Espinho, Portugal is a quaint coastal town 20 km south of Porto. Located in the Aveiro District, Espinho is known for its white-sand beaches, delicious seafood and the biggest open-air market in Portugal.
Even though there are many beaches along Costa Verde that are ideal for a day trip from Porto, Espinho has the best beaches along the west coast.
In this post, I’ll show you all the best things to do in Espinho Portugal and how you can see everything in one day. The easy day trip from Porto to Espinho only requires a 45-minute train ride. So pack your beach essentials and follow my one-day Espinho itinerary!
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What you need to know before going to Espinho Portugal
Before you spend the day in Espinho, take a look at some of these useful travel tips:
- Download the Comboios de Portugal app and check the train schedule from Porto to Espinho
- Start your train journey from Porto to Espinho around 9:30 – 10:00 am. That will give you plenty of time to see everything in Espinho on the same day.
- Espinho is a walkable town. Wear your comfortable shoes for the pedestrian boardwalk and the beach
- Use GoogleMaps app to navigate around Espinho
- Bring your credit card as many places accept credit cards only. Also, bring cash for smaller purchases.
- Bring all your beach essentials including a towel, sunscreen, bathing suit, and water
How to travel from Porto to Espinho
The easiest and cheapest way to travel from Porto to Espinho is by taking the urban train. You can start the journey from either Sao Bento Station or Campanha Station in Porto.
All you have to do is buy a ticket from the counter or kiosk. This means you pay €0.50 for the reusable card and one title (means one ticket) for the cost of the train journey to Espinho.
Porto to Espinho by train
- Urban train: from Porto Sao Bento Station to Espinho Station
- Time: 45 minutes (about 2 to 3 trains per hour)
- Cost: €1.80 (plus €0.50 for the Siga reusable card)
- Check: Comboios de Portugal website for prices and schedules
This is the same train line going to Aveiro. And remember to keep the card to take the train from Espinho to Porto. And make sure to validate your card before getting on the train.
Things to do in Espinho Portugal: 1-day itinerary
All the Espinho attractions in my one-day itinerary are numbered and pinned on the interactive Google Map. All you have to do is to follow the red numbered pins throughout the day and see all the best sights in Espinho efficiently and effortlessly.
1. Capela de S. Pedro
Your day in Espinho Portugal starts in the open square near Espinho Station. There is a tall smokestack, a church and a museum at the perimeter of the square.
First, there is a small and humble little church called Capela de S. Pedro. Part of the entrance facade and the lower half of the interior walls are covered with typical Portuguese azulejos (blue and white tiles).
The church gets a huge crowd especially on June 29 when the town celebrates its patron saints. The annual event is a big festival which includes music and a parade.
Address: R.41, Espinho | Hours: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
2. Museu Municipal De Espinho & Fórum de Arte e Cultura de Espinho
The other attraction in the square worth mentioning is the Museu Municipal De Espinho (Municipal Museum of Espinho) in the Fórum de Arte e Cultura de Espinho (Espinho Art and Culture Forum).
The museum has a permanent exhibition display collection of the former Brandão Gomes Factory including photographs and different products from the factory including sardine cans. And the Arte-Xávega Collection showcases fishing materials, boats, baskets, ropes and various parts of the boats. Plus, it has old photographs of the daily lives of the fishing industry.
And in the Espinho Art and Culture Forum, there are dedicated spaces for research and cultural development. It has functioning educational service rooms and training rooms to promote learning.
For a low price of €1.20 (free on Saturdays), you can see the two permanent collections, other temporary exhibits, and a tour around the building.
Address: R.41 & Av. São João de Deus, Espinho | Hours: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm (Monday to Friday), 2:30 pm to 6:00 pm (Saturdays) | Admission: €1.20 (free on Saturdays)
3. Feira Semanal de Espinho / Mercado Semanal
Feira Semanal de Espinho is an open-air market that has existed since 1894. Its popularity grew and it became the largest weekly market in Portugal.
