The town offers a great combination of great outdoor activities and interesting historical monuments. 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. It was first home to a monastery, and the forest was attended by monks. Today, the city center is a Unesco World Heritage Site, where tidy rows of colorful buildings line the streets, and slender laneways lead to cobbled squares and alfresco cafes. Santa Luzia funicular - departs every 15 minutes. You can easily do Braga as a day trip from Porto, especially if you aren't including Guimaraes. Be sure to check out the old town as well. A big thank you to the other bloggers who kindly sent me their excellent tips. 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. The charming city of Braga is known for its baroque and neoclassical architecture, as well as its many churches, which the city is often referred to as the Rome of Portugal. This makes Braga a popular tourist destination. The forest spans an area of 105 hectares, and is full of lots of beautiful corners just waiting to be discovered. Ill have to bookmark your site to refer back to it because Portugal is definitely on my list. Serras de Aire. Opening hours are between 8:30 and 18:30. By train to Faro, bus to Seville. With thanks to Daria from The Discovery Nut for this contribution. Particularly good is the Raiz O Vegetariano do Barrio, serving homemade delights. Travel back in time and jump onboard an old and beautifully restored tram to see all the sights and sounds of the city. The Braga to Porto train is the easiest way to get back to Porto. You can also marvel at the intricate layout of this planned city by starting in the town square, Praa da Repblica, and working your way up and down the gridded streets. The best way to get to Costa Nova from Porto is to take the train to Aveiro, which takes approximately 1 hour, and then take the bus to Costa Nova, which takes another 30 minutes. Option 1. Wow! 15. . If you're travelling on a weekday, you'll find the earliest train to Bologna leaving Porto Recanati at around 05:16 and the last train leaving at around 19:48. Portugal is definitely on my list to see, it looks so beautiful! Portugal's most scenic train ride takes you along the Douro Valley from Porto (Portugal's second city) to Rgua, Pinho & Pocinho. 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. 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). And with so many charming villages and towns located nearby, there is no shortage of things to see and do. Especially bird watchers will enjoy this walk as there are loads of interesting bird species there. You can find her on Instagram @herwanderfulworld. Its right on the sea and the mouth of the river Lima, with lush green land around it. 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. Its location is also what made the city important in the trade and production of Port wine. Youll find two plazas connected by covered walkways. Take a packed lunch to enjoy at the top or set off along one of the marked hiking trails. With thanks to Jorge from Portugal Things for this contribution. 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. / The medieval city of Guimares. It is a charming and unique way to see Porto. It is known for its beaches and seafoodit is a local favorite. And if you enjoy my blog, you can also buy me a drink. Do the timetables stay the same all year? You can also get a cable car up Penha mountain, where theres a park with some terraces to sit and take in the panoramic views across the city and the beautiful scenery surrounding it. Braga can easily be reached by both train and bus from Porto. Comfortable shoes As mentioned above, youll be doing a lot of walking. Guimares is a small city in the mountains of northern Portugal. The Douro Valley region is probably Portugal's most famous wine region and one of the most beautiful and oldest ones in the world, recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 2001. If you have extra time, take a trip to Costa Nova, a quaint fishing village near Aveiro with wooden waterfront cottages painted in vertical stripes. 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. 2.3 Guimaraes. The town of Matosinhos isnt the most scenic place, Ill be honest. However, there are only a couple of buses to Regua a day, so plan accordingly. It makes a great day trip from Porto, although it's too far for a day trip from Lisbon. Uphill from the center are the well-preserved ruins of the imposing Castelo de Guimares; nearby is the Palace of the Dukes of Bragana, which showcases 15th-century decor and manicured grounds. But, start your day at the Ducal Palace. 