15 incredible day trips from Porto

There’s so much to see and do in Porto with kids that you needn’t worry about getting bored while you’re visiting – but the city also makes a great base to explore further, as these great day trips from Porto prove.

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So once you’ve had your fill of the winding hilly streets, riverside atmosphere, azuelo-adorned buildings and delicious food (and port), it’s easy to discover some of the other places to visit around this northern Portuguese city.

And there’s plenty of choice, whether you fancy a day at the beach, a more active adventure, castles and medieval history and even a few more far-flung locations.

Aveiro

This picture-perfect lagoon-side spot is often called the ‘Venice of Portugal’ thanks to its tiny network of canals. 

Easily recognized by its iconic bright, striped buildings (and countless Instagram-worthy photo ops), you’ll also find plenty of things to do in Aveiro, making it a worthy contender for a day trip from Porto.

Take a ride on a moliceiro, a Portuguese-style gondola, through the canals and explore the colourful neighborhood of Costa Nova – this 45-minute boat trip is suitable for kids.

There are frequent trains departing from Porto’s São Bento Train Station as well as Campanhã Train Station, so you can take either depending on where you are based in the city. The train to Aveiro departs almost hourly and takes roughly 45 minutes.

Alternatively you can join half-day tours from Porto – this one includes a gondola ride as well.

Check out my complete guide to Portugal with kids here

Braga

Braga is one of the oldest cities in Portugal and one of the most popular day trips to take from Porto, renowned throughout the country for its religious heritage. 

Founded by the Romans in 16BCE – then named Bracara Augusta – there is a gorgeous collection of architectural styles from its more than 2,000 years of history.

Add in a walkable city centre filled with quaint streets and Baroque churches, and highlights such as Sé de Braga and Bom Jesus do Monte, and it’s a lovely place to stroll (with plenty of ice cream if your kids need any encouragement).

If you would prefer a guided tour of Braga, this four-hour option packs in all the key sights.

Sé de Braga, aka Braga Cathedral, is one of the city’s biggest treasures; the oldest cathedral in the nation, its construction actually began before Portugal was established as a country, but costs from only €2 to visit.

To visit Unesco World Heritage site Bom Jesus do Monte, you’ll have to make your way to the base of Mount Espinho – catch the bus or you can use Bolt/Uber, while this tuk tuk tour of Braga will provide a glimpse.

From there, the ascent to the top takes just under 600 steps, although for anyone who can’t manage the steps (or if you just fancy conserving your energy), there is also a cable car available.

A trip to Braga from Porto takes less than an hour by train, making it one of the easiest day trips from Porto. The ride costs from €6 for an adult ticket, one-way.

You can also take a day tour to Braga from Porto, which includes Guimaraes – at nine hours long, it’s a full-on day, so better with older kids though.

Coimbra

The medieval capital city of Portugal is a revelation and is a perfect stop on a Portugal road trip, or as a day trip from Porto – and one of my string of reasons to visit Portugal with kids.

Coimbra rises loftily above huge Rio Mondego, and is best known as the home to the country’s oldest university but the students of today bring a lively and modern feel to this historic spot.

The centre is stacked in a jumble of Moorish architecture above the river and has a majestic cathedral and lots of atmospheric squares, alleys and staircases to explore – make a game of it with this self-guided scavenger hunt, complete with riddles to solve.

Known for its live music, including guitarra (Portuguese guitar) and the haunting sounds of Fado, this is a perfect city to enjoy the sounds of the country in one of the many restaurants in the old town – or if you have time, check out one of the short fado concerts.

You can easily spend your day wandering, soaking up the lively feel of this university town. Don’t miss the baroque Biblioteca Joanina and the Botanical Gardens, both peaceful spots in this lovely city.

You can visit Coimbra from Porto by train, it takes just over an hour to get there. Or you can find day trips from Porto to Coimbra via Fatima where you’ll enjoy the benefit of a guide as well.

Douro river valley

Visiting the Douro River Valley is without a doubt one of the most popular day trips from Porto – and one of the best known areas of northern Portugal if you’re a wine-lover.

The oldest demarcated wine region in the world, it’s a Unesco World Heritage Site and home to some of the best wine making in the country, for sparkling Vinho Verde as well as port. Check the most family-friendly vineyards in advance.

But it’s not just about the wine: the same landscape which makes it great for grape growing, with the steep hills and tiered slopes, makes for gorgeous scenery too.

And you can enjoy it from the water as well – take a ride on a rabelo boat, enjoy the surroundings, and sample local offerings as the region is also famous for producing olive oil, honey, and almonds.

One of the best ways to explore is by car, but if you are planning a few tasting sessions (and don’t have a helpful designated driver to take on the winding twisty roads), a guided tour is well worth considering.

Guimarães

Guimarães is one of Portugal’s most important cities – it is known as the birthplace of Portugal, after all, thanks to the role it played in the foundation of the country.

