4 amazing day trips from Porto in Portugal

Day trips are great for a quick escape from routine or to explore more than one place during a trip, right? Whenever I can, I take the opportunity to go on one of these short trips! I've already given you tips on day trips from Lisbon, and today’s post will be about day trips from Porto. Ready?!

First of all, it's important to know that Porto is one of the largest cities in the country, located further north of Lisbon. There are plenty of cool things to do in the surrounding areas, and my advice is to set aside 2 full days to explore the city and Vila Nova de Gaia (which is on the other side of the Douro River) and another 2 or 3 days for some day trips.

Day trips from Porto

Since the first post in this series on day trips, I always say that for a day trip to be worthwhile, the travel time shouldn’t be too long, as you need time to enjoy the city you're visiting. That’s why I recommend choosing destinations within a maximum of 2 hours and 30 minutes from your base city (in this case, Porto).

Another important tip: Consider the size of the city you plan to visit. If it’s a large city, it might be worth staying longer and even spending the night there. However, for the cities on my list of day trips from Porto, you don’t need to worry, they are all small and perfect for a quick visit.

Guimarães

Guimarães is a historic city in the Braga district with a population of just over 55,000 inhabitants.

Distance from Porto: 58 km. You can travel by car, bus, or train, with a travel time ranging from 45 to 70 minutes. Another option is booking a tour, but it's not always the best choice.

Best time to visit: Any time of the year. The city hosts festivals in July, August (Gualteriana Festival), and November/December (Nicolina Festival).

What to do: Walk through the Historic Center, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the Castle of Guimarães and the Palace of the Dukes of Bragança.

Braga

Another must-see day trip from Porto! Although it’s not as famous as Lisbon and Porto, Braga is Portugal’s third-largest city, with a population of approximately 194,000 inhabitants.

Distance from Porto: 55 km. You can reach Braga by car, bus, train, or agency tour. If you're driving, you can combine Braga with Guimarães, as the two cities are only 25 km apart.

Best time to visit: Any time of the year.

What to do: Walk through the Historic Center, visit the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte and the Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora do Sameiro.

Aveiro

Known as the Venice of Portugal, Aveiro is not only a tourist destination but also a university city.

Distance from Porto: 75 km south of Porto. Easily accessible by train, car, or bus. If you're driving, you can combine Aveiro with Coimbra, and even spend a night in Coimbra before returning to Porto or continuing to Lisbon.

Best time to visit: Any time of the year, as long as it’s a sunny day.

What to do: Take a boat tour on the canals (hence the nickname Venice of Portugal). Walk through the Historic Center, which, like in any small town, is a wonderful and enriching experience. Try the local delicacy: ovos moles de Aveiro, a traditional sweet of the city.

Coimbra

To complete the list of day trips from Porto, we have Coimbra, known as the "City of Knowledge" because it is home to one of the largest universities in the country and one of the oldest in Europe.

Distance from Porto: 125 km, making it the farthest day trip on my list! If traveling by car, the journey takes 90 minutes to 2 hours. Public transport is slightly faster.

Best time to visit: Any time of the year. July 4th is a municipal holiday in honor of the city’s patron saint, Santa Isabel de Aragão.

What to do: Visit the Machado de Castro Museum, walk through the Historic Center (which has a medieval-style architecture), watch a fado performance (different from those in Lisbon), and take a tour of the University of Coimbra.

Portugal has countless charming and historic small towns that are interesting yet often overlooked. If you have time and are traveling by car, it's best to keep your itinerary flexible, stopping wherever you feel like and discovering many wonderful places along the way. Some great destinations include: Peneda-Gerês National Park, Serra da Estrela, Wineries in the Douro Valley, Paiva Walkways.

Don’t forget to set aside at least 2 days to explore the capital (Lisbon) and another 2 days for nearby areas, like Sintra, Cascais, and the Sanctuary of Fátima (a bit farther from Lisbon but still a great day trip idea).

Did you like my day trip suggestions from Porto? Remember, the best strategy is to choose a few trips, rather than trying to do them all, otherwise, your trip might become exhausting! If you have any questions, leave a comment below!

See you next time!