Spain, Portugal · UNESCO Heritage Sites

From Porto: Santiago and Valença do Minho Full Day Tour

10 Hours Round trip from Porto Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Full-day trip from Porto to Santiago de Compostela and Valença do Minho
  • 02 Explore the UNESCO-listed historic centre of Santiago de Compostela
  • 03 Free time to visit Santiago Cathedral and wander independently
  • 04 Cross from Portugal into Spain with commentary from an expert guide
  • 05 Visit Valença do Minho and its Vauban-style fortress
  • 06 Travel in a comfortable small-group minibus
  • 07 Includes a guided visit in Valença do Minho Fortress
  • 08 Porto City Walking Tour available from the day after your experience

Discover two of the Iberian Peninsula’s most characterful destinations on a full-day tour from Porto. Travel to Santiago de Compostela, one of Europe’s most important pilgrimage cities, where culture, religion, academic life and UNESCO-listed heritage come together in a remarkable historic setting.

Enjoy time to explore Santiago’s historic centre and famous Cathedral at your own pace, then return to Portugal for a visit to Valença do Minho, a fortified border town overlooking the River Minho. With its impressive Vauban-style fortress and traditional local character, it offers a memorable final stop before heading back to Porto.

Standing on the border with Spain and overlooking the River Minho, Valença is surrounded by walls and displays all the characteristic features of a town that was fortified in the seventeenth century in the style of the French military architect, Vauban.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 10 Hours
Tour type Shared
Activity level Easy
Accommodation Not included
Transport Included
Wheelchair access Not applicable
Cities Santiago de Compostela, Porto, Tui
Languages English, French, Portuguese, Spanish

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Porto

Your expert guide will collect you from our meeting point and will drive you to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. On your way to Santiago, the guide will give you insights regarding the Portuguese history, development and cultural facts of portuguese heritage. Crossing the border and entering in Spain, insights regarding the pilgrimage and the story and facts of Santiago will be given.

Once in Spain, you will arrive to our main destination. Santiago de Compostela, is one of the most magical cities in Galicia, Spain. Santiago concentrates in itself, culture, religion, people, academic life and tourism. And, because of its beauty, the city won the title of World Heritage. Its famous pilgrimage way, known as the “Caminho de Santiago” (St. James way) won also the title of World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Visit this amazing City, exploring the one of the most important pilgrim sites in Europe.

You will have free time to explore on your own the historical city center of Santiago and its famous Cathedral.Once in Santiago, you guide will give you free time to explore this incredible site. You will be able to visit and explore the Cathedral!

Free Time

free time for lunch -  the guide will escort to a traditional tapas restaurant at the historical city center so you can taste and drink some of the traditional food from Galicia! Drinks are included on your meal as well.

After lunch it's time to return to Portugal, to your next stop: Valença do Minho!

Standing on the border with Spain and overlooking the River Minho, Valença is surrounded by walls and displays all the characteristic features of a town that was fortified in the seventeenth century in the style of the French military architect, Vauban.

Its first name was "Contrasta", which referred to a village standing opposite another one and was clearly a reference to its position directly across the River Minho from the Galician town of Tui.

Today, it is a city with a flourishing trade, in which some of the most popularly sought after items are the pieces produced by the local craftsmen.

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Porto 3 cities · 10 Hours

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • Transportation in a comfortable small-group minibus
  • Tour Expert escorting the group all day
  • Free time in Santiago de Compostela
  • Guided Visit in Valença do Minho Fortness
  • Porto City Walking Tour (available from the day after your experience)

What's Not Included

  • Food and drinks, unless specified
  • Gratuities
  • Lunch
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off

Know before you go

  • Usually our tours run in one language but there are cases of one extra language.
  • Tours run in small groups up to 27 passengers.
  • Pick up & drop off is not included.
  • We support our communities. By taking a tour with us you are contributing to our cause: we offer a meal for the homeless and people in need.
  • Please kindly be aware that the overall duration of the activity could be influenced by traffic conditions. We highly advise against scheduling any additional activities or making other plans within the hour following the anticipated completion time.
  • Discover Porto in a unique way with a Free Walking Tour with Living Tours, available to all customers who book this activity. Free Walking Tour departs daily in English and Spanish at 9:30 a.m. from Cordoaria (Campo dos Mártires da Pátria 31, Porto) and 4:30 p.m. from Batalha (Rua Alexandre Herculano 412, Porto).

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Porto, PT
Tour start
Porto, PT
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 10 hours finish where they began, in Porto.

Watch the tourHQ film Watch the film

Create your own adventure

Can't find the perfect tour? Tailor your dream trip.

  • Tell us your destination, dates and group size.
  • Our travel experts and local guides design a tailored itinerary, just for you.
  • Enjoy your trip with peace of mind, knowing everything is taken care of.
Plan my holiday

Say goodbye to travel stress.