There are dozens of quintas (wine estates) in the Douro, each producing amazing wine. So, its definitely worth a day trip from Porto by train. 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! So start planning your day trip from Porto and have an amazing time! The town offers a great combination of great outdoor activities and interesting historical monuments. Running for 150km, most of the Douro Valley is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the worlds oldest demarcated wine regions. To get to Matosinhos from Porto, you can take the local 500 bus, which is near the Sao Bento Train station, or take the metro line A. Of course, I now want to go back to Porto and do all the places Ive not yet done. 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. 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. Since youre there you should see both. The remnants of the Roman Ruins of Conimbriga are an off the beaten path day trip from Porto. Youll also want to stop by Tibias de Braga, which has the Tibias dessert that originated from Braga. 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. Its hilltop location opposite Tomar Castle (Castelo do Tomar) offers splendid views over the historic center of Tomar. There are several interestingthings to do in Coimbra. Plan your perfect budget honeymoon with this guide to cheaper destinations that you might not have considered. Aveiro. I have a full post on things to do in Guimaraes, so please read through that for more on this magical city. / Aveiro, the Venice of Portugal. You will travel by train to Rgua, while enjoying the beautiful landscape of the Douro Valley, as the sun sets in the horizon. 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. 18 Spectacular Things to do in Cayucos, California, Monterey + Big Sur Itinerary: The Perfect Road Trip, 2023 Her Wanderful World - WordPress Theme by Kadence WP. This part of Portugal, although famous and a UNESCO World Heritage site, still does not attract masses of tourists to make it overcrowded.It is a quiet and enchanting area, where terraced hills flow through one another to create a bucolic but perfectly ordered scene giving a little insight into the ingenious human work . In Nazare, you can also check out the Forte de Sao Miguel Arcanjo. Theres so much to do in Porto itself (have a look at my main blogpost on Porto for lots of ideas) that you can easily just visit the city and stay there. Near the plazas, youll find the Padro do Salado monument and the Chapel of So Nicolau. In addition to the towns mentioned in this article, the following are also good day trips from Porto. 6 Porto: Torre dos Clerigos Entrance Ticket. You can follow the walk briefly or for as long as you like. Located in the north of the country, spending one day in Braga is an excellent day trip from Porto by train. For those looking to experience a more modern side of the city, there are lots of trendy cafes and restaurants to explore. The University of Coimbra was established in 1290 and to this day attracts many Portuguese as well as international students. And if you want to stay longer than 3 days in Porto, maybe do a day trip out of the city If you were staying longer than 3 days in Porto, you could head out to explore further afield. As this is the easiest village to reach by public transport. Wearing a comfortable pair of shoes is absolutely essential when youre exploring multiple destinations in one day. Trains run regularly from Porto to Guimares. A more realistic day trip (or trips) is the sights to the west of Lisbon, especially Sintra. It takes 1 hour to travel by train and 50 minutes by car. 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 . How to get to Braga: The Linha de Braga train runs frequently from Campanh station taking just over an hour. You have a direct IR connection (InterRegional) every two hours starting at 7h15 (then 9h15, 11h15) until 19h30. The ride takes 1 hour from So Bento Station. The beautiful historical center of Vila do Conde is another reason to visit the town. If you want to do a unique day trip from Porto,Buaco National Forest is the place to do so! Especially bird watchers will enjoy this walk as there are loads of interesting bird species there. Check the train timetables before your visit so you know what trains you want. 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). No. Train from Porto and Douro Valley Cruise. 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. Opening hours are between 8:30 and 18:30. The best way to get to Amarante is to catch the bus from the Rodonorte bus station in Porto. . 10am: arrive in Aveiro and hail a taxi to Costa Nova. 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 . For seafood, you cannot miss out on family-run restaurants lining Rua Heris de Frana. Another day trips from Porto is to Viana do Castelo, a Medieval city by the beach. Matosinhos, Portugal. The cost of this train is 10 one way. Braga is one of the oldest cities in Portugal and as such you can find many historic buildings in the gorgeous city centre. The next day, we will be making our way to Porto, likely by train as we will likely. 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. The city can be reached by car, public transit, and boat. 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. 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. For a fun night out you can head to NBar or grab dinner at one of the most popular restaurants A Tasquinha. Select a pickup point. This is the unassuming home of bolas de berlim, the Portuguese version of the custard-filled Berliner doughnut. Restaurant O Calgalho at the bay serves traditional Portuguese food prepared in an excellent way. Take the train from Porto to Penafiel (45-minute trip) for one of the best hikes in Portugal. 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! Before entering the beach, youll see a monument of women and children looking out to sea, mourning their lost husbands and fathers. From the vibrant nightlife of Lisbon to the beaches of the Algarve, here's our pick of the best places to go. Berlengas Islands as a day trip from Peniche. Start your visit with the beautiful Guimares Castle and Ducal Palace to step back into Portugals history. 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. Porto is a tough place to leave, with fascinating cobblestone districts, vibrant nightlife and a wealth of great restaurants. This can impact your experience and may mean that the church is inaccessible. Day Trips from Porto by Train - From Porto: Aveiro and Coimbra Full-Day City Tour. Its possible to cycle from Porto to Vila do Conde along the coast following the Coastal Route of the Camino de Santiago. 