Day tripsCountriesPortugalPortoPorto to Ponte de Lima and Viana do Castelo: Day trip

Porto to Ponte de Lima and Viana do Castelo: Day trip

Scenic view of Porto - private day trip from Porto - photo 1
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Private ride with a local driver

7h
Round trip
Private driver
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About your trip

Head north from Porto into the ancient kingdom of the Lima and the Minho, a landscape of vine-covered granite valleys, medieval bridges, and pilgrimage roads leading to Santiago. You'll explore Ponte de Lima, Portugal's oldest chartered town, cross the river on a bridge that has stood since Roman times, and close in the seaside city of Viana do Castelo, where Manueline architecture and the Minho coast meet at one of northern Portugal's finest viewpoints.
Exclusively yours: private vehicle and professional driver
Discover local insights you won't find in guidebooks
Experience the freedom to explore at your own speed
Perfectly planned for families, friends, or solo travelers
From $91
Private group ride
per person
Select date and travelers
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before your pickup time.
For a group of 1-3 travelersTotal$272

What to expect

Your day trip begins wherever you are

Meet our professional driver right where you prefer in Porto whenever suits you best. No time wasted getting to the pickup point, grab your bag and start your trip right away.

Discover more with local expertise

Your driver’s local insights will set the tone for your day trip. A hidden café here, a must-try restaurant there; insider tips you’ll love sharing later. This isn’t a guided tour but your ride will be rich with stories and discoveries along the way. And throughout the day, your driver will be available for you as needed, ready to assist, happy to help, making your trip stress-free.

Explore at your own pace

Your private Daytrip driver will collect you from your accommodation in Porto and take you north along the Minho coast to Ponte de Lima and Viana do Castelo. Along the way, you'll stop for photos at the Monastery of Sao Martinho de Tibaes. After your visit, you'll enjoy a comfortable return to Porto.

Perfect for any private group

Whether you're traveling solo, as a family with kids, or as a large group, this service is tailored for your comfort and flexibility. It's the ideal option especially if you have limited time or a busy schedule.

Good to know

  • Two-way private car transfer
  • Air-conditioned vehicle
  • Personalized pickup and drop-off
  • Professional English-speaking driver
  • Complimentary bottled water
  • Free cancellation 24 hours before departure
  • Entry/Admission tickets to paid attractions Ponte de Lima, Viana do Castelo, Monastery of Sao Martinho de Tibaes, and Braga should be purchased separately unless specified otherwise
  • Meals, snacks, and gratuity are not included
From $91
Private group ride
per person
Select date and travelers
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before your pickup time.
For a group of 1-3 travelersTotal$272

Your trip at a glance

Your trip at a glance

Start in Porto
You choose the pickup spot.
1
Ponte de Lima
Feel free to explore at your own pace and discover
Stop: 1 h 30 min - admission not included
Itinerary stop at Ponte de Lima on private day trip from Porto
Itinerary stop at Ponte de Lima on private day trip from Porto
Itinerary stop at Ponte de Lima on private day trip from Porto
Itinerary stop at Ponte de Lima on private day trip from Porto
Itinerary stop at Ponte de Lima on private day trip from Porto

Founded in 1125 and considered Portugal's oldest vila (chartered town), Ponte de Lima is the gateway to the Vinho Verde wine country, a place of medieval bridges, granite manor houses, and the unhurried green calm of the Lima valley.

What to see

  • The Ponte Romana, a medieval and Roman bridge crossing the Rio Lima in 26 arches, one of the oldest surviving bridges in Portugal, used by pilgrims on the Camino Portugues since the Middle Ages
  • The historic town center, with its arcaded main square, Manueline church of Santo Antonio, and the medieval tower houses of the old nobility
  • The fortnightly Monday market on the riverbank, one of the oldest traditional markets in Portugal, held on the same spot since the 13th century

What to do

  • Walk across the Roman bridge and back along the far bank of the Lima for the best view of the town's medieval riverfront
  • Visit one of the surrounding quintas for a tasting of young Vinho Verde wine, best drunk ice-cold in the shade

What to eat

  • Bacalhau a Lagareiro (salt cod roasted with olive oil) and lamprey in season (January to April) at one of the Lima riverfront restaurants
2
Viana do Castelo
Feel free to explore at your own pace and discover
Stop: 2 hours - admission not included
Itinerary stop at Viana do Castelo on private day trip from Porto
Itinerary stop at Viana do Castelo on private day trip from Porto
Itinerary stop at Viana do Castelo on private day trip from Porto
Itinerary stop at Viana do Castelo on private day trip from Porto

Viana do Castelo stands at the mouth of the Lima River, where the Minho coast begins, and the Atlantic opens out, a city of Manueline masterpieces, a hilltop basilica, and a long tradition of boat-building and embroidery that makes it the cultural capital of northern Portugal.