The market sells almost everything you can imagine! From fresh produce, bread, meat, seafood, household items, traditional Portuguese terracotta, clothing, accessories, toys and many more.
And the market itself is massive! As I walked through the market, I thought it would be two or three blocks, but it continued for another few blocks. It extended all the way to the railway tracks.
The prices at the market are better than shopping anywhere else. And if you buy something from the vendors, you support small businesses and local farmers.
Budget tip: it is cheaper to buy produce at the end of the day when vendors are packing up to go home. When you are ready to return to Porto, and the market is still open, walk back and see what fresh produce you can get for a discounted price.
Address: Largo da Feira intersection of R.31 & R.22, Espinho | Hours: 6:00 am to 5:00 pm on Mondays only except holidays
4. Igreja Paroquial de Espinho – Paróquia de Nossa Senhora D’Ajuda
Igreja Paroquial de Espinho (Parish Church of Espinho) or Paróquia de Nossa Senhora D’Ajuda (Noosa Senhora da Ajuda Church) is a Catholic Church built at the end of the 19th century. It is one of the most prominent churches in Espinho Portugal.
On the outside, there are characteristics of neo-romanesque architectural aesthetics. And there’s even a bell tower embedded into the entrance facade.
And on the inside, the Latin cross-shaped church has a few side chapels. In one of the side chapels, there is a large image of the Crucified Christ in polychrome wood.
Address: R.27 461, Espinho | Hours:: 9:30 am to 12:00 pm and 2:30 pm to 8:00 pm (closed Mondays)
5. João de Deus Public Park
João de Deus Public Park is located in the heart of Espinho. The spacious park has leafy trees, a huge lawn. Locals love coming here to rest, read, or enjoy the park. There are many spots with shade, which is great for hot summers in Espinho.
And the park is really well situated. It is right next to Câmara Municipal de Espinho (Municipality of Espinho), the public library, the Multimeios Cultural Center, and the center of Espinho town.
If you wandered the entire open-air market, this might be a good spot for a short break.
Address: R.19 635, Espinho
6. Espinho city center
As I mentioned, the Espinho city centre is next to João de Deus Public Park. The city centre consists of a few blocks of pedestrian-friendly roads. The streets are filled with retail shops, restaurants, cafes, and other facilities like banks and grocery stores.
The shopping isn’t as great as in Porto but walking through the shopping streets of a small town in Portugal is still fun.
Address: between R.19 and R.27, Espinho
7. Praia da Baia
Praia da Baia is one of the best beaches for surfing in Portugal. The white-sand beach is between the two breakwaters next to a wide pedestrian promenade. It is excellent for swimming, surfing and simply relaxing on the beach.
This beach on Costa Verde is very popular with locals and visitors throughout the year. Plus, it draws an even bigger crowd whenever competitions are held at Praia da Baía. Athletes come to this beach to compete in beach volleyball, surfing and bodyboard championships.
You don’t have to bring many things to Praia da Baia. It is possible to rent a sunshade on the beach. And if you want to surf, board rentals are available at one of the surf schools. And when you are hungry, there are seafood restaurants and beach cafes by the promenade.
Moreover, if you stick around until the end of the day, you can catch an awesome sunset on the beach.
Address: R.2 627, Espinho
8. Piscina Solário Atlântico
Even though you can swim in the Atlantic Ocean at Praia da Baia, you might want to try the seawater swimming pools at Piscina Solário Atlântico.
As a thalassotherapy center, it uses seawater to promote health and physical well-being. It is said that seawater has many healing properties including improvement of blood circulation, and an increase in red and white blood cells, and is excellent for the skin.
Within the white architectural building, there are two outdoor seawater pools, an indoor heated pool, a health club with a sauna, massage rooms, a jacuzzi, and a fitness room.
And the admission to the public pool building is quite reasonable too. Not a bad way to spend the afternoon in Espinho.
Address: R.2 627, Espinho | Hours: 9:00 am to 7:00 pm | Admission: €5.40 full day €4 half-day
9. Praia da Frente Azul
Right across from Piscina Solário Atlântico is Praia da Frente Azul. This beach is quieter and not as busy as Praia da Baia.
