Car Rental Porto - Exploring Porto

Outside Porto, there are some wonderful little towns to explore. Amarante is a 30-minute drive down the A4 motorway and is a pleasant place for strolling. The main attractions are the beautiful church and historic main square; however, the real reason to visit is simply to walk around and soak up the traditional Portuguese atmosphere.

Another town to check out is Portugal's religious capital, Braga. The city is a nice drive up the scenic N101 from Amarante, and is known for its beautiful churches and cathedrals, of which there are over 300 in and around the city. Braga Cathedral is the oldest in Portugal (1070 AD) and contains many treasures.

Another architectural delight is the 17th century palace which houses the Biscainhos Museum. Additionally, just outside the town is one of Portugal’s most famous structures, the pilgrims' staircase of Bom Jesus do Montes. Its extravagant architecture should not be missed.

Vigo is about an hour’s drive up the A3, north of Braga and over the border. This gem is an energetic Atlantic seaport and one of Spain's most important fishing towns. A raffish fisherman's quarter by the harbour boasts many seafood bars and a lively fish market where oysters are sold from granite tables.

The palm-lined yacht marina presents a more polished image of the town than its tough dockland scene suggests. The best beaches in the area are on the Cíes Islands not far from the mainland. The islands are a popular destination for birdwatchers and beach-lovers alike, and ferries run to and from Vigo all day.

If you have time to spare on your return trip to Porto, take the N13 coastal road which leads off the A3/E1 highway south of the Mino River. The towns, villages and fantastic Atlantic vistas make it worth the extra effort.