Pedro DominguesVisiting Porto, in Portugal, is getting to know one of the best destinations in Europe, which has even won awards in international competitions. No one is indifferent to Douro riverside landscape, the Port Wine itself or even the historic center that was classified as a world heritage site by UNESCO in 1996.
Porto is a vibrant city where strong Portuguese traditions are still felt. It is “the undefeated and proud city”, where people are known for their friendliness and hospitality.
I’m Portuguese and I’ve visited Porto many times before. I know the city well, and in this article I will show you everything you really shouldn’t miss visiting and doing in the capital of Northern Portugal. If you are preparing an itinerary to visit Porto in 1 to 7 days, you will find a lot of information and useful tips here.
Where is Porto located in Portugal?
Porto is located in the North of Portugal, south of Minho region, but very close to its main cities, such as Braga, Viana do Castelo, or even Guimarães, the birthplace of Portugal. It is the main urban center in the north of the country, being close to the last kilometers of Douro River before flowing into the ocean.
MORE ARTICLES FROM THE NORTH OF PORTUGAL: - Things to do in Porto - Best Museums in Porto - Best Churches and Cathedrals in Porto - Best Parks and Gardens in Porto - Best Port Wine Cellars in Porto - Best Beaches in Porto - Best Day Trips from Porto - Best Matosinhos Beaches - Things to do in Matosinhos - Things to do in Vila do Conde - Things to do in Póvoa de Varzim - Things to do in Vila Nova de Gaia - Things to do in Espinho - Minho | Northern Portugal Itinerary - Things to do in Viana do Castelo - Things to do in Ponte de Lima - Things to do in Monção - Things to do in Valença - Things to do in Caminha - Things to do in Braga - Things to do in Guimarães - Things to do in Barcelos - Things to do in Esposende - Things to do in Arcos de Valdevez - Peneda Gerês National Park Itinerary - Best Hikes and Trails in Peneda Gerês National Park - Best Peneda Gerês National Park Waterfalls and Lagoons - Douro Valley Itinerary - Douro Valley Wineries - Best Douro Viewpoints - Things to do in Peso da Régua - Things to do in Lamego - Things to do in Pinhão - Best beaches in Northern Portugal - Trás-os-Montes Itinerary - Things to do in Bragança - Montesinho Natural Park Itinerary - Douro International Natural Park Itinerary
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Brief Historical Introduction about Porto
The origin of Porto is remote, dating back to the 1st millennium BC, as evidenced by traces discovered near the Cathedral area, for example, in the archaeosite of Rua de D. Hugo. At the time it would have been called Cale, and it was with the Romans that it became known as Portus Cale, when they built a port there, important on the route from Braga to Lisbon.
It was under the rule of the Visigoths from the 5th to the 8th century, and later under the rule of the Moors until it was reconquered by D. Afonso I of Asturias in the 9th century.
In 1096, King Afonso VI of León married his daughter Teresa to D. Henrique de Borgonha, granting them a region called “Condado Portulacense”, whose capital was the former Portus Cale. Later the capital became Guimarães.
D. Afonso Henriques came to conquer independence for Portugal in 1138, when he won the battle of Ourique, and was then recognized and proclaimed 1st king of the nation. The capital of Portugal became Coimbra!
Porto’s Fernandina wall was the initiative of D. Afonso IV, in the 14th century, but it was only completed during the reign of D. Fernando, hence the name given to it. At the end of the 14th century, D. João I married Filipa de Lencastre in Porto, establishing a fundamental military alliance with England.
Infante D. Henrique was born in Porto, being the son of this couple, and became an unavoidable figure at the time of the Portuguese discoveries. Porto was at that time one of the main commercial ports in Europe and a leader in shipbuilding. It was also at this time that people from Porto began to be called “tripeiros”, for keeping the entrails of the animals for themselves (tripas, in Portuguese), to provide the best meat to the ships.
Many of the most beautiful buildings in Porto appeared in the 18th century, such as the emblematic Clérigos Tower.
In the 19th century, the city went through less positive moments, as was the case with the French invasions, when Porto was sacked by Napoleonic troops. There was also a battle between liberalism and absolutism, with emphasis on the siege of Porto, which lasted for about 1 year.
Porto ended up recovering, and the proof is in the fact that today it is one of the best European destinations, as I already mentioned. It was also the European capital of culture before. It is today a city very focused on tourism, still preserving some authenticity.