The white-sand beach is just north of the breakwater. You can also rent one of the blue-and-white striped sunshades.
Personally, I like Praia da Frente Azul better than Praia da Baia because it is not as rowdy. I think it is the perfect spot for suntanning and relaxing.
Address: R.6 278, Espinho
10. Passadiço Espinho
There is a long stretch of pedestrian boardwalk along Costa Verde between Esmorize to the south and Vila Nova de Gaia to the north.
And at Espinho, Passadiço Espinho, the elevated boardwalk starts at the north end of Praia da Frente Azul, right behind the big Espinho sign.
Passadiço Espinho is excellent for walking and cycling while seeing the Espinho coastal views and sandy beaches.
Instead of taking the train from Espinho to Porto, you can walk the entire boardwalk to the next train station, Granja Station. And from Granja Station, take the train back to Porto.
The trail is approximately 3km long. The last stretch of the path goes through a neighbourhood. Keep walking along Av. Sacadura Cabral and the road will lead you to Granja Station.
Otherwise, enjoy the boardwalk, walk back to Espinho Station, and catch the next train back to Porto.
Address: Av.8 12, Espinho
What and where to at in Espinho Portugal
There are a few things you must eat in Espinho. Since the town is right next to the sea, plenty of seafood options exist. And I tried the grilled prawns and squid at Os Melinhos and it was absolutely one of the best meals I have ever had!
Besides the usual Portuguese seafood you get, here are some of the specialties you must try in Espinho:
- Espinho shrimp – shrimp in Espinho
- Sopa de peixe – fish soup
- Caldeirada de Espinho – fish and potato stew
- Arroz de marisco – seafood rice
Many Espinho seafood restaurants line the beach promenade along R.41 (north of Espinho Municipal Museum). Here are a few suggestions (see the burgundy pins on the map):
- Espinho 10 – beachfront seafood restaurant not far from Os Melinhos
- Cantinho da Ramboia – try their local seafood specialty
- Ritual 18 – they serve seafood and traditional Portuguese food
- Baía Sol – another beachfront seafood restaurant but closer to Espinho Station
Os Melinhos Address: R.2 1269, Espinho | Hours: 11:00 am to 2:00 am
Other things to do in Espinho if you have more time
There are many more things to do in Espinho and the surrounding areas. If you have more time in Portugal and want to explore Espinho and other coastal towns and beaches, here are a few more things to do (see blue pins on the map):
- Casino Espinho – try your luck at the casino. But if you are not into gambling, there are restaurants, bars and shows at the casino
- Multimeios Cultural Centre – there is a gallery, planetarium and cinema at the cultural centre
- Praia de Miramar – another beautiful beach north of Espinho
- Capela do Senhor da Pedra – oceanfront catholic church on the rocky shores of Miramar beach
Are you ready to visit Espinho Portugal?
If you are spending a few days in Porto and want an enjoyable day trip excursion to the quaint town with nice beaches, you’ll have to go to Espinho. It is an easy day trip for a solo traveller, and you get to spend time on one of the best beaches along Costa Verde.
Or if you are in other parts of northern Portugal like Aveiro or Coimbra, the efficient train system can also take you to Espinho in less than an hour.
Let me know what you think of the itinerary! Did you find it useful?
Thank you for reading my Espinho Portugal post
You might also like these other posts on solo travel in Portugal:
Lisbon region posts
- Lisbon solo travel guide for first-timers
- Is the Lisboa Card worth it?
- Best day trips from Lisbon Portugal
Northern Portugal posts
- 2 days in Porto: things to do alone in Porto
- 17 best Porto food: what and where to eat in Porto
- 7 excellent day trips from Porto
- Day trip to Guimarães from Porto: 1-day itinerary
Central Portugal posts
Algarve posts
- Algarve solo travel guide: 7 best places
- 20 best things to do in Albufeira for solo travellers
- Loule itinerary: best things to do in one day
- Vilamoura and Quarteira: 1-day itinerary
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