{"id":9876,"date":"2022-02-09T14:34:04","date_gmt":"2022-02-09T14:34:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ulysses.travel\/day-tours-around-porto\/"},"modified":"2024-01-18T14:18:42","modified_gmt":"2024-01-18T14:18:42","slug":"day-tours-around-porto","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ulysses.travel\/en\/day-tours-around-porto\/","title":{"rendered":"Day-tours around Porto"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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If you’re staying in Porto long enough,\nbe sure to explore the surroundings of the city: you’ll find\nplenty to do\naround Porto!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What to do around Porto? Here are the Captain’s favourites! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\ud83d\udca1 The Captain\u2019s tip<\/strong> \ud83d\udca1<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\ud83e\uddd0 Want to know more about Porto’s history?<\/strong> Captain Ulysses highly recommends this free guided tour of the city<\/a><\/mark>. It\u2019s up to you to choose how much you wish to tip the tour guide!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udca4 Looking for an hotel in Porto?<\/strong> Be sure to check out the Captain’s article: Where to stay in Porto? Advice & recommendations<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83c\udfdb Planning your trip to Porto?<\/strong> Be sure to check out Captain Ulysses’ complete article on what to see and do in the city: a Guide to Porto<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\ud83d\udc76 Planning a family adventure to Porto?<\/strong> Discover all of the Captain\u2019s top tips in the article: Exploring Porto with the Kids: Family-Friendly Activities<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Aveiro (+ Matosinhos)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

75 kilometers south of Porto, Aveiro is a picture-postcard\ntown which the Captain definitely recommends visiting! Nestled in a lagoon by the ocean, the city is mostly\nknown for its picturesque canals, its barcos moliceiros<\/em> (rowboats),\nits Art Nouveau buildings and its colorful\nhouses. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gourmets will also seize the occasion to taste the local specialty: ovos\n moles<\/em>, a delicious dessert made with eggs and sugar. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are staying a few days in the region of Porto, Captain Ulysses\ncan only recommend taking some time to explore Aveiro. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you’re headed to Aveiro by car or train, the Captain suggests making a pit stop in Matosinhos on the way back to enjoy the gorgeous beach and maybe even treat yourself to a surfing session!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\ud83d\udca1 Practical information<\/strong> \ud83d\udca1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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To get to Aveiro, several possibilities:
\u2022 taking the train<\/strong>, it is the cheapest option
\u2022 renting a car. <\/strong>To find the best deal on a rental car, the Captain highly recommends using Rentalcars<\/a>.
\u2022 opting for an organized day trip<\/strong>, so as not to miss any of the treasures of Aveiro. The Captain recommends two day trips in particular: a 4-hour day trip (perfect if you’re running on a tight budget)<\/a> <\/strong>\/ a 10-hour day tour (Aveiro, Paiva Walkways and Arouca 516 Footbridge)<\/a> <\/strong>. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"Excursions
Barco Moliceiro<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Canals of Aveiro<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Sao Jacinto Natural Reserve<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Nestled at the end of the peninsula formed by the Ria de Aveiro, west of Aveiro,\nthe Sao Jacinto Natural Reserve is heaven on earth\nfor nature lovers! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

With their white sand beaches, dunes, pine forests and marshes,\nthe landscapes are quite simply spectacular. Four trails (\n40-minute to 3-hour hikes) start from the interpretation centre.\nIn the reserve, you’ll find observation specifically platforms designed\nfor bird watching. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sao Jacinto is also one of Portugal’s hotspots for surfing enthusiasts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\ud83d\udca1 Practical information<\/strong> \ud83d\udca1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The easiest way to get to Sao Jacinto Dunes Natural Reserve is renting a car for the day<\/a>:<\/strong> you’ll be able to explore Aveiro, Sao Jacinto and Matosinhos. Otherwise, you’ll need to take the train in Porto, hop on a ferry in Aveiro, and either walk 4km or rent a bike to get to the reserve.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udc49 Find out more in the Captain’s dedicated article: Sao Jacinto nature reserve<\/a><\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sao Jacinto Beach<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Hiking in Sao Jacinto<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The Douro Valley<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Attention, nature lovers and wine enthusiasts! You’ve visited the Port wine cellars in Porto? To complete the visit,\nnothing beats a trip to the Douro Valley, where the\nvines are grown and the grapes are vinified before being transported to Vila Nova de Gaia to\ncontinue aging. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Get ready for a quinta (farm) tour and explore the local vineyards grown on terraced hillsides in the Douro Valley. The Captain suggests taking a scenic river cruise for breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\ud83d\udca1 Practical information<\/strong> \ud83d\udca1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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To experience the Douro Valley, there are several options:
\u2022 rent a car<\/strong> if you’d rather be free to stop whenever\/wherever you want
\u2022 opt for an day tour<\/strong>, which includes a cruise on the Douro.
\ud83d\udc49 The Captain highly recommends this tour<\/a><\/strong>, which includes transportation in a minivan, visits to 2 quintas, wine and port tastings, lunch, and a leisurely river cruise.”<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"Excursions
View of the Valley from the Douro<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Panoramic view of the Douro Valley <\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Braga & Guimaraes <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Both located 55 kilometers north of Porto (and 25 kilometers from each other),\nGuimar\u00e3es and Braga are lovely\nhistoric towns which are definitely worth visiting if you have time\nenough! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Braga, don’t miss out on the stunning Monastery of Bom Jesus and Cathedral. In Guimar\u00e3es, check out the impressive Castle and Palace of the Dukes of Braganza. Take time to wander the charming and lively historic centers of both cities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\ud83d\udca1 Practical information<\/strong> \ud83d\udca1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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There are several options for exploring Braga and Guimar\u00e3es from Porto,
including renting a car for the day,
or taking the cheap and frequent trains from the center of Porto. <\/strong>Note that the Monastery of Bom Jesus and the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Sameiro are located outside the city and will require a bus to reach.
You can also book a guided tour.<\/strong> The Captain Ulysse recommends this particular tour,<\/a><\/strong> which includes hotel pickup, transportation in a minibus, a guide, entrance fees, and lunch with a drink.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udc49 Find out more in Captain Ulysses’ detailed articles: Guimar\u00e3es<\/a><\/em> & Braga<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte – Braga<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Guimaraes Castle<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Coimbra<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While the Captain recommends spending more than just a day in Coimbra,\nyou can always opt for a day tour from Porto if you don’t have time enough to spend the\nnight. One of the Coimbra’s top tourist attractions is undoubtedly its university, one\nof the oldest in Europe! The city also counts beautiful churches\nand monasteries, as well as a very fine museum, the Museu Nacional de Machado de Castro.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The charming city center, with its winding and hilly streets, is a true favorite of Captain Ulysses in Portugal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\ud83d\udca1 Practical information<\/strong> \ud83d\udca1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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To get to Coimbra from Porto, there are several options:
\u2022 rent a car
\u2022 take the train<\/strong>
\u2022 book a day tour:<\/strong> the Captain recommends this day tour<\/a>, <\/strong>which also stops at Fatima, a mythical sanctuary where the Virgin Mary supposedly appeared to three young shepherds in 1917. The day tour from Porto includes pick-up at your hotel, transport by minibus, the services of an English-speaking guide and lunch. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Historic Center of Coimbra<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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University of Coimbra<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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book your day tours around porto<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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\ud83d\udc49 Looking for tips to plan your vacation in Porto? You might find these articles of interest: <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n