We will be arriving in Lisbon early in the morning and will be spending the night there. I'm trying to find the timetable for this September so I can coordinate with a flight out of Porto. Before we get into the day trips from Porto, its worth grasping a bit about public transport in Porto. A trip to Braga from Porto takes less than an hour by train, making it one of the easiest day trips from Porto. 2.3 Guimaraes. 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. The Douro Valley is famous for its vineyards and incredibly dramatic landscapes, from the winding river to the towering cliffs above. The train trip from Porto (Campanh station) to Aveiro takes around 50 to 80 minutes with the prices starting at 3.55 euro for a single ticket. Besides drinking your way through the port wine cellars, you can also have a sunset picnic on the Jardim do Morro. 2.2 Do a wine tasting & winery tour. And there are some beautiful hidden gems in northern Portugal that you can easily reach in a day. Make sure you also pop inside one of the most impressive churches in Portugal (in my view), the Igreja da Misericrdia. 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. Listen to some Fado and do not forget to try the delicious food atSete Restaurant. Eating out in Aveiro is lovely with many restaurants and cafs offering everything from traditional to international food as well as organic vegan joints. There are dozens of quintas (wine estates) in the Douro, each producing amazing wine. If youre interested in art the Alberto Sampaio Art Museum is nearby as well. Its rare to find a battle-tested castle you can visit. It looks normal from the outside. Here is a quick glance at all my go-to travel tips and resources that I use to plan every trip! As someone who hates driving on the rare times I have to do it at home in the UK, the thought of renting a car in Portugal gives me chills. Source: Dennis van de Water / shutterstock. Guimares plays a central role in the nations history as the first capital of Portugal. The city itself has plenty to offer as well, from the city centers Praa da Repblica to the nearby Casa do Raio, which is a beautiful palace turned museum covered in gorgeous purple-blue azulejos. Its home to an impressivemedieval castle. 3 Porto Card with Transportation (1, 2, 3 or 4 Days) 4 Porto: Palcio da Bolsa Guided Tour. Typical to European dinner times, many restaurants don't open until 7:00 or 8:00 pm. The most popular day trips are marked in yellow , while the lesser known destinations are highlighted in green. The town of Matosinhos isnt the most scenic place, Ill be honest. In Nazare, you can also check out the Forte de Sao Miguel Arcanjo. This was originally a retreat for the Portuguese royal family, but has been converted today to a luxury hotel. Head to A Tasquinha restaurant which serves affordable but authentic food in the heart of Fatima. Portugal is definitely on my list to see, it looks so beautiful! / The old city of Braga. Sunscreen The sun can be quite intense in Portugal, especially in the summer months. A big thank you to the other bloggers who kindly sent me their excellent tips. Espinho is a small fishing town close to Porto. See if you can spot others trying to top it. / Aveiro, the Venice of Portugal. 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. Guimares is brimming with history and said to be the countrys birthplace. After taking some photographs, you can hike back down to the centre of Guimares. Running for 150km, most of the Douro Valley is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the worlds oldest demarcated wine regions. Romantic Day Trips from Porto for Couples - Douro Valley Tour: Wine Tasting, River Cruise and Lunch. 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. The tickets for every attraction in Guimares are sold here. porto. Wearing a comfortable pair of shoes is absolutely essential when youre exploring multiple destinations in one day. There are tours starting from one hour and up. It's much quieter than Venice, however, and arguably more colorful; the painted boats and vibrant buildings are Aveiro's signature features. The symmetrical spires of the Nossa Senhora da Consolao and medieval arches of Padro do Salado add architectural interest to the cityscape. Walk across the bridge to wander narrow streets dotted with small bars and cafes on either side of the river, and try the regions famed smoked meats and vinho verde (a light, refreshing wine produced only in the Minho). Coimbra is also the ideal spot to try typical Portuguese conventual sweets, made with sugar and plenty of egg yolks. These are my absolute favorites and saved my feet when we were in Portugal! 