley Cruise. It's known for its architecture, food, and river views. Here are some top day trips from Porto into the scenic Douro Valley, historic cities in northern Portugal, and beyond. From this vantage point, you can appreciate the unique geography of the city. Be sure to check the wave report if you are planning on visiting to ensure you will see the big waves. The Costa Nova is a beach area located just outside of Aveiro. Theres also the only water funicular railway in the city that takes visitors up and down. Or do as the pilgrims did and climb the stairs on your knees as penance for your sins. Its a great spot to enjoy the views of Porto across the river with the sun setting on the Douro river. 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. Here, Lonely Planet's Austin Bush takes us along northern Portugal's Douro Valley by train. . The city is located on the banks of the river Douro. 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. Paiva. The capital of the Port wine region is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. City Sightseeing Day Trips from Porto. Serras de Aire. You can be saving yourself some dollars if you only have time to do 1 or 2 day trips from Porto. This includes Lindoso, where you can see a 13th-century castle that played a key role in Portugals Restoration War. This is a pleasant and flat stroll along the coastline using a wooden boardwalk. Travel back in time and jump onboard an old and beautifully restored tram to see all the sights and sounds of the city. You can go by train, with frequent departures from one of Porto's railway stations, So Bento or Campanh, with a journey time of just around 1 hour and 15 minutes. They are simply delicious! Make sure to pack a water bottle to keep you hydrated throughout your journey! Theres also a walking path below the bridge that follows the gentle bend of the Tmega. This is a delightful and convenient way to experience the Douro Valley. 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. See if you can spot others trying to top it. 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. Here's my complete guide to the best things to do in Obidos on a day trip from Porto. Porto is a beautiful city located in Northwestern Portugal which is the gateway to the Peneda-Gers National Park, one of the most scenic and wild places in all of Europe. So much to see in Portugal. 2.5 Visit the Archaeological Park of the Coa Valley. Consider hiring a car for the day and nominating a designated driver for full flexibility. This has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since June 2013. Love places that announce themselves: BRAGA! 2.1 Vila do Conde. Best Day Trips from Porto with Kids - Porto Serralves Museum and Park Entrance Ticket. Eating out in Aveiro is lovely with many restaurants and cafs offering everything from traditional to international food as well as organic vegan joints. There are trains roughly every half an hour so it's easy to organize a day trip. A couple of Portugals most popular dishes are cod and sardines, but you can order anything that comes from the sea! 2 Days in Porto: The Perfect Weekend Itinerary, The Best Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Porto, Portugal 2022 [Review], 39 Beautiful Photos to Inspire Your Portugal Trip, 31 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Traveling to Lisbon, Portugal [Tips for First-Timers]. 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. And there are some beautiful hidden gems in northern Portugal that you can easily reach in a day. Just over 100km away on the border with Spain, this is the biggest national park in Portugal. And you get a sneak peak into many of Porto's highlights. Santiago is best known for the Caminhos de Santiago (St. James Way) pilgrim trail following the cult of St. James. village of . for a delicious Simpson donut. 600+ stairs. Day trips from Porto: Santiago de Compostela. Fabled Sintra is just a 30-minute drive from the bustle of city life, making it one of the most popular and convenient day trips from Lisbon. With thanks to Kat from Wandering Bird for this contribution. Read 775,131 traveler reviews and view photos of different trips from Porto to various destinations. One of the best day trips from Porto by train is going to Coimbra, the third most important city in Portugal. Vila do Conde has several remarkable historical monuments that are worth visiting such as the Convento de Santa Clara, the Fort of So Joo Baptista, the Aqueduct, Church of Manueline Matriz. With its dramatic landscapes and abundant wildlife, the Peneda-Gers National Park is an unforgettable destination that should not be missed as a day trip from Porto by train. 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. Porto is ideal for this as its so well connected with public transport, so theres no need to put yourself through the stress of hiring a car and driving abroad. 11. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'herwanderfulworld_com-portrait-2','ezslot_20',145,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-herwanderfulworld_com-portrait-2-0');You can also visit the many shops, cafes, and restaurants in Vila Nova de Gaia, or take a stroll along its cobblestone streets to admire its old-world charm. Theres also a really good costume museum (Museu do Traje). 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. For even more exploration of Amarante, be sure to take a walk along the Tamega below the bridge to find narrow streets filled with small cafes and shops. If thats not a reason to visit, Im not sure what is! Its been a tough few years for travelers, which is why were taking inspiration from these 10 travel ideas for our 2023 trips. . You can also combine your day trip with a short trip to Costa Nova to see the traditional striped beach houses. Cant wait to go to Portugal! Luckily theres no need as public transport is reliable and decent. . There are dozens of quintas (wine estates) in the Douro, each producing amazing wine. By train to Faro, bus to Seville. 