Braga - 54 km or approximately 45 minutes. How to get to Braga: The Linha de Braga train runs frequently from Campanh station taking just over an hour. 16. A long stretch of unspoiled sandy beaches goes south from Vila do Conde for many miles. 1. 2.3 Go for a Douro River cruise. You can easily do Braga as a day trip from Porto, especially if you aren't including Guimaraes. One of the best Porto tours is to Douro Valley. The monastery is also home to an impressive art museum dedicated to one of Portugals finest 20th-century painters, Amadeo de Souza-Cardoso. Of course, I now want to go back to Porto and do all the places Ive not yet done. Head to Casa Vianna for a filling brunch in one of the oldest cafes or over to Doh! However, there is a lot more to discover. Vila do Conde, a charming coastal town at the mouth of the Ave River is a perfect place for a day trip from Porto. At weekends, the first train of the day leaves Porto Recanati at around 05:16, with the final departure at 18:43. How to get to the Douro Valley: A number of companies run day tours to the Douro Valley and include tastings. Check the train timetable before signing up for tours, as return trips to Porto can be limited. And if you enjoy my blog, you can also buy me a drink. Matosinhos, Portugal. One of the best day trips from Porto by train you can do is to Portugals Venice Aveiro. 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. The Costa Nova is a beach area located just outside of Aveiro. Travel back in time and jump onboard an old and beautifully restored tram to see all the sights and sounds of the city. . Paiva is one of the best day trips from Porto for nature-loving travelers. One of the best things about visiting Nazare is that there is something at any time of the year. Theres also a walking path below the bridge that follows the gentle bend of the Tmega. 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. For a quick day trip from Porto by bus, you can spend a day lazing on the beach, swimming in the Atlantic, or eating all the seafood you can imagine. Yet youll find that its quieter and calmer than other cities on the tourist trail of Portugal. 12.30pm: call a taxi back to Aveiro and head to a local restaurant for lunch. From here the wine barrels were transported to Vila Nova da Gaia. However, there are only a couple of buses to Regua a day, so plan accordingly. Activities You Can't Miss: Paiva walkways. This can impact your experience and may mean that the church is inaccessible. In addition to the towns mentioned in this article, the following are also good day trips from Porto. One can easily spend the whole day here. 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. Pay attention to the bus schedule because there may be intervals of up to 1 hour between two buses. Practical information to plan your Aveiro day trip from Porto. Fastest journey around 5h43. Praia da Azurara is the closest beach to the town, but beaches are not the only attraction here. The streets and paths can be uneven, especially when you get to some of the smaller villages. Theyre quite dramatic against the mountainous backdrop. FlixBus operates a bus from Porto to Nazar twice daily. But inside its a riot of gorgeous gold and blue-and-white azulejo tiles, with an intricate ceiling fresco. It almost has a dreamlike quality to it, making it a perfect day trip from bustling Porto. A train from Porto stops in Pinho, from where a number of wineries, such as Quinta das Carvalhas, are accessible by foot. Besides some beautiful natural spots, inBuaco National Forest you can also find a rich history. . Buaco National Forest isnt exactly off the beaten track, but its definitely underrated and under-visited compared to other destinations in Portugal. The Porto tram tours have 3 different tram lines (line 1, 18 and 22) that interconnect with each other and cover different areas of the city. There isnt much in terms of amenities in the forest, but youll find a cafe, a tourist information center, and toilets close toBuaco Palace. 8:13 a.m. took 1 hour - 3:08 p.m. return took 1 hour 20 minutes. 1 block from the train station. Unauthorised use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this sites owner is strictly prohibited. Near the plazas, youll find the Padro do Salado monument and the Chapel of So Nicolau. This has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since June 2013. Jeronimos Monastery. 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. 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. Try the traditional roasted kid goat or bacalhau (salted cod) with mustard mayonnaise. Best Day Trips from Porto with Kids - Porto Serralves Museum and Park Entrance Ticket. With thanks to Daria from The Discovery Nut for this contribution. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'herwanderfulworld_com-sky-3','ezslot_21',146,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-herwanderfulworld_com-sky-3-0');In addition to enjoying the beach, there are also other attractions in Matosinhos that you can explore. Besides drinking your way through the port wine cellars, you can also have a sunset picnic on the Jardim do Morro. From there, take a local bus or taxi to the park entrance. You will travel by train to Rgua, while enjoying the beautiful landscape of the Douro Valley, as the sun sets in the horizon. The trains are frequent and run on schedule, making it easy to navigate your way around. Its better to start your trip early in the morning to have enough time to explore the area. Guimares is a small town northeast of Porto. Stroll through the narrow streets of the Coimbra city center and appreciate the street art. Each looks incredible, but Im all about those fairytale vibes in Guimares. 