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. There are several buses a day to Vila Real in the Douro Valley. From the stunning Douro Valley to the charming fishing villages, Portugal has it all. The Retiro do Gers restaurant is located in the heart of the Peneda-Gers National Park and is the perfect place to stop for a bite to eat while exploring the park. Make sure to check the day when youll be visiting Fatima to keep an eye on any religious celebrations that may be taking place. If you would prefer to visit Guimares with a local guide, check out this small-group tour that also includes a stop in Braga! The history of Tomar will fascinate you. A train from Porto stops in Pinho, from where a number of wineries, such as Quinta das Carvalhas, are accessible by foot. You can find her on Instagram @herwanderfulworld. 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. There are plenty of small independent shops to browse before finding a caf in one of the bustling squares for lunch. From this vantage point, you can appreciate the unique geography of the city. 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). ), and walk by the sand dunes to the beach. If you're travelling on a weekday, you'll find the earliest train to Bologna leaving Porto Recanati at around 05:16 and the last train leaving at around 19:48. The city of Coimbra revolves around the university. If youre looking for a morning or afternoon activity outside of Porto, a coastal walk in Espinho is a good idea. Matosinhos is a port and fishing town with the biggest sandy beach in the Porto area. Spend the first half of the day in Pinhao - take a Rabelo boat ride and/or tour a winery, have lunch. 2.7 Soak up the views. The trains are frequent and run on schedule, making it easy to navigate your way around. Coimbra is also the ideal spot to try typical Portuguese conventual sweets, made with sugar and plenty of egg yolks. For seafood, you cannot miss out on family-run restaurants lining Rua Heris de Frana. 2.3 Guimaraes. Day trip from Porto to Viana do Castelo. 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. And there are some great destinations that can only be reached by car or bus. Serras de Aire. There is a train that goes directly from Porto to Braga. Several restaurants line the plazas so you have plenty of options. But there are more things to Aveiro than the Moliceiros. The lowdown on Europes best spring break spots from Mediterranean island beach escapes to Norways waterfall-splashed fjords. 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. Braga is one of the oldest cities in Portugal and as such you can find many historic buildings in the gorgeous city centre. You should also visit the citys Fish Market, the lighthouse (the tallest in Portugal! 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. Cheapest, easily done in a day . 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. Guimares plays a central role in the nations history as the first capital of Portugal. It looks beautiful. Setbal. If you have the time and travel by car, you can also take the trip to the Passadios de Aveiro, a peaceful boardwalk taking you along the Ria de Aveiro. The tickets for every attraction in Guimares are sold here. Caroline Rowe, Pack The Suitcases, 2016-2023. The city can be reached by car, public transit, and boat. The best way to explore the town is on foot to stroll along the narrow cobbled streets, stopping at charming street cafs that offer great coffee and delicious freshly baked pastry. 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 train leaves from Braga train station and takes about 1 hour to get back to So Bento Train Station in Porto. Its hilltop location opposite Tomar Castle (Castelo do Tomar) offers splendid views over the historic center of Tomar. Even before you enter the street, youll start smelling fresh fish grilling! 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. A long stretch of unspoiled sandy beaches goes south from Vila do Conde for many miles. 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. Sign in to get trip updates and message other travellers. One of the most popularthings to do in Aveirois to go on a canal cruise in a colorful Moliceiro. It looks normal from the outside. 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. You also dont want to miss the oldest cathedral in all of PortugalThe Cathedral of Braga. $11 (9) Direct train. How to get to Sintra: Start your journey at Rossio Station in Lisbon, and take the urban train to the last top in Sintra. Their work is displayed in the Municipal Museum, which is in a renovated convent. Head to Casa Vianna for a filling brunch in one of the oldest cafes or over to Doh! 3 Douro Valley. The restaurant serves traditional Portuguese cuisine, including dishes such as Bacalhau Brs (cod with potatoes and onions) and Feijoada (a black bean stew). Visit the ducal palace and then head up the hill to visit the castle. Cheers. It's much quieter than Venice, however, and arguably more colorful; the painted boats and vibrant buildings are Aveiro's signature features. Today, the city center is a Unesco World Heritage Site, where tidy rows of colorful buildings line the streets, and slender laneways lead to cobbled squares and alfresco cafes. This can be on a Rabelo, a traditional boat with which they used to ship the wine barrels. But inside its a riot of gorgeous gold and blue-and-white azulejo tiles, with an intricate ceiling fresco. Its a great spot to enjoy the views of Porto across the river with the sun setting on the Douro river. Douro Valley day trip #3 - Vila Real (2 hour journey time) 4. The streets and paths can be uneven, especially when you get to some of the smaller villages. Stroll through the narrow streets of the Coimbra city center and appreciate the street art. 2.4 Stop by the capital of the region. To this day you can still see some of the chapels dotted around the forest. Once in Coimbra, you can easily explore the university and the historic center on foot. The beautiful village of Costa Nova is mostly known in Portugal because of its colorful striped houses. With thanks to Alya from Stingy Nomadsfor this contribution. 