You should also visit the citys Fish Market, the lighthouse (the tallest in Portugal! 2.5 Visit the Archaeological Park of the Coa Valley. Its a great spot to enjoy the views of Porto across the river with the sun setting on the Douro river. There are direct train services available. At the bottom of the hill, the sight of the baroque stairway zigzagging up to the church is as much a highlight as the church itself. Cant wait to see everything in the area and Ill definitely be taking the train. It costs less than 10 euros to travel to Viana do Castelo from Porto. Its therefore relatively free from the usual tourist crowds so is a real delight to explore. There are trains roughly every half an hour so it's easy to organize a day 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. . You can choose what to keep and what to change according to your preference. Eating out in Aveiro is lovely with many restaurants and cafs offering everything from traditional to international food as well as organic vegan joints. 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 Douro Valley region is probably Portugal's most famous wine region and one of the most beautiful and oldest ones in the world, recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 2001. / The old city of Braga. The Douro Valley is stunning and going on a vineyard tour only adds to its flavor Merrill Images / Getty Images, Day trips from Porto for sipping wine, learning Portuguese history and pastry tasting. A train from Porto stops in Pinho, from where a number of wineries, such as Quinta das Carvalhas, are accessible by foot. Board IR 861 from Porto Campanha at 7:25 am and arrive at Pinhao at 9:46 am. / The medieval city of Guimares. Be sure to walk across the Pedro Ines bridge to enjoy some stunning views of Coimbra by the river. 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 . It takes 30 minutes to get there by car and 1 hour by train, making this city an ideal day trip from Porto. With thanks to Lotte from Phenomenal Globe for this contribution. Unauthorised use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this sites owner is strictly prohibited. Your post is so detailed! One of the best-known views is of the river with the So Gonalo bridge and the church of Igreja de So Gonalo. Portugal is definitely on my list to see, it looks so beautiful! Grapes for both port and table wine are grown . It's a 2 hour drive to Conimbriga on a day trip from Lisbon. If youre interested in art the Alberto Sampaio Art Museum is nearby as well. The bridge crosses the Tmega River and is one of the most photographed landmarks in the country. . So without further ado, let's dive in and discover all the best day trips you can take from Porto! Coimbra is home to one of the oldest universities in the world, the University of Coimbra. Cheap Day Trips from Porto - Gaia. If you enjoyed this post on some of the nicest day trips from Porto by train and bus, why save it by pinning it to your Pinterest board? Activities You Can't Miss: Paiva walkways. I'm trying to find the timetable for this September so I can coordinate with a flight out of Porto. By car, its a 1 hour and 15-minute drive on toll roads A4 and A24. With its stunning architecture, delicious food, and unique sights, its not one to be missed. The place everyone most wants to visit from Lisbon is perhaps the most awkward, due to the two-and-a-half-hour train ride, but connections to Porto are easy so it is quite doable. 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. Back in Braga, Donna Se is a lovely place to have lunch. Check the train timetables before your visit so you know what trains you want. They offer good facilities, including many cafs and restaurants nearby. It looks normal from the outside. 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. In the middle is a stop at Pinho. You can also visit the Roman ruins of Conimbriga (less than 12 miles from the city center) on a half-day trip. See if you can spot others trying to top it. But there is much more to do in this area than simply visiting the city. Whether you're seeking beachside adventures, summertime celebrations or outdoor experiences, here are the best times of the year to visit Portugal. The main attraction in Amarante is the 16th-century bridge, Ponte de So Gonalo. 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. The monastery is also home to an impressive art museum dedicated to one of Portugals finest 20th-century painters, Amadeo de Souza-Cardoso. If you can stretch your day trip into the early evening, Braga lights up beautifully by night. Peneda Geres National Park. The University of Coimbra was established in 1290 and to this day attracts many Portuguese as well as international students. Do the timetables stay the same all year? Day trips from Porto. Want to receive notifications of new posts by email? Round trip train from Sao Bento to Viana 16.00 & (senior) 10.50. Before entering the beach, youll see a monument of women and children looking out to sea, mourning their lost husbands and fathers. One of the most popularthings to do in Aveirois to go on a canal cruise in a colorful Moliceiro. Cant wait to go to Portugal! One of the best day trips from Porto by train is going to Coimbra, the third most important city in Portugal. Running for 150km, most of the Douro Valley is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the worlds oldest demarcated wine regions. 1. Often simply referred to as Gers, the park covers a series of mountain ranges and spills over the Spanish border. Guided tour: You can book a full day trip tour from Porto. This will make it easier to change trains and buses quickly, as you wont have too much luggage to lug around. 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. Costa Nova: Best day trips from Porto Portugal. 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. Its popular for surfing, which is mildly entertaining to pause and watch. Wow! If youre looking for a morning or afternoon activity outside of Porto, a coastal walk in Espinho is a good idea. The beautiful village of Costa Nova is mostly known in Portugal because of its colorful striped houses. When booking your Portugal car rental online, I recommend using Discover Cars. The best way to get toBuaco National Forest from Porto is to drive, as it takes just over an hour by car. No part of this site may be reproduced without our written permission. When planning your itinerary, be sure to place these five outstanding destinations at the top of your list. day trips from porto. You should absolutely take a day trip from Porto to Nazare, Portugal. Amarante - 59 km or approximately 45 minutes. Amarante is a small town located in the north of Portugal, about 1-hour northeast, or 37 miles (60 km) of Porto making it a fantastic day trip. The best thing to do in Aveiro is take a ride in a moliceiro through the network of Aveiros beautiful canals that run through town. 