10 beautiful day trips from Porto, Portugal, by train or bus

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Here are my picks of the best day trips from Porto by train and bus. I firmly believe in always doing travel – especially abroad – without a car. Porto is ideal for this as it’s so well connected with public transport, so there’s no need to put yourself through the stress of hiring a car and driving abroad.

There’s so much to do in Porto itself (have a look at my main guide to Porto for lots of ideas) that you can easily just visit the city and stay there. It’s a beautiful city overflowing with history and culture as well as amazing food and drink. But Porto is also a perfect base for getting out and about on day trips to see even more of the surrounding area. If you’re staying for longer than a few days or returning to Porto for a second visit, a few day trips would be well worth it. And there are some beautiful hidden gems in northern Portugal that you can easily reach in a day.

So I wanted to share with you some of my favourite day trips from Porto by train (and a few by bus) that I’ve enjoyed. To make this a more comprehensive list of possible day trips, I roped in some other travel bloggers to give me their ideas too. A big ‘thank you’ to the other bloggers who kindly sent me their excellent tips. Of course, I now want to go back to Porto and do all the places I’ve not yet done.

If you’re planning on a few day trips from Porto by train or bus, I hope this blogpost is useful. Pour yourself a wine and let’s get planning…

Before we begin: information on public transport for doing your day trips from Porto

Before we get into the day trips from Porto, it’s worth grasping a bit about public transport in Porto. As someone who hates driving on the rare times I have to do it at home in the UK, the thought of renting a car in Portugal gives me chills. Luckily there’s no need as public transport is reliable and decent. 

There are three rail-based options that will allow you to go to nearly the places in this guide.

• First, for shorter trips, you can use the Porto metro service. This is far more than just a central city service as it extends deep into the suburbs. It’s a cheap and reliable way of getting about.
• Second, for slightly longer trips, Porto has an urban train service of its very own. There are four lines to choose from, and the best thing about them is that these trains head out from one of the most glorious railway stations in all of Europe: the tiled treat that is São Bento.
• Third, the inter-regional and inter-city train services, which head from Campanhã, the main station. These trains cover much greater distances, up to the Spanish border to the north, to Coimbra and Lisbon to the south, and deep into the Douro Valley to the east.

There is of course, a fourth travel option, which is to use buses to do various day trips from Porto. I’m not a fan of buses and will always go for the train option if possible. Actively choosing to stare out of the window at a series of cars on the other side of the road when you could be on a train staring out to the sea or down through a verdant valley is beyond me. However, lovely Amarante is best done by bus so I have begrudgingly included that. You’ll need to use Porto’s Rodonorte bus service, which is usually clean and reliable.

10 beautiful day trips from Porto by train and bus

1. A day trip for fairytale vibes: Guimarães

Guimarães is a small city in the mountains of northern Portugal. With its castle on a hilltop, myriad old churches and winding medieval cobbled streets, the city is straight out of a fairytale. 

Guimarães is brimming with history and said to be the country’s birthplace. It even has UNESCO World Heritage status. Yet you’ll find that it’s quieter and calmer than other cities on the tourist trail of Portugal. It almost has a dreamlike quality to it, making it a perfect day trip from bustling Porto.

Start your visit with the beautiful Guimarães Castle and Ducal Palace to step back into Portugal’s history. Head back into the city’s winding streets and enjoy its mixture of architectural styles from different ages. I’d also recommend browsing the city’s independent shops for some souvenirs to take home. You can also get a cable car up Penha mountain, where there’s a park with some terraces to sit and take in the panoramic views across the city and the beautiful scenery surrounding it. After taking some photographs, you can hike back down to the centre of Guimarães. Reward yourself for your efforts with a drink in one of the lovely squares, Largo da Oliveira or Praça de Santiago. Both have plenty of cafés and bars to sit outside and get stuck into a bit of people-watching over a glass of wine.

I have a full post on things to do in Guimaraes, so please read through that for more on this magical city.

How to do a day trip from Porto to Guimarães

• Transport: Train or bus.
• Journey details: Train is the best option. It takes about 75 minutes from Porto’s São Bento station: check the timetable before you go.
• If you want to stay longer than just a day trip: You could easily extend your day trip and stay over. Treat yourself to a stay at a converted 12th-century convent Pousada Mosteiro de Guimaraes. (around 130€ a night) or keep to a budget at the modern Hotel Toural (around 90€ a night).