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. Reward yourself for your efforts with a drink in one of the lovely squares, Largo da Oliveira or Praa de Santiago. There is of course, a fourth travel option, which is to use buses to do various day trips from Porto. Inside the castle the keep and place of arms are impressive. 2 13 Best day trips from Porto. Stroll through the narrow streets of the Coimbra city center and appreciate the street art. Trains from Coimbra-B to Porto Airport cover the 71 miles (114 km) long route and usually take around 2 h 30 min. Unauthorised use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this sites owner is strictly prohibited. Guimares castle survived two medievel seiges! Sign in to get trip updates and message other travellers. Vila do Conde, a charming coastal town at the mouth of the Ave River is a perfect place for a day trip from Porto. 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. Looks like Ive just added a few new spots to my bucket list. But there are more things to Aveiro than the Moliceiros. Escape the worst of the cold this winter by heading to Europes southern reaches, where the wam sun shines year round. These are my absolute favorites and saved my feet when we were in Portugal! When youre exploring multiple destinations on one day trip from Porto, make sure to pack lightly only bringing the absolute essentials. / The medieval city of Guimares. And there are some beautiful hidden gems in northern Portugal that you can easily reach in a day. With thanks to Chrysoula from Travel Passionate for this contribution. 3pm: head to some museums of interest or shop for souvenirs. Answer 1 of 2: My husband and I will be vacationing in Portugal this coming September. Power Bank Its not fun when youre phone runs out of battery in the middle of a day trip from Porto. The ticket for the bridge includes access to the pathway and is valid for one day. 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. Though it may seem pretty low-key initially, a day trip from Porto to Aveiro is one of the best ways to spend your time in Portugal. 2 From Porto: Douro Valley w/ Boat Tour, Wine Tasting & Lunch. You can also visit the Roman ruins of Conimbriga (less than 12 miles from the city center) on a half-day trip. Here, Lonely Planet's Austin Bush takes us along northern Portugal's Douro Valley by train. Make sure your feet are well-protected as there will be a lot of walking throughout the day. Costa Nova: Best day trips from Porto 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. The monastery is also home to an impressive art museum dedicated to one of Portugals finest 20th-century painters, Amadeo de Souza-Cardoso. Matosinhos is a port and fishing town with the biggest sandy beach in the Porto area. Make sure to pack a water bottle to keep you hydrated throughout your journey! By car, its a 1 hour and 15-minute drive on toll roads A4 and A24. 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. There are direct train services available. If you would prefer to visit Braga with a local guide, check out this small-group tour that also includes a stop in Guimares! Just over 100km away on the border with Spain, this is the biggest national park in Portugal. The tickets for every attraction in Guimares are sold here. This includes Lindoso, where you can see a 13th-century castle that played a key role in Portugals Restoration War. Learn how your comment data is processed. They offer good facilities, including many cafs and restaurants nearby. You should also visit the citys Fish Market, the lighthouse (the tallest in Portugal! A train from Porto stops in Pinho, from where a number of wineries, such as Quinta das Carvalhas, are accessible by foot. Be sure to check out the old town as well. Activities You Can't Miss: Paiva walkways. 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. The town of Matosinhos isnt the most scenic place, Ill be honest. Theres a direct train from Porto to Peso da Rgua, which takes 2 hours. Its also the best way to explore multiple destinations in one day, as youll have full control over your schedule and route. 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. Do the timetables stay the same all year? Other interesting sights include Vasco da Gama Square, Rua da Igreja, Santa Clara Convent, Fort of St.Jean the Baptist, Church of Azurara, and Chapel of Our Lady of Help. 5. Serras de Aire e Candeeiros Nature Park was created in 1979 and covers about 35,000 hectares - much of it Estremadura's limestone massif, the biggest limestone area in Portugal. Santa Clara Aqueduct is one of the main attractions here. If youre looking for a morning or afternoon activity outside of Porto, a coastal walk in Espinho is a good idea. Check out all of Porto's best day trips and tours on this recommended tour booking site. A return ticket is only 6.50! the Lima river in Peneda Geres, the only national park in Portugal. 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. 2.3 Go for a Douro River cruise. Your post is so detailed! Grapes for both port and table wine are grown . Peneda Geres National Park. Back in the day, these wooden boats were used to remove algae from the canal but fell into disuse once the process was automated. You can visit several wineries in a day, or just enjoy the views of the river and Porto from this charming town. Guided tour: You can book a full day trip tour from Porto. The best way to get to Coimbra from Porto is by train. There are three rail-based options that will allow you to go to nearly the places in this guide. Its therefore relatively free from the usual tourist crowds so is a real delight to explore. You can get to Costa Nova by car in 15 minutes. The Douro Valley was recognized as a demarcated wine region in 1756, making port wine exclusive to Portugal in the same way Champagne is exclusive to its namesake region in France. But, start your day at the Ducal Palace. Being traditionally a fishermens village, they serve fresh fish and shellfish dishes that are to die for. The train also allows for greater flexibility . Join the queue and get a box of them to eat still warm on the train home. Subscribe to Lonely Planet newsletters and promotions. 2.2 Do a wine tasting & winery tour. The history of Tomar will fascinate you. Its working fishing port is a bit fugly and totally dominates the landscape. The ride costs roughly 7 for an adult ticket, one-way. The Golden Triangle of Sintra, Cascais, and Cabo da Roca . A 3-hour round trip from Rgua to Tua and back. Straddling an aqueduct, the ornate bridges and adorable cobblestone streets make for a lovely stroll about town. Read our Privacy Policy. Braga is a pedestrian-friendly city with atmospheric cafes, boutiques and striking water features seamlessly woven into the ancient cityscape. 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 . 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