Private Driver at Your Disposal from Mercure Porto Centro Santa Catarina
About Mercure Porto Centro Santa Catarina
Mercure Porto Centro Santa Catarina is a 4-star hotel on Rua de Santa Catarina, Porto's main shopping street. It is a short walk from Bolhão Market, the Majestic Café and the historic Ribeira district.
From Mercure Porto Centro, a private Mercedes-Benz with an English-speaking driver puts the Douro Valley, Braga and the Minho coast within easy reach. No train schedules, no group tours — just your own car and driver.
Popular day trips from Mercure Porto Centro Santa Catarina
- Ribeira & Gaia wine lodges — 1 km, 5 min. The UNESCO riverfront, Dom Luís I Bridge and Port wine lodges of Vila Nova de Gaia.
- Douro Valley — 100 km, 1h 30min. Scenic drives to Pinhão, quinta tastings and river-lunch stops.
- Braga & Bom Jesus — 55 km, 50 min. Portugal's religious capital, the baroque sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte and the historic centre.
- Guimarães — 55 km, 50 min. The birthplace of Portugal, with its castle, palace and UNESCO medieval centre.
- Aveiro & Costa Nova — 75 km, 1h. Canals, moliceiro boats and the striped houses of Costa Nova beach.
- Viana do Castelo — 75 km, 1h. A historic port city with a basilica on the hill and one of Portugal's best beaches.
What's included
- Private Mercedes-Benz (E-Class, V-Class or Sprinter) at your disposal
- Professional English-speaking driver
- Pickup and drop-off directly at Mercure Porto Centro Santa Catarina
- All fuel, tolls, parking and driver expenses included
- Flexible itinerary — change plans on the day, no penalty
- Booking advice for restaurants, wineries and attractions
- 24/7 customer support during your stay
Sample days
- Douro Valley: Scenic drive to Pinhão, two quinta tastings, river lunch and the Casal de Loivos viewpoint before returning to Porto.
- Braga & Guimarães: Morning at Guimarães castle and palace, lunch in the medieval centre, afternoon at Bom Jesus do Monte and Braga's cathedral.
- Aveiro & Coast: Canals and moliceiro boat ride in Aveiro, lunch by the water, then the striped houses of Costa Nova beach.
Frequently asked questions
How does pricing work for a driver at your disposal?
Pricing is per private vehicle (entire group), not per person. Half-day, full-day and multi-day rates are available. Send us your dates and the places you want to visit, and we will reply within 24 hours with a custom quote.
Can the itinerary change during the day?
Yes. The driver is at your disposal for the booked time. If you want to skip a stop, add an extra visit or stay longer somewhere, just say the word. No surcharges for in-day changes within the booked hours.
Do you handle restaurant and activity reservations?
Yes. Once your driver is confirmed, our team helps with restaurant bookings, museum tickets, winery visits and boat tours. We know the partners that take last-minute Mercure Porto Centro Santa Catarina guests.
What vehicles are available?
Mercedes-Benz E-Class for up to 3 guests, V-Class for 1 to 7 guests, and Sprinter for groups up to 19. The right vehicle is matched to your group size when we send the quote.
How far in advance should I request a driver?
We recommend at least 3 to 5 days in advance to guarantee the right vehicle and driver. Same-day or next-day requests are sometimes possible — write to us and we will check availability.
Request a quote for a private driver from Mercure Porto Centro Santa Catarina