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. 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. For those looking to experience a more modern side of the city, there are lots of trendy cafes and restaurants to explore. You are going to love spending time in Nazare one of the best places to day a trip from Porto. Both have plenty of cafs and bars to sit outside and get stuck into a bit of people-watching over a glass of wine. Top Experiences in Porto. 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. And youll find them only in Lisbon. Braga and Guimares are relatively close to each other (25km distance). Here are my picks of the best day trips from Porto by train and bus. Guimares is located around 55km northeast from Porto and you can travel there easily. If youre into photography, make sure your camera is ready to get filled up. 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. The best time to visit the park is from May to October when the weather is milder and the days are longer. Lisbon Day Trips. Guimares andits castle can fill a full day but knowing how much time you have makes it easier to plan. When booking your Portugal car rental online, I recommend using Discover Cars. Trust me, we got ourselves burned in just a few short hours! Located along the bank of the Sado River, Setubal is known for its fishing industry, especially for sardines. This will make it easier to change trains and buses quickly, as you wont have too much luggage to lug around. It costs less than 10 euros to travel to Viana do Castelo from Porto. Lastly, make sure to not miss the special sweet, Fatias de Tomar (Tomar Slices). By car, its a 1 hour and 15-minute drive on toll roads A4 and A24. 1 Porto: River Douro 6 Bridges Cruise. In fact, one of the most appealing day trips is over the border to the Spanish city of Santiago de Compostela. You can board the train at So Bento,Campanh, and Rio Tinto stations. Regional Portugal generally errs on the conservative side, so the sight of elderly ladies laying out rows of penis-shaped cakes on street-side stalls may come as a surprise. In the middle is a stop at Pinho. Thanks! Step 2, take a bus from Faro to Seville. No part of this site may be reproduced without our written permission. Cheers. 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. The main attraction in Amarante is the 16th-century bridge, Ponte de So Gonalo. And you get a sneak peak into many of Porto's highlights. This book showcases 50 of the greatest road trips on Earth, from classic routes in America, Australia and Europe, to incredible adventures in Asia and Africa. porto. Even more, traveling by train or bus is also very affordable. It takes about one hour from the center of Porto to the center of Guimares, and you can easily do it by train, bus, driving or on a tour. 3 Porto Card with Transportation (1, 2, 3 or 4 Days) 4 Porto: Palcio da Bolsa Guided Tour. 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. A return ticket is only 6.50! Plus Nazare is only 1.5 hours away from Lisbon, making it an amazing stop if you are planning on heading toLisbon after Nazare. Often simply referred to as Gers, the park covers a series of mountain ranges and spills over the Spanish border. To get to the Peneda-Gers National Park from Porto, take a bus or a train from the Porto-Campanh station to the town of Vila Nova de Gaia. There is a train that goes directly from Porto to Braga. Take A Douro River Valley Wine Tour. 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). Its possible to cycle from Porto to Vila do Conde along the coast following the Coastal Route of the Camino de Santiago. Costa Nova: Best day trips from Porto Portugal. After your visit, head down to the old city center. See if you can spot others trying to top it. Alternatively, you can go up via a small cable car. There are several buses a day to Vila Real in the Douro Valley. Pafoua writes from her numerous excursions about all things travel, from fun itineraries to creating memorable experiences on the road. Another one of the many awesome day trips from Lisbon is Serras de Aire e Candeeiros National Park. Seeing the city skyline and the hills with vineyards from the water gives a whole new perspective. Douro Valley day trip #2 - Lamego (2 hour journey time) 3. This is a pleasant and flat stroll along the coastline using a wooden boardwalk. Average train ticket price. The Douro Valley is famous for its vineyards and incredibly dramatic landscapes, from the winding river to the towering cliffs above. It even has UNESCO World Heritage status. From there, it's another 30-minute bus ride to Regua. The waves have been known to reach up to 100 feet at times. 