Be sure to check the wave report if you are planning on visiting to ensure you will see the big waves. The best way to get to Amarante is to catch the bus from the Rodonorte bus station in Porto. The restaurant also has a bar that serves local beers and wines. It's very easy to get to from Porto, whether . Make sure you also pop inside one of the most impressive churches in Portugal (in my view), the Igreja da Misericrdia. for a delicious Simpson donut. Visiting the famous Santurio de Nossa Senhora da Ortiga is definitely one of the best things to do in Fatima, even if youre not a Christian yourself. When booking your Portugal car rental online, I recommend using Discover Cars. Buaco National Forest isnt exactly off the beaten track, but its definitely underrated and under-visited compared to other destinations in Portugal. You can even spot the port wine lodges from up there! 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. I am now wondering if maybe taking the train from Porto to Sintra and staying in Sintra that night would be better. There is of course, a fourth travel option, which is to use buses to do various day trips from Porto. Right across the Jardim do Morro is the Mosteiro da Serra do Pilar, a monastery atop a hill with an incredible view of the city. The arched bridge is the site of a victorious battle for the Portuguese against the French during the Peninsular War and now serves as the main vehicular route into town. Cheap Day Trips from Porto - Gaia. Train from Porto and Douro Valley Cruise. 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. Several restaurants line the plazas so you have plenty of options. Some of the best-guided tours can be found through Viator and the highly recommended ones are day trips to Guimaraes and the famed Douro Valley. So pack a pair of comfortable shoes to keep your feet happy. And youll find them only in Lisbon. The action is all over before 9am, though. Made with only two ingredients, egg yolks, and sugar, its cooked in a special pan, sliced, and served with cinnamon and lemon. Dont miss out on a train ride with the historical steam train. Even more, traveling by train or bus is also very affordable. You can also visit the So Gonalo church and monastery for more river views. (2.30 each way; 40 minutes) 4. 2pm: take a moliceiros ride along the canal. The University of Coimbra was established in 1290 and to this day attracts many Portuguese as well as international students. Trust me, we got ourselves burned in just a few short hours! The Golden Triangle of Sintra, Cascais, and Cabo da Roca . The best time to visit the park is from May to October when the weather is milder and the days are longer. 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 . A 3-hour round trip from Rgua to Tua and back. A long stretch of unspoiled sandy beaches goes south from Vila do Conde for many miles. You could rent a car, take the Flexibus, or do a guided tour with a local. 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. One of the best day trips from Porto by train you can do is to Portugals Venice Aveiro. 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. The town also sells different sweets once made by the local nuns. Theres a promenade walk (2.5 miles), ideal for a sunny day with an ice cream in hand. Small villages are scattered throughout the park. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'herwanderfulworld_com-leader-2','ezslot_9',135,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-herwanderfulworld_com-leader-2-0');The park covers an area of nearly 70,000 hectares and is home to an abundance of wildlife, including Wolves, Eagles, and Wild Boar. 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). The monastery is also home to an impressive art museum dedicated to one of Portugals finest 20th-century painters, Amadeo de Souza-Cardoso. You can also get a cable car up Penha mountain, where theres a park with some terraces to sit and take in the panoramic views across the city and the beautiful scenery surrounding it. Douro Valley - the most beautiful day trip from Porto (1-2 hours journey time) 2. It's a 2 hour drive to Conimbriga on a day trip from Lisbon. Consider hiring a car for the day and nominating a designated driver for full flexibility. The best way to get to Amarante is to catch the bus from the Rodonorte bus station in Porto. If youre looking for a charming city to explore near Porto, make sure to add Braga to your list! 