Best Day Trips from Porto: Top Tours for a One-Day Adventure

Best Day Trips from Porto: Top Tours for a One-Day Adventure 🚗🏰🍷

Porto is a fantastic city full of history, culture, and gastronomy, but if you have extra time, there are amazing day trips you can take from Porto to explore wine regions, medieval towns, coastal gems, and even Spain! Whether you love history, nature, or wine, there’s a perfect tour for you.

Here’s a complete guide to the best one-day tours from Porto to help you choose your next adventure.

1. Douro Valley – Wine Tasting and River Cruise 🍷🚢

The Douro Valley is one of the most famous wine regions in the world and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. If you love breathtaking landscapes, wine tastings, and scenic boat rides, this is the perfect day trip.

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What to do in the Douro Valley?

✔️ Visit traditional wineries (quintas) and taste Port and DOC Douro wines
✔️ Take a boat cruise along the Douro River from Pinhão
✔️ Explore Peso da Régua and Pinhão, the heart of the wine region
✔️ Enjoy panoramic views from São Leonardo de Galafura Viewpoint

How to take this tour?

🚗 By car: 1.5-hour drive from Porto to Peso da Régua
🚆 By train: 2-hour scenic train ride to Pinhão
🚍 By guided tour: Includes transportation, wine tastings, lunch, and a river cruise

🔹 Tip: Choose a tour that includes at least two wine tastings, a boat cruise, and a traditional Portuguese lunch.

 

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2. Braga and Guimarães – Medieval and Religious Heritage ⛪🏰

Braga and Guimarães are two of the most historic cities in Portugal, making them a perfect cultural day trip from Porto.

What to see in Braga?

✔️ Bom Jesus do Monte Sanctuary, famous for its impressive Baroque staircase
✔️ Braga Cathedral, the oldest in Portugal
✔️ Historic center and Santa Bárbara Gardens

What to see in Guimarães?

✔️ Guimarães Castle, where Portugal was founded
✔️ Palace of the Dukes of Braganza, a magnificent 15th-century palace
✔️ Oliveira Square, the most charming square in the city
✔️ Take the cable car to Penha Mountain for breathtaking views

How to take this tour?

🚗 By car: 40-50 minutes from Porto
🚆 By train: 1 hour to Braga, 1h15 to Guimarães
🚍 By guided tour: Most tours combine both cities in one trip

🔹 Tip: Try local specialties like Bacalhau à Braga and Papas de Sarrabulho for a true taste of the region.

 

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3. Aveiro and Costa Nova – The Portuguese Venice 🚣🏡

Aveiro is a charming coastal city known for its colorful striped houses, picturesque canals, and delicious sweets. It’s only 1 hour from Porto, making it a perfect half-day or full-day trip.

What to do in Aveiro?

✔️ Take a moliceiro boat tour through the canals
✔️ Explore the Art Nouveau historic center
✔️ Taste ovos moles, Aveiro’s signature egg-yolk dessert

What to do in Costa Nova? 🏖️

✔️ See the famous colorful striped houses
✔️ Walk along the sandy beach
✔️ Try fresh seafood at a local restaurant

How to take this tour?

🚗 By car: 50 minutes from Porto
🚆 By train: 1-hour journey
🚍 By guided tour: Some tours combine Aveiro with Costa Nova

🔹 Tip: For a seafood feast, try Dóri Restaurant in Costa Nova.

 

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4. Viana do Castelo – Beaches and History 🌊🏰

Viana do Castelo is one of the most beautiful cities in northern Portugal, combining stunning beaches, rich culture, and great food.

What to do in Viana do Castelo?

✔️ Climb to the Santa Luzia Sanctuary, with breathtaking ocean views
✔️ Explore the historic center and charming squares
✔️ Visit the Gil Eannes Ship Museum, a former hospital ship
✔️ Relax at Cabedelo Beach, perfect for surfers and kite surfers

How to take this tour?

🚗 By car: 1 hour from Porto
🚆 By train: 1h20 journey
🚍 By guided tour: Some tours include Viana do Castelo and Ponte de Lima

🔹 Tip: If visiting in August, don’t miss the Festa da Senhora da Agonia, one of Portugal’s most famous festivals.

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5. Serra da Estrela – Snow and Mountain Landscapes 🏔️❄️

Looking for a different day trip from Porto? Serra da Estrela is the highest mountain range in mainland Portugal and a great winter destination.

What to do in Serra da Estrela?

✔️ Visit Torre, the highest point in Portugal
✔️ Taste local cheeses and smoked meats
✔️ Hike scenic trails
✔️ Enjoy skiing and snowboarding in winter

How to take this tour?

🚗 By car: 2h30 from Porto
🚍 By guided tour: Includes transportation, stops at scenic viewpoints, and local food tastings

🔹 Tip: Dress warmly in winter—temperatures can be freezing!

6. Santiago de Compostela – A Pilgrim’s Dream 🇪🇸⛪

Want to visit another country? Santiago de Compostela, in Spain, is one of the most important religious pilgrimage sites in the world and just a short drive from Porto.
What to do in Santiago de Compostela?

✔️ Visit the famous Cathedral of Santiago, the final stop of the Camino de Santiago
✔️ Explore the historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
✔️ Try Tarta de Santiago, a delicious almond cake

How to take this tour?

🚗 By car: 2h30 from Porto
🚍 By guided tour: Includes transport, guided tour, and free time in the city

🔹 Tip: Attend the pilgrims’ mass at the cathedral for a unique spiritual experience.

 

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