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. If you would prefer to visit Braga with a local guide, check out this small-group tour that also includes a stop in Guimares! Be sure to check out the old town as well. 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. When youre exploring multiple destinations on one day trip from Porto, make sure to pack lightly only bringing the absolute essentials. Each looks incredible, but Im all about those fairytale vibes in Guimares. Explore Porto by tram. Oh and dont leave before trying Viana do Castelos local delicacy. 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. The Porto tram tours have 3 different tram lines (line 1, 18 and 22) that interconnect with each other and cover different areas of the city. 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. 4. Hassle-free option: Book this half-day tour with a cruise. Cheapest, easily done in a day . 2.7 Soak up the views. 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. / The Duoro Valley. Jeronimos Monastery. This book showcases 50 of the greatest road trips on Earth, from classic routes in America, Australia and Europe, to incredible adventures in Asia and Africa. You can also visit the nearby museums and have lunch at one of the small squares where you can enjoy authentic Portuguese specialties. 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. When booking your Portugal car rental online, I recommend using Discover Cars. The lowdown on Europes best spring break spots from Mediterranean island beach escapes to Norways waterfall-splashed fjords. 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. Cheap Day Trips from Porto - Gaia. Once in Coimbra, you can easily explore the university and the historic center on foot. Espinho is a small fishing town close to Porto. 3pm: head to some museums of interest or shop for souvenirs. Hmmm, as for ice cream and dessert, surprisingly we didn't . The town also sells different sweets once made by the local nuns. Seeing the city skyline and the hills with vineyards from the water gives a whole new perspective. Braga is one of the oldest cities in Portugal and as such you can find many historic buildings in the gorgeous city centre. Yet youll find that its quieter and calmer than other cities on the tourist trail of Portugal. 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 . You can board the train at So Bento,Campanh, and Rio Tinto stations. You can also visit the Roman ruins of Conimbriga (less than 12 miles from the city center) on a half-day trip. The ride costs roughly 7 for an adult ticket, one-way. The site is among the best preserved ruins from the Roman Empire. The forest spans an area of 105 hectares, and is full of lots of beautiful corners just waiting to be discovered. Its about a 90-minute drive from Porto to either Soajo or Lindoso. The walk to the top involves 577 steps on a seemingly endless stone zig-zag staircase (if you have children with you and want to take the stairs to the top, its best to leave your pushchair in your accommodation in Braga). Walking along the narrow cobbled streets of Vila do Conde is the best way to explore the town. I have a full post on things to do in Guimaraes, so please read through that for more on this magical city. 3 Douro Valley. First up, it's the self-drive option. However, there are only a couple of buses to Regua a day, so plan accordingly. What are the Porto Recanati to Bologna train times and schedule? For the rest of the day, the beach (Praia de Espinho) fills up with locals enjoying the golden sand and the waves. 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! Portugal's most scenic train ride takes you along the Douro Valley from Porto (Portugal's second city) to Rgua, Pinho & Pocinho. Step 1, travel from Porto Campanh to Faro by train as shown in the Porto to Faro section above . They provide the best deals for car rentals in Portugal! It almost has a dreamlike quality to it, making it a perfect day trip from bustling Porto. 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. It is a museum in the center of town that is dedicated to the men and women who have organized the big wave surfingphenomenonthat has happened in the last decade. Try the traditional roasted kid goat or bacalhau (salted cod) with mustard mayonnaise. These are some things Ive learned from years of travel. The small town was also the birthplace of Portugals first king, Afonso Henriques. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Another one of the many awesome day trips from Lisbon is Serras de Aire e Candeeiros National Park. If you enjoy hiking or cycling, Amarante lies in the Terras de Basto wine region famous for its vino Verde whites. From here the wine barrels were transported to Vila Nova da Gaia. Aveiro. Want to receive notifications of new posts by email? Whatever you do, make sure to try the seafood in Matosinhos. Day Trips in Porto: Check out 613 verified reviews and photos of Viator's Best of Braga and Guimaraes Day Trip from Porto . The remnants of the Roman Ruins of Conimbriga are an off the beaten path day trip from Porto. In total, this takes 1.5 hours. The history of Tomar will fascinate you. To my bucket list best spring break spots from Mediterranean island beach escapes to Norways waterfall-splashed fjords I have full. Magical city visit so you know what trains you want, especially in summer! 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