Jeronimos Monastery. Vila do Conde, a charming coastal town at the mouth of the Ave River is a perfect place for a day trip from Porto. A big thank you to the other bloggers who kindly sent me their excellent tips. After giving the signature cake a try, visit the church and monastery of So Gonalo and supposedly up your chances of finding love by rubbing the statue above Gonalos tomb. From the stunning Douro Valley to the charming fishing villages, Portugal has it all. 2pm: take a moliceiros ride along the canal. Made with only two ingredients, egg yolks, and sugar, its cooked in a special pan, sliced, and served with cinnamon and lemon. There are numerous hiking trails, Roman ruins and sparkling waterfalls. Praia do Forno and Praia Azul are the most popular beaches in Vila do Conde. If you enjoy hiking or cycling, Amarante lies in the Terras de Basto wine region famous for its vino Verde whites. With a storied history and an old university that provided inspiration for Harry Potter, Coimbra makes for an interesting travel destination. The Costa Nova is a beach area located just outside of Aveiro. 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. Average journey duration: 1 hour and 10 minutes. For a fun night out you can head to NBar or grab dinner at one of the most popular restaurants A Tasquinha. How to get to Parque Nacional da Peneda-Gers: Public transport is scarce in Gers, so hire a car or join a guided tour. Though, if you are only going to the city center, it probably won't be worth it to drive. Braga is a pedestrian-friendly city with atmospheric cafes, boutiques and striking water features seamlessly woven into the ancient cityscape. The views along the N-222 as it hugs the river east of Peso da Rgua are magical. 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! From there, take a local bus or taxi to the park entrance. The cost of this train is 10 one way. Day Trips in Porto: Check out 613 verified reviews and photos of Viator's Best of Braga and Guimaraes Day Trip from Porto . 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. Matosinhos is a port and fishing town with the biggest sandy beach in the Porto area. They are simply delicious! 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! Take a packed lunch to enjoy at the top or set off along one of the marked hiking trails. This is the unassuming home of bolas de berlim, the Portuguese version of the custard-filled Berliner doughnut. Do the timetables stay the same all year? Pinhao is the main town in the Douro Valley and is located right in the middle of all the action. By train to Faro, bus to Seville. Option 1. Romantic Day Trips from Porto for Couples - Douro Valley Tour: Wine Tasting, River Cruise and Lunch. 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. The University of Coimbra was established in 1290 and to this day attracts many Portuguese as well as international students. When shes not traveling, Pafoua loves a fun board game night with her friends or is snuggled up reading a good book. A star attraction of Braga is Bom Jesus do Monte, 5km (3 miles) from the city center (take local bus number 2 or a taxi). 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. The best way to get to Amarante is to catch the bus from the Rodonorte bus station in Porto. Of course, I now want to go back to Porto and do all the places Ive not yet done. Both have plenty of cafs and bars to sit outside and get stuck into a bit of people-watching over a glass of wine. From the vibrant nightlife of Lisbon to the beaches of the Algarve, here's our pick of the best places to go. 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. A more realistic day trip (or trips) is the sights to the west of Lisbon, especially Sintra. How to get to Braga: The Linha de Braga train runs frequently from Campanh station taking just over an hour. Please be aware that this is the hardest of all the day trips from Porto by public transport, but it is just about doable, especially if you stay over. I firmly believe in always doing travel especially abroad without a car. The ride takes 1 hour from So Bento Station. Jeronimos Monastery. You will travel by train to Rgua, while enjoying the beautiful landscape of the Douro Valley, as the sun sets in the horizon. 15. Book . Alternatively, you can also take a bus, boat, or train from Porto. Small villages are scattered throughout the park. 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. You can follow the walk briefly or for as long as you like. 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. 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. You can board the train at So Bento,Campanh, and Rio Tinto stations. One of the best day trips from Porto by train is going to Coimbra, the third most important city in Portugal. The most specialthing to see in Costa Novais the striped houses, but they are not the only attraction in town. You will find plenty of students and a strong academic vibe here. 2. . But thats not all. Train station Viana do Castelo. The forest spans an area of 105 hectares, and is full of lots of beautiful corners just waiting to be discovered. Escape the worst of the cold this winter by heading to Europes southern reaches, where the wam sun shines year round. 