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. Contents [ hide] 1 Best travel modes for these trips around Porto. Amarante - 59 km or approximately 45 minutes. The main beach close to Costa Nova is called Praia da Barra, and it gets quite busy during the summer months. What to Pack for the Best Day Trips from Porto, Final Thoughts on Best Day Trips From Porto, link to Her Wanderful World's Instagram account, link to Her Wanderful World's Facebook account, link to Her Wanderful World's Pinterest account, link to Her Wanderful World's Twitter account. I was an ex-pat and now still trying to re-pat. Trains from Coimbra-B to Porto Airport cover the 71 miles (114 km) long route and usually take around 2 h 30 min. 5. This can be on a Rabelo, a traditional boat with which they used to ship the wine barrels. For more information, check out my travel resources page. 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. Answer 1 of 2: My husband and I will be vacationing in Portugal this coming September. When booking your Portugal car rental online, I recommend using Discover Cars. If you choose to rent a car in Portugal, youll just need your U.S. drivers license and not stay more than 185 days. Tickets to the castle are 2 but its only 6 to see the castle and palace. Porto is a great travel destination with a lot to do and see, but sometimes you need to get away and explore the surrounding areas. The best way to get to Costa Nova from Porto is to take the train to Aveiro, which takes approximately 1 hour, and then take the bus to Costa Nova, which takes another 30 minutes. 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. 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. They provide the best deals for car rentals in Portugal! Here's a sample itinerary for a day trip to Douro Valley from Porto by train. Portugal is the destination with everything. Average train ticket price. Costa Nova is located 53 miles (85 km) south of Porto, which makes it a perfect day trip from Porto by train. This can impact your experience and may mean that the church is inaccessible. 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 . Stroll through the narrow streets of the Coimbra city center and appreciate the street art. Its a beautiful city overflowing with history and culture as well as amazing food and drink. In the middle is a stop at Pinho. You should also visit the Old Santa Clara Monastery and the New Santa Clara Monastery. If youre there at the right time, you might spot a lot of locals queuing up outside a fairly non-descript little bakery called Confeitaria Natrio. Of course, I now want to go back to Porto and do all the places Ive not yet done. Id also recommend browsing the citys independent shops for some souvenirs to take home. A more realistic day trip (or trips) is the sights to the west of Lisbon, especially Sintra. Its about a 90-minute drive from Porto to either Soajo or Lindoso. Start your visit with the beautiful Guimares Castle and Ducal Palace to step back into Portugals history. You will find plenty of students and a strong academic vibe here. 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. Book from Rede Expressos. Do the timetables stay the same all year? Aveiro is a city south of Porto that is known for its canals. This imposing cathedral was built in the 11th century and is beautiful both on the inside and the outside. Viana do Castelo has a charming medieval centre full of 19th-century boulevards, impressive fountains and rococo palaces. What are the Porto Recanati to Bologna train times and schedule? You wont be disappointed. 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 . City Sightseeing Day Trips from Porto. Small villages are scattered throughout the park. Visit the ducal palace and then head up the hill to visit the castle. Day trip from Porto to Viana do Castelo. Read next: Are Fanny Packs Good for Travel in Europe? 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. day trips from porto. Cant wait to go to Portugal! I understand your enthusiasm for public transport but if you can it really is worth hiring a car for a day and driving inland from Viana. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'herwanderfulworld_com-banner-1','ezslot_4',131,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-herwanderfulworld_com-banner-1-0');The castle is a 20-minute walk from the train station. Travel by car: 1:15. The lowdown on Europes best spring break spots from Mediterranean island beach escapes to Norways waterfall-splashed fjords. You can find her on Instagram @herwanderfulworld. With thanks to Daria from The Discovery Nut for this contribution. However, lovely Amarante is best done by bus so I have begrudgingly included that. Option 1. Coimbra is a beautiful city, home to the oldest university in the country and a must-visit on any Portugal itinerary.. The best way to get to Coimbra from Porto is by train. Your day trips from Porto definitely aren't limited to destinations within Portugal. Pay attention to the bus schedule because there may be intervals of up to 1 hour between two buses. Alternatively, you can head to Veladouro in Pinho for a delicious lunch, right before taking a river cruise. The remnants of the Roman Ruins of Conimbriga are an off the beaten path day trip from Porto. 