DIY if you like, discovering Portugal independently. But when your holiday time is limited, you want to drink in as much of this place as you can, and you’d rather not miss any of the best bits, Portugal Day trips are the bunny.
Official day trips come with all the bells and whistles: knowledgeable professional local guides and drivers, comfy air conditioned transport, your pick-ups and drop-offs, the right insurance, entry fees and tickets, tips, food and drink, and special equipment if you need it: stuff like snorkelling equipment and waterproof bags for your phones. No time-wasting, no getting lost or delayed, just a free and easy experience where you can totally relax. Here are 8 of the best Portugal day trips.
Do a Douro Valley Wine Tour with Lunch, Wine, and a River Cruise
If you fancy exploring the world famous wine region of the Douro Valley, a totally immersive guided day excursion might be exactly what you need. No faffing around hiring cars or finding public transport. Just a day out amid the Douro’s countless brilliant wineries, restaurants, and of course viewpoints.
Day trips in the Douro involve winery visits, where you’ll discover some of the region’s tastiest tipples. You’ll find out about the region’s fascinating wine heritage thanks to an experienced guide and the people who actually make the wines. And you’ll be able to taste some of them along with a gorgeous traditional Portuguese lunch.
You’ll love the beautiful views of terraced vineyards and the mighty river itself winding far below. And if you choose a day trip with a Douro cruise included, your day will be rounded off to perfection on the glittering water overlooking the dramatic landscapes. Lovely.
- Wines have been made in the valley since Roman times
- This is the first formally-demarcated wine region in the world
- Port wine isn’t made anywhere else
- The grapevines actually grow in rock, incredibly hardy plants
Fall madly in love with Sintra and Cascais
Sintra and Cascais are stuffed with natural and architectural wonders, especially good fun on a small group tour. You’ll marvel at the lush greenery in Sintra Natural Park, the secret paths and echoing caves in Pena Park, and the massive cliffs at Roca Cape – the westernmost point of continental Europe.
World-class Pena National Palace is yours to discover in great company with expert guidance, and the drive along the Atlantic Coast to Cascais will genuinely blow your mind. It’s spectacular, and a stroll through the town itself leads to wonderfully scenic beaches. Some day trips come with free time at Cascais Beach, the perfect place to chill out before you return.
- Sintra is a popular luxury dining destination on the Portuguese Riviera, one of the wealthiest places in the country – misty mountains, lush forests, and opulent palaces
- Cascais is a glamorous seaside resort, the place the Portuguese monarchy came on holiday in the 1800s and early 1900sth centuries. It offers excellent surfing too, and there’s the awesome Boca do Inferno to admire
Discover the best bits of Fátima, Nazaré and Óbidos without any faff
It’d be a challenge to find transport, find your way to all three destinations, pay for tickets and entries, and find your way around. But you can experience the rich heritage and stunning countryside of Portugal on a day trip covering magical Fátima, Óbidos and Nazaré.
Fatima is one of Christianity’s most important pilgrimage destinations, the place where three children saw a vision of the Virgin Mary back in 1917, AKA ‘Our Lady of Fátima’. The little medieval town of Óbidos is a jewel of a place, the ultimate in romantic, and Nazare is all about the fishing, incredibly scenic.
The Batalha Monastery is so ornate and magnificent it’s a UNESCO World Heritage-listed site. The landscapes are just as extraordinary here, rich in unforgettable Atlantic views with vast cliffs and fertile green hills.
Choose a small group tour for a more intimate experience enhanced by the expertise of your guide. Again, this is the best way to enjoy the wonders f Portugal without any of the hassle. Just turn up, get picked up, and enjoy your day.
