This area is the world's first demarcated and regulated wine region. I was an ex-pat and now still trying to re-pat. You can also purchase access only for the trail. The Douro river between Pinho and Pocinho is the most scenic section and can only be seen via car, train or boat cruise that starts in Pinho. Head back into the citys winding streets and enjoy its mixture of architectural styles from different ages. Even before you enter the street, youll start smelling fresh fish grilling! Check the opening times while planning a day trip from Porto to Arouca Bridge and Paiva Pathways. To get to Braga from Porto, youll want to hop on the train, which takes just over an hour and costs 13 each way. 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. You can even spot the port wine lodges from up there! Wow! Getting to Guimares. Once inside the park, there are numerous trails to follow. Rede Expressos also services this route once daily. 2.2 Do a wine tasting & winery tour. Distance from Porto: 39 miles/62 km. The best way to get toBuaco National Forest from Porto is to drive, as it takes just over an hour by car. This ancient and walled arboretum is home to one of the finest dendrological collections in Europe. Theyre quite dramatic against the mountainous backdrop. 2. Seeing the city skyline and the hills with vineyards from the water gives a whole new perspective. Originally a stronghold of the Knights Templar, the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Convent of Christ (Convento de Cristo)famed for its round churchis worth the trip alone. 3pm: head to some museums of interest or shop for souvenirs. Coimbra is a beautiful city, home to the oldest university in the country and a must-visit on any Portugal itinerary.. You can also visit the nearby museums and have lunch at one of the small squares where you can enjoy authentic Portuguese specialties. 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. It's very easy to get to from Porto, whether . Book the Arouca Bridge and/or Paiva Walkways + Aveiro and Costa Nova tour from Porto. The restaurant serves traditional Portuguese cuisine, including dishes such as Bacalhau Brs (cod with potatoes and onions) and Feijoada (a black bean stew). Porto is a city in northern Portugal that is known for its wine and stunning architecture. Comfortable shoes As mentioned above, youll be doing a lot of walking. Just over 100km away on the border with Spain, this is the biggest national park in Portugal. Another excellent Porto day trip Coimbra, located approximately 75 minutes (120km) by car from Porto. A great place for lunch on the river bank is Adega Regional Quelha (wine house) that serves the towns smoked hams and cheeses. I'm trying to find the timetable for this September so I can coordinate with a flight out of Porto. Being traditionally a fishermens village, they serve fresh fish and shellfish dishes that are to die for. / The iconic Spanish city of Santiago de Compostela. Train station Viana do Castelo. . In fact, one of the most appealing day trips is over the border to the Spanish city of Santiago de Compostela. The symmetrical spires of the Nossa Senhora da Consolao and medieval arches of Padro do Salado add architectural interest to the cityscape. But with a set of directions and a map, its easy to get around. Its also the best way to explore multiple destinations in one day, as youll have full control over your schedule and route. The gorgeous coastal city of Viana do Castelo is a bit of a hidden gem in Portugal. 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. 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. Wearing a comfortable pair of shoes is absolutely essential when youre exploring multiple destinations in one day. But, the best part is walking along the walls! Just outside of Braga, you can find Bom Jesus do Monte, which is possibly even more impressive than S de Braga. Its been a tough few years for travelers, which is why were taking inspiration from these 10 travel ideas for our 2023 trips. However, there are only a couple of buses to Regua a day, so plan accordingly. Here are my picks of the best day trips from Porto by train and bus. 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 streets and paths can be uneven, especially when you get to some of the smaller villages. In 1756 the first marked-out wine-growing area in the world was founded here. Contents1 Is [] The small town was also the birthplace of Portugals first king, Afonso Henriques. Tackle the 580 steps on foot (recommended, so you can check out the statues and gardens along the way) or take the funicular to the top: the elevated views are ace. Visitors can enjoy swimming, bodyboarding, sunbathing, and walking on boardwalks along the beach. City Sightseeing Day Trips from Porto. Grapes for both port and table wine are grown . 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. Once in Coimbra, you can easily explore the university and the historic center on foot. 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. Take the train from Porto to Penafiel (45-minute trip) for one of the best hikes in Portugal. Peak elevation can be achieved by heading up to Penha aboard the Telefrico de Penha, a cable car that climbs 400m (1312ft) to a dramatic lookout over the city. Alternatively, you can go up via a small cable car. With thanks to Lotte from Phenomenal Globe for this contribution. The Douro Valley region is a mandatory visit for those who travel to Porto. You could rent a car, take the Flexibus, or do a guided tour with a local. Dont miss out on a train ride with the historical steam train. 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. Both have plenty of cafs and bars to sit outside and get stuck into a bit of people-watching over a glass of wine. I highly recommend Trainline for booking train and bus journeys to Porto, as they make it easy, quick and simple to compare hundreds of rail and coach journeys to the city from across the . You should also visit the citys Fish Market, the lighthouse (the tallest in Portugal! Costa Nova is located 53 miles (85 km) south of Porto, which makes it a perfect day trip from Porto by train. The Golden Triangle of Sintra, Cascais, and Cabo da Roca . 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. 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. Alternatively, grab some pastel de nata and a takeaway cup of coffee at Pastelaria A Ritinha and have a picnic at one of the benches at Jardim da Praa do Municpio. How to get to Guimares: The Linha de Guimares train takes about 1 hour 15 minutes from Campanh. You can be saving yourself some dollars if you only have time to do 1 or 2 day trips from Porto. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'herwanderfulworld_com-sky-4','ezslot_22',144,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-herwanderfulworld_com-sky-4-0');Vila Nova de Gaia is known for its many wine cellars that are open to visitors. 3 Douro Valley. According to correspondent Austin Bush, thats exactly the point. One of the best day trips from Porto by train is going to Coimbra, the third most important city in Portugal. 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. Today, Catholics from all around the world come to visit the small town and the Shrine of Fatima. To this day you can still see some of the chapels dotted around the forest. Portugal is the destination with everything. A trip to Braga from Porto takes less than an hour by train, making it one of the easiest day trips from Porto. There is a train that goes directly from Porto to Braga. You can visit the Museum of Douro in Peso da Regua, ride the Douro historical train, take a river cruise on the Douro river, departing from Pinho or Pipadouro, and explore some of the cute Douro villages such as Pinho, Lamego, Peso da Regua, or Foz do Tua. 16. This is a delightful and convenient way to experience the Douro Valley. This can be on a Rabelo, a traditional boat with which they used to ship the wine barrels. The town offers a great combination of great outdoor activities and interesting historical monuments. All rights reserved. Consider hiring a car for the day and nominating a designated driver for full flexibility. Porto is a tough place to leave, with fascinating cobblestone districts, vibrant nightlife and a wealth of great restaurants. However, there is a lot more to discover. And its only sold in this town. Besides the University of Coimbra, Coimbra has a beautiful riverside and the stunning Quinta das Lgrimas, famous for being the setting for the love story of Prince Pedro and Ins de Castro (Portugals answer to Romeo and Juliet). The views along the N-222 as it hugs the river east of Peso da Rgua are magical. Peso da Rgua is a city in the beautiful Douro valley. Whatever you do, make sure to try the seafood in Matosinhos. / The medieval city of Guimares. Travel back in time and jump onboard an old and beautifully restored tram to see all the sights and sounds of the city. Peniche to Nazar (by bus) Nazar - Day 3 and 4. The Parque Florestal de Amarante contains hundreds of exotic trees and has playgrounds, aviaries, and a deer enclosure. 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. To get there take the Guimares regional train. Entrance is free and visitors can light a candle in the large church or simply marvel at the intricately carved statues and art that decorate this pilgrimage location. / The old city of Braga. Its known for its architecture, food, and river views. Hassle-free option: Book this half-day tour with a cruise. Guimares is located around 55km northeast from Porto and you can travel there easily. Popular day trips 1) Braga 2) Guimares 3) Douro Valley 4) Aveiro 5) Matosinhos 6) Coimbra. 2.6 Check out the city of Lamego. Here is a quick glance at all my go-to travel tips and resources that I use to plan every trip! Moliceros are colourful boats that are similar to the iconic gondolas you see in Venice. Praia do Forno and Praia Azul are the most popular beaches in Vila do Conde. Coimbra. When shes not traveling, Pafoua loves a fun board game night with her friends or is snuggled up reading a good book. How to get to Braga: The Linha de Braga train runs frequently from Campanh station taking just over an hour. Luckily theres no need as public transport is reliable and decent. You also dont want to miss the oldest cathedral in all of PortugalThe Cathedral of Braga. You can follow the walk briefly or for as long as you like. 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. 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. Fatima is a small town located less than 2 hours south of Porto and can easily be reached by car or bus. The journey from Porto to Regua takes around 2 or, 2 and a half hours and costs around 15 one-way. Travel by train + taxi: 1:45. Each looks incredible, but Im all about those fairytale vibes in Guimares. The best way to get to Amarante is to catch the bus from the Rodonorte bus station in Porto. Porto Tourism Porto Hotels Porto Bed and Breakfast Porto Holiday Rentals Porto Packages Flights to Porto Porto Restaurants Porto Attractions Porto Travel Forum Porto Pictures Porto Map Porto . Back in the day, these wooden boats were used to remove algae from the canal but fell into disuse once the process was automated. However, it can be difficult to drive in the hilly streets of Portugal if youre not familiar with them or the fact that most cars are manual transmissions. Day 1: Arrive in Lisbon and take the train to Porto: Porto: Day 2: Visit the Douro Valley for a wine tasting: Porto: Day 3: Enjoy a walking tour of Porto - Take the train to Lisbon: Lisbon: Day 4: Explore the sites and scenic vistas of Lisbon: Lisbon: Day 5: Catch the train to Algarve - Enjoy a sunset on the beach: Lagos: Day 6: Discover . The train also allows for greater flexibility . Of course, I now want to go back to Porto and do all the places Ive not yet done. By car, its a 1 hour and 15-minute drive on toll roads A4 and A24. 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. Make sure to pack yourself a power bank to keep your juice running! To fully appreciate the magnitude of the valley, we recommend a 1-hour cruise up the river from Pinho in a yacht or vintage rabelo (traditional wooden cargo boat). Power Bank Its not fun when youre phone runs out of battery in the middle of a day trip from Porto. 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. There are trains roughly every half an hour so it's easy to organize a day trip. Join the queue and get a box of them to eat still warm on the train home. 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. 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. Read our Privacy Policy. There are some nice sea views to be had from here, although the fort itself is not very exciting inside. Listen to some Fado and do not forget to try the delicious food atSete Restaurant. 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. Subscribe to Lonely Planet newsletters and promotions. 1. Espinho is a small fishing town close to Porto. Travel by car: 1:15. And yet, theres a whole world of intrigue just beyond the city. 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. So, its definitely worth a day trip from Porto by train. Learn how your comment data is processed. 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. Florestal de Amarante contains hundreds of exotic trees and has playgrounds, aviaries, and river views the places not. 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