We are taking RS Portugal tour in late May and then going onto England. Should we plan additional time in Porto after the RS tour concludes. I have not yet gotten our transportation Porto to London. Thank you for any advice you can offer me. This will be our 18th RS tour.
Posted by
SE Pennsylvania
3234 posts
Have you decided not to go to Sintra after the tour?
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/tours/heart-of-portugal-tour-272c30c9-ad07-499d-9542-1de54023784b
Posted by
OP
Richmond, VA
139 posts
Because of Sintra and needing to recover from Economy overnight airline seats we have adjusted our priorities and are arriving early for the tour and will go to Sintra.
Does anyone have advice or comments about staying over in Porto a day or two after the tour.
Posted by
Sacramento, California U.S.A.
11403 posts
Porto has plenty to offer. My husband and I spent 8 nights there a few months ago. I don’t know your interests or what the tour will include to make specific suggestions.
Posted by
Mid-Atlantic area
8429 posts
Plan extra time in Porto if there are things you want to see there that are not covered in the tour. Otherwise, move on to a location where there are things you want to see.
Posted by
Ashburn VA
1056 posts
I'm on board with Andrea. Having lived there and spent weeks on vacation in Porto, I know that you will find plenty to keep you amused. In May, the gardens at the Crystal Palace will be beautiful. They are off the beaten tourist track and well worth a few hours. Another place, if you like art, would be the Serralves Museum. It also has an elevated walkway that skirts the treetops. Very pretty. And, of course, visit one (or more) of the port wine lodges. Do a little research to find what would be most appealing to you. Some have very good museums. Ask to try white Port. It's hard to find in the US, but delicious and worth trying for sure. To get to Gaia, a walk across the Dom Luis bridge cannot be beat. You will love Porto.
Posted by
9833 posts
Porto is worth 2-3 days as well as visiting the amazing Douro River Valley.
Take a cruise up the river, or take the train to Pinhao and Regua. The train runs along the north bank of the river.
Posted by
Alsenborn, Germany
2592 posts
Take the bus out to Matosinhos. It costs about 2 euro. The beach there is nice sand, wide and walkable. There's an old fort on the south end, surfers just above that, shells to hunt, and good places to eat and drink all along the seawall. Excellent place to watch the sun go down.
Go to the indoor market (in Porto) early, around 0800 and get your breakfast there.
Posted by
Washington, DC USA
874 posts
In addition to things already suggested, if interested you might explore the arts and art gallery district around Rua Miguel Bombarda in Porto. I greatly enjoyed a street art walking tour; also visiting a port wine lodge on the Vila Nova de Gaia side of the river and exploring that neighborhood if not already covered on your RS tour.