Six perfect destinations for a Porto shuttle, with powerful landscapes, good gastronomy and many stories to tell at the end of the day.
With easy connections whether by train, car or organised tour, the North of Portugal offers a collection of cities and regions that can be comfortably visited on a daytrip, starting from Porto. Staying in comfortable 4 and 5 star hotels in Porto, it’s easy to choose from one of these destinations and return at the end of the day, with the feeling of having taken a short trip within the trip.
Viana do Castelo
Viana do Castelo is one of the North’s most photogenic cities, nestled between the sea and the mouth of the River Lima. A wander through the historic centre reveals streets lined with stately homes, peaceful squares and churches that preserve centuries of history. At the top of Monte de Santa Luzia, the basilica and viewpoint offer one of the region’s most iconic views: the town, the river, the sea and the mountains, all in a single panorama, accessible by car or funicular.
On a single-day excursion, why not combine a morning spent exploring the city centre and the sanctuary with an afternoon by the sea? Between Cabedelo beach and others in the area, there’s plenty of space to stroll along the seafront promenade, where you can try water sports or merely watch the sunset. Returning to the hotel in Porto feels like a break from the city after a day spent by the sea.
Guimarães
Guimarães is known as Portugal’s “cradle city”, and you can feel it in each street of the historic centre, which was classified as a world heritage site. It’s worth starting your visit with the medieval castle and the Paço dos Duques de Bragança (Palace of the Dukes of Braganza), two different symbols of Portuguese history. Then, make your way down to Largo da Oliveira and Praça de Santiago, where the town’s old layout is kept alive by cafés and outdoor terraces.
Guimarães is ideal for those who like compact cities which are easy to get around on foot. In a couple of hours, it’s possible to visit the main monuments, enjoy the flavors of the Minho region in a traditional restaurant and still have time to check out shops and galleries. At the end of the day, you’re back and realise how nicely Porto and the North mix and complement one another.
Braga
Braga is the capital of Minho and one of the most important and oldest cities in the country. Braga cathedral is the oldest in Portugal and a good start for your visit. The historic centre invites you to take a leisurely stroll amongst churches, squares and gardens, such as Santa Bárbara. Outside of the centre, there’s the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte, which features an unmissable Baroque stairway. This attraction can be reached on foot, by car or by using the historic funicular, which is powered by water.
There’s a lot to see in Braga but, saying that, it can be visited in a single day. The morning is the ideal time to explore the city’s historic monuments; at lunch, dishes like bacalhau à Braga (Braga-style cod) or roast kid take centre stage. In the afternoon, there’s time to visit the traditional shops, to try the local conventual sweets or to observe the town’s buzz. At the end of the day, returning to Porto means returning to the banks of the Douro, with the feel of having discovered another side to the North.
Amarante
Amarante is one of the most enchanting getaways, if you’re based in Porto: it’s less than an hour by car, it extends along the River Tâmega and combines the historic centre, bridge and the São Gonçalo church, forming a picturesque scenario.
It’s the perfect destination for those who enjoy calm days, and short trips, with many details to find and appreciate. At the end of the day, in just 40 minutes, you are back in Porto, after a different sort of day, a full and enjoyable one.
Aveiro e Costa Nova
Aveiro is often called the Portuguese Venice, thanks to the ria’s canals and colourful moliceiros (traditional boats). A boat trip lets you see the town from a different perspective, passing bridges and old salt pans. On land, visitors should try ovos moles, traditional sweets that also offer a glimpse of the region’s monastic history. A stroll through the town centre amongst colourful façades, museums and cafés rounds off the visit.
A few minutes away, Costa Nova adds the sea to the mix, with its typical striped houses. From there, it’s just a short journey to Porto, by car or train, with the memory of a day spent between fresh and salt water.
Douro Valley
Heading up the River Douro, whether by car, train or boat, one enters a landscape of terraced vineyards stretching across the hillsides. Along the route, which can be also done by train, there are a number of places worth stopping, such as Peso da Régua or Pinhão. In a single day, it’s possible to combine a visit to a farm with wine tasting, a boat trip on the Douro and some strategic stops to marvel at the landscape from above. This is an experience that appeals to the senses: the silence of the river, the colours of the vineyards, the smell of the wineries and the flavours of the regional gastronomy.
Back in Porto, be it at dusk or evening time, you feel as if you left the city behind and changed gear. Returning to one of the finest hotels in Northern Portugal, right in the heart of the Invicta (Unvanquished City), makes it even more pleasant.
