We will be on a tour with the option of spending an afternoon one day or a full day another day in Porto or:
1} taking a 5 hr day trip to Guimaraes and not seeing Porto at all that day.
and on the last full day:
2} taking an 8 hr day trip to Braga and Barcelos. We will only have the prior evening to explore Porto, and whatever time we have left upon our return from these two Northern Portugal cities.. If we don't go to these two cities, this would be our only full day to explore Porto, since we will be leaving the next morning for home. I'm torn. Are these two cities so unique that missing exploring Porto for the day is worth it?
Posted by
Cascais, Portugal
1768 posts
I, personally, would stay in Porto. It’s such a lovely city, it would be a shame to miss it. While I enjoyed Braga and Guimarães, you would be spending a few hours in a car rather than having a relaxing day strolling around Porto and enjoying the food, scenery, etc. I’m also thinking you will be driving a lot on the tour and ready to spend a day outside a car.
Posted by
Paris
7259 posts
I would skip Braga & Barcelos. Guimarães is lovely and still leaves a bit of time in Porto on that day.
Posted by
OP
Folsom, California, usa
36 posts
Thank you both for your replies! This is exactly the feedback I needed to hear!
Our tour consists of 7 days on the Douro River, with day trips from the ports where we're docked.
I think we'll go ahead with Guimaraes, which does leave us with the evening, but skip the all day Brago & Barcelos bus tours. We've traveled extensively in Europe/Asia/India so we have seen many "old cities" so we'll concentrate on our full day in Porto. Any suggestions as to perhaps a foodie tour or fado performance?
Also, this is for Kathryn: I see you are from Cascais. We will be forgoing the Lisbon day tour before we head to board the river cruise in Porto. (we've been to Lisbon before} and taking the train to Cascais. Any suggestions while we're there?