2. A day trip for history buffs: Braga

With thanks to Lotte from Phenomenal Globe for this contribution. 

One of the best Porto day trips is Braga, the third-largest city in Portugal. Braga can easily be reached by both train and bus from Porto. 

Braga is one of the oldest cities in Portugal and as such you can find many historic buildings in the gorgeous city centre. One of the highlights is without a doubt Sé de Braga. This imposing cathedral was built in the 11th century and is beautiful both on the inside and the outside. With an entrance fee of only €2, there’s no excuse not to pop in for a visit. You won’t be disappointed. Opening hours are between 8:30 and 18:30. Other interesting sites in Braga city centre are the Castle of Braga and the beautiful Arco da Porta Nova.

But that’s not all. Just outside of Braga, you can find Bom Jesus do Monte, which is possibly even more impressive than Sé de Braga. This sanctuary is located on the slopes of Mount Espinho. It’s an important pilgrimage site and a UNESCO World Heritage Site (since July 2019). The walk to the top involves 577 steps on a seemingly endless stone zig-zag staircase (if you have children with you and want to take the stairs to the top, it’s best to leave your pushchair in your accommodation in Braga). Alternatively, you can go up via a small cable car. Or do as the pilgrims did and climb the stairs on your knees as penance for your sins….

Back in Braga, Donna Se is a lovely place to have lunch. Alternatively, grab some pastel de nata and a takeaway cup of coffee at Pastelaria A Ritinha and have a picnic at one of the benches at Jardim da Praça do Município.

How to do a day trip from Porto to Braga

• Transport: Train or bus.
• Journey details: Train is a better and faster option. They regularly depart from São Bento and Campanhã: check the timetable before you go. The journey takes around 75 minutes.
• If you want to stay longer than just a day trip: You could easily extend your day trip and stay over. Try the gorgeous hotel Porta Nova Collection House (around 100€ a night) or book a beautiful apartment at Tea 4 Nine Guest House (around 90€ a night).

3. A short trip to the nearest beach: Matosinhos

Matosinhos is a port and fishing town with the biggest sandy beach in the Porto area. It’s very close to the city, which makes it one of the easiest day trips from Porto by train and hugely popular with locals.

Matosinhos would be a good idea if you want to escape the heat and hustle and bustle of Porto for an afternoon on the golden sand. There’s a promenade walk (2.5 miles), ideal for a sunny day with an ice cream in hand. Don’t miss the little Castle of the Cheese (Castelo do Queijo), a 17th-century fort on the beach. There are some nice sea views to be had from here, although the fort itself is not very exciting inside.

The town of Matosinhos isn’t the most scenic place, I’ll be honest. Its working fishing port is a bit fugly and totally dominates the landscape. But swings and roundabouts! The local fishing industry means that there are plenty of cafés serving fresh seafood straight off the boats. 

How to get from Porto to Matosinhos

• Transport: Metro train or bus.
• Journey details: The blue metro line A from Porto will take about 30 minutes. Alternatively, you can get the 500 bus, which takes 40 minutes to get there. There’s also a walking/cycle path along the length of the river between Porto and Matosinhos, so if you’re feeling energetic you could even tackle that.

4. A day trip from Porto to enjoy beautiful canals: Aveiro 

With thanks to Daria from The Discovery Nut for this contribution. 

Aveiro is a city south of Porto that is known for its canals. The best thing to do in Aveiro is take a ride in a moliceiro through the network of Aveiro’s beautiful canals that run through town. Moliceros are colourful boats that are similar to the iconic gondolas you see in Venice.

Among the most prominent landmarks in Aveiro include Igreja de São Domingos (Church of St Dominic), a Roman Catholic church built in the style of Portuguese baroque, the old train station, and the museum of Aveiro.

Small cafés and restaurants dotting the town sell delicious pastries, coffee and other Portuguese delicacies. Stop off to try some local food as you wander around and feel the spirit of this remarkable place.

If you have extra time, take a trip to Costa Nova, a quaint fishing village near Aveiro with wooden waterfront cottages painted in vertical stripes.