3 Porto Card with Transportation (1, 2, 3 or 4 Days) 4 Porto: Palcio da Bolsa Guided Tour. Porto is a city in northern Portugal that is known for its wine and stunning architecture. Related articles: Where to Stay in Porto - The Best Areas The Best Things to do in Porto The lowdown on Europes best spring break spots from Mediterranean island beach escapes to Norways waterfall-splashed fjords. Espinho is a small fishing town close to Porto. Rede Expressos also services this route once daily. Both beaches have blue flag status and are easy to access. Praia da Azurara is the closest beach to the town, but beaches are not the only attraction here. 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. Another day trips from Porto is to Viana do Castelo, a Medieval city by the beach. These five retailers blend modern style with artisanal quality. Santa Clara Aqueduct is one of the main attractions here. Here, Lonely Planet's Austin Bush takes us along northern Portugal's Douro Valley by train. Portugal is the destination with everything. Porto is ideal for this as its so well connected with public transport, so theres no need to put yourself through the stress of hiring a car and driving abroad. / The iconic Spanish city of Santiago de Compostela. Are Fanny Packs Good for Travel in Europe? The Douro River cuts through the rolling green hills and offers magical landscapes. Small villages are scattered throughout the park. 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). Be sure to walk around the outside of the castle to get the best view of the impressive exterior. Explore Porto by tram. When youre exploring multiple destinations on one day trip from Porto, make sure to pack lightly only bringing the absolute essentials. Youll need to use Portos Rodonorte bus service, which is usually clean and reliable. 2pm: take a moliceiros ride along the canal. However, lovely Amarante is best done by bus so I have begrudgingly included that. Seeing the city skyline and the hills with vineyards from the water gives a whole new perspective. Though Portugal is a walkable country, it doesnt mean the trekking is easy (aka MANY hills!). It was here that McNamara beat the world record for the largest wave ever surfed. The main attraction in Amarante is the 16th-century bridge, Ponte de So Gonalo. Its a beautiful city overflowing with history and culture as well as amazing food and drink. How to eat well, go sightseeing, get around and even take a day trip for under 300 euros. Jeronimos Monastery. 1 block from the train station. 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. So pack a pair of comfortable shoes to keep your feet happy. This beauty showcases some of the finest architecture in the country, with design styles from many centuries. Just over 100km away on the border with Spain, this is the biggest national park in Portugal. 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. Select a pickup point. One of the best-known views is of the river with the So Gonalo bridge and the church of Igreja de So Gonalo. 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. Its an important pilgrimage site and a UNESCO World Heritage Site (since July 2019). The bridge crosses the Tmega River and is one of the most photographed landmarks in the country. 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. Alternatively, you can head to Veladouro in Pinho for a delicious lunch, right before taking a river cruise. As this is the easiest village to reach by public transport. Distance from Porto: 39 miles/62 km. Santiago is best known for the Caminhos de Santiago (St. James Way) pilgrim trail following the cult of St. James. After taking some photographs, you can hike back down to the centre of Guimares. Eating out in Aveiro is lovely with many restaurants and cafs offering everything from traditional to international food as well as organic vegan joints. 08:45 AM. Take A Douro River Valley Wine Tour. The ticket for the bridge includes access to the pathway and is valid for one day. This was originally a retreat for the Portuguese royal family, but has been converted today to a luxury hotel. Guimares andits castle can fill a full day but knowing how much time you have makes it easier to plan. Coimbra is also the ideal spot to try typical Portuguese conventual sweets, made with sugar and plenty of egg yolks. You can also take a day tour to Braga from Porto, which includes Guimaraes - at nine hours long, it's a full-on day, so better with older kids though. At the bottom of the hill, the sight of the baroque stairway zigzagging up to the church is as much a highlight as the church itself. The train leaves from Braga train station and takes about 1 hour to get back to So Bento Train Station in Porto. Trips from Porto, although it & # x27 ; t including Guimaraes the mountains of northern that! To try typical Portuguese conventual sweets, made with sugar and plenty egg... Of Port wine a packed lunch to enjoy at the Ducal Palace 3 Porto with! 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