Cavangal

I hope to travel to Northern Portugal end of August for about 9 days. Thought of joining escorted tour which will be based in Povov Da Varzim. They offer 3 day trips with option of taking additional tours plus boat trip on Douro.

I am active senior accustomed to traveling in Europe so am wondering if I can do this trip solo by taking public transportation. Would arrive into Porto and need to know if this is a better base and closer to scenic areas with public transportation. I would also like to visit Santiago de Compostela if there is public transport for this route from Porto. Can this be done in a day trip? Might include 2 nights in Lisbon on return from Algarve if I can get this organized so would get return flight out of Lisbon. I have not booked flights yet but will do so very soon. Thanks

paulo_melo

Don't miss the Douro boat trip, it's a must.
Porto is the second portugal's city so it's for sure a great base, but if you want to Go Santiago Compostela, which is in Spain (Galiza) the tour by bus should be better arranged. Usually when i go to Santiago, i go by car, have lunch there and return to a city near the border but in Portugal. Santiago is closer from Póvoa de Varzim, not much.

Cavangal

The coach tour goes to Santiago for one day optional trip. I thought I'd have much more time to enjoy and walk about the city and Cathedral by going independently. I would also have to return with group out of Porto which would restrict me to their itinerary.
How much time does this journey from Porto to Santiago take by bus or if there is a train? If its too far maybe there is a point in between worth considering for overnight on way back. Expect there are organized day trips also from Porto. Will keep checking out everything before I book flights. Many thanks for your help.

thursdaysd

Travel by public transport between Spain and Portugal is non-trivial. There is a train between Porto and Santiago (I've taken it in the other direction), but it's not a day trip. Close to five hours and one change (see bahn.de for schedules). Don't know about buses. I would have thought it was a bit far for a day trip by coach, too.

You shouldn't need a tour for day trips out of Porto. Train or bus or boat should be available.

Cavangal

I still haven't heard back from Tour company so meanwhile looking at doing it solo. If I first arrive into Dublin I could get a flight to Santiago directly on Aer Lingus to enjoy the city and sites for few days staying over in Santiago 2 nights. I could then move south to Porto and spend few days there before continuing to Lisbon. I have been to Algarve and Lisbon but am not familiar with coastal areas in between so would appreciate some help with itinerary.

Also thinking if I begin trip in Santiago, then decided instead to go NE and travel towards Sandtander Bilbao into France would that route be better choice. I like coastal views to walk about, and perhaps fit in visits to museums and enjoy historical areas. I did spend a few days in San Sebastian a while ago so am looking for new ideas.

Thanks to all travelers on this board for helping me.