How to do a day trip from Porto to Aveiro

• Transport: Train or bus.
• Journey details: Train is the best option. The urban train from Porto (check the timetable) takes under 50 minutes to get you to Aveiro. 
• If you want to stay longer than just a day trip: You could easily extend your day trip and stay over. Check out a nice modern hotel like Hotel das Salinas (around 90€ a night) or rent a stunning apartment like Aveiro Urban Loft (around 90€ a night).

5. A real hidden gem: Viana do Castelo 

The gorgeous coastal city of Viana do Castelo is a bit of a hidden gem in Portugal. It’s therefore relatively free from the usual tourist crowds so is a real delight to explore. Start your day here by taking in the spectacular views from the Santa Luzia hill, home to the striking white Santa Luzia church looming over the city. From this vantage point, you can appreciate the unique geography of the city. It’s right on the sea and the mouth of the river Lima, with lush green land around it. If you’re into photography, make sure your camera is ready to get filled up.

Viana do Castelo has a charming medieval centre full of 19th-century boulevards, impressive fountains and rococo palaces. There are plenty of small independent shops to browse before finding a café in one of the bustling squares for lunch. Make sure you also pop inside one of the most impressive churches in Portugal (in my view), the Igreja da Misericórdia. It looks normal from the outside. But inside it’s a riot of gorgeous gold and blue-and-white azulejo tiles, with an intricate ceiling fresco. There’s also a really good costume museum (Museu do Traje). You can see how Portuguese traditional clothes were made and evolved over the years.

Oh and don’t leave before trying Viana do Castelo’s local delicacy. If you’re there at the right time, you might spot a lot of locals queuing up outside a fairly non-descript little bakery called Confeitaria Natário. This is the unassuming home of bolas de berlim, the Portuguese version of the custard-filled Berliner doughnut. Twice a day (11.30 and 16:30), the bakery releases a batch of these delicious little beauties. Everyone goes mad for them. Join the queue and get a box of them to eat still warm on the train home.

How to do a day trip from Porto to Viana do Castelo

• Transport: Train or bus.
• Journey details: Train is quickest and the regional train is frequent. Check the timetable. It takes about an hour and 20 minutes.
• If you want to stay longer than just a day trip: You could easily extend your day trip and stay over to enjoy this gorgeous city further. Treat yourself at the beautiful and central townhouse Casa Manuel Espregueira e Oliveira (around 126€ a night) or keep to a bit more of a budget at the stylish and historic Casa Melo Alvim (around 78€ a night).

6. The best day trip from Porto for local food: Amarante

With thanks to Chrysoula from Travel Passionate for this contribution. 

Amarante is a pretty town and a popular day trip from Porto. With the dramatic granite mountains of Serra do Marão to the east, the town lies in the hilly valley of the Tãmega river. One of the best-known views is of the river with the São Gonçalo bridge and the church of Igreja de São Gonçalo. Amarante is called ‘home of the artists’ as several early 20th-century Portuguese artists were born there, including the popular expressionist, Antonio Carneiro. Their work is displayed in the Municipal Museum, which is in a renovated convent.

The Parque Florestal de Amarante contains hundreds of exotic trees and has playgrounds, aviaries, and a deer enclosure. There is a rocky pathway that leads out to the little islet in the river. There are guided boat trips, canoes and pedalos to rent, and a fun water park. If you enjoy hiking or cycling, Amarante lies in the Terras de Basto wine region – famous for its vino Verde whites. The vines are grown on trellises above the ground so that crops can be cultivated underneath.

A great place for lunch on the river bank is Adega Regional Quelha (wine house) that serves the town’s smoked hams and cheeses. Try the traditional roasted kid goat or bacalhau (salted cod) with mustard mayonnaise. The town also sells different sweets once made by the local nuns.

How to do a day trip from Porto to Amarante

• Transport: Bus.
• Journey details: Catch the bus to Amarante from the Rodonorte bus station in Porto. The journey takes around 50 minutes. Check the details on the Rodonorte site.
• If you want to stay longer than just a day trip: You could easily extend your day trip and stay over. Treat yourself at the luxurious Monverde – Wine Experience Hotel (180€ a night) or keep to a budget at the traditional country house Casa do Fontão (60€ a night).

