Day Trip from Porto to Amarante: 1 Day Itinerary + Tips
Amarante is a quaint historic town in northern Portugal. It has roots tracing back to Roman times and is perfect for a getaway from the hustle and bustle of Porto. This charming town is built around the picturesque River Tamega, and it features several narrow cobbled streets, historic landmarks, beautiful plazas, houses, restaurants, cafes, and shops on both sides of the river. Here is how you can plan the perfect day trip from Porto to Amarante and make the most of it.
As Porto locals, we have taken several day trips to Amarante, and each visit has left us enraptured by the town’s timeless allure. In this post, we have shared some of the top attractions in Amarante along with options for getting there from Porto.
Day Trip from Porto to Amarante
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Amarante is an important urban settlement in the Minho Region, which flourished as a significant religious and cultural center during the medieval era. The town has numerous attractions around the historic town center, including São Goncalo Church, São Goncalo Bridge, lovely riverside promenades, and Amadeo de Souza Cardoso Museum.
It also boasts a remarkable gastronomic tradition, showcased through its age-old recipes passed down through generations. Amarante, with an enchanting old-town charm, deep-rooted history, and vibrant cultural heritage, offers a soulful glimpse into the heart of northern Portugal.
Getting from Porto to Amarante
For this day trip from Porto to Amarante, there are 3 ways to get there: by bus, by car rental, or on a private tour. There is no train service between Porto and Amarante.
During our time in Porto, we have explored Amarante by all three modes of transport. Here is our experience,
Bus from Porto to Amarante
Buses are super convenient to get to Amarante from Porto. It is easy to use buses for a day trip too. FlixBus offers 4 direct bus services between Porto and Amarante. The earliest bus departs from Porto around 10:25 am, and the last bus leaves Amarante around 07:30 pm.
The Campanha Bus Terminal in Porto and the Amarante Bus Station serve the bus route between the two cities. The one-way travel time by bus between Porto and Amarante is around 45 minutes.
Amarante Old Town is approximately a 10-minute walk from Amarante Bus Station.
Porto to Amarante in a Private Tour
When you book a private tour, you can enjoy not only convenient transportation but also sightseeing. On this day tour, you will embark on an enriching and fascinating experience in Amarante and the dramatic terraced vineyards of the Douro Valley on a single trip.
This day trip from Porto to Amarante & Douro Valley takes you through some of the prime highlights of Amarante and traverses the picturesque landscapes of the heart of Portugal’s famed port wine industry.
During our first year in Porto in 2024, we booked this amazing day trip from Porto to Amarante & Douro Valley and spent an incredible day soaking in the vibrant history and cultural heritage of Amarante and Douro Valley.
Some of our memorable trip highlights were a guided walking tour through the cobblestone alleys of the Amarante Old Town, a scenic drive along the vineyards, and luxuriating in port wine tastings during our visit to a historic quinta or wine estate in Douro Valley.
This private day trip includes pick-up and drop-off at Porto with an English-speaking driver and guide, a walking tour of Amarante’s Historic Center, a visit to a vineyard coupled with port wine tasting, and a relaxing hour-long Douro River Cruise.
During this boat ride, soak in spectacular views of the valley and some of the wine estates while relishing some authentic Portuguese cuisine with a tapas brunch featuring regional delicacies like smoked meats, local wine, meat cake (bola de carne), and custard tart (pastel de nata)!
We highly recommend this day as it is value-packed, especially since you get a highlight of Amarante and an in-depth experience of the Douro Valley!
Reserve your spot on this day trip from Porto to Amarante & Douro Valley here!
Car Rental from Porto to Amarante
The one-way driving distance between Porto and Amarante is around 37 miles (60 kilometers), with a travel time of around 45 minutes.
For this day trip, renting a car from Porto is a comfortable and convenient alternative to discover the historic charm of Amarante. Discover Car Rentals offers some of the best rental and insurance options for your travels through Portugal.
For all of our car rental trips from Porto to Amarante, we use the Public Parking – Parque Estacionamento Mini-Autocarro. This public car park is located on Antonio Carneiro Street and is a convenient 7-minute walk from Amarante Town Center.
For this road trip from Porto to Amarante via motorway A4, be aware that this route is subject to motorway toll fees. Car rental companies will typically provide you with the option of adding a Via Verde Device that facilitates automatic toll payments that are billed to your credit card at the end of your trip.
Porto to Amarante Day Trip Itinerary
Start your day in the Historic Town Center of Amarante (Centro histórico da cidade de Amarante), a 10-minute walk from Amarante Bus Station and a 7-minute walk from the public park – Parque Estacionamento Mini-Autocarro, located on Antonio Carneiro Street in Amarante.
