Whenever I have some free time from my chaotic life as an owner of a private tour company based in Porto, I enjoy taking day trips. I honestly believe that I live in the most beautiful country in the world, and the more I travel, the more I am convinced of this.
And so it is with great pleasure that I share this list of the best cities in Portugal with you. So after you decide where to stay in Porto, it is time to explore the best cities in Portugal and the most beautiful villages near Porto!
No time to read a long article? Here’s a summary of the best cities in Portugal:
| City | Distance to Porto | Tours | Hotels |
| Guimarães | 1h | Group tour to Braga & Guimarães or PRIVATE Braga & Guimarães tour | Casa do Juncal |
| Braga | 1h | Group tour to Braga and Guimarães or PRIVATE Braga & Guimarães tour | Braga Bells Guesthouse |
| Fátima | 2h | Group tour to Fátima and Guimarães | Luz Charming Houses |
| Aveiro | 1h | Private Aveiro & Coimbra tour | Casa do Cais |
| Arouca | 1h30 | Aveiro, Paiva walkways and the suspension bridge Tour. | Quintãs Farm Houses and Quinta de Anterronde. |
| Gerês | 1h30 | 4×4 Tour with Lunch included | Best hotels in Gerês |
| Ponte de Lima | 1h | Private Minho region tour | Casa das Neves |
| Douro Valley | 1h30 | Private wine tour in the Douro valley | Where to Stay in the Douro Valley |
Best cities in Portugal near Porto:
Guimarães (1h from Porto)
Guimarães, once the European Capital of Culture, is one of the cutest cities in Portugal (even cutter than Porto, but I’ll always denied saying this!). This cute little city will win you over with its perfectly renovated medieval buildings and its narrow streets where the most tempting souvenir stores await for you
In Guimarães I recommend you to visit all the monuments in the Sacred Hill – the castle, the Palace of the Dukes of Braganza and a tiny church dedicated to St. Michael.
If you prefer to wonder around the city with no particular monument in mind then I recommend you these streets: Rua de Santa Maria, Praça de Tourais, Largo da Oliveira and Zona de Couros. For me, wondering in Guimarães is one of the best things to do in the cities in Portugal, especially if you are on the hunt for tortas de Guimarães (a traditional sweet filled with pumpkin jam, eggs and almonds).
How to get there: by train or by car – check the best car rental prices with DiscoverCars.
Where to Stay in Guimarães: in this city I am particularly found of Casa do Juncal and Vale de S. Torcato Hotel Rural. A good B&B is the Bergui Guesthouse.
Braga, one of the best cities in Portugal (1h from Porto)
I never really appreciated Braga as much as Guimarães, but lately I have been going there with my friends and I am slowly but steadily embracing this city. Braga is not only one of the most beautiful cities in Portugal but also one of the best day trips you can take from Porto, as it is just 1h driving distance.
Given its intense Baroque and Neoclassical architecture, I recommend you to first and above all wander the city centre. There, you will find magnificent buildings such as the cathedral of Braga – make sure to get a guided tour of the upper choir and its three chapels.
Another great thing to do is to walk Rua do Souto, where you will be able to see a beautiful fountain, a famous medieval tour as well as Porta Nova, a stunning entrance to the walls of the city that has two different architectural styles (one seen from the inside of the city and another one facing the outside).
Close to Braga is a famous sanctuary called Bom Jesus the Braga, which is definitely worth the visit.
You can get to Braga directly by train or by rental car. But to me the best way to explore this region is to book either a group tour to Braga and Guimarães or, if you prefer, a private tour.
Once in Braga: try the AMAZING conventual biscuits and roman cake at Frigideiras do Cantinho, a pastry shop founded in 1796.
Where to Stay in Braga: in this city I love the Braga Bells Guesthouse. A good B&B is Domus 26 Guesthouse – B&B and for hostels I suggest the Collector’s Home.
Fátima (2h from Porto)
I have already been plenty of times in Fátima, the famous Portuguese Catholic shrine, mostly with my family. It is impossible not to feel impressed with the shrine and the profound faith and reverence that one fells there.