7. A day of history and sandy beaches: Vila do Conde 

With thanks to Alya from Stingy Nomads for this contribution. 

Vila do Conde is a pretty town just north of Porto. It’s a perfect place for break from the city. Summer is the best time to visit Vila do Conde to relax on its sandy beaches, swim in the refreshing sea, and enjoy fresh seafood. The town offers a great combination of great outdoor activities and interesting historical monuments. One can easily spend the whole day here. It’s better to start your trip early in the morning to have enough time to explore the area.

Praia do Forno and Praia Azul are the most popular beaches in Vila do Conde. Both beaches have blue flag status and are easy to access. They offer good facilities, including many cafés and restaurants nearby. Visitors can enjoy swimming, bodyboarding, sunbathing, and walking on boardwalks along the beach. Vila do Conde has several remarkable historical monuments that are worth visiting such as the Convento de Santa Clara, the Fort of São João Baptista, the Aqueduct, Church of Manueline Matriz. The best way to explore the town is on foot to stroll along the narrow cobbled streets, stopping at charming street cafés that offer great coffee and delicious freshly baked pastry.

Besides being a great place for a day trip from Porto, Vila do Conde is a popular stop for pilgrims walking the Portuguese Camino de Santiago.

How to do a day trip from Porto to Vila do Conde

• Transport: Train.
• Journey details: There is a direct train from Porto to Vila do Conde, the metro red line B, which takes around an hour.
• If you want to stay longer than just a day trip: You could easily extend your day trip and stay over. Vila do Conde has some beautiful accommodation options. Casa do Rio Charm Suites have amazing views of the river from their stylish rooms (around 100€ a night) or enjoy the Nordic interiors and spa facilities at the Hotel Villa C Boutique Hotel (around 115€ a night).

8. A day trip from Porto to the old university city: Coimbra

With thanks to Jorge from Portugal Things for this contribution. 

One of the best day trips from Porto by train is going to Coimbra, the third most important city in Portugal.

Coimbra is home to one of the oldest universities in the world, the University of Coimbra. This has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since June 2013. The city of Coimbra revolves around the university. You will find plenty of students and a strong academic vibe here. When visiting the city, your top priority is visiting the university complex: the Paço das Escolas, Joanina Library (one of the most beautiful libraries of Portugal), S. Miguel Chapel, Botanical Gardens, and the Science Museum.

Besides the University of Coimbra, Coimbra has a beautiful riverside and the stunning Quinta das Lágrimas, famous for being the setting for the love story of Prince Pedro and Inês de Castro (Portugal’s answer to Romeo and Juliet). You should also visit the Old Santa Clara Monastery and the New Santa Clara Monastery.

Coimbra is also the ideal spot to try typical Portuguese ‘conventual sweets’, made with sugar and plenty of egg yolks. They are simply delicious!

How to do a day trip from Porto to Coimbra

• Transport: Train.
• Journey details: By intercity train, it takes about an hour and 10 minutes to get to Coimbra from Porto. Check the timetable.
• If you want to stay longer than just a day trip: You could easily extend your day trip and stay over. Treat yourself at the super-stylish Sapientia Boutique Hotel (around 115€ a night) or keep to a budget at the traditional but modern República Guest House (around 71€ a night).

9. The Douro Valley: probably the hardest of the day trips from Porto by train – stay overnight! 

With thanks to Kat from Wandering Bird for this contribution. Please be aware that this is the hardest of all the day trips from Porto by public transport, but it is just about doable, especially if you stay over.

The Douro Valley is famous for its vineyards and incredibly dramatic landscapes, from the winding river to the towering cliffs above. Running for 150km, most of the Douro Valley is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the world’s oldest demarcated wine regions. If that’s not a reason to visit, I’m not sure what is! 

There are dozens of quintas (wine estates) in the Douro, each producing amazing wine. 

Although it is possible to do with public transport, the Douro Valley as a day trip from Porto is easiest by tour or with your own vehicle. If you’re campervanning in Portugal, you can even stay overnight at one of the wine estates (don’t drink and drive!).