A short walk along the river and through January 31st Street (Rua 31 de Janeiro) – a cobblestone alley lined with local shops and eateries will lead to the majestic São Gonçalo Bridge (Ponte de São Gonçalo).
Designed by architect Carlos Amarante and built in the latter part of the 18th century, this Baroque-style bridge played a pivotal role in defending the town against Napoleon’s forces. São Gonçalo Bridge, a classified National Monument, elegantly spans the River Tamega.
River Tamega (Rio Tâmega), a tributary of the River Douro with origins in Spain, gracefully meanders through the heart of Old Town Amarante. As you wander through the streets of the old town, you are never too far from this ancient river.
The historic town center with River Tamega at its nucleus, radiates an unmistakable medieval charm – from residential structures and centuries-old religious landmarks overlooking the waters to eateries that offer privileged views of the river to local riverside shops selling produce, flowers, meats, regional cheeses, traditional pastries, and souvenirs.
São Gonçalo Church (Igreja de São Gonçalo) is situated on the banks of the Tamega River and across from São Gonçalo Bridge. It is a 16th-century monument dedicated to Amarante’s patron saint São Gonçalo.
The history of Amarante is deeply intertwined with the legacy of São Goncalo – the celebrated 13th-century Portuguese-Dominican friar who was revered as the town’s patron saint.
The renowned Church and Convent of São Goncalo was commissioned by King João III and Queen Catarina at the very site where the patron saint lived and established his hermitage.
São Goncalo Church, a must-visit landmark in Amarante, is an enchanting blend of diverse architectural styles like Baroque, Mannerist, and Renaissance.
Each year, São Goncalo festivals are fervently celebrated to honour the city’s patron saint and are characterized by lively religious processions, concerts, folk dances, fireworks, and the exchange of traditional sweets.
Amarante’s legendary phallic-shaped sweet – Saint Goncalo Cakes (Bolos de São Gonçalo) is associated with São Goncalo’s reputation as the patron saint of marriage and is widely believed to be an eternal symbol of affection, fertility, and good luck.
Amadeo de Souza Cardoso Museum (Museu Amadeo de Souza Cardoso) is another attraction, situated right next to the São Gonçalo Church in the heart of Amarante Old Town. This art museum is home to a remarkable collection of paintings and sculptures by the renowned Portuguese artist Amadeo de Souza Cardoso.
Born in Amarante in 1887, Amadeo de Souza Cardoso carved a reputation as a modernist artist and is widely credited for introducing the abstract artistic genre to Portugal.
He achieved international acclaim for incorporating Cubism, Futurism, and Expressionism influences in his work and was rightfully recognized for his trailblazing contribution in the sphere of modern art.
As you wander through January 31st Street (Rua 31 de Janeiro) in Amarante Old Town, step into one of the many cafes and restaurants overlooking the River Tamega.
On every trip to Amarante, we pay a visit to the cafeteria Confeitaria da Ponte. It is located next to São Goncalo Bridge, and is an absolute must-do! The cafe offers fantastic views of São Gonçalo Church, along with the bridge and the river. Here, savour some coffee with traditional delicacies like Brisas do Tâmega, Papos de Anjo, Lérias, or Foguetes.
Apart from Ponte Confectionery, this street also hosts eateries like Restaurante Lusitana, Zé da Calçada, or Restaurante Residencial Estoril that offer a wide variety of culinary options along with incredible vistas of the River Tamega with São Gonçalo Church in the background.
Optional activity in Amarante: Painting & Wine Tasting in Amarante
This one-of-a-kind creative experience is hosted by artist Inês Souza Cardoso at one of Amarante’s most recognized addresses – Sousa Cardoso House.
The instructor, Inês Souza Cardoso, is a descendant of celebrated Portuguese artist Amadeo de Souza Cardoso – the early 20th century artist, renowned for introducing the country to the abstract artistic genre and masterly blending Cubism, Futurism, and Expressionism style in his work.
This workshop, under the guidance of Inês Souza Cardoso, inspires participants to create art that celebrates and encompasses the techniques and legacy of Amadeo de Souza Cardoso.
You can learn about the life and incredible work of Amadeo de Souza Cardoso while indulging in some wine tastings and savouring some local snacks. Create your own masterpiece in this workshop, which was a former wine cellar and is now converted into a restaurant and art gallery.
The workshop is located within the private property that belongs to the family of Amadeo de Souza Cardoso. The workshop is situated outside of Amarante Town Center and is an approximate 15-minute drive by car.
The duration of this painting workshop is around 2 hours, and all the art supplies, including canvas, paints, and brushes required for the session, will be provided by the host.
Reserve your spot in this unique Painting & Wine Tasting in Amarante here!
After spending an amazing day exploring the town of Amarante, return to Porto in the evening.