I found out a great full day tour that not only takes you to visit Fátima but also Coimbra, the famous university city in Central Portugal. I think this is a lovely way of getting to know two completely different cities in Portugal: a Catholic one and one that is the birthplace of knowledge in my country.
If you don’t feel like going on a tour then the best way to get to Fátima is by car – check the best car rental prices with DiscoverCars.
Where to stay in Fátima: for me nothing can quite compare to Luz Charming Houses and to Hotel Dom Goncalo & Spas
Aveiro (1h from Porto)
In my previous life (I always refer to my life as an Industrial Engineer as my previous life) I used to live in Aveiro. This city, considered by many as the Venice of Portugal due to its canals and traditional moliceiros boats, is definitely one of the best day trips from Porto.
The best way to explore it is to do a Private Aveiro & Coimbra tour, the two most important cities in Central Portugal. I love this tour precisely because it allows you to explore two fantastic places on a single day.
How to get there: by train.
Once in Aveiro: Everyone will tell you to eat Ovos Moles, a traditional Portuguese pastry from Aveiro, but to be honest I never met a single foreigner that liked it.
Where to stay in Aveiro: B&B: Aveiro Rossio Bed & Breakfast, SolDouro Guesthouse and Casa do Cais. Apartments: Aveiro Panoramic. Hostels: Aveiro Rossio Hostel and Suites & Hostel Cidade de Aveiro.
Amarante, one of the best cities in Portugal (1h from Porto)
I love – LOVE – Amarante. This city in Northern Portugal combines a very well preserved city centre, a striving wine industry (let us not forget its location, in the Green Wine region) and some of the best traditional Portuguese pastries. What else could you ask for?!
Once in Amarante, visit the museum dedicated to Amadeo de Souza – Cardoso, the amazing Portuguese artist that died prematurely at the end of WWI. Right next to the museum is the gracious church of São Gonçalo. From there, walk the bridge with the same name as it is stunning, and there is a famous pastry shop called Confeitaria da Ponte waiting for you on the other side 😉
If you are visiting Amarante I recommend you to stay at the Monverde Wine Experience Hotel, as it is one of the best boutique hotels in Portugal. It is horribly expensive though, but you can go there anyway to enjoy a green wine tasting overlooking the vineyards. Life does not get much better than that.
How to get there: Unfortunately there is no train connection to Amarante, so I recommend you to rent a car – check the best car rental prices with DiscoverCars.
Where to Stay in Amarante: in this city I am particularly fond of Monverde Wine Experience Hotel. A good budget option is the Des Arts.
Gerês National Park (1h30 from Porto)
I know, I know, Gerês National Park is not exactly one of the best cities in Portugal but if you are a nature lover like myself it would be SUCH A PITY not to visit this green heaven!
In Gerês National Park you can find a bit of everything: gorgeous villages, mountain lakes where you can have a (freezing) bath, breathtaking waterfalls and mountain trails. For more detailed information, read my article about the best things to do in Gerês.
I think that Gerês National Park deserves a couple of days at least. But if you only have one day in the region, why don’t you join a 4×4 Tour with Lunch included?
This tour includes not only a visit to the viewpoint on the picture above but also swimming at the famous Blue Well and the “Tahiti” Waterfalls as well as a traditional Portuguese lunch. This is a very popular tour so don’t forget to book your Gerês National Park full day tour.
Ponte de Lima (1h from Porto)
Another great day trip from Porto is Ponte de Lima, an ancient village at the heart of the Green Wine Region. In fact, Ponte de Lima is so proud of being the oldest village in Portugal that it refused to be turned into a city. True story. (So technically it shouldn’t even be on this list of the best cities in Portugal!).
What I particularly enjoy about Ponte de Lima is its deep connection to nature. Besides visiting its cute historical centre, you can dedicate some time to walking by the riverside or by the lagoons of Bertiandos.
If you don’t feel like exploring it on your own, you can simply book a Private tour of the Minho Region which includes not only Ponte de Lima but also Barcelos, Viana do Castelo, and a traditional lunch in between.
Once in Ponte de Lima: you must try Arroz de Sarrabulho (chicken rice cooked with blood, vinegar and cummins) at Restaurante Alameda. It is. so. good!