How to get from Porto to the Douro Valley (I warned you this is one of the hardest to do by train…)

• Transport: Train or bus (with some difficulty!) or guided tour.
• Journey details: To get to Pinhao (a village in the Douro Valley) by train, take a train destined for Pocinho from Sao Bento Station. This will take 2 hours and 20 minutes; check the timetable. By bus, a line links Porto to Regua 6 times a day. It also takes about 2 hours. As you can imagine, although this is technically doable as a day trip, it is a stretch. I’d recommend doing a well-rated small-group wine tour of the Douro Valley. That one includes lunch, eight wine tastings (at two different wineries) and a river cruise for around 100€ each, which I think is actually decent value and would be a lot easier.
• If you want to stay longer: If you do want to visit the Douro Valley using public transport, it’s a good idea to stay overnight. You could really treat yourself at the extremely luxurious and Instagrammable Hotel Quinta Nova Winery House – Relais & Châteaux (around 280€ a night). If you want to keep to a bit more of a budget, check out Dois Lagares House (around 90€ a night).

10. A short trip from Porto for a coastal walk: Espinho

Espinho is a small fishing town close to Porto. Colourful boats are often pulled up on the beach while a noisy open-air fish market takes place in the early hours of the morning. The action is all over before 9am, though. For the rest of the day, the beach (Praia de Espinho) fills up with locals enjoying the golden sand and the waves. It’s popular for surfing, which is mildly entertaining to pause and watch.

If you’re looking for a morning or afternoon activity outside of Porto, a coastal walk in Espinho is a good idea. This is a pleasant and flat stroll along the coastline using a wooden boardwalk. The route stretches all the way to Vila Nova de Gaia back in Porto. You can follow the walk briefly or for as long as you like. There are plenty of points (such as Granja, Aguda or Miramar) where you can leave and walk inland to a railway station and catch the train back to Porto.

How to get from Porto to Espinho

• Transport: Train or bus.
• Journey details: It’s easiest and quickest to get to Espinho with the urban train from Porto. Check the timetable; it will take around 25 minutes.

A few extra tips for doing day trips from Porto by train and bus

These are some things I’ve learned from years of travel. Some may be obvious but you never know…

• Wear comfy shoes. We are not here for blisters. Of course, we are also not here for ugly shoes. Comfy shoes can still be stylish. I like crisp white trainers in summer and black ankle boots in winter.
• Bring something to read. Reading on a bus is a one-way ticket to travel sickness. But reading on a train is one of life’s greatest pleasures. I take my Kindle when travelling. A load of books taking up valuable luggage space seems bonkers to me. I know some people turn their noses up at Kindles though. Either way, it’s nice to have something to read, especially if you’re travelling back in the dark so you can’t see out of the window.
• Pace yourself. I know some people hardly get any annual leave and want to cram stuff in. I sympathise. But don’t knacker yourself out. Pick a few day trips from Porto that appeal most.
• Check the weather forecast when planning. On a rainy day, it might be better to stay and explore Porto’s indoor attractions. 
• Know what time you need to be back at the bus stop or train station to return to Porto. Burn this information into your brain. Set a reminder on your phone. Services might not be frequent, depending on where you’re off to. It’s no fun being stuck somewhere overnight.
• If you’d rather not do any planning yourself, try organised tours. You can find loads on Get Your Guide, which is one of the most reputable tour operators.

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You might also like my other Portugal posts:

• 23 of the best towns and cities to visit in Portugal: a giant guide 
• Porto itinerary: 3 days in Portugal’s stunning second city
• 17 things to do in Cascais
• 3 days in Lisbon: a perfect itinerary
• A guide to Mértola, Portugal: a hidden hilltop gem
• 10 things to do in Guimarães: a guide to the birthplace of Portugal
• 45 things to do in Funchal, Madeira 
• The best restaurants in Madeira and Funchal
• The best bars in Madeira and Funchal
• How to do a day trip to Curral das Freiras from Funchal
• How to do a day trip to Porto da Cruz from Funchal
• A guide to spending a week in Madeira: a 7-day itinerary without a car
• How to do a day trip to Camara de Lobos from Funchal.

And if you’ve used one of my travel guides and enjoyed it, you can also buy me a drink. Cheers. 

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