When to visit Porto, in Portugal?
You can visit Porto at any time of the year, without exception. Being one of the main Portuguese cities, it is natural that there are always things to visit in Porto, at any time of the year. In summer you can enjoy the beaches, and when it rains you can dedicate yourself to the museums, which are many and extraordinary. 😉 I’ve visited Porto at various times of the year, and it’s always been a very positive experience!
Keep in mind, however, the main festivities in Porto:
- FantasPorto, Porto International Film Festival, in April.
- Queima das Fitas in Porto, the main student event of the year. It takes place in May.
- NOS Primavera Sound, which takes place every year in Porto City Park, in June.
- São João do Porto, June 24th. Don’t forget the Regata dos Rabelos that takes place during São João.
- MEO Marés Vivas Festival, at Cabedelo do Douro beach, in Vila Nova de Gaia. It takes place in July.
- Porto International Folklore Festival, also in July.
- As for gastronomy, there are events associated with francesinha and port wine, typical of the city.
Porto Card – is it worth it?
Buying Porto Card may or may not be worth it. It all depends on your travel style and how you intend to use it. Porto Card has lots of advantages if you plan to visit as many museums as possible in one or two days, which is not very practical for those who like to follow an itinerary and discover the city little by little, zone by zone.
I leave the decision to you taking into account the following characteristics of Porto Card:
- It can be purchased for 1, 2, 3 or 4 days, with prices associated with the desired duration.
- It includes completely free public transportation during your time of use, for example metro and buses.
- Allows free entry to some museums in the city, namely Casa do Infante, Guerra Junqueiro Museum, Marta Ortigão Museum, Museum of Romanticism, Paper Money Museum and Port Wine Museum.
- Allows 50% discount in the following spaces, for example:
- Casa da Música.
- Clérigos Tower.
- Pharmacy Museum.
- Museum of Sacred Art and Archeology (Grilos Church).
- Military Museum of Porto.
- National Press Museum.
- Soares dos Reis National Museum.
- And Museum of Transport and Communications.
- Allows 20% discount at the Serralves Museum of Contemporary Art, and on some cruises on the Douro River.
- Allows 25% discount at Palácio da Bolsa and at São Francisco Church.
- Allows 30% discount to visit SEA LIFE PORTO.
- Allows 35% discount when visiting Porto Cathedral and World Of Discoveries.
- Allows 10% discount at the FC Porto Museum.
When deciding whether or not to buy the Porto Card, don’t just pay attention to the normal prices of the places you want to visit in Porto, but also to the existence of combined tickets, which sometimes guarantee discounts similar to those of the Porto Card.
You also have to assess whether you are really going to use public transportation, or whether you intend to walk exclusively. On days when you are using Porto Card, organize yourself well, making the most of the savings that the card allows you. 😉
- Get the Porto Card with Get Your Guide.
- The card is only valid for one person, so if you are traveling as a family or as a couple, you will have to buy one card per person.
Tours to visit Porto + Tickets
Next I will give you some tips for visiting Porto on specific tours, with all the necessary links to buy tickets for them. They are advertised by Civitatis, Viator and Get Your Guide, which I often use on my own trips. For example, how about renting an electric bike for your Porto Itinerary? This bicycle will be very useful for the 3rd day of the itinerary that I am going to recommend in this article, for example.