Where to Stay in Ponte de Lima: I LOVE Quinta do Ameal – Wine & Tourism Terroir and Carmo’s Boutique Hotel, even though they are both quite expensive, staying there is one of the best things you can do in Portugal! A good B&B is Casa das Neves. For apartments I suggest Casa do Carvalho.
Douro Valley (1h30 / 2h from Porto)
Douro Valley is one of the loves of my life. The more I go there – and given my private tours I go there 3 to 4 times a week! -, the more I find more things to get in love with. It is not only its superb wines – it is the impressive landscape, the warm and hospitable people and the food. 
I have already made a list of the best wineries in the Douro valley as well as the best activities to do in the Douro valley (besides drinking wine). For example, you can join a rabelo boat ride departing from Pinhão buy your ticket for a 1 hour ride in Douro for 15€ (which is an absolute bargain!).
I can add to the list a visit to Lamego, a beautiful city just South of Régua, considered by many of one of the best cities in Portugal. Moreover, you have the historical villages of Ucanha (it has a splendid medieval tower) and Tabuaço, which are both stunning.
To get to the Douro valley, you can either:
- Join me on a private tour in the Douro valley.
- If you are on a tight budget or simply want to make new friends, join a Group tour of the Douro valley.
- You can also explore the region on your own. You can get to Régua and to Pinhão by train as there are plenty connections from Porto, but if you want to explore the amazing vineyards in the region you definitely need a car. You can check the best car rental prices with DiscoverCars.
Where to Stay in the Douro valley: read my articles about Where to Stay in Douro Valley, best hotels with Spa in Douro or, for a more intimate experience, the best bungalows in the region.
Fafe (1h from Porto)
Fafe is an interesting city not only because it is completely off the tourist radar but also because is has been shaped by the return of Brasileiros Torna Viagem (the Portuguese emigrants that went to Brasil, made a fortune and decided to come back to Portugal).
These “returned” migrants were so fundamental in the social, economical and cultural development of Fafe that there is a great museum solely dedicated to them called Museu das Emigrações. So for this reason alone, Fafe is one of the best cities in Portugal.
Once in Fafe, don’t forget to visit the the Cine theatre as it is a superb concert house.
For nature lovers, I suggest you to visit Aldeia do Pontido and take a 2h walk from there, all around the secluded lake close by.
How to get there: by bus or by car – check the best car rental prices with DiscoverCars.
Where to Stay in Fafe: in this city I stayed at Casas do Ermo and really enjoyed it!
Quintandona (30 minutes from Porto)
Quintandona is a hidden gem just half an hour driving distance from Porto. This is one of the wonderful Portuguese villages where the amazing beauty of its typical shale houses immediately captivates us.
In Quintandona there is not much to do besides walk its little streets and wonder how it would be to live in the past. You will be able to see the public pillory, a centenary chapel, some typical stone structures called canastros, where farmers used to store their corn, and even a public place where women used to wash their clothes.
The only way to get to Quintadona is by car – check the best car rental prices with DiscoverCars.
Once in Quintadonna: There is a tapas place called WineBar Casa da Viúva. I wasn’t particularly found of the tapas itself (then again I love proper food, so it is probably a matter of preference!) but its wine list is superb.
Where to Stay in Quintandona: in this city I am completely in love with Casa Valxisto, it is such a lovely place! 🙂
Arouca (1h30 from Porto)
Visiting Arouca, a discrete village just 1h driving distance from Porto, is definitely one of the best things to do in Portugal for nature lovers. Arouca has one of the most beautiful city centres I have ever seen, that revolves around its stunning convent. Moreover, it is located near the famous Paiva walkways and the suspension bridge, and the best way to cover it all is to join this Aveiro, Paiva walkways and the suspension bridge Tour.
Once in Arouca: you MUST try Morcelas Doces, a traditional Portuguese conventual sweet made with almonds. I can’t recall where I used to eat them, but they are easy to recognise as they have the shape of sausages! 🙂
Where to Stay in Arouca: staying in Arouca is all about farm houses to be shared among friends or two couples. My recommendations are Quintãs Farm Houses and Quinta de Anterronde.
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