For years, Porto has been a criminally underrated city that’s overshadowed by Lisbon’s success. This is all changing now for many reasons such as the fact that there are many incredible day trips one can easily take when they base themselves in Porto.
While Porto is a beautiful city on its own with its neoclassical masterpieces of architecture, the incredible Port wine, and the pocket-friendly adventures, these day trips are well worth it!
It’s quite easy to take a day trip from Porto to a neighboring city that has new places to visit and new vibes to immerse yourself in, and you have plenty of options. Here are eight of the best day trips from Porto and some tips on how you can get there.
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1. Douro Valley
It’s impossible to write a list of the top Porto day trips without bringing up this beautiful gem. If you’re a fan of Port Wine, then a trip to Douro Valley to see where it came from is a can’t-miss attraction.
Douro Valley’s vineyards are where the magic happens and they’ve also been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Valley’s handmade slopes, the rolling hillsides, and the way they surround the curvy river are picturesque and a result of centuries of traditional viticulture practices.
How to get there?
It’s easiest to take the Douro line train although there are several options as it’s a popular spot. The train is a budget-friendly option that allows you to enjoy stunning countryside views as you approach your destination. You can take the train from Sao Bento or Porto Campanha railway stations.
2. Gaia
Vila Nova de Gaia, or simply Gaia, sits on the far bank of the Douro from Porto’s Ribeira district. It might look like a continuation of Porto but it’s a city in its own right making it a perfect Porto day trip.
If the Douro Valley is where the wine is made, then Gaia is where it’s stored. The most famous tourist attraction in Gaia is the Port Wine Cellars. There is an excessive number of cellars that are open to the public and allow their visitors to sample a glass or two.
Even if wine isn’t your thing, you can still enjoy Gaia and its beautiful scenery. Overlooking it is the 17th-century monastery, The Mosteiro da Serra de Pilar. Right next to it, is the Jardim do Morro, the beautifully landscaped gardens that are perfect to relax and enjoy the scenery. You can also enjoy Gaia from above and take the Teleferico de Gaia – but be cautious of this one if you’re scared of heights!
How to get there?
Simply cross the Dom Luis Bridge that connects Porto to Gaia. You can go on foot or choose to take a bus. There are also trams and trains available but they usually will take you a bit too far from the Gaia waterfront that is likely your destination.
3. Aveiro
This beautiful city is also known as “Portuguese’s Venice” and makes a smart choice for a day trip from Porto. The city’s art nouveau architecture and the way it hovers above the network of waterways give it a magical and elegant atmosphere. In addition to the canals, Aveiro is the perfect place to indulge in some fresh baked goods and seafood!
How to get there?
You can take a train from the Campanha station in Porto. The train ride is roughly an hour depending on the schedule running that day and it will drop you off in the heart of Aveiro.
4. Guimarães
Guimarães is often simply seen as a stop on a wine tour of the region but the city truly stands out as the birthplace of the first Portuguese monarch, making it a perfect spot for travelers who appreciate culture and history. uimarães has been made a World Heritage Site due to the exquisite medieval ambiance that has managed to survive throughout the years.
There are many historic sites to visit in Guimarães including the Guimarães Castle, the Praça de Santiago, and the Palace of the Dukes of Braganza. Visitors from all over the world will be amazed by the unique medieval architecture and the historic atmosphere that covers Guimarães as a whole.
How to get there?
Guimarães is easily accessed by train. The train journey is one hour long and the train station in Guimarães is a five-minute walk from its city center.
5. Braga
If you’re looking for more historic gems then consider visiting Braga, the capital of Northern Portugal’s Minho region. It’s considered one of the top day trips from Porto and it is considered a unique religious tourism destination thanks to the Bom Jesus do Monte Sanctuary, a historic pilgrimage site. However, the whole city of Braga provides a unique experience for culture-loving travelers. Its narrow winding network of labyrinth-like streets and cobblestone alleyways give the city a unique storybook atmosphere.
Visitors can climb the medieval watchtower at the Image Museum, while others who prefer to stay on ground level can experience the dazzling Barbara Gardens, visit the Biscainhos Museum, or even enjoy the multiple cafés and restaurants in Braga’s square.
How to get there?
Braga is easy to reach by the Porto Sao Bento train station. The train journey takes around one hour but you may find that a bus moves faster on low-traffic days.
6. Parque Nacional da Peneda-Gerês
If you’re an outdoorsy type, Peneda-Gerês National Park would make a great one-day trip from Porto. Nestled against the Spanish border, this park is a hiker’s paradise as well as a beautiful place for nature lovers.
Peneda-Gerês National Park is Portugal’s first and only national park. It covers around 706 square kilometers in trails, lakes, valleys, waterfalls, and untouched nature that’s home to vast amounts of wildlife species.
Even if you’re not a hiker, the Peneda-Gerês National Park has a lot to offer. The park is home to historic sites and villages where you can head to experience the traditional culture and its delicious food. The historic sites in question date back to the Roman occupation, and history buffs can admire the 16th-century villages and castle ruins.
How to get there?
Peneda-Gerês National Park can be reached both by car or by bus. Still, it’s much more recommended to take a car so you can cover larger areas of the park during your visit. Even by bus, you can still enjoy the park as many buses connect the villages to each other.
7. Pavia Walkways
Another recommended one-day trip from Porto is the Pavia Walkways, a perfect destination for nature-loving travelers. The Pavia walkways are a part of Arouca Geopark, and they are linear wooden walkways that border the River Pavia.
