Our private day trips
If you're spending a few days in Braga and want to enjoy some of the most symbolic places in the surrounding area, don't hesitate in booking one of our private tours. They last between 9 and 10 hours and all of them include hotel pickup, minibus transport, an English-speaking guide and lunch.
Porto (9 hours)
On arrival, we'll see the San Bento train station, the Cathedral and the Clérigos Tower. We'll stop for a traditional lunch and then cross the Don Luis I Bridge to visit the village of Vila Nova de Gaia. Here you'll find the best Port cellars, one of which we'll visit and enjoy a wine tasting. Next, we'll have the opportunity to experience a boat ride across the six bridges, and we'll end the day enjoying some Porto wines.
Peneda-Geres National Park (9 hours)
We'll go to the Peneda-Gerês National Park and walk past the waterfalls and streams. Then we'll visit the Interpretation Museum and ride through the area in a horse-drawn carriage, before stopping for a traditional lunch at a local restaurant. Next, we'll visit the Sanctuary of San Bento, the second-largest pilgrimage in Portugal! Finally, we'll stop to taste the most popular local products.
Douro Region (9.5 hours)
We'll pick you up at 8:30 am and make our way to the Douro region. We'll admire the vineyards and forests as we approach a local winery. The experts will explain the winemaking process, and then we'll enjoy a tasting. Afterwards, we'll take a ride on a Rabelo boat along the Douro River. Following on, we'll have a delicious lunch at a wine-producing farm. Then, we'll visit another winery with a tasting there too!
- Timetable: daily at 8:30 am
Coimbra & Aveiro (10 hours)
On this excursion, we'll enter a UNESCO World Heritage Site: the University of Coimbra, the oldest university in Portugal. You'll see the students wear traditional attire with a black cloak. We'll then explore the old part of the city and see the Romanesque cathedral, a symbolic landmark.
Before continuing our journey, we'll have lunch in Coimbra. With our batteries recharged, we'll arrive in Aveiro. There, you'll get on a traditional Moliceiro boat for 45 minutes to see why it is called the 'Portuguese Venice'. When you disembark, don't hesitate to take pictures next to the mythical striped coloured houses.
- Timetable: daily at 8:30 am
Santiago de Compostela & Valença do Minho (10 hours)
With this excursion, you'll visit one of the most important pilgrimage cities in the world: Santiago de Compostela. Upon arrival, you'll have free time to visit the imposing cathedral, a Gothic, Romanesque and Baroque place of worship that houses porticoes, chapels and altarpieces of great historical relevance. Don't miss the characteristic botafumeiro.
Afterwards, we'll enjoy a delicious traditional lunch, including padrón peppers. Later back in Portugal, we'll visit Valença do Minho, a medieval fortified village that will leave you speechless, where we'll also taste some of the best local products.
- Timetable: daily at 8:30 am
Braga & Guimaraes (9 hours)
We'll begin this private day trip exploring Braga, a city with more than 2,000 years of history. We'll walk along Rua do Souto, a popular shopping avenue and stroll through the Garden of Santa Barbara. We'll visit the Braga Cathedral, the oldest temple in Portgual, and then hit the road to see the emblematic Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte. Afterward, we'll have lunch at a local restaurant, which will consist of a starter, soup, a main course, a drink, dessert and coffee.
With our batteries recharged, we'll head to Guimaraes, considered the birthplace of Portugal! We'll explore its castle and the Church of São Miguel do Castelo before admiring the façade of the Palace of the Dukes of Braganza.
Vinho Verde (8 hours)
In this tour dedicated to Vinho Verde, we'll learn about the techniques, secrets and traditional production methods of its exclusive wine, loved and sought after both nationally and internationally. We'll begin by discovering the citadel preserved inside the 17th-century fortress of Valença do Minho. The centuries-old green rural roads will take us to the heart of the sub-region of Monção and Melgaço, the birthplace of the famous Alvarinho grape variety, where we will stop to discover the secrets of Vinho Verde wine production.
Afterward, we'll delight our palates with a delicious lunch, harmonized with local products and demarcated wines. After this experience, the rural and traditional landscapes of the "Green Region" will lead us to explore typical villages of the oldest Portuguese wine region and discover its historical legacy. This will be followed by a second tasting of Vinho Verde of the different varieties of this sub-region, paired with regional products.
- Timetable: daily at 8:30 am
Barcelos, Ponte de Lima & Vianado Castelo (9 hours)
We'll start by exploring the historical center of Barcelos, with its 14th-century bridge and the legend of the Portuguese ex-libris: the Rooster of Barcelos. We'll taste the typical sweets and learn more about the local recipes. The green landscapes where the famous Vinho Verde grapes grow will take us to the age-old village of Ponte de Lima, the oldest town in Portugal. As we explore its medieval historical center, we'll be transported back in time. There we'll have a lunch typical of the region, accompanied by the area's exclusive wines.
Next, we'll visit the magnificent and historic Viana do Castelo, home to the captivating Sanctuary of Santa Luzia. We'll also have a delicious cocktail, the perfect ending to the day's trip.
Advantages of a private day trip
By booking a private tour, you'll receive a much more personalised service. Moreover, you can do the tour any day of the week, modify the itinerary to your liking and, if you're a large group, you'll save money!