With history galore and the same kind of gorgeous buildings as other medieval towns in the area, the most important sites are the Castle and the Palace of the Dukes.

The castle of Guimarães was built in the 10th century to defend the city from attacks by the Moors and Norsemen, and it’s a great place to learn about Portugal’s history and its origins.

Next to the castle sits the Palace of the Dukes of Bragança – an imposing 15th-century mansion, which serves as the official residence of the President of the Republic when he’s in the north of Portugal. Look out for the statue in front of Afonso Henriques, the first Portuguese king.

The loveliest part of the city to explore is its well-preserved old town, made a Unesco World Heritage Site in 2001.

The old town is full of cobbled streets, medieval buildings, churches, and restaurant-filled squares, where you can try traditional Portuguese food before roaming the streets and discovering more of its old secrets.

Trains to Guimaraes from Porto take just over an hour, running from the central Sao Bento station, so it’s an easy day trip from Porto. Or there are full day tours to Guimarães from Porto, which also visit Braga.

Lisbon

There’s no doubt that a day trip from Porto to Lisbon is going to involve a lot of travelling – and there are so many things to do in Lisbon with kids that you’ll want more than a day to explore.

But as one of my favourite cities, I like to seize every opportunity to visit, so I’d never try to talk anyone out of a trip to discover the sights in the capital of Portugal, including lovely Belem.

Soak up the views from the Santa Justa lift, looking down onto the wave patterns of the Praca do Rossio square below. Or stroll over to the nearby Praca do Comercio square right on the banks of the river Tagus.

If you haven’t had your fill of historic quarters, don’t miss Alfama with the city’s castle, Castelo Sao Jorge, and Lisbon’s cathedral, better known simply as the Se – hop on one of the traditional yellow trams to get around too.

Plus plenty of stops to eat: Belem is home to the original pastel de nata, but if you don’t have time to make it out of central Lisbon, you’ll find pastelerias galore with their own version, as well as fish dishes including classic bacalhao, or salted cod, and sardines.

The train to Lisbon from Porto passes through Aveiro and Coimbra on its way, but you’ll need to allow around three hours – make it at least an overnight stay if you can, or be prepared to try to nap on the way there and back.

Matosinhos

Matosinhos is a short distance away from Porto and the perfect escape from the city during the summer months. 

This small fishing village has some of the best seafood you’ve ever tasted, authentic Portuguese vibes (particularly when compared with the more tourist-oriented Porto), and a growing surf culture, so it’s easy to try a surfing lesson.

If you don’t fancy that, make the most of a leisurely stroll down the long stretches of golden sand (try to ignore the less picturesque docks) – building sandcastles is optional but encouraged, although expect it to be busy during the summer.

Take a wander through the local fish market in the harbour, eye up the ‘anemone’ – as locals call the waterfront sculpture inspired by fishing nets – and check out Sea Life Porto, the city’s aquarium.

It doesn’t take long to reach Matosinhos, with both the bus and the metro running from central Porto – the 500 bus is more scenic and there’s a walking route alongside so you can always wander part of the way before hopping on board when you get tired.

Check out my review of the Porto card to see if you can save on public transport around the city

Nazaré

Another fishing village, Nazaré also makes a great day-trip destination from Porto if you love surfing – it’s another option if you’re looking for a great beach escape or the next stop on a Portugal road trip too.

What makes Nazaré famous are its incredible waves and unique surfing conditions. Because of an underground canyon, Nazaré actually has some of the largest waves in the world and is among the most famous surf breaks in all of Europe.

During the colder months only pro surfers surf here and compete regularly. In the summer, however, waves are low and even those with less experience can have a go.

Or if surfing doesn’t tempt, the main beach of Nazaré is a lot more sheltered and popular for swimming and other water sports, plus shops and cafes along the beach promenade.

In between a long day at the beach, you should definitely take the funicular up to Nazaré’s lookout point too. As well as the beautiful views, you’ll find a little surf museum and lighthouse, plus a chance to look down onto both of Nazaré’s beaches.

There are trains to Nazaré but you need to change in Coimbra and they aren’t quick, so the best option is to drive – it’s around two hours from Porto by car.

Peneda-Gerês

Peneda-Gerês National Park is Portugal’s only national park and an unmissable spot if you love nature. 

Apart from admiring the park’s natural beauty and biodiversity, you can also swim in turquoise lagoons, try canyoning, go bird watching, explore old architecture, local heritage, and walking trails. 

The area’s biodiversity is one of its main draws, with many different species of flora and fauna to be found in this protected area of Northern Portugal, including wolves, eagles, and perhaps even the endangered Pyrenean desman.

If you fancy more adventure, there’s the opportunity to hike, climb, canyon, kayak, and more in different locations throughout the park.

Add in the sweeping panoramas and dramatic hills, and it all goes to make a visit to Peneda-Gerês one of the best day trips from Porto.