The Paiva Walkways provide a chance for visitors to experience an authentic untouched natural sanctuary, as well as the chance to cross the longest pedestrian bridge in the world.
You’ll be amazed at the beautiful and dynamic scenery that ranges from water downhills to the river beaches of Areinho and Espiunca. The Arouca Geopark also contains quartz crystals and endangered species of animals.
How to get there?
There is no regular public transportation from Porto to the Pavia Walkways but you can easily rent a car for a day to make the trip. If you’d rather not drive, you’re not completely out of luck – due to the popularity of the walkways, there are several tours you can book that include transportation to the walkways and back.
8. Matosinhos
Matosinhos might be known as a fishing port, but it has a lot more to offer such as its beautiful beaches which are some of the best in the Porto area. You can relax under the sun or try your hand at surfing the waves, surrounded by historic 17th-century forts and medieval architecture. The city itself is quite lively and you’ll have plenty of options for bars and restaurants after a day of having fun on the beach.
While Matosinhos has its share of historical sites (including the Mosteiro de Leça do Balio church and the Bom Jesus De Matosinhos Church), it’s also home to some modern sites. For example, you can enjoy the public art structure, ‘She Changes’, a pharmacy museum, or even Sea Life Porto, which is Northern Portugal’s largest aquarium.
How to get there?
The easiest way to get to Matosinhos is by Metro Line A, which drops you off at Matosinhos Sul. There are also multiple bus lines connecting Porto to Matosinhos, some of which can take you directly to Matosinhos beach.
More Day Trips from Porto
Here are some other amazing day trips from Porto you might like.
Video Guide: 8 Amazing Day Trips from Porto and How to Get There
Porto Travel & Planning Resources:
Find the best flights, train tickets, or rent a car for your trip to Porto. Also, find the list of the best hotels in Porto to stay in. First time in Porto and not sure where to stay? Here are our top three favorite hotels (in the city center) in Porto you might like:
Need more inspiration? Check out our blog post: Where to Stay in Porto which we listed Porto’s best areas and neighborhoods you can stay in and visit during your stay.
Want to add more things to your Porto itinerary and day trips? You can find top attractions and things to do in Porto in addition to what is already mentioned above here.
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Travel Resources for Planning a Trip to Porto
To make planning your trip to Porto and day trips from Porto easier, we included some of our recommended travel resources below. You can search and find the best flights, transportation options, hotels to stay in, tours/activities, and things you can do in each destination during your trip.
Flights:
Agoda: Search thousands of destinations around the world & quickly compare prices to find amazing deals on the best flights.
CheapOAir: You can find airline tickets, hotel rooms, rental cars, and vacation packages all on one site!
Kiwi.com: What we like about Kiwi is the fact that they are able to create combinations of flight, train, and bus tickets and offer them in a single itinerary. Also, Kiwi has what they called “Nomad” which helps you find the best way of visiting multiple destinations, saving you time and money.
JetRadar: You can search and compare airfares from 726 airlines and dozens of travel agencies and systems.
Hotels:
Agoda: Agoda is one of the world’s largest online travel accommodation platforms with a network of over 2,000,000 vacation rentals and hotels worldwide.
Hotellook: They have more than 250,000 hotels in 205 countries, working with data from more than 10 online booking systems, such as Booking.com, Agoda.com, Hotels.com, Expedia, and others.
Transportations:
Airport Transfers: KiwiTaxi, Viator
Train: Trainline or RailEurope
Bus: Flixbus: Very affordable (as low as $6) and convenient way to transfer between cities in Europe.
Car Rentals: AutoEurope, EconomyBookings, or GetTransfer (transfers & car rentals with a personal driver)
Bike Rental: BikesBooking (Bikes & scooter rentals)
Transportation Comparison: Omio (search, compare, and book tickets for buses, trains, and flights all in one site)
Tours & Activities:
TakeWalks (WalkofItaly): This is our favorite site for walking tours & day trips.
Tiqets: Great site for entrance tickets. It offers directly bookable, instantly available, and completely mobile tickets for museums, shows, and attractions all over the world.
Musement: They have good activities and tours in Italy and Spain, also many great day trips you can choose from.
GetYourGuide: A large number of tours, excursions, and other travel activities
Viator: The largest one. It has everything from tours, attractions, shore excursions, and private guides in over 2,700 destinations worldwide. It also has many transportations and transfers options and some unique experiences we didn’t find anywhere else.
Need help planning a trip to Porto?
Want to plan a trip to Porto and other European destinations but don’t know where to begin? If you find this type of trip planning to be too complicated to plan on your own, we’re here to help!
At MultiCityTrips, multi-destination travel and complicated itineraries such as a trip to Porto with day trips outside Porto are our specialties. Contact us today to learn more about how one of our experienced travel experts/destination specialists can personalize your multi-city vacations at the best price.
Don’t want to start from scratch and need some trip inspiration? Check out our marketplace for customizable pre-designed packages available right now for many amazing destinations.
To learn more about how our process of trip planning works in detail, please see our “How It Works” page or check out our video on “How to Plan a Multi-City Trip to Europe in 5 Easy Steps” here.
Have questions for us? Schedule a FREE Call with us here or contact one of the travel experts/destination specialists at [email protected], call/text us at (888)223-2316 today.
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