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. This upriver destination is the hub of Portugals famed port-wine industry, with neat rows of terraced vineyards snaking up the mountainside along both banks of the Douro River. Check the opening times while planning a day trip from Porto to Arouca Bridge and Paiva Pathways. 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. Spend the first half of the day in Pinhao - take a Rabelo boat ride and/or tour a winery, have lunch. A big thank you to the other bloggers who kindly sent me their excellent tips. Art, architecture and obscene baked goods are the big attractions in one-of-a-kind Amarante. 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. 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. 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. These are my absolute favorites and saved my feet when we were in Portugal! When planning your itinerary, be sure to place these five outstanding destinations at the top of your list. 2pm: take a moliceiros ride along the canal. Source: Dennis van de Water / shutterstock. Especially bird watchers will enjoy this walk as there are loads of interesting bird species there. One of the most popularthings to do in Aveirois to go on a canal cruise in a colorful Moliceiro. With thanks to Jorge from Portugal Things for this contribution. Coimbra. Travelers don't need to visit Italy to experience romantic gondola rides, and Aveiro is actually nicknamed the 'Venice of Portugal'. So, this a great option for day trips from Porto for people travelling without a car . In total, this takes 1.5 hours. Make sure your feet are well-protected as there will be a lot of walking throughout the day. A great place for lunch on the river bank is Adega Regional Quelha (wine house) that serves the towns smoked hams and cheeses. Small cafs and restaurants dotting the town sell delicious pastries, coffee and other Portuguese delicacies. Everyone goes mad for them. Eating fresh locally caught fish and seafood in Vila do Conde is a must. Douro Valley day trip #3 - Vila Real (2 hour journey time) 4. To get there take the Guimares regional train. The best way to get toBuaco National Forest from Porto is to drive, as it takes just over an hour by car. 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. This train ride is famous for its scenic views of Douro river. In winter, Gers can occasionally get a sprinkling of snow. Be sure to walk around the outside of the castle to get the best view of the impressive exterior. Youll need to use Portos Rodonorte bus service, which is usually clean and reliable. Typical to European dinner times, many restaurants don't open until 7:00 or 8:00 pm. 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. Walking through the cobblestoned streets, peeking into small artisan shops, and visiting museums and of course the S de Aveiro (the cathedral.). Today, Catholics from all around the world come to visit the small town and the Shrine of Fatima. The vines are grown on trellises above the ground so that crops can be cultivated underneath. Its home to an impressivemedieval castle. Even before you enter the street, youll start smelling fresh fish grilling! There are tours starting from one hour and up. Its also the best way to explore multiple destinations in one day, as youll have full control over your schedule and route. The town also sells different sweets once made by the local nuns. Select a pickup point. There is no direct train or bus, meaning that with public transport it would take over 2 hours to wait for connections. 08:45 AM. We briefly spent some time in Lisbon and it just wasnt enough! Straddling an aqueduct, the ornate bridges and adorable cobblestone streets make for a lovely stroll about town. 2. The lowdown on Europes best spring break spots from Mediterranean island beach escapes to Norways waterfall-splashed fjords. Check the train timetables before your visit so you know what trains you want. The journey takes just over an hour and a return ticket costs 7. Cant wait to see everything in the area and Ill definitely be taking the train. Santiago is best known for the Caminhos de Santiago (St. James Way) pilgrim trail following the cult of St. James. Option 1. But Porto is also a perfect base for getting out and about on day trips to see even more of the surrounding area. Restaurant O Calgalho at the bay serves traditional Portuguese food prepared in an excellent way. Camera To capture all the amazing sights and memories you make on your day trips from Porto. This is the perfect stop on an extended Portugal road trip, especially if youre also planning on visiting the nearby beach town of Nazare. How to get to Guimares: The Linha de Guimares train takes about 1 hour 15 minutes from Campanh. There is a rocky pathway that leads out to the little islet in the river. Visiting the two sites back to back helps to notice the difference between the living quarters of the palace and the defense area of the tower. One of the best day trips from Porto by train is going to Coimbra, the third most important city in Portugal. Is strictly prohibited Porto with Kids - Porto Serralves museum and park Entrance a from. ) pilgrim trail following the cult of St. James way ) pilgrim trail following the Coastal of... View of the Tmega hour - 3:08 p.m. return took 1 hour 20 minutes ; s another 30-minute ride... 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