Driving takes a little over an hour from Porto, and is undoubtedly the easiest and most convenient way to reach the park compared to public transport.

You’ll also find plenty of small group and private tours to help you get the most from your day – Oporto Adventure Tours is an excellent option and a portion of the proceeds from ticket sales aid in reforestation efforts in Peneda-Gerês.

Or try this 4×4 tour, which is suitable for kids aged 3+ – you’ll be hiking in the mountains, swimming in lagoons and visiting isolated villages, so it’s best for older or adventurous kids though. Or there’s also stand-up paddleboarding on the Vez river for all ages.

Santiago de compostela (Spain)

If you’ve got your own access to a car or a hired driver, you needn’t be limited to days out in Portugal – why not head over Portugal’s northern border into Spain and visit Santiago de Compostela, the final destination of the famed Camino de Santiago pilgrimage trek. 

The beautiful medieval city of Santiago de Compostela is reputedly home to the final resting place of the apostle Saint James, and everything centre’s around the cathedral.

Wander the maze of cobbled streets (make sure to have comfy shoes!), discover the museums and art galleries, before relaxing in the elegant Parque de La Alameda

Driving, the journey takes around two and a half hours – the only realistic way to do it as a day trip from Porto, as public transport means you’d need to allow around four and a half hours each way! 

The other option is a day tour from Porto to Santiago de Compostela, but at 11 hours, it does make for a full-on day out.

Sintra

Winding through the narrow stone streets of Sintra is like entering a storybook village with ancient castle ruins perched on the rolling hillsides.        

If you see only one place in Sintra, it has to be the colourful Pena Palace, with its bright domes and fairytale turrets.

Check out more of my tips on what to do if you have one day in Sintra with kids

Of course, you shouldn’t stop at a single spot: the Moorish Castle, with its snaking stone wall, is another of Sintra’s top sights, and a short walk from the lower Pena Park entrance.

Then a short drive (or slightly longer walk) takes you to Quinta da Regaleira to explore the grand castle, grottos and grounds – don’t miss the hike down spiral stone steps to the bottom of the Initiation Well.

Add in Monserrate Palace with its Indian influences, and Sintra National Palace with its pepperpot towers, and you’ll quickly see why it’s hard to fit everything into a single day.

As with Lisbon, it’s not a short journey to reach Sintra from Porto – but the three-hour drive south along the coast is lovely option. Even better is to team it with the capital, if you have time, but either way, a day trip to Sintra is an unforgettable highlight of any Portugal itinerary.

For more of Portugal’s most unusual attractions, check out my top picks

Viana do Castelo

Set on the coast north of Porto, Viana do Castelo isn’t a tourist city like many of the other medieval spots in northern Portugal, but with its own historic centre and wonderful beaches, it’s well worth visiting.

Viana do Castelo’s top attraction is the Santa Luzia Basilica with its panoramic views overlooking the city of Viana do Castelo, the Lima river, and the coastline.

Set on top of a mountain on the outskirts of the city, it’s easy to reach the Basilica using a funicular from the old town, with its cobbled streets and picturesque buildings.

Another cool attraction of Viana is the Gil Eanes Hospital Ship – a former hospital ship converted into an unusual museum, it’s a great spot to learn more about Portugal’s fishing history.

Plus its close proximity makes it an excellent day trip from Porto, with trains taking around 60-90 minutes, or slightly under an hour by car.

Check out my complete guide to Portugal with kids here

More inspiration for day trips from Porto

Amarante

Amarante is a small, pretty town, around a quarter of the size of Porto, whose history stretches back to Roman times.

Set on a hill with views of the river Tamega and the Serra do Marão, it was home to one of Portugal’s most important 20th century artists and remains part of Unesco’s Creative Cities Network. Around 40 minutes away by car, slightly longer by bus

Lamego

Lamego is most famous for being the spot where Afonso Henriques was declared the country’s first king and there’s plenty to discover here if you’re interested in Portugal’s history.

Still home to a 12th castle, as well as the cathedral and striking Nossa Senhora dos Remedios, this historic city in the Douro region is only a couple of miles from the church at São Pedro de Balsemão, built back in the 7th century, which is said to be the oldest in Portugal.

Around a 75-minute drive from Porto, it is linked by train but that route takes closer to three hours.

Vila Real

Behind the historic facade of Vila Real’s most picturesque buildings, the town has some quirky reasons to tempt visitors – the birthplace of navigator Diogo Cão, the first to reach the mouth of the River Congo in 1482, it was also the first town in Portugal to install electricity.

It’s here that you can find the Solar de Mateus, the house depicted on Mateus Rose wine bottles – and you can take a tour of the interior. Around one hour from Porto by car.

For more things to do in Porto with kids, check out my top picks

*First published 2021, last updated 2024*

PIN FOR LATER: THE BEST DAY TRIPS FROM PORTO

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