5 Porto: 6 Bridges Douro River Cruise. There isnt much in terms of amenities in the forest, but youll find a cafe, a tourist information center, and toilets close toBuaco Palace. The monastery is also home to an impressive art museum dedicated to one of Portugals finest 20th-century painters, Amadeo de Souza-Cardoso. Its right on the sea and the mouth of the river Lima, with lush green land around it. One of the best day trips from Porto by train is going to Coimbra, the third most important city in Portugal. 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. 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. And yet, theres a whole world of intrigue just beyond the city. / The old city of Braga. After your visit, head down to the old city center. Make sure to pack a water bottle to keep you hydrated throughout your journey! Learn how your comment data is processed. Romantic Day Trips from Porto for Couples - Douro Valley Tour: Wine Tasting, River Cruise and Lunch. Back in Braga, Donna Se is a lovely place to have lunch. Trains run regularly from Porto to Guimares. 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. How to Get There: A train runs from Campanha Station to Aveiro Station. 2.8 Chill out at Congida Beach. Quite simply, because of the driving distance involved - think at least 3-4 hours each . The waves have been known to reach up to 100 feet at times. Getting to Guimares. There are numerous hiking trails, Roman ruins and sparkling waterfalls. Train operators. With thanks to Lotte from Phenomenal Globe for this contribution. Here's one highly-rated private Porto day trip from Lisbon that shows considerably more than the others. Pafoua is the author and creator of Her Wanderful World. Related articles: Where to Stay in Porto - The Best Areas The Best Things to do in Porto They provide the best deals for car rentals in Portugal! Paiva. 1. At just over an hour by train from Porto's So Bento or Porto Campanha train stations, the trip from Porto to Guimaraes is a great day trip option. Moliceros are colourful boats that are similar to the iconic gondolas you see in Venice. Answer 1 of 2: My husband and I will be vacationing in Portugal this coming September. It costs less than 10 euros to travel to Viana do Castelo from Porto. Aveiro is a city south of Porto that is known for its canals. Jeronimos Monastery. Inside the castle the keep and place of arms are impressive. From there, take a local bus or taxi to the park entrance. Amarante - 59 km or approximately 45 minutes. After giving the signature cake a try, visit the church and monastery of So Gonalo and supposedly up your chances of finding love by rubbing the statue above Gonalos tomb. Here is a quick glance at all my go-to travel tips and resources that I use to plan every trip! 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. See if you can spot others trying to top it. The restaurant O Cais is a great option for a place to eat in town. village of . However, there are only a couple of buses to Regua a day, so plan accordingly. In 1756 the first marked-out wine-growing area in the world was founded here. 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. Take a packed lunch to enjoy at the top or set off along one of the marked hiking trails. These are some things Ive learned from years of travel. History and archaeology buffs will be in 7th heaven. The train also allows for greater flexibility . Contents1 Is [] Head back into the citys winding streets and enjoy its mixture of architectural styles from different ages. Take the train from Porto to Penafiel (45-minute trip) for one of the best hikes in Portugal. 2 h 30 min. The city is located on the banks of the river Douro. However, lovely Amarante is best done by bus so I have begrudgingly included that. Find day trips to take today or this coming weekend. The cost is 7,00 for 24 hrs, or 15,00 for 72 hrs (consecutive). There isn't much in the tiny town of Pocinho. 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. Often overlooked by international tourists it is a popular weekend getaway amongst residents of Porto. Fabulous scenery, and the best ever ruined castle at Castro Laboreiro, high on the top of the cliff and almost impossible to see until you climb up there. Its working fishing port is a bit fugly and totally dominates the landscape. Here's a sample itinerary for a day trip to Douro Valley from Porto by train. 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. There is of course, a fourth travel option, which is to use buses to do various day trips from Porto. Porto to Sintra - 331 km or approximately three hours. 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