Day Trips in Northern Portugal

Discover the beauty of one of Portugal's most underrated regions on this full-day guided tour of Minho, from Porto. Located in Northern Portugal, Minho is known for its bucolic countryside, lush terrain, vineyards and delicious cuisine. Spend the day exploring it all with the help of a knowledgeable guide, including eating a memorable lunch at a local restaurant. Visit two cities, Guimaraes and Braga, to get to know the heart of the region.

The Douro Valley's landscapes are replete with vineyards and bounteous produce: sip and sample the best of the region's culinary offerings on this 8-hour tour from Porto which includes a boat ride on the Douro River. Alongside your guide, you'll visit two wine estates, an olive oil museum, two spectacular viewpoints, and the traditional village of Pinhao. See, too, the beauty of the Douro River during a 1-hour boat ride and enjoy lunch in a typical Portuguese restaurant. Round-trip transport from Porto hotels is included on this small-group tour, limited to 15 people.

Ideal for travelers with limited time in Portugal, this 9-hour tour of Braga and Barcelos provides a comprehensive historical overview of northern Portugal. From Port, you'll head to Braga to visit ancient attractions such as the 14th-century Castle of Braga and the Arco da Porto Nova. Discover the historic center of Barcelos, famed for its colorful ceramics and medieval monuments, and delve into the town's artistic heritage at the Centro do Artesanato de Barcelos. Lunch and hotel pickup and drop-off in Porto are included on this small-group tour, limited to six people.  

Explore Portugal's only national park on this full-day trek of Peneda-Geres National Park, departing from Porto. Venture into the unknown on a thrilling 4x4 ride, as your cruise into the countryside. Admire Portugal's natural beauty, including green mountains and photo-worthy waterfalls and learn about the region from your knowledgeable guide. Savor a picnic lunch while you take in the sites.

Discover the culinary and cultural wonders of central Portugal on this full-day tour of Ovar and Aveiro departing from Porto. Visit the 'tile city' of Ovar (also known for its carnival) and savor its traditional delicacies, including eel and sponge cake, and wander its gorgeous beaches. You'll also visit the nearby university town of Veneza, where you can taste traditional soft eggs and look out for the town's famed boats.

Baroque churches, turreted castles and medieval relics are just a few of the sights you can expect to see on this day trip to two of Portugal's best-loved towns. Following pickup from central Porto, travel to Guimaraes and explore its candy-colored Old Town with your guide. Then, continue to Braga, where you'll visit sights like Se Cathedral on a guided tour before exploring independently. You'll also receive a hop-on hop-off bus ticket, valid for 48 hours.

See the scope of Northern Portugal on this day trip from Porto to Regua by train and boat. Begin your day with a scenic train trip from Porto. As you glide along the tracks, watch out the window as the landscape transforms from urban to rural. Spend the day admiring the valley's terraced vineyards, mingling with locals and enjoying lunch at a traditional Portuguese restaurant. Then, admire the views from a boat as you cruise back to Porto on the Douro River.

Discover the lush scenery in the northern province of Minho on this small-group guided full-day tour from Porto. This tour offers a local guide who will take you from serene countrysides to explore historical towns. Uncover the rustic appeal of Ponte de Lima, Barcelos and Viana do Castelo. Try delectable bites for lunch at a Portuguese eatery and admire traditional costumes at a clothing museum. Numbers on this small-group tour are restricted to eight people for a more intimate experience.

Cruise through the scenic landscape of the Douro Valley by boat and train on this memorable tour to R egua. From your comfortable vessel, float along the placid waters of the Douro, gazing up at its terraced vineyards that cover the hillsides. Sweep past world-class wine estates and see quaint Portuguese villages, then stop for lunch. See why this region was demarcated as an UNESCO World Heritage Site. Then, return while watching it from a new perspective, by train.

Journey to two of Portugal's northernmost cities, Guimaraes and Braga, on this immersive guided day trip from Porto, including lunch. Meet your expert guide and set out for Guimaraes, an UNESCO World Heritage-listed town. See the 10th-century castle and the Dukes of Braganza Palace. Enjoy a satiating lunch at a local restaurant. Next, venture to Braga, where you will learn about its extensive Roman history from your informative guide. This is a great tour for Portuguese and European history buffs.

