Porto is a fantastic city break destination, with picturesque small streets to roam, delicious food to devour, a vast and varied arts scene, and more port houses than you can shake a stick at.
However, if you’re visiting for a second time, or planning on spending longer than a weekend, you’ll almost certainly want to get out and explore all the wonderful things that this region of Portugal has to offer.
And that’s where this guide comes in! Whether you want to DIY your adventure or prefer to take a tour, we’ve got you covered.
This is our pick of the best day trips from Porto.
Douro Valley
You can’t visit Porto without sampling a few glasses of port, and if you like port, you can’t visit Porto without discovering where it all begins - amongst the terraced vineyards and rolling green hills that line the Douro River.
Although the Douro Valley is a popular destination on its own for a relaxing holiday, its proximity and accessibility by boat also makes it the most popular day trip from Porto.
Do It Independently | By far the best way to enjoy the Douro Valley independently is with your own hire car, especially if you’d like to visit the vineyards - many of which are inaccessible with public transport. Alternatively, if driving really isn’t an option (and a tour is out of your budget), you could consider a combination or bus and train from Porto to Régua, Pinhão, Pocinho or Barca d’Alva, followed by a boat ride down the river, back to Porto. This would allow you to take in the beauty of the surroundings, enjoying time in a traditional Portuguese small town, and potentially even visit a vineyard or two within walking distance.
Take a Tour | If nobody in your visiting group wants to go thirsty at the vineyards or wine tastings, then a tour of the Douro Valley is a fantastic one-day activity. This nine hour long, beast of a day tour has exceptionally good reviews, includes multiple tastings at different vineyards, lunch, a one hour boat trip, plus a guided transport tour of the valley with view points.
Matosinhos
Should you be visiting Porto during the summer months and feel the need to escape the city heat, we highly recommend hopping on a bus and heading down to the neighbouring city of Matosinhos.
With a wide stretch of golden sand, a thriving surf culture and distinctly non-touristy vibe (certainly as compared to central Porto), it’s a lovely little holiday destination. Be sure to spend time at the local fish market, perhaps enjoy a freshly cooked fillet in a street side restaurant, wander the azulejo-lined streets, and enjoy the burgeoning - especially architecturally - arts scene.
Do It Independently | Getting to Matosinhos from Porto with public transport is a piece of cake, just hop on the number 500 bus for 40 minutes. On a beautiful early summer’s day, getting here on foot would also be a lovely way to spend a few hours, with a pedestrian/cycle path running the length of the river between Porto and Matosinhos.
Take a Tour | Given the close proximity to Porto, you don’t need a tour to visit per se. However, there are a couple of great activities to do in the area, or that include Matosinhos as part of the itinerary. There’s this small group 1.5 hour surfing lesson (if you don’t mind the chilly water, Portugal is a great place to learn to surf!) or this cycling tour which takes in many of the highlights of the area by bike - including a cycle along the Duoro river, passing the sandy beaches of Matosinhos.
Top Tip | Esposende, located about 45 kilometres north of Porto, is another fantastic beach option with white sand and beautiful dunes. It’s easily accessed by hire car or bus.
Peneda-Gerês National Park
We love a city break as much as the next person, but you simply can’t beat a day out in nature - and in Porto, it doesn’t get much better than Parque Nacional da Peneda-Gerês.
Portugal’s only official national park (known as Gerês to the locals), spans more than 270 square miles of oak and pine forests, granite cliffs, rivers, and lagoons, and several medieval villages that remain inhabited to this day.
Whether you choose one of the park’s many hiking trails and head out for a few hours adventure amongst the spectacular scenery, simply drive along the winding roads that criss-cross its limits, or spend the day exploring lost-in-time villages, Peneda-Gerês National Park is a fantastic day trip from Porto!
Do It Independently | There a rumours of public transport connections, but as with many outdoor destinations, the very best way to make your own way to Peneda-Gerês is with a hire car. The drive of just over 100 kilometres takes around 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Take a Tour | This incredibly popular tour to Parque Nacional da Peneda-Gerês is one for the adventurous! It includes pick up in Porto and transport in a 4x4, hiking to waterfalls (with time to swim), a fresh lunch with local wine and time to discover a traditional village. It also has the advantage of being a small group tour.
Read More | 13 Wonderful Things to Do in Porto
Aveiro
Often dubbed the ‘Venice of Portugal’ due to its small network of picturesque canals (you absolutely must take a short ride on one of the moliceiros, the brightly painted gondola-like boats that ferry tourists along the water), colourful Aveiro has become increasingly popular in the last year or so, due in no small part to its bright and vibrant buildings and backdrops that make excellent instagram fodder!
Do it independently | There is a frequent train service that operates between Aveiro and Porto, with departures almost hourly - we use Omio for looking and booking public transport tickets across Europe.
The service begins at São Bento Train Station but also passes through Porto’s Campanhã Train Station, which may be easier dependent upon where you are staying. A adult single costs €3.
