Find day trips to take today or this coming weekend. While the average ticket price for this route costs around $11 (9), you can find the cheapest train ticket for as low . Peak elevation can be achieved by heading up to Penha aboard the Telefrico de Penha, a cable car that climbs 400m (1312ft) to a dramatic lookout over the city. Some may be obvious but you never know. The lowdown on Europes best spring break spots from Mediterranean island beach escapes to Norways waterfall-splashed fjords. For a fun night out you can head to NBar or grab dinner at one of the most popular restaurants A Tasquinha. 2 one way or 3 r/t. Being traditionally a fishermens village, they serve fresh fish and shellfish dishes that are to die for. From this vantage point, you can appreciate the unique geography of the city. It takes 30 minutes to get there by car and 1 hour by train, making this city an ideal day trip from Porto. Check the train timetable before signing up for tours, as return trips to Porto can be limited. Of course, I now want to go back to Porto and do all the places Ive not yet done. You can also visit the nearby museums and have lunch at one of the small squares where you can enjoy authentic Portuguese specialties. You can get to Costa Nova by car in 15 minutes. Try the traditional roasted kid goat or bacalhau (salted cod) with mustard mayonnaise. 2023 Lonely Planet, a Red Ventures company. Beautiful sandy beaches around Vila do Conde are one of the main reasons to visit the town. Its a world-famous pilgrimage site for Catholics who come here to pray and visit the Sanctuary and large church that has been built here. Back in the day, these wooden boats were used to remove algae from the canal but fell into disuse once the process was automated. Day Trips from Porto: Douro Valley. Learn how your comment data is processed. Its hilltop location opposite Tomar Castle (Castelo do Tomar) offers splendid views over the historic center of Tomar. Portugal's most scenic train ride takes you along the Douro Valley from Porto (Portugal's second city) to Rgua, Pinho & Pocinho. Do the timetables stay the same all year? 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. If you can stretch your day trip into the early evening, Braga lights up beautifully by night. The best way to get to Amarante is to catch the bus from the Rodonorte bus station in Porto. Espinho is a small fishing town close to Porto. Porto. Contents1 Is [] One of the best Porto day trips is Braga, the third-largest city in Portugal. Cant wait to see everything in the area and Ill definitely be taking the train. 2 13 Best day trips from Porto. Cheapest, easily done in a day . It's much quieter than Venice, however, and arguably more colorful; the painted boats and vibrant buildings are Aveiro's signature features. Inside the castle the keep and place of arms are impressive. Not sure if cards can be re-loaded. But there are more things to Aveiro than the Moliceiros. 352 -4050-418 Porto, next to So Bento train station for the tour with no hotel pick up included - Tour only option. Top Experiences in Porto. Here are some top day trips from Porto into the scenic Douro Valley, historic cities in northern Portugal, and beyond. Coimbra. In total, this takes 1.5 hours. And you get a sneak peak into many of Porto's highlights. But swings and roundabouts! Craggy mountain wilderness, towering medieval castles and hilltop vineyards with jaw-dropping views are among the many attractions awaiting you on a day trip from Porto. Guimares is brimming with history and said to be the countrys birthplace. A long stretch of unspoiled sandy beaches goes south from Vila do Conde for many miles. However, there are only a couple of buses to Regua a day, so plan accordingly. Coimbra is home to one of the oldest universities in the world, the University of Coimbra. Coimbra is a beautiful city, home to the oldest university in the country and a must-visit on any Portugal itinerary.. Want to receive notifications of new posts by email? for a delicious Simpson donut. However, there is a lot more to discover. How to eat well, go sightseeing, get around and even take a day trip for under 300 euros. 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. Distance from Porto: 39 miles/62 km. To make this a more comprehensive list of possible day trips, I roped in some other travel bloggers to give me their ideas too. 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). 