Great Day Trips from Porto
Porto is a fascinating city, and it’s easy to get lost wandering the charming little streets, or while drinking away the afternoons in a warm cafe with coffee or a glass of port. But you shouldn’t miss a chance to take a day trip outside of the city to explore the fascinating diversity of the region and make the most of a trip to Portugal. Here are some great things to do on a day trip from Porto:
Douro Valley
The Douro Valley is one of the oldest wine regions in Europe, and the incredible landscape is breathtaking and picturesque all year long. The deep blue river winds through green hills and steep, terraced slopes covered with vineyards. A visit to the valley is a chance to pause and enjoy the scenery while sampling local wines and cuisines, and is a wonderful way to spend a day when in Porto. Day trips up the Douro river can be done by train or boat—or both—offering a variety of landscapes and experiences.
Braga
Braga is the religious heart of the Iberian Peninsula, and visitors are reminded of it every hour as church bells chime over the historic city. The long local history and treasured importance of Braga is attested to with sites from the Neolithic, Roman, Medieval, and modern eras, offering an exceptional array of architectural monuments and archaeological sites. The small town contains dozens of exceptional churches, cathedrals, and chapels, as well as fascinating museums. And Braga is also home to a burgeoning high-tech sector that has attracted young expats from all over Europe to live and work in the city, adding to the vibrancy and nightlife of this incredible town.
Guimaraes
Guimaraes is an ancient Portuguese capital and is considered the birthplace of the nation. Although it’s been a thousand years since those days, residents of the city are still often called “Conquistadors” in reference to their proud history. But Guimaraes isn’t simply an ancient, well-preserved historic site: it is also a vibrant and important part of modern Portuguese culture. It has museums, monuments, art galleries, festivals, and cultural associations that bridge ancient and modern times. In fact, it was declared a European Cultural Capital in 2012 and called one of the “Iberian emerging cultural spots” by the New York Times in 2011.
Santiago de Compostela
The Santiago de Compostela has been a destination for Catholic pilgrimages since the 9th century, and this pilgrimage is still an important part of Catholic culture and traditions today. The “Way of St. James” is a network of pilgrimage routes that reaches throughout Western Europe to converge on Santiago de Compostela in Northern Spain, just a few hours from Porto, and a quarter of a million people complete this pilgrimage every year. In addition to the ancient shrine of Saint James, steeped in legend, this amazing town is a world heritage site, with incredible landmarks, ancient architecture, and incredible landscapes.
Aveiro
The brilliant colors and historic charm of Aveiro attract visitors year after year, for an experience of Portugal that is reminiscent of Venice. Aveiro is a fantastic blend of experiences packed into a small city; from the art-nouveau Rossio District, to the canals crowded with uniquely colorful boats, to traditional Portuguese tile-covered buildings, to medieval churches and monuments, to stunning golden beaches, this little city has a bit of everything. Following local traditions and renting a bike to cruise around the canals even carries an echo of Amsterdam. Aveiro is a fun, playful, relaxing destination for a day trip from Porto.
Viana do Castelo
Viana do Castelo is a charming medieval city with deep roots in Portuguese history and culture, that just happens to have some incredible beaches. The narrow streets are lined with people relaxing in cafes, with charming squares overlooked by rococo palaces, and pristine beaches within walking distance of the city center. It also has stunning churches, active nightlife, and charming boutiques. It’s a little city that is increasingly on the map for visitors to northern Portugal.
Coimbra
Coimbra was once a Roman settlement, and the remains of Roman architecture can still be seen in the city. With architecture and monuments spanning the medieval, renaissance, and baroque eras, it is a visually and culturally fascinating place. With thriving universities and student culture, Coimbria seamlessly blends ancient and modern traditions into one charming destination.
Where ever you go in northern Portugal, you will be surprised by the scenery, the history, and the charm of the cities, the landscapes, and the welcoming culture. Portugal is a fascinating country, and well worth exploring.
