A return ticket is only 6.50! Vila do Conde is a pretty town just north of Porto. The Douro River bisects the top half of . It takes 1 hour to travel by train and 50 minutes by car. 5. The Douro river between Pinho and Pocinho is the most scenic section and can only be seen via car, train or boat cruise that starts in Pinho. Fatima is a small town located less than 2 hours south of Porto and can easily be reached by car or bus. Though Portugal is a walkable country, it doesnt mean the trekking is easy (aka MANY hills!). Day Trip Lisbon to Porto: Self-Drive. From there, take a local bus or taxi to the park entrance. There isn't much in the tiny town of Pocinho. Cheers. 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. By car, its a 1 hour and 15-minute drive on toll roads A4 and A24. 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. Contents1 Is [] The following tours provide suggested routes for a one-week touring holiday using public transport; 1-week tour with a focus on the beaches. Back in the day, these wooden boats were used to remove algae from the canal but fell into disuse once the process was automated. 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. Average train ticket price. This sanctuary is located on the slopes of Mount Espinho. To get there take the Guimares regional train. Jeronimos Monastery. The Douro Valley was recognized as a demarcated wine region in 1756, making port wine exclusive to Portugal in the same way Champagne is exclusive to its namesake region in France. The tickets for every attraction in Guimares are sold here. Wearing a comfortable pair of shoes is absolutely essential when youre exploring multiple destinations in one day. Guimares andits castle can fill a full day but knowing how much time you have makes it easier to plan. You can visit several wineries in a day, or just enjoy the views of the river and Porto from this charming town. 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. 08:45 AM. Talk to farmers, walk among ruins of Roman houses and pass through small local villages on the Penafiel hiking trail. 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. 600+ stairs. Amarante - 59 km or approximately 45 minutes. 6 Porto: Torre dos Clerigos Entrance Ticket. 5 Porto: 6 Bridges Douro River Cruise. The history of Tomar will fascinate you. 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). This is the perfect stop on an extended Portugal road trip, especially if youre also planning on visiting the nearby beach town of Nazare. 2.2 Do a wine tasting & winery tour. 16. Besides being a great place for a day trip from Porto, Vila do Conde is a popular stop for pilgrims walking the Portuguese Camino de Santiago. Another one of the many awesome day trips from Lisbon is Serras de Aire e Candeeiros National Park. Santa Clara Aqueduct is one of the main attractions here. Before heading back to Porto, you can dine at riverfront spots in Pinho like Veladouro. Alternatively, you can take a train from Porto to Nazar via Coimbra-B and Valado in around 3h 57m. 15. Another day trips from Porto is to Viana do Castelo, a Medieval city by the beach. The best way to explore the region is to rent a car, so you have the freedom to stay at each stop as long as you want. This is a delightful and convenient way to experience the Douro Valley. After your visit, head down to the old city center. 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. Amarante is called home of the artists as several early 20th-century Portuguese artists were born there, including the popular expressionist, Antonio Carneiro. Start your day here by taking in the spectacular views from the Santa Luzia hill, home to the striking white Santa Luzia church looming over the city. If you enjoy hiking or cycling, Amarante lies in the Terras de Basto wine region famous for its vino Verde whites. A train from Porto stops in Pinho, from where a number of wineries, such as Quinta das Carvalhas, are accessible by foot. Both beaches have blue flag status and are easy to access. 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). 2.1 Vila do Conde. How to get to Sintra: Start your journey at Rossio Station in Lisbon, and take the urban train to the last top in Sintra. Just over 100km away on the border with Spain, this is the biggest national park in Portugal. Even before you enter the street, youll start smelling fresh fish grilling! 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. It makes a great day trip from Porto, although it's too far for a day trip from Lisbon. It is a short 2-hour drive south of Porto, and there are a few different ways to get there. Amarante is a pretty town and a popular day trip from Porto. Some fabulous ideas here! Day Trips from Porto by Train - From Porto: Aveiro and Coimbra Full-Day City Tour. This book showcases 50 of the greatest road trips on Earth, from classic routes in America, Australia and Europe, to incredible adventures in Asia and Africa. Beautiful sandy beaches around Vila do Conde are one of the main reasons to visit the town. Theres also a walking path below the bridge that follows the gentle bend of the Tmega. Since youre there you should see both. This has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since June 2013. These are some things Ive learned from years of travel. Im not a fan of buses and will always go for the train option if possible. Portugal is the destination with everything. How to get to Guimares: The Linha de Guimares train takes about 1 hour 15 minutes from Campanh. Running for 150km, most of the Douro Valley is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the worlds oldest demarcated wine regions. From here the wine barrels were transported to Vila Nova da Gaia. Porto day trips in nature are easy to come by, however Peneda-Gers national park is one of the best. After the dissolution of the monasteries in 1834, an extravagant neo-Manueline palace was built. 3 Douro Valley. Theres also the only water funicular railway in the city that takes visitors up and down. 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. Cars are allowed to drive up. Its possible to cycle from Porto to Vila do Conde along the coast following the Coastal Route of the Camino de Santiago. But, the best part is walking along the walls! Book the best day trips from Porto, Portugal directly on Tripadvisor and take the stress out of planning. A more realistic day trip (or trips) is the sights to the west of Lisbon, especially Sintra. If thats not a reason to visit, Im not sure what is! Colourful boats are often pulled up on the beach while a noisy open-air fish market takes place in the early hours of the morning. Hmmm, as for ice cream and dessert, surprisingly we didn't . Aveiro is a city south of Porto that is known for its canals. 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. The train also allows for greater flexibility . It almost has a dreamlike quality to it, making it a perfect day trip from bustling Porto. The views along the N-222 as it hugs the river east of Peso da Rgua are magical. To this day you can still see some of the chapels dotted around the forest. The forest spans an area of 105 hectares, and is full of lots of beautiful corners just waiting to be discovered. Make sure to pack a water bottle to keep you hydrated throughout your journey! Quite simply, because of the driving distance involved - think at least 3-4 hours each . If you would prefer to visit Braga with a local guide, check out this small-group tour that also includes a stop in Guimares! Espinho is a small fishing town close to Porto. There are plenty of small independent shops to browse before finding a caf in one of the bustling squares for lunch. Particularly good is the Raiz O Vegetariano do Barrio, serving homemade delights. You can also purchase access only for the trail. How to Get There: A train runs from Campanha Station to Aveiro Station. 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. Plus Nazare is only 1.5 hours away from Lisbon, making it an amazing stop if you are planning on heading toLisbon after Nazare. Its location is also what made the city important in the trade and production of Port wine. If youre staying for longer than a few days or returning to Porto for a second visit, a few day trips would be well worth it. Cant wait to see everything in the area and Ill definitely be taking the train. Anywhere you see miradouro on a map is a viewpoint and likely a good one. Romantic Day Trips from Porto for Couples - Douro Valley Tour: Wine Tasting, River Cruise and Lunch. I was an ex-pat and now still trying to re-pat. The restaurant also has a bar that serves local beers and wines. How to get to Parque Nacional da Peneda-Gers: Public transport is scarce in Gers, so hire a car or join a guided tour. 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. 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