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. Head back into the citys winding streets and enjoy its mixture of architectural styles from different ages. I have a full post on things to do in Guimaraes, so please read through that for more on this magical city. Stop off to try some local food as you wander around and feel the spirit of this remarkable place. We briefly spent some time in Lisbon and it just wasnt enough! Youll find two plazas connected by covered walkways. By train to Faro, bus to Seville. But thats not all. Pay attention to the bus schedule because there may be intervals of up to 1 hour between two buses. 5 Porto: 6 Bridges Douro River Cruise. 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 . Tomar sits just 2 hours by car and 124 miles (200 km) south of Porto. With thanks to Lotte from Phenomenal Globe for this contribution. But there is much more to do in this area than simply visiting the city. There are guided boat trips, canoes and pedalos to rent, and a fun water park. We want. You should also visit the citys Fish Market, the lighthouse (the tallest in Portugal! Youll also want to stop by Tibias de Braga, which has the Tibias dessert that originated from Braga. 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. Small cafs and restaurants dotting the town sell delicious pastries, coffee and other Portuguese delicacies. With an entrance fee of only 2, theres no excuse not to pop in for a visit. Take the train from Porto to Penafiel (45-minute trip) for one of the best hikes in Portugal. Learn how your comment data is processed. You can follow the walk briefly or for as long as you like. You can visit several wineries in a day, or just enjoy the views of the river and Porto from this charming town. Camera To capture all the amazing sights and memories you make on your day trips from Porto. Not sure if cards can be re-loaded. I firmly believe in always doing travel especially abroad without a car. Its better to start your trip early in the morning to have enough time to explore the area. Find day trips to take today or this coming weekend. To get to Braga from Porto, youll want to hop on the train, which takes just over an hour and costs 13 each way. The views along the N-222 as it hugs the river east of Peso da Rgua are magical. 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. Peniche to Nazar (by bus) Nazar - Day 3 and 4. In winter, Gers can occasionally get a sprinkling of snow. This can be on a Rabelo, a traditional boat with which they used to ship the wine barrels. A trip from Porto to Douro Valley will immerse you in a different world. Jan. Mid-length Porto day trips (1-2 hours away) 1. From Coimbra-B, you can take an urban train to Coimbra. 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. Though Portugal is a walkable country, it doesnt mean the trekking is easy (aka MANY hills!). A more realistic day trip (or trips) is the sights to the west of Lisbon, especially Sintra. Theyre quite dramatic against the mountainous backdrop. Matosinhos, Portugal. 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. Berlengas Islands as a day trip from Peniche. Train operators. The train connects Porto with the small village of Pocinho, whereas the 1-day river cruises from Porto only travel to Pinho, much further downstream. Aveiro is a city south of Porto that is known for its canals. This sanctuary is located on the slopes of Mount Espinho. A big thank you to the other bloggers who kindly sent me their excellent tips. Costa Nova: Best day trips from Porto Portugal. Check the train timetable before signing up for tours, as return trips to Porto can be limited. Before heading back to Porto, you can dine at riverfront spots in Pinho like Veladouro. See all. Trains from Coimbra-B to Porto Airport cover the 71 miles (114 km) long route and usually take around 2 h 30 min. This area is the world's first demarcated and regulated wine region. Theres a direct train from Porto to Peso da Rgua, which takes 2 hours. Visitors can enjoy swimming, bodyboarding, sunbathing, and walking on boardwalks along the beach. Sintra for Palaces. 12.30pm: call a taxi back to Aveiro and head to a local restaurant for lunch. See if you can spot others trying to top it. This was originally a retreat for the Portuguese royal family, but has been converted today to a luxury hotel. 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 . Read 775,131 traveler reviews and view photos of different trips from Porto to various destinations. Their work is displayed in the Municipal Museum, which is in a renovated convent. We will be arriving in Lisbon early in the morning and will be spending the night there. Book . Source: Dennis van de Water / shutterstock. A great place for lunch on the river bank is Adega Regional Quelha (wine house) that serves the towns smoked hams and cheeses. A trip to Braga from Porto takes less than an hour by train, making it one of the easiest day trips from Porto. Day trip from Porto to Viana do Castelo. 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