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Porto in Dec/Jan - 5 .

Looking for suggestions/recommendations for 4 full days in Porto Dec. 30-Jan 2. We are family of 5 adults (kids 20-28) and I plan to book day trip to Buimaraes & Braga, and one day is January 1 so not sure how much we will be able to see/do that day. We are not big port wine fans so may check out a winery or two but not really interested in full-day experience, particularly if vineyards are dormant that time of year.

Any suggestions for other days day trips from Porto, or should we just plan to enjoy exploring the city for those 3 days. This will be start of our trip so we will likely have some jet lag. From Porto we will spend a night in Coimbra and 6 nights in Lisbon with a few day trips planned from there (Sintra/Caiscais, Nazarre/Obidos, Evora (?)).

Thanks in advance for insights and ideas!
Christine

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1783 posts

Unfortunately, most things will be closed on the first. But, walking around the city is quite picturesque and, as you wrote, it might be a good day to rest from your jet lag. Fireworks are a big deal on New Year’s Eve in Portugal, so that might be fun that night. I would reserve dinner for that night as it’s a big night for restaurants.
In Vila Nova Gaia, there are many port wine lodges and places to taste both Port and wine. To get to the Quintas and wineries of the Douro would really be a day trip as they aren’t that close to the city. Matosinhos is a great place for a fish lunch. They grill the fish outside with a number of restaurants quite close together and the aroma of the grilling fish is great.

With 4 days, one day trip to Braga and Guimarães will likely be enough. Especially with one of those days being a holiday.