Lisbon to Porto, Nazaré & Óbidos: Day Trip with Lunch

Summary

Medieval streets, Atlantic waves and Porto’s riverside life in a single day

You’ll walk medieval streets in Óbidos with a local guide, taste salty air above Nazaré’s wild surf, and lose yourself among Porto’s tiled alleys—all on one full day trip from Lisbon. Expect small surprises: laughter over lunch, ocean wind on your face, and glimpses of daily life you’ll keep replaying long after you’re home.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I remember is Ana, our guide, handing me a pastel de nata before we even left Lisbon—she said it was for “energy” but I think she just liked seeing us try the cinnamon trick. We set off early from Hotel Fénix, and by the time we reached Óbidos, the air felt different—cooler, a little sweet from the cherry liqueur they sell in tiny chocolate cups. The cobbled lanes were so narrow I kept brushing my shoulder on whitewashed walls. Ana told us stories about queens who once lived here; I tried to picture them under the same uneven stones. There was a cat sunning itself on the castle steps. That stuck with me.

Nazaré was louder—gulls everywhere and salt in the wind. We climbed up to Forte de São Miguel (I was out of breath but pretended not to be), and there were surfers below, just dots against those crazy waves you always see on YouTube. A fisherman waved at us while fixing his nets; Ana translated his joke about tourists never wearing enough layers. I laughed too loudly—I’m always cold by the sea. The town smells like grilled sardines and seaweed; it gets into your clothes a bit.

Porto came last. By then we’d all gone a bit quiet—maybe tired or just soaking it in. The old town is tangled up around the Douro River, all blue tiles and laundry lines flapping overhead. We had an hour for lunch (I found this tiny place near Clérigos Tower where an older couple served caldo verde that tasted like home cooking). After that, Ana led us through São Bento station—the tiles there are something else—and down to Ponte Dom Luís I bridge where everything glowed gold in late afternoon light. Someone played fado nearby; it echoed off the stone.

I didn’t expect to feel so much in one day trip from Lisbon to Porto, Nazaré & Óbidos. It’s a lot of ground to cover but somehow it doesn’t feel rushed—maybe because of Ana’s stories or maybe because Portugal just has that way of slowing you down between places.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Guided tour of Óbidos, Nazaré, and Porto

• Meet guide at Hotel Fénix Lisbon
• Travel to Óbidos for guided tour
• Visit medieval streets and castle in Óbidos
• Drive to Nazaré fishing town
• Visit Forte de Sao Miguel in Nazaré
• Walk through O Sitio religious sites
• Travel to Porto city
• Have typical Portuguese lunch in Porto
• Take 2-hour walking tour of Porto Old Town
• Return to Lisbon city center

Top questions

How long is the day trip from Lisbon to Porto?

The tour lasts a full day with early morning departure from Lisbon and return in the evening.

Is lunch included on this tour?

If you select the upgrade option, lunch at a traditional restaurant is included; otherwise you have free time for lunch in Porto.

What towns do we visit during this tour?

The tour visits Óbidos, Nazaré (including Forte de São Miguel), and Porto.

Does this tour include hotel pickup?

No hotel pickup; you meet your group at Hotel Fénix (Praça Marquês de Pombal 8) in central Lisbon.

How many people are in each group?

You travel together by minibus but split into smaller groups of up to 25 people per guide at each stop.

Are entry fees included?

Entry fees for listed attractions are included as part of your guided experience.

Is this tour suitable for all fitness levels?

Yes, it’s suitable for all physical fitness levels though some walking is involved on cobbled streets.

Can I book this as a private tour?

This specific itinerary is offered as a group tour; private options may not be available for this route.

What’s included

Your day includes transportation by comfortable minibus from central Lisbon with an expert local guide throughout. Entry fees are covered for key sites like Forte de São Miguel and monuments in Óbidos and Porto. If you choose the upgrade option, you’ll enjoy lunch at a traditional restaurant before returning together to Lisbon after sunset.