7 Excursions in the surroundings of Porto

If you are coming to Porto for several days and you feel like exploring the surroundings by taking a short day or half-day excursion on your own, we leave you a list of the 7 places that we recommend the most and why you should pay them a visit.

1) Douro Valley: This is one of Portugal's most famous wine regions, known for its landscapes of terraced vineyards and the Douro River. You can go by car or use public transportation, and even one day tours. Our favourite way to get there is to take the Douro train from São Bento train station to Pinhão or to Pocinho, and in Pocinho take the train back to Pinhão. We recommend this trip because the train journey is fabulous, with magnificent views to the river. Pinhão is also full of vineyards and wineries that you can visit and obviously do wine tasting. And if you're up for it, you can also take a boat from the village to see the vineyard terraces from the river. Without a doubt, this is one of the most picturesque activities we recommend you do in the area. 

2) Guimarães: Considered the birthplace of Portugal. Guimarães has a very well preserved historic centre, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The vibe of the medieval town is great. You can visit the Guimarães Castle, the Palace of the Dukes of Bragança and the Olinda Square. It also has a cable car that takes you to the Penha Monastery with spectacular views of the north of Portugal. 

3) Braga: One of the oldest cities in Europe (founded between the 15-13th centuries BC), famous for its religious architecture, distinctive churches, splendid 18th century mansions, parks and gardens. Among the sites we recommend visiting are the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte, the Cathedral of Braga and the Garden of Santa Barbara.

4) Aveiro and Costa Nova: We recommend doing both areas in one day. Aveiro is known as the ‘Venice of Portugal’ for its canals and colourful moliceiros boats. In Aveiro we recommend you to try the famous sweet ‘ovos moles’. Costa Nova is known for its colourful striped wooden houses, which have become a symbol of the region. These houses, which used to be used by fishermen and local inhabitants, have become a tourist attraction due to their unique aesthetics and charm. Costa Nova is also famous for its wide golden sandy beaches. One of the activities we recommend is a boat trip along the canals of Aveiro. 

5) Amarante: This small town on the banks of the Tâmega River is known for its stunning natural scenery, rich history and architecture. Must-sees include the 16th century Church of San Gonzalo, with its impressive Manueline architecture. The bridge of San Gonzalo, a stone bridge that connects both banks of the river Támega and is a symbol of the city. Amarante is also surrounded by a beautiful natural environment, with opportunities for hiking, picnicking by the river, seeing wonderful waterfalls and enjoying nature. You can't leave without tasting the famous ‘pao de ló’, a typical sponge cake of the city. 

Amarante.

6) Peneda-Gerês National Park:  It is a protected natural area located in the north of Portugal, and it is the first national park in the country (1971). It is an important place for the conservation of species such as the Iberian wolf, the golden eagle and several native plants. It is full of rivers and waterfalls, making it a popular destination for hiking, cycling, bird watching, and other outdoor activities. If you're a nature lover it's worth exploring the area. We recommend even spending a night at a campsite or somewhere close by so you can enjoy the full extent of the area. 

7) Viana de Castelo: This characteristic northern Portuguese town with Manueline and Gothic architecture has a past dating back to Roman times, and has been an important fishing and trading port over the centuries. The church of Santa Luzia is one of the main attractions located on top of a hill. The Barra Castle (16th century) is also a highlight. If you like the beach and surfing you can visit the famous Cabeledo beach. Ideal for a summer plan. 

All these places combine natural beauty, rich culture and fascinating history, making them perfect destinations for a day trip from Porto. These and many more suggestions are given in our Fundamental Free Tour of Porto.