When exploring a new city alone, you can miss out on a lot - especially if you don't have a way to cruise its canals. This Aveiro tour provides round-trip transport in an air-conditioned vehicle from Porto or Gaia, as well as lunch. See the city's main highlights, and then follow your guide on the famous canals, too.

Discover the UNESCO-listed splendor of the Douro Valley on this full-day trip to R egua from Porto, including a return boat ride. During a scenic train ride to R egua, you'll see vineyards and valleys before you board a cruise ship set to sail down the Douro River. On this day trip to R egua an onboard lunch is included.  

Visit the historic towns of Aveiro and Coimbra on a full-day, small group tour from Porto, and explore the canal-side architecture of the 'Portuguese Venice', Coimbra's medieval landmarks, and a centuries-old university that's a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This 9-hour tour is limited to 8 people for a personalized experience, and it includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Porto.

Venture from Porto to Spain on this day trip to  Santiago de Compostela and the sacred pilgrimage route, St James Way. For centuries pilgrims have made their way along this historic path and on this tour you can glean a part of their experience with a knowledgeable guide. Visit the sacred sites of Santiago de Compostela, like the city's famous cathedral, as well as the UNESCO World-Heritage-listed Old Town. On your way back to Porto, stop at the charming Valença do Minho, dominated with a fortress of two towers and a double great wall projected in the Vouban style, in Portugal.

Spend the day touring Guimaraes and Braga. Discover why Guimaraes has the distinction of a UNESCO world Heritage site as you have free time to explore the city center and stop for lunch. Admire the impressive façade and interiors of Bragança Palace, and try climbing the tower at Guimaraes Castle if you're feeling adventurous. This tour is ideal for visitors wanting to escape the hustle and bustle of Porto for a day of exploration.

Indulge in the world-renowned wineries of Portugal's Douro Valley on this guided day trip from Porto.  Visit two stunning wineries nestled into the valley, each with their own sweeping views and high-end wines. Learn about the vast array of varietals grown and fermented here, including Portugal's legendary Port wine and 'vinho verde.' Gain insider insight into the local cultivation practices from the winemakers themselves and enjoy a traditional 3-course lunch.

Get to know the Venice of Portugal and more on this full-day small-group tour of Aveiro and Coimbra, departing from Porto. After your friendly guide greets you in Porto, enjoy a short scenic drive by minibus to the colorful seaside town of Aveiro, known for its charming houses and romantic canals. Your guide will inform you about the local fishing culture, and take you to see Costa Nova, the traditional ‘moliceiro’ boats and more. After lunch, skip over to Coimbra, where you will learn about this intriguing medieval town and its charming university, before returning to Porto in the evening. This is a small group tour for a personal experience. 

Venture beyond the streets of Porto to discover the cities of Braga and UNESCO-listed Guimaraes on a day trip into northern Portugal. As you explore with a guide and small group, you'll learn about the cities' architectural heritage and the wider history of Portugal itself. An authentic Portuguese lunch with local vinho verde wine is included, and numbers on the tour are limited to just eight people for a small-group experience.

Soak up Portuguese culture on this full-day tour of the Douro Valley, departing from Porto. Meet your friendly guide and settle in to your air-conditioned vehicle, then relax on the short scenic ride from Porto to the Douro Valley. See the Douro Valley's main highlights, like stunning port wineries, a 16th-cenutry monastery and picturesque landscape. Break for lunch at the charming village of Pinhao, in the heart of the valley. After a full day of sightseeing and sampling Portuguese specialties, enjoy a quick ride back to Porto.

Maximize time in Portugal with a full-day tour to the two heritage cities of Braga and Guimaraes. After getting picked up at your hotel in Porto, explore the historic center and striking castle of Guimaraes plus the Cathedral in Braga. Learn about each town's history from your guide and relax over a traditional Portuguese lunch including Vinho Verde, a wine produced locally.