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). All the while following the river and having mesmerizing views of the hills with vineyards. In fact, one of the most appealing day trips is over the border to the Spanish city of Santiago de Compostela. Coimbra is home to one of the oldest universities in the world, the University of Coimbra. But with a set of directions and a map, its easy to get around. Another one of the many awesome day trips from Lisbon is Serras de Aire e Candeeiros National Park. With the dramatic granite mountains of Serra do Maro to the east, the town lies in the hilly valley of the Tmega river. Related articles: Where to Stay in Porto - The Best Areas The Best Things to do in Porto Located just over 62 miles (100 km) south of Porto, Buaco National Forest is a unique place that you have to add to your Portugal bucket list. Plus you can stop at all the beautiful viewpoints along the way (and there are many!). 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. Here's one highly-rated private Porto day trip from Lisbon that shows considerably more than the others. 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 . 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. How to get to the Douro Valley: A number of companies run day tours to the Douro Valley and include tastings. Even before you enter the street, youll start smelling fresh fish grilling! 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. Day Trips in Porto: Check out 613 verified reviews and photos of Viator's Best of Braga and Guimaraes Day Trip from Porto . If thats not a reason to visit, Im not sure what is! Jeronimos Monastery. The views along the N-222 as it hugs the river east of Peso da Rgua are magical. The train also allows for greater flexibility . Are Fanny Packs Good for Travel in Europe? When planning your itinerary, be sure to place these five outstanding destinations at the top of your list. There are three rail-based options that will allow you to go to nearly the places in this guide. You can also marvel at the intricate layout of this planned city by starting in the town square, Praa da Repblica, and working your way up and down the gridded streets. Guimares - 55 km or approximately 45 minutes. There are trains roughly every half an hour so it's easy to organize a day trip. Whatever you do, make sure to try the seafood in Matosinhos. Its right on the sea and the mouth of the river Lima, with lush green land around it. Costa Nova is also a great destination for a nice seafood lunch. 08:45 AM. Its very close to the city, which makes it one of the easiest day trips from Porto by train and hugely popular with locals. Alternatively, you can go up via a small cable car. Santa Clara Aqueduct is one of the main attractions here. Join the queue and get a box of them to eat still warm on the train home. 2 Days in Porto: The Perfect Weekend Itinerary, The Best Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Porto, Portugal 2022 [Review], 39 Beautiful Photos to Inspire Your Portugal Trip, 31 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Traveling to Lisbon, Portugal [Tips for First-Timers]. Travelers don't need to visit Italy to experience romantic gondola rides, and Aveiro is actually nicknamed the 'Venice of Portugal'. Tomar sits just 2 hours by car and 124 miles (200 km) south of Porto. Taking a day trip from Porto by train is easy and convenient. Travel back in time and jump onboard an old and beautifully restored tram to see all the sights and sounds of the city. 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. The monastery is also home to an impressive art museum dedicated to one of Portugals finest 20th-century painters, Amadeo de Souza-Cardoso. Guimares castle survived two medievel seiges! Fastest journey around 5h43. Even better than getting there by car or bus, Vila Nova de Gaia is a short 5-minute trek across the Dom Luis I Bridge to the other side of the Douro River, making it one of the best day trips from Porto. 2.7 Soak up the views. Stop off to try some local food as you wander around and feel the spirit of this remarkable place. This has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since June 2013. Just outside of Braga, you can find Bom Jesus do Monte, which is possibly even more impressive than S de Braga. To make this a more comprehensive list of possible day trips, I roped in some other travel bloggers to give me their ideas too. 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. 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.

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