Porto Tours with Get Your Guide: 1 - Porto Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour 2 - Cockburn's Port Cellars Tour 3 - Poças Port Cellars Tour 4 - Burmester's Port Cellars Tour 5 - Graham's Port Lodge Tour 6 - Calém Port Cellars Tour with fado Show 7 - Porto Card + Public Transportation 8 - Douro River Six Bridges Cruise 9 - Palácio da Bolsa Guided Tour 10 - Porto pub crawl 11 - Buggy Off-Road Adventure 12 - Porto Tuk Tuk Tour - Historic Center 13 - Torre dos Clérigos Entrance Ticket 14 - Ticket to World of Discoveries 15 - Porto 3 hour walking tour + Livraria Lello 16 - FC Porto Stadium + Museum Tour 17 - SEA LIFE Porto Tickets 18 - Serralves Foundation Museum + Park Ticket
Porto Tours with Viator: 1 - Private boat tour in Douro River 2 - 3-Hour Food and Wine Tasting Tour 3 - Private Electric Tuk Tuk Sightseeing Tour of Historic Porto 4 - 3-Hour Tour of Porto Highlights on a Electric Bike 5 - The Best of Porto: 3-Hour Guided Walking Tour 6 - Private Food Tour in Porto 7 - Douro Sunset Sailboat Experience in Porto 8 - Port Wine Tour | 3 Cellars | 7 Tastings 9 - Fado at Ideal Clube 10 - Fado by Casa da Guitarra 11 - Visit to Cockburn's Cellars 12 - Craft Beer & Food Tour in Porto
Porto Tours with Civitatis: 1 - Porto Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour 2 - Guided Tour of Porto and Wine Cellars 3 - Porto Wine Tour + Fonseca Visit 4 - Cockburn's Port Lodge Tour 5 - Poças Winery Tour 6 - Burmester Winery Visit + Tastings 7 - Graham's Port Lodge Guided Visit 8 - Fado Show and Wine Tasting at Calém 9 - Porto Wine Tour + Touristic Train 10 - Casa da Guitarra Fado Show 11 - Fado Show at Ideal Club 12 - Complete Porto Tour with Tickets 13 - Porto Six Bridges Cruise 14 - Porto Tuk Tuk Tour + Six Bridges Cruise 15 - Porto Medieval Walking Tour 16 - Porto Jetboat experience 17 - Porto Buggy Adventure
What to eat in Porto and best restaurants
As far as Gastronomy is concerned, you will obviously find many delicious wonders when you visit Porto, but the main and most traditional ones are these two, in my opinion:
- Francesinha: typical dish from the city of Porto consisting of a sandwich with beef, chorizo, cheese and a spectacular sauce. The secret is in the sauce, and I loved the one from Restaurant Brasão!
- And Tripas à Moda do Porto: a dish with beans and rice, with various types of beef and pork, and even chorizo. The history of this dish dates back to the discoveries, when, as I mentioned in the historical introduction, the good meat was shipped to ships. The people of Porto had to improvise with what was left! 🙂 It’s really good, don’t worry.
My suggestion is that you focus on these two delights during your Porto Itinerary. But you will also find good fish from the Douro River and the ocean (sardines and lampreys, for example) and, of course, the traditional codfish or “Bacalhau”. Why not try the Minho gastronomy, tasting Rojões, Sarrabulho Rice (made with animal blood), etc?
As I mentioned, I enjoyed a francesinha at Restaurant Brasão and I loved it. For dessert I tried the cheese pudding, and I was equally enchanted! 😉 Other restaurant options would be:
- Abadia do Porto.
- Taberna dos Mercadores.
- Cozinha do Manel.
- Restaurante Bulha.
- Taberna de Santo António.
- And Casa Guedes.
Accommodation Tips and Hotels in Porto
| Accommodation | Score | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Porto View by Patio25 | 9.1 | Vila Nova de Gaia |
| Vincii Ponte de Ferro | 9.3 | Vila Nova de Gaia |
| The House of Sandeman | 9.4 | Vila Nova de Gaia |
| 296 Heritage Apartments | 9.5 | Vila Nova de Gaia |
| 7 Gaia Roaster Apartments | 9.2 | Vila Nova de Gaia |
| Gran Cruz House | 9.5 | Ribeira do Porto |
| Memoria Porto Hotel | 9.3 | Ribeira do Porto |
| Casa da Companhia | 9.6 | Rua das Flores |
| Porto Bay Flores | 9.4 | Rua das Flores |
| Vitoria Terrace Apartments | 9.9 | Vitória Viewpoint |
| Look at Me | 9.3 | Trindade |
| Santa Catarina Apartments | 9.4 | Bolhão |
| BessaHotel Baixa | 9.1 | Bolhão |
| Spot Family Apartments | 9.3 | Bolhão / Trindade |
| Almada 333 | 9.4 | Aliados |
| Maison Albar Hotels | 9.5 | Aliados |
| Oporto Local Studios | 9.2 | Aliados |
| Mercure Aliados | 9.1 | Aliados |
| Porto Central Flats | 9.2 | Rua Mouzinho da Silveira |
| The Passenger Hostel | 9.2 | São Bento |
| Clérigos Apartments | 9.1 | Clérigos |
| Oca Oriental Hotel | 9.1 