Take a tour | This well-rated half-day tour (with pick up form Gaia or Porto), includes a one hour ride on a moliceiro and a tour of Costa Nova, a colourful neighbourhood that borders the sea.
Top Tip | If you plan on visiting both Porto and Lisbon, consider breaking up your trip with Aveiro which lies halfway between the two cities.
Braga
At over 2000 years old, Braga is the oldest city in Portugal.
Braga is however not quite the sprawling metropolis that you may imagine, given that it’s also the third largest city in the country. A delightful mixture of architectures spun through the ages, this incredibly walkable city is strewn with verdant plazas, quaint little streets and plenty of baroque churches.
Its pièce de résistance however is the spectacular Bom Jesus do Monte, an 18th century sanctuary that has become one of Portugal’s most visited touristic sites - and as of 2019, a UNESCO Heritage site.
Do It Independently | Braga is easily reached from Porto by train with regular departures from both the São Bento or Campanhã stations. Journey time is around an hour and costs 7 Euro per adult, one way.
Take a Tour | Given their close proximity, the vast majority of guided tours to Braga split the time between there and Guimarães. This one is particularly highly rated and includes entrance and guided tour of all the major attractions that you will visit including Braga Cathedral, Guimarães Castle, Ducal Palace and Bom Jesus do Monte. It also includes lunch.
Guimarães
If you’re talking about Portuguese history, it doesn’t get much more important than Guimarães, the proud birthplace of Alfonso Henriques (the first independent king of Portugal) and from where he launched the beginning of the Portuguese kingdom way back in the 12th Century.
Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site back in 2001, Guimarães’ warren of narrow medieval streets, well-preserved castle and 15th century palace provide ample opportunity for tourists to delve into the past. However, it is its creative scene - and large university population - which is attracting a new type of visitor.
Declared the City of European Culture in 2012, you can enjoy a morning of history, and afternoon of modern art and a night on the town!
Do It Independently | Getting to Guimarães by public transport is very simple - just take one of the frequent trains from São Bento or Campanhã train station. The journey should take around 1 hour and 15 minutes - find tickets and times here.
Take a Tour | Given their close proximity, the vast majority of guided tours to Guimarães split the time between there and Braga. This one is particularly highly rated and includes entrance and guided tour of all the major attractions that you will visit including Braga Cathedral, Guimarães Castle, Ducal Palace and Bom Jesus do Monte. It also includes lunch.
Keep Reading | Taking on Porto, one pastel de nata at a time
Santiago de Compostela
Now, we know what you must be thinking - why on earth would you take a holiday to Portugal and then a day trip to Spain?
Well, with a driving time of less than 2.5 hours, if you’ve got your own hire car or take a tour, it’s honestly not the craziest idea, especially if you’re visiting Porto for more than just a weekend break.
The final resting place of the apostle St James, for more than 1000 years Santiago de Compostela has marked the end of the Camino de Santiago, a 500 mile trek across the Spanish countryside.
Thankfully however, you don't have to be a hiker, or indeed a pilgrim, to visit Galicia's capital. This beautiful medieval city has plenty to keep even the most sedentary tourist entertained, with a spectacular cathedral, quaint labyrinthine streets and a bounty of local food and wine offerings.
Do it independently | Whilst it is feasible to visit Santiago with public transport, the 4.5 hours that it would take means that if you’re relying on bus or train, it’s just not possible for a day trip. The best alternative is to hire a car for the day (or perhaps a little longer if you’re staying somewhere with parking and want to explore the region more thoroughly) - be sure to read our ‘9 Essential Car Rental Tips for Travellers’ first though if you’re new to international rentals.
Take a Tour | This full day tour includes pick up from São Bento Train Station, transport to Santiago and back via Valença do Minho. Also included is a guide, monument entrance fees and a - reportedly - excellent lunch.
Top Tip | Another Spanish city within day trip distance is Vigo. Beautiful beaches, a bustling old town and and a mecca for seafood lovers.
Amarante
Three words: penis shaped cakes.
Yep, thought that would get your attention!
Whilst the picturesque village of Amarante is a delightful spot in its own right, it is its fame as the hometown of São Gonçalo (Portugal’s St Valentine) that has drawn many over the years - hence the phallic shaped cakes that you will find being sold across the village by traditionally conservative Portuguese grannies! Should you already be in love however, there’s still plenty of reason to visit Amarante, not least because of its burgeoning reputation as somewhat of a foodie mecca.
Do It Independently | There are regular buses from Porto Bus Station (with Rodonorte) direct to Amarante, with departures every two hours. Tickets cost £8 - £9 and the journey takes 50 min - you can book them online here.
Take a Tour | This full day tour to Amarante & Vila Real includes guided visits in each town, entrance to Church of São Gonçalo and Mateus Palace and a visit to a wine cellar with tasting of five different wines.
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