The Best Day Trips From Porto Portugal

A trip to Portugal isn’t complete without visiting the north, and Porto puts up a good fight against Lisbon as a top city in the country. The cathedrals, national buildings, beautifully manicured gardens, and the Old Town can certainly keep the most ambitious wanderlusters busy for a couple of days. But then what? As with Lisbon, Porto is within a day trip from a myriad of treasures that are waiting to be explored.

Braga

Immersed in historical and spiritual surroundings and acclaimed as a youthful center, Braga is an old city with numerous modern attributes. Within the café-filled center, students from the nearby university meet to socialize and discuss ideas, while a short distance away tourists will enjoy seeing the famous Bom Jesus do Monte (Bom Jesus Sanctuary) and the oldest cathedral in the country.

Aveiro

Guimarães

History buffs shouldn’t leave northern Portugal without seeing where the country’s origins began. Home of Portugal’s first king, Guimarães castle is where the first royal family lived, but there are plenty more medieval structures where that came from. Between the streets, churches and natural landmarks, visitors will feel like they’re trekking through the sands of time – a feeling that sticks as you travel through most of Portugal.

Esposende

It seems unnatural to fly to Portugal and not visit a beach. Located 31 miles north of Porto, Esposende is a quick, half-hour drive away. What will you see upon your arrival? How do quiet, white sand beaches and picturesque dunes sound? Forget sightseeing, this is more of a relaxing retreat, and a place to go if you’re in need of soaking up the sun and catching up on literature.

Viana do Castelo

A little further north from Esposende is a larger beach town called Viana do Castelo. Listed as one of the more visually appealing cities in Portugal, it is home to both a medieval center and beautiful beaches. Visit the Templo-Monumento de Santa Luzia (Santa Luzia Temple), which is the city’s most popular landmark. As a fishing port, it’s also an excellent location for devouring seafood.

Douro Valley

Whether you cruise along the river by ferry or drive in a car, a trip through the Douro Valley will not disappoint. The terraced vineyards and rolling green hills have been described as some of the most beautiful sights in the country. It’s also among the best places to stumble across wine tasting. Looking to travel a wine trail? There are two major routes that can be taken.

View of Douro river, wineyards and villages on a hills. Portugal

Peneda-Gerês National Park

Do you love nature, hiking, and stumbling across long-lost medieval remnants? If yes, a trek through Portugal’s only national park is a must. Located in the districts of Viana do Castelo and Braga, it’s an easy place to incorporate within an itinerary. It’s also a must-see destination for 2017.

Vigo

One of the cooler things that comes with a visit to northern Portugal is its proximity to Spain. Vigo is a seaside city rich in culture and with plenty to do but is often overlooked. Historically, it was a major departure point for early navigators, and today these maritime roots still hold strong. Vigo is considered one of the larger fishing ports in the world, and as such is a great place to indulge in fish and seafood.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.