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. Walking along the narrow cobbled streets of Vila do Conde is the best way to explore the town. This Galician capital is important for religious reasons, since St. James is purported to have been buried there, but it has a lot more to help . So much to see in Portugal. 1 block from the train station. Matosinhos, Portugal. 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. The capital of the Port wine region is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. 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. The train leaves from Braga train station and takes about 1 hour to get back to So Bento Train Station in Porto. Once inside the park, there are numerous trails to follow. 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. Youll need to use Portos Rodonorte bus service, which is usually clean and reliable. Rede Expressos also services this route once daily. Guimares and Braga 34 miles (55 kilometers) from Porto Discover Portugal's architectural and religious heritage with a guided trip to Guimares, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its 10th-century castle and the . (2.30 each way; 40 minutes) 4. This is a delightful and convenient way to experience the Douro Valley. You can also purchase access only for the trail. Youll find two plazas connected by covered walkways. If you make a purchase through these links, I earn a commission at no extra cost to you. 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. Consider hiring a car for the day and nominating a designated driver for full flexibility. 6 Porto: Torre dos Clerigos Entrance Ticket. Pafoua writes from her numerous excursions about all things travel, from fun itineraries to creating memorable experiences on the road. One of the best day trips from Porto by train you can do is to Portugals Venice Aveiro. Inside the castle the keep and place of arms are impressive. When in Peso da Rgua take a scenic boat ride on the Douro river. The trains in Portugal are very convenient and link up many of the towns and cities in the country, making it easy to explore without having to rent a car. You wont be disappointed. The most popular beach is Praia de Matosinhos, which is where the bus typically stops. The Douro Valley region is a mandatory visit for those who travel to Porto. 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. 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. Just outside of Braga, you can find Bom Jesus do Monte, which is possibly even more impressive than S de Braga. Start time. With the dramatic granite mountains of Serra do Maro to the east, the town lies in the hilly valley of the Tmega river. Do the timetables stay the same all year? 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. / The incredible Parque Nacional da Peneda-Gers. You can see how Portuguese traditional clothes were made and evolved over the years. One of the highlights is without a doubt S de Braga. One of the best day trips from Porto by train is going to Coimbra, the third most important city in Portugal. 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. 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. It almost has a dreamlike quality to it, making it a perfect day trip from bustling Porto. 10.30am: snap photos of the colourful beach houses and take a walk to the beach. Small cafs and restaurants dotting the town sell delicious pastries, coffee and other Portuguese delicacies. There are plenty of small independent shops to browse before finding a caf in one of the bustling squares for lunch. 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. Practical information to plan your Aveiro day trip from Porto. The action is all over before 9am, though. Braga is a pedestrian-friendly city with atmospheric cafes, boutiques and striking water features seamlessly woven into the ancient cityscape. Talk to farmers, walk among ruins of Roman houses and pass through small local villages on the Penafiel hiking trail. Guimares plays a central role in the nations history as the first capital of Portugal. By boat is only through touristic boat tours on the Douro river. FlixBus operates a bus from Porto to Nazar twice daily. Spend the first half of the day in Pinhao - take a Rabelo boat ride and/or tour a winery, have lunch. Water hydration is key to any day trip, especially in Portugal. Moliceros are colourful boats that are similar to the iconic gondolas you see in Venice. The best way to get to Coimbra from Porto is by train. And its only sold in this town. Visitors can hike through the parks mountains and forests, swim or kayak in the huge lakes, explore its numerous caves, Roman ruins, or go on a road trip in the wilderness. This ancient and walled arboretum is home to one of the finest dendrological collections in Europe. These are my absolute favorites and saved my feet when we were in Portugal! Check the train timetable before signing up for tours, as return trips to Porto can be limited. The most specialthing to see in Costa Novais the striped houses, but they are not the only attraction in town. In total, this takes 1.5 hours. Day trip from Porto to Viana do Castelo. It was first home to a monastery, and the forest was attended by monks. And if you enjoy my blog, you can also buy me a drink. You can also combine your day trip with a short trip to Costa Nova to see the traditional striped beach houses. Day Trips from Porto: Douro Valley. Yet youll find that its quieter and calmer than other cities on the tourist trail of Portugal. Torro is a good place for dinner with a view of the river. But swings and roundabouts! 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. Let's talk travel, teaching abroad, and travel blogging.I also love sharing about my love for Asian dramas and #allthethings to create memorable experiences! Other interesting sites in Braga city centre are the Castle of Braga and the beautiful Arco da Porta Nova. Its a great place to come if you want to see an authentic Portuguese town with few international tourists. porto. Make sure to pack yourself a power bank to keep your juice running! The best way to get to Amarante is to catch the bus from the Rodonorte bus station in Porto. A trip from Porto to Douro Valley will immerse you in a different world. A long stretch of unspoiled sandy beaches goes south from Vila do Conde for many miles. 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. 3pm: head to some museums of interest or shop for souvenirs. Romantic Day Trips from Porto for Couples - Douro Valley Tour: Wine Tasting, River Cruise and 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. Dont miss the little Castle of the Cheese (Castelo do Queijo), a 17th-century fort on the beach. Of course, I now want to go back to Porto and do all the places Ive not yet done. 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