My gf and I will have be arriving in Porto from Sat night (6 PM) to Tuesday afternoon (2 PM) here in September. We are having a hard time prioritizing activities in such a short time period. I know I've heard great things about the Duoro Valley for wine but I also want to see Braga and Guimaraes. If it were up to you, how much would you spend the sat night to Tuesday afternoon time frame in this area? What do you think I can skip out on? Would you put more emphasis on Porto? Is the douro valley a can't miss spot?

Thanks,

mike

You have very little time for Porto itself and can easily stay there with lots to see and do.. If you really want to do a day trip, Guomares is interesting as it’s the first capital of Portugal. The boat trip up the Douro is a view of passing terraced vineyards.

I have not been to Braga and Guimaraes but I have been to the Douro Valley. It was our favorite part of Portugal. Seeing it from a boat would be gorgeous! They should be harvesting the grapes in September which would be a really fun thing to see. If the boat trip consists of stopping at a vineyard or two I would go with that. As Porto is all about the Port Houses you could see the process from beginning to end.

Braga and Guimares are easy short train rides from Porto - Duoro hard to do on own via public transit but yes tours from Porto can be great but much morfe expensive. Braga or Guimares? Been to both and both great. I really liked Braga's famous pilgrimage mecca on the edge of town - watching pilgrims negotiate many steps on knees in hopes of having prayers answered:

https://www.google.com/search?q=brag...w=1097&bih=541

For lots on Portugeuse trains and where to go from Porto (Coimbra and Batlaha are two other neat places near Porto) check www.seat61.com; BETS-European Rail Experts and www.ricksteves.com.

I find scenery with a lot of vineyards boring. Haven't been to Guimares but Braga is easy and worthwhile. Don't miss a visit to the port caves on the south side of the Duoro in Porto - I recommend Taylor's.

We did the day trip by boat up the Douro and as thrusdaysd guessed, it is rather boring, tepetitive ferraced vineyards.. We spent a couple of days in Guimaręs and enjoyed this historical city.

Actually, it wasn't a guess, I have been up the Douro valley. What I enjoyed were the mountain railways going up from the river, but that was in 2004 and I am not sure they are still running.

Wow - some say Duoro is a not-to-be-missed and others say rather boring after a while - I did day trip by train and saw enough of valley to side with latter but again others rave about. Everyone is positive about Braga and Guimares though and much easier day trips if on own.

I think going to the Douro Valley is not to be missed. Exploring the vineyards and driving the back roads and towns were fabulous. Taking a boat trip is fun but less interesting. You don’t get the full experience.

Since OP has limited time I'd forego the Douro and explore Porto and its fantastic azueljo-tiled churches and Port cave and houses tours. Seems like those that like Douro do it for a few days like efarr99 - stick one one easy day trip like Braga or Guimares.

Loved loved Duoro valley (probably the highlight for our group of the 11 day Portugal trip) but we based ourselves in Pinhao and spent a couple of nights there. Hired a driver to drive us to a few wineries. Agree that if you only have a couple of days and are based in Porto may not be worth the hassle.