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 . Setbal is a small city 48km southwest of Lisbon. With the dramatic granite mountains of Serra do Maro to the east, the town lies in the hilly valley of the Tmega river. Luckily theres no need as public transport is reliable and decent. Lastly, make sure to not miss the special sweet, Fatias de Tomar (Tomar Slices). I'm trying to find the timetable for this September so I can coordinate with a flight out of Porto. You can also visit the nearby museums and have lunch at one of the small squares where you can enjoy authentic Portuguese specialties. In winter, Gers can occasionally get a sprinkling of snow. . There is no direct train or bus, meaning that with public transport it would take over 2 hours to wait for connections. With its castle on a hilltop, myriad old churches and winding medieval cobbled streets, the city is straight out of a fairytale. As this is the easiest village to reach by public transport. So I wanted to share with you some of my favourite day trips from Porto by train (and a few by bus) that Ive enjoyed. 3 Porto Card with Transportation (1, 2, 3 or 4 Days) 4 Porto: Palcio da Bolsa Guided Tour. If youre campervanning in Portugal, you can even stay overnight at one of the wine estates (dont drink and drive!). Or take rota N222, it will take half a day, but this scenic road winds along the Douro river in between the hills with the vineyards. Aveiro is a city south of Porto that is known for its canals. They offer good facilities, including many cafs and restaurants nearby. Read 775,131 traveler reviews and view photos of different trips from Porto to various destinations. Consider hiring a car for the day and nominating a designated driver for full flexibility. From this vantage point, you can appreciate the unique geography of the city. Opening hours are between 8:30 and 18:30. Whether youre seeking a nature escape with rugged trails and waterfalls or want to explore some surprisingly amorous elements of village life in the Minho, Porto makes an ideal gateway to the wonders of northern Portugal. 9. The small town was also the birthplace of Portugals first king, Afonso Henriques. For more information, check out my travel resources page. But, the best part is walking along the walls! Make sure to check the day when youll be visiting Fatima to keep an eye on any religious celebrations that may be taking place. So start planning your day trip from Porto and have an amazing time! Comfortable shoes As mentioned above, youll be doing a lot of walking. Jan. Mid-length Porto day trips (1-2 hours away) 1. All the while following the river and having mesmerizing views of the hills with vineyards. Whether you're seeking beachside adventures, summertime celebrations or outdoor experiences, here are the best times of the year to visit Portugal. Wearing a comfortable pair of shoes is absolutely essential when youre exploring multiple destinations in one day. The journey takes just over an hour and a return ticket costs 7. Moliceros are colourful boats that are similar to the iconic gondolas you see in Venice. In Nazare, you can also check out the Forte de Sao Miguel Arcanjo. Eating out in Aveiro is lovely with many restaurants and cafs offering everything from traditional to international food as well as organic vegan joints. Train operators. Guided tours are a great way to learn about the history and culture of the destinations you visit, as well as do some sightseeing along the way. Visit the ducal palace and then head up the hill to visit the castle. In 1756 the first marked-out wine-growing area in the world was founded here. 1 block from the train station. 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. You could rent a car, take the Flexibus, or do a guided tour with a local. Vila do Conde is situated 19 miles (30 km) north of Porto. Theres also a really good costume museum (Museu do Traje). 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 monastery is also home to an impressive art museum dedicated to one of Portugals finest 20th-century painters, Amadeo de Souza-Cardoso. North Beach is one of the most popular beaches in the wintertime because Nazare has one of the biggest swells in the world. Day bag Youll want a small day bag to carry any personal items, snacks, or souvenirs you buy along the way. Here's a sample itinerary for a day trip to Douro Valley from Porto by train. So much to see in Portugal. One of the best day trips from Porto by train is going to Coimbra, the third most important city in Portugal. You can easily do Braga as a day trip from Porto, especially if you aren't including Guimaraes. 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. Want to receive notifications of new posts by email? Peso da Rgua is a city in the beautiful Douro valley. The ride costs roughly 7 for an adult ticket, one-way. There is a rocky pathway that leads out to the little islet in the river. Braga and Guimares are relatively close to each other (25km distance). It was first home to a monastery, and the forest was attended by monks. The quaint Linha do Douro in northern Portugal doesnt really get you anywhere. Before you enter the park it is useful to use aPeneda-Gers National Park guideand know all the details you need to prepare yourself. It costs less than 10 euros to travel to Viana do Castelo from Porto. 2.3 Guimaraes. 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. Actively choosing to stare out of the window at a series of cars on the other side of the road when you could be on a train staring out to the sea or down through a verdant valley is beyond me. Is full of lots of beautiful corners just waiting to be discovered resources page is... Porto day trips from Porto to various destinations the while following the river and having views! Costs roughly 7 for an adult ticket, one-way enjoy at the top or set off along one the! 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