Visit the ducal palace and then head up the hill to visit the castle. Berlengas Islands as a day trip from Peniche. You can even spot the port wine lodges from up there! When shes not traveling, Pafoua loves a fun board game night with her friends or is snuggled up reading a good book. Pickup points. Day trip from Porto to Viana do Castelo. How to get to Braga: The Linha de Braga train runs frequently from Campanh station taking just over an hour. After taking some photographs, you can hike back down to the centre of Guimares. No. Travel by bus and train: 1 hour and 20 minutes (change in Aveiro) Travel by bus: 1 hour 30 minutes (change in Aveiro) Tour : Half day tour of Aveiro and Costa Nova. 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. 1. I remember going to Santiago de Compostela with my parents when I was a little kid, and for me it remains one of the best day trips from Porto. Porto day trips in nature are easy to come by, however Peneda-Gers national park is one of the best. History and archaeology buffs will be in 7th heaven. Head to Casa Vianna for a filling brunch in one of the oldest cafes or over to Doh! 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. Aveiro. You are going to love spending time in Nazare one of the best places to day a trip from Porto. Distance from Porto: 39 miles/62 km. With thanks to Alya from Stingy Nomadsfor this contribution. From there, take a local bus or taxi to the park entrance. Its a world-famous pilgrimage site for Catholics who come here to pray and visit the Sanctuary and large church that has been built here. Santa Clara Aqueduct is one of the main attractions here. It takes 30 minutes to get there by car and 1 hour by train, making this city an ideal day trip from Porto. Its known for its architecture, food, and river views. The best way to get to Coimbra from Porto is by train. I'm trying to find the timetable for this September so I can coordinate with a flight out of Porto. Even better than getting there by car or bus, Vila Nova de Gaia is a short 5-minute trek across the Dom Luis I Bridge to the other side of the Douro River, making it one of the best day trips from Porto. We will be in Porto and I had originally planned to train to Lisbon for 3 nights with a day trip to Sintra one of the days. Whether you take a day trip here, pass through on your way from the north, or are looking for a reason to move to Portugal, Tomar is absolutely worth a visit. Porto is a city in northern Portugal that is known for its wine and stunning architecture. 2 Best things to see and do in the Douro Valley. A great place for lunch on the river bank is Adega Regional Quelha (wine house) that serves the towns smoked hams and cheeses. Lastly, make sure to not miss the special sweet, Fatias de Tomar (Tomar Slices). They are simply delicious! This article was first published September 2019 and updated July 2022. Take A Douro River Valley Wine Tour. Youll find two plazas connected by covered walkways. Book from Rede Expressos. Plan your perfect budget honeymoon with this guide to cheaper destinations that you might not have considered. (2.30 each way; 40 minutes) 4. The cheapest way to get there is on the Line 9 bus, which will take just over an hour and cost around $17. Make sure to check the day when youll be visiting Fatima to keep an eye on any religious celebrations that may be taking place. Pack The Suitcases uses affiliate links. Take the train from Porto to Penafiel (45-minute trip) for one of the best hikes in Portugal. From the stunning Douro Valley to the charming fishing villages, Portugal has it all. 10.30am: snap photos of the colourful beach houses and take a walk to the beach. Here is a quick glance at all my go-to travel tips and resources that I use to plan every trip! Both have plenty of cafs and bars to sit outside and get stuck into a bit of people-watching over a glass of wine. 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). For more information, check out my travel resources page. Just outside of Braga, you can find Bom Jesus do Monte, which is possibly even more impressive than S de Braga. 4. Thanks! Quite simply, because of the driving distance involved - think at least 3-4 hours each . You will find plenty of students and a strong academic vibe here. Read our Privacy Policy. So much to see in Portugal. The gorgeous coastal city of Viana do Castelo is a bit of a hidden gem in Portugal. And just as the city is named, you can expect . There isn't much in the tiny town of Pocinho. Top Experiences in Porto. Before you enter the park it is useful to use aPeneda-Gers National Park guideand know all the details you need to prepare yourself. Guimares plays a central role in the nations history as the first capital of Portugal. Once inside the park, there are numerous trails to follow. In winter, Gers can occasionally get a sprinkling of snow. Setbal is a small city 48km southwest of Lisbon. We will be arriving in Lisbon early in the morning and will be spending the night there. But swings and roundabouts! If you want to see and experience as much as possible without all the hassle of navigating, then opting for guided tours is a great choice. Escape the worst of the cold this winter by heading to Europes southern reaches, where the wam sun shines year round. And there are some great destinations that can only be reached by car or bus. The Douro River bisects the top half of . 2.6 Check out the city of Lamego. . You can also purchase access only for the trail. Whatever you do, make sure to try the seafood in Matosinhos. Its about a 90-minute drive from Porto to either Soajo or Lindoso. 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. 2023 Lonely Planet, a Red Ventures company. Talk to farmers, walk among ruins of Roman houses and pass through small local villages on the Penafiel hiking trail. Practical information to plan your Aveiro day trip from Porto. Actively choosing to stare out of the window at a series of cars on the other side of the road when you could be on a train staring out to the sea or down through a verdant valley is beyond me. And since youll be walking a lot, the lighter your bag is, the less strain itll put on your body! 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. Cant wait to see everything in the area and Ill definitely be taking the train. The main activities to do here are walking around the forest, hiking up to the viewpoints, learning about the history ofBuaco, and just enjoying a little nature getaway. Youll need to use Portos Rodonorte bus service, which is usually clean and reliable. 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. But the phallic sweets offered as a symbol of fertility have become synonymous with Amarante, so expect to see many as you walk around town. 2.5 Visit the Archaeological Park of the Coa Valley. Small villages are scattered throughout the park. 2.1 Go hiking. When planning your itinerary, be sure to place these five outstanding destinations at the top of your list. Day Trips in Porto: Check out 613 verified reviews and photos of Viator's Best of Braga and Guimaraes Day Trip from Porto . Additionally, theres a nice childrens playground in the park with a typical snack bar serving ice cream, coffee, and light bites that looks out over one of the beautiful bridges crossing the Nabo River running through town. The highlight, of course, is the University of Coimbra which was founded in 1290 and is a UNESCO world heritage site today. When in Peso da Rgua take a scenic boat ride on the Douro river. The train takes 2 hours and the bus take 2.5 hours. I'm trying to find the timetable for this September so I can coordinate with a flight out of Porto. Since youre there you should see both. Alternatively, you can go up via a small cable car. Beautiful sandy beaches around Vila do Conde are one of the main reasons to visit the town. You can get to Costa Nova by car in 15 minutes. This sanctuary is located on the slopes of Mount Espinho. Check the train timetables before your visit so you know what trains you want. Its very close to the city, which makes it one of the easiest day trips from Porto by train and hugely popular with locals. Though Portugal is a walkable country, it doesnt mean the trekking is easy (aka MANY hills!). 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. . 2pm: take a moliceiros ride along the canal. You can see how Portuguese traditional clothes were made and evolved over the years. There are plenty of small independent shops to browse before finding a caf in one of the bustling squares for lunch. The following tours provide suggested routes for a one-week touring holiday using public transport; 1-week tour with a focus on the beaches. Of course, I now want to go back to Porto and do all the places Ive not yet done. A long stretch of unspoiled sandy beaches goes south from Vila do Conde for many miles. 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. 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. A 3-hour round trip from Rgua to Tua and back. Cheapest, easily done in a day . This has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since June 2013. 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