Thus. Average train ticket price. If you want to have a beach day near Porto, then you must visit Matosinhos, a port and fishing town 8km north of the city of Porto. Be sure to check the wave report if you are planning on visiting to ensure you will see the big waves. The most popular day trips are marked in yellow , while the lesser known destinations are highlighted in green. Visit the ducal palace and then head up the hill to visit the castle. Peniche to Nazar (by bus) Nazar - Day 3 and 4. Ill have to bookmark your site to refer back to it because Portugal is definitely on my list. There are some nice sea views to be had from here, although the fort itself is not very exciting inside. 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. Stop off to try some local food as you wander around and feel the spirit of this remarkable place. It looks beautiful. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. 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. The forest spans an area of 105 hectares, and is full of lots of beautiful corners just waiting to be discovered. Trains run regularly from Porto to Guimares. The ticket for the bridge includes access to the pathway and is valid for one day. 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. You can also grab a ticket on the Hop-On-Hop-Off Yellow bus tour where Matosihnos is a stop! Check the train timetables before your visit so you know what trains you want. Santa Clara Aqueduct is one of the main attractions here. Its a great place to come if you want to see an authentic Portuguese town with few international tourists. Guimares andits castle can fill a full day but knowing how much time you have makes it easier to plan. One of the highlights is without a doubt S de Braga. Take a packed lunch to enjoy at the top or set off along one of the marked hiking trails. Pack The Suitcases uses affiliate links. porto. It is home to the magnificent Santa Cruz Cathedral, the Royal Palace of Alcacova, and an opulent Joanine Library the inspiration for the library at Hogwarts. Guimares plays a central role in the nations history as the first capital of Portugal. The most popular beach is Praia de Matosinhos, which is where the bus typically stops. Its very close to the city, which makes it one of the easiest day trips from Porto by train and hugely popular with locals. Narrow roads twist through a rapidly changing landscape of granite boulders, dense pine forests and stunning river views in Peneda-Gers, Portugals only national park. Contents1 Is [] / The Duoro Valley. North Beach is one of the most popular beaches in the wintertime because Nazare has one of the biggest swells in the world. Want to receive notifications of new posts by email? After the dissolution of the monasteries in 1834, an extravagant neo-Manueline palace was built. Often simply referred to as Gers, the park covers a series of mountain ranges and spills over the Spanish border. Guimares castle survived two medievel seiges! Trust me, we got ourselves burned in just a few short hours! . Cant wait to go to Portugal! Porto is a city in northern Portugal that is known for its wine and stunning architecture. 16. 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. Popular day trips 1) Braga 2) Guimares 3) Douro Valley 4) Aveiro 5) Matosinhos 6) Coimbra. Theres also a really good costume museum (Museu do Traje). The Douro Valley region is a mandatory visit for those who travel to Porto. This article was first published September 2019 and updated July 2022. Dont miss out on a train ride with the historical steam train. This impressive aqueduct with hundreds of arches was built in the 18th century and is considered one of the most beautiful aqueducts in the world. When youre exploring multiple destinations on one day trip from Porto, make sure to pack lightly only bringing the absolute essentials. 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. Taking a day trip from Porto by train is easy and convenient. Rede Expressos also services this route once daily. The greatest draw to Braga is the Bom Jesus do Monte Cathedral, a towering baroque-style church with an Instagrammable staircase and an incredible view at the top. Travelers don't need to visit Italy to experience romantic gondola rides, and Aveiro is actually nicknamed the 'Venice of Portugal'. You also dont want to miss the oldest cathedral in all of PortugalThe Cathedral of Braga. Read 775,131 traveler reviews and view photos of different trips from Porto to various destinations. 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. Jeronimos Monastery. The streets and paths can be uneven, especially when you get to some of the smaller villages. One of the most popularthings to do in Aveirois to go on a canal cruise in a colorful Moliceiro. This ancient and walled arboretum is home to one of the finest dendrological collections in Europe. And its only sold in this town. For more information, check out my travel resources page. 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. History and archaeology buffs will be in 7th heaven. By car, its a 1 hour and 15-minute drive on toll roads A4 and A24. Vila do Conde has several remarkable historical monuments that are worth visiting such as the Convento de Santa Clara, the Fort of So Joo Baptista, the Aqueduct, Church of Manueline Matriz. 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. You can also visit the So Gonalo church and monastery for more river views. The local fishing industry means that there are plenty of cafs serving fresh seafood straight off the boats. 2. While the average ticket price for this route costs around $11 (9), you can find the cheapest train ticket for as low . Obviously, visiting one of the many vineyards for a (port) wine tasting, and buying the bestPortuguese souvenir(aka port wine) is the number one thing to do in the region. In the middle is a stop at Pinho. Sign in to get trip updates and message other travellers. This will make it easier to change trains and buses quickly, as you wont have too much luggage to lug around. 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. Check the opening times while planning a day trip from Porto to Arouca Bridge and Paiva Pathways. There are three rail-based options that will allow you to go to nearly the places in this guide. 2. To fully appreciate the magnitude of the valley, we recommend a 1-hour cruise up the river from Pinho in a yacht or vintage rabelo (traditional wooden cargo boat). They offer good facilities, including many cafs and restaurants nearby. Pinhao is the main town in the Douro Valley and is located right in the middle of all the action. Its therefore relatively free from the usual tourist crowds so is a real delight to explore. Its an important pilgrimage site and a UNESCO World Heritage Site (since July 2019). If you would prefer to visit Braga with a local guide, check out this small-group tour that also includes a stop in Guimares! According to correspondent Austin Bush, thats exactly the point. 2.2 Day trip to Braga 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. Talk to farmers, walk among ruins of Roman houses and pass through small local villages on the Penafiel hiking trail. Vila do Conde is situated 19 miles (30 km) north of Porto. This train ride is famous for its scenic views of Douro river. Take A Douro River Valley Wine Tour. Here is a quick glance at all my go-to travel tips and resources that I use to plan every trip! Renting a car in Porto is a great way to explore some of the off-the-beaten-track destinations nearby. Made with only two ingredients, egg yolks, and sugar, its cooked in a special pan, sliced, and served with cinnamon and lemon. . Contents [ hide] 1 Best travel modes for these trips around Porto. Its location is also what made the city important in the trade and production of Port wine. Douro Valley day trip #3 - Vila Real (2 hour journey time) 4. All rights reserved. Ponte de Lima is a lovely place and then drive through Arcos de Valdevez and Soajo into the Peneda Geres national park. 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. Theyre quite dramatic against the mountainous backdrop. We will be in Porto and I had originally planned to train to Lisbon for 3 nights with a day trip to Sintra one of the days. 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. For example, you can visit the Castelo de Queijo market, walk along the coastal path of Leca da Palmeira, or visit the Bom Jesus de Matosinhos Church. 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. The city can be reached by car, public transit, and boat. Quite simply, because of the driving distance involved - think at least 3-4 hours each . 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. Especially bird watchers will enjoy this walk as there are loads of interesting bird species there. Its popular for surfing, which is mildly entertaining to pause and watch. Since youre there you should see both. On a tour, the guide will tell you everything about their history and talk about the different sights you pass on the way. Youll need to use Portos Rodonorte bus service, which is usually clean and reliable. Alternatively, you can take a train from Porto to Nazar via Coimbra-B and Valado in around 3h 57m. There are plenty of points (such as Granja, Aguda or Miramar) where you can leave and walk inland to a railway station and catch the train back to Porto. They serve traditional Portuguese dishes and a few international stables. Coimbra is a beautiful city, home to the oldest university in the country and a must-visit on any Portugal itinerary.. Head to A Tasquinha restaurant which serves affordable but authentic food in the heart of Fatima. And there are some great destinations that can only be reached by car or bus. Do the timetables stay the same all year? Im hoping to visit Porto this year so this is really going to come in handy when Im planning a day trip from there! Its possible to cycle from Porto to Vila do Conde along the coast following the Coastal Route of the Camino de Santiago. Before heading back to Porto, you can dine at riverfront spots in Pinho like Veladouro. Attractions here their history and talk about the different sights you pass on the Hop-On-Hop-Off yellow tour... First capital of Portugal Aveiro 5 ) Matosinhos 6 ) Coimbra of Porto I use to plan you planning... Valley region is a mandatory visit for those who travel to Porto of different trips from to... 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