- The Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Rosary of Fátima is free to visit, with no official opening hours
- Nazare offers absolutely huge surfing waves, Portugal’s most famous beach set next to a pretty 1600s fishing village
- You can walk around the medieval ramparts at Obidos, taking around an hour with spectacular views all around you
Tour Porto Moniz Volcanic Pools and Cabo Girao by jeep
Take a jeep day trip to explore the unique natural splendour in the Funchal area, which can be tough to access on your own. Portugal’s public transport isn’t always great, making a tour a stress-free way to see this cool place. Funchal offers some very well-trodden paths which you’ll go far beyond by jeep, deep into the awesome natural plateaus at Paul da Serra and the area’s extraordinary overlooks.
The natural volcanic pools at Porto Moniz are a delight and the famous São Vicente vineyards and Cabo Girao sea cliffs will stay in your mind’s eye for years to come. The views are quite simply spectacular.
- The Porto Moniz swimming area is nice and big as well as just 2m or so deep, perfect for the whole family
- You can also book whale and dolphin watching tours at Cabo Girao
Cherry-pick the best of Braga and Guimaraes
Fancy going off-piste to somewhere fewer tourists go? Take a trip to one of Portugal’s most underrated regions, being picked up at Porto for a full day guided trip touring Minho in north Portugal. This place is famed for its gorgeous countryside, excellent vineyards, and delicious food, yours for the day as you explore with a knowledgeable guide.
The vibrant cities of Guimaraes and Braga are destinations in themselves, both revealing the local way of life, the vibe and the personality of the area. Some tours include a tasty traditional Portuguese lunch.
- The oldest City in Portugal, Braga is often called the ‘Rome of Portugal’
- Guimaraes is famous for its historic city centre, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Marvel at Benagil Cave, Marinha Beach, and Algar Seco
Portugal offers immense natural wonders at every turn: dizzying cliffs, staggering terraced vineyards, huge winding rivers, lush countryside and loads of natural parks. Faro is the perfect starting point to see the Algarve’s coastline, home to the world famous Benagil Cave and Marinha Beach, two of the region’s best loved must-see destinations.
Your guide will point out the best spots for incredible photos, and some trips even provide umbrellas to keep you safe from the blinding sunlight.
- Benagil cave is convenient for Lagos, Albufeira and Portimão, all less than an hour away
- Marinha Beach is known for being one of the world’s most beautiful beaches
- The entire Algar Seco coast is an area of stunning cliffs, rock formations, caves, blowholes, and natural pools
Experience Aveiro, and the Paiva Walkways and suspension bridge
A series of wooden walkways take you up and up and up – this is the Paiva Walkways and they’re adored by people who love nature, rich in idyllic landscapes. Because your Paiva ticket is included in the price of the day trip you won’t have to queue, and your round-trip transfers from Porto are also included.
You’ll visit beautiful Aveiro on foot, bob along the canals on an enchanting boat ride, and see lovely Costa Nova fishing village for yourself. This is the Portuguese Venice and it’s incredibly scenic.
- Aveiro is very beautiful, traversed by canals with trips available on the colourful gondola-like boats
- The Paiva walkways offer 5 miles of remarkable steep walks within the Arouca Geopark, a UNESCO Geological Site
- The Paiva suspension bridge offers the most exciting 516 meters of your life, quite terrifying if you’re scared of heights!
Absorb the many wonders of Lisbon
Lisbon, Portugal’s capital, is so full of things to see it’s hard to see the wood for the trees, making a day trip an excellent choice. You’ll enjoy an in-depth look at Lisbon’s important landmarks, drinking in everything from medieval Lisbon’s St. George’s Castle and Se Cathedral to the massive Monument of the Discoveries, Jerónimo’s Monastery, and the Belém Tower.
This city is known for its many viewpoints, each with different vistas of this beautiful city, the river, and the landscapes beyond. Finally you’ll discover modern Lisbon, all with expert commentary from your guide so you won’t miss a thing
- This is the oldest city in Western Europe
- The symbol of the city is the raven
- The Vasco da Gama bridge is the world’s longest at 11 miles long
- This must be one of the world’s most fascinating and lovely cities, and it’s small enough to explore on foot
There are countless amazing day trips to choose from, so pick your region, choose the attractions you most like the sound of, and get the very best out of your Portugal holidays.
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