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. Book the Arouca Bridge and/or Paiva Walkways + Aveiro and Costa Nova tour from Porto. Take a packed lunch to enjoy at the top or set off along one of the marked hiking trails. Buses run roughly every 2-3 hours, journey time 2h30 to 3h15, fare 17-21. Porto to Rgua, Pinho & Pocinho. Even more, traveling by train or bus is also very affordable. If youre interested in art the Alberto Sampaio Art Museum is nearby as well. Another excellent Porto day trip Coimbra, located approximately 75 minutes (120km) by car 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. I was an ex-pat and now still trying to re-pat. At just over an hour by train from Porto's So Bento or Porto Campanha train stations, the trip from Porto to Guimaraes is a great day trip option. With thanks to Kat from Wandering Bird for this contribution. Douro Valley day trip #2 - Lamego (2 hour journey time) 3. Although it is possible to do with public transport, the Douro Valley as a day trip from Porto is easiest by tour or with your own vehicle. The following tours provide suggested routes for a one-week touring holiday using public transport; 1-week tour with a focus on the beaches. I remember going to Santiago de Compostela with my parents when I was a little kid, and for me it remains one of the best day trips from Porto. Youll also be interested to find this conservative small Portuguese town serving giggle-worthy pastries called bolos de So Gonalo and recognized by their phallic shape. Costa Nova is located 53 miles (85 km) south of Porto, which makes it a perfect day trip from Porto by train. Make sure you also pop inside one of the most impressive churches in Portugal (in my view), the Igreja da Misericrdia. Whether you're seeking beachside adventures, summertime celebrations or outdoor experiences, here are the best times of the year to visit Portugal. The line currently ends at Pocinho, but over the next few years they plan to reopen the . No part of this site may be reproduced without our written permission. 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. Guimares is a small town northeast of Porto. Book from Rede Expressos. 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. 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. Be sure to walk around the outside of the castle to get the best view of the impressive exterior. One of the best day trips from Porto by train you can do is to Portugals Venice Aveiro. The capital of the Port wine region is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Matosinhos is a small beach town located just a short 5 miles (9 km) north of Porto. The main attraction in Amarante is the 16th-century bridge, Ponte de So Gonalo. It almost has a dreamlike quality to it, making it a perfect day trip from bustling Porto. Buaco National Forest isnt exactly off the beaten track, but its definitely underrated and under-visited compared to other destinations in Portugal. / The old city of Braga. Plus you can stop at all the beautiful viewpoints along the way (and there are many!). Whether youre planning to take day trips from Porto by train, bus, or car, there is no shortage of amazing destinations. 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. Or do as the pilgrims did and climb the stairs on your knees as penance for your sins. 2.8 Chill out at Congida Beach. 3 Douro Valley. By train to Faro, bus to Seville. So, its definitely worth a day trip from Porto by train. The best way to get to Amarante is to catch the bus from the Rodonorte bus station in Porto. You could rent a car, take the Flexibus, or do a guided tour with a local. Take A Douro River Valley Wine Tour. From here the wine barrels were transported to Vila Nova da Gaia. Pack The Suitcases uses affiliate links. / The holiday town of Matosinhos. 2.1 Vila do Conde. Are Fanny Packs Good for Travel in Europe? Fastest journey around 5h43. One of the best-known views is of the river with the So Gonalo bridge and the church of Igreja de So Gonalo. But Porto is also a perfect base for getting out and about on day trips to see even more of the surrounding area. Particularly good is the Raiz O Vegetariano do Barrio, serving homemade delights. Getting to Guimares. 15. Board IR 861 from Porto Campanha at 7:25 am and arrive at Pinhao at 9:46 am. Lisbon Day Trips. We want. But because these routes generally take longer, you may want to consider spending the night in the region or only limit your visit to exploring Pinho. Tickets cost around 3.25 one-way and can be purchased online or through the Comboios de Portugal's website (which is the Portuguese rail company). You can also purchase access only for the trail. With its stunning architecture, delicious food, and unique sights, its not one to be missed. Portugal is definitely on my list to see, it looks so beautiful! Step 1, travel from Porto Campanh to Faro by train as shown in the Porto to Faro section above . The town of Matosinhos isnt the most scenic place, Ill be honest. The Douro Valley is stunning and going on a vineyard tour only adds to its flavor Merrill Images / Getty Images, Day trips from Porto for sipping wine, learning Portuguese history and pastry tasting. You can find her on Instagram @herwanderfulworld. Check the train timetables before your visit so you know what trains you want. 2. One of the best things about visiting Nazare is that there is something at any time of the year. 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. 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. 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