What to see

  • The Praca da Republica and its Renaissance fountain, surrounded by the Casa da Misericordia (1589), one of the finest Manueline civic buildings in Portugal, and the town hall, both in the same extraordinary late-Gothic and Manueline blend
  • The Basílica de Santa Luzia, a neo-Byzantine church crowning the Monte de Santa Luzia above the city, reached by funicular; the hilltop views across the Lima estuary, the Minho coast, and into Spain are exceptional
  • The local costume and embroidery museum, Viana's gold-embroidered regional dress is among the most elaborate in Portugal, and still worn at festival time

What to do

  • Take the funicular to Santa Luzia for the view, allow 30 minutes at the top
  • Walk the medieval center between the Praca da Republica and the Eiffel-designed iron bridge over the Lima

What to eat

  • Papas de sarrabulho, a thick pork and blood rice dish unique to the Minho, and fresh Lima river lamprey in season
3
Monastery of Sao Martinho de Tibaes (photo spot)
We’ll stop at this perfect photo spot – take a moment to capture the view!
Stop: 20 min - admission not included
Itinerary stop at Monastery of Sao Martinho de Tibaes on private day trip from Porto
Itinerary stop at Monastery of Sao Martinho de Tibaes on private day trip from Porto
Pause at the Monastery of Sao Martinho de Tibaes, the mother house of the Benedictine order in Portugal, largely rebuilt in Baroque style in the 17th and 18th centuries, with extraordinary carved woodwork and a sweeping formal garden visible from the road. Please keep in mind that opening times are seasonal, with the monastery being open from 10:00 to 19:00 from April 1st to September 30th (with last entry at 18:00) and from 10:00 to 18:00 from October 1st to March 31st.
Braga (pass by)
You’ll pass by this stunning spot – be sure to take a moment to enjoy the view along the way!
Itinerary stop at Braga on private day trip from Porto
Itinerary stop at Braga on private day trip from Porto
Itinerary stop at Braga on private day trip from Porto
Itinerary stop at Braga on private day trip from Porto
Itinerary stop at Braga on private day trip from Porto
Drive past the city of Braga, featuring Gothic steeples and thought of as the country’s religious center.
Back to Porto
We’ll take you back to your starting point.
Duration of the stops can be changed upon request after booking
Have questions or need help?Contact our Customer Support. We are available 24/7

Daytrip is loved all around the world. Here's why.

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Know more about your day trip

Ponte de Lima, Portugal's oldest town, features a medieval bridge, riverside gardens, and historic center. During your 1.5-hour visit, explore its Roman origins, elegant manor houses, and traditional markets. The town's connection to the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route adds cultural significance.
Viana do Castelo combines stunning architecture with Atlantic coastline. Your 2-hour visit includes the hilltop Santa Luzia Basilica with panoramic views, the historic center with Manueline and Renaissance buildings, and the Gil Eannes hospital ship museum showcasing maritime history.
The journey from Porto to Ponte de Lima takes approximately 1 hour, with another 30 minutes to Viana do Castelo. Your private driver ensures comfortable transportation through the scenic Minho region, known for its green landscapes, vineyards, and historic villages.
Minho cuisine features fresh seafood, cured meats, and the famous Vinho Verde wine. Try regional specialties like lamprey from Lima River, bacalhau dishes, or francesinha sandwiches. Markets in both towns offer local produce and sweets like queijadas and beijinhos.
Absolutely! The Minho region is home to Vinho Verde (young "green" wine). Your guide can recommend wine tasting opportunities in both towns, particularly in Ponte de Lima where local producers offer tastings of this slightly sparkling, refreshing wine unique to northern Portugal.
Comfortable walking shoes are essential for cobblestone streets and Santa Luzia's steps. Bring layers as coastal Viana can be windy, and a camera for panoramic views. Sun protection is recommended year-round, and a small backpack for personal items and shopping is practical.
Both towns offer excellent shopping opportunities during your visits. Ponte de Lima is known for embroidered linens and regional food products, while Viana do Castelo features traditional gold filigree jewelry, ceramics, and the famous regional embroidery on clothing and household items.
Ponte de Lima's riverside area is mostly flat, but Viana do Castelo presents challenges with hills and steps, particularly at Santa Luzia Basilica. The main attractions in town centers are accessible, but full exploration requires navigating uneven terrain. Contact Daytrip to discuss specific needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have any questions, here are the answers.
Day tripsCountriesPortugalPortoPorto to Ponte de Lima and Viana do Castelo: Day trip