6 Activities
An Adventurous Family Drive From Lisbon to Porto
Starts from
Lisbon
Transportation
By Car
Guidance
Self-Guided
Activities
6
Duration
10 hours
Length
151 mi
Guide details
Starts from
Lisbon
Transportation
By Car
Guidance
Self-Guided
Duration
10 hours
Length
151 mi
Linn Haglund
Blogger
- Explore the most important inland salt pans in Portugal.
- Walk among 175-million-year-old dinosaur footprints.
- Take a tour through Aveiro's canals in a colorful Moliceiro.
Get ready to embark on an adventurous drive from Lisbon to Porto, catering to the entire family! Start by stopping by the most important inland salt pans in Portugal, where you can wander through cute wooden stalls and shops selling handicrafts and salt. In the winter, it turns into a cute little Christmas village, which is extra exciting for the kids.
Continue to the highlight of this day's road trip and explore real dinosaur footprints dating back around 175 million years! Finally, round off the day with a lovely Moliceiro tour through the enchanting canals of Aveiro, where you can take colorful family pictures with the city as a backdrop and have a filling dinner before you embark on the last leg of your trip to reach the artistic city of Porto.
Continue to the highlight of this day's road trip and explore real dinosaur footprints dating back around 175 million years! Finally, round off the day with a lovely Moliceiro tour through the enchanting canals of Aveiro, where you can take colorful family pictures with the city as a backdrop and have a filling dinner before you embark on the last leg of your trip to reach the artistic city of Porto.
Categories
Get ready to embark on an adventurous drive from Lisbon to Porto, catering to the entire family! Start by stopping by the most important inland salt pans in Portugal, where you can wander through cute wooden stalls and shops selling handicrafts and salt. In the winter, it turns into a cute little Christmas village, which is extra exciting for the kids.
Continue to the highlight of this day's road trip and explore real dinosaur footprints dating back around 175 million years! Finally, round off the day with a lovely Moliceiro tour through the enchanting canals of Aveiro, where you can take colorful family pictures with the city as a backdrop and have a filling dinner before you embark on the last leg of your trip to reach the artistic city of Porto.
Continue to the highlight of this day's road trip and explore real dinosaur footprints dating back around 175 million years! Finally, round off the day with a lovely Moliceiro tour through the enchanting canals of Aveiro, where you can take colorful family pictures with the city as a backdrop and have a filling dinner before you embark on the last leg of your trip to reach the artistic city of Porto.
Linn Haglund
Blogger
- Explore the most important inland salt pans in Portugal.
- Walk among 175-million-year-old dinosaur footprints.
- Take a tour through Aveiro's canals in a colorful Moliceiro.
Day Itinerary
6 Activities
Day 1
151 mi0.6 mi
From Walking With Dinosaurs to Taking a Traditional Moliceiro Canal Tour
While traveling from Lisbon to Porto, why not discover some of the most unique places along the way? First, stop by the only inland salt pans in Portugal that produce enough salt that it can be used for industrial purposes. Next, walk back to the Middle Jurassic period and explore actual dinosaur footprints and learn more about these giants and the archaeological finds. Take the last stop in the underrated town of Aveiro, also known as Portugal's Venice. Embark on a traditional Moliceiro and cruise the canals to learn more about the history of these now colorful tourist magnets.
09:001 hr
Salinas de Rio Maior
Sights
Open Details
Make your first stop in Salinas Maior, where you can witness the amazing salt pans. Being 7 times saltier than regular seawater, they are the only inland salt pans in Europe that produce enough salt for industrial purposes.
There are many cute wooden stalls by the salt pans where you can shop for handicrafts and salt. It's the perfect place for getting gifts for your loved ones.
During the Christmas season, this little mini village turns into a magnificent Christmas village where the kids can get their photos taken with Santa in his sleigh, and you can witness a unique nativity scene made of salt.
There are many cute wooden stalls by the salt pans where you can shop for handicrafts and salt. It's the perfect place for getting gifts for your loved ones.
During the Christmas season, this little mini village turns into a magnificent Christmas village where the kids can get their photos taken with Santa in his sleigh, and you can witness a unique nativity scene made of salt.
43.1 mi
1 hr
11:001 hr
Dinosaur Footprints Natural Monument
Sights
Open Details
Maybe the most exciting stop on this epic road trip to Porto is no arguing the dinosaur footprints. 175 million years ago, a pack of Sauropods walked on muddy ground and left their enormous footprints behind. In this park, you can witness the longest Sauropod track ever found in the world with its 147 meters, giving you chills of excitement.
The impressive walk to the site and alongside the footprints takes around 30 minutes to complete if you walk leisurely and take loads of pictures. After the walk, you can see an informational video and buy the kids some dinosaur souvenirs in the shop.
The impressive walk to the site and alongside the footprints takes around 30 minutes to complete if you walk leisurely and take loads of pictures. After the walk, you can see an informational video and buy the kids some dinosaur souvenirs in the shop.
13.8 mi
30 min
12:301 hr 30 min
Flor da Serra
Portuguese Restaurant
Open Details
When you are 'dinoed out', head to Flor de Serra, a wonderful local restaurant run by a lovely couple, for a feed. You can taste traditional, homemade Portuguese food that will not leave you hungry!
94 mi
1 hr 40 min
15:455 min
Car Park
Parking
Open Details
After lunch, continue to Aveiro, also known as Portugal's Venice (just a lot more budget-friendly!)
Leave your car at Parque Saba Marquês de Pombal, which is only a short walk through the enchanting cobblestoned streets to Aveiro Canal.
Leave your car at Parque Saba Marquês de Pombal, which is only a short walk through the enchanting cobblestoned streets to Aveiro Canal.
0.4 mi
10 min
16:001 hr
Moliceiros Pier
Sights
Open Details
A must when in Aveiro is to go on a Moliceiro trip through the picturesque canals. The cheerfully painted boats were once used to clear the canals for algae. These days, the process is automated, and the city has taken great use of the boats by using them as a tourist attraction.
On the tour, the guide will tell you more about the history of the Moliceiros and the sites you pass along on the cruise. If you ask nicely, I am sure (s)he will take a striking family picture for you to add to the family album!
On the tour, the guide will tell you more about the history of the Moliceiros and the sites you pass along on the cruise. If you ask nicely, I am sure (s)he will take a striking family picture for you to add to the family album!
0.3 mi
5 min
17:152 hrs
Raiz - O Vegetariano do Bairro
Vegetarian / Vegan Restaurant
Open Details
For dinner, head into the old town and indulge in a scrumptious vegetarian or vegan meal at Raiz. This is without a doubt one of the best restaurants in Aveiro offering tasty, healthy, and eco-food made from scratch. They have a varied menu, and it is hard to pick just one meal to recommend, so the best thing to do is to order different meals and share!
This place is sure to fill you up for the last leg up to Porto (you might even get a sweet treat to enjoy in the car!)
This place is sure to fill you up for the last leg up to Porto (you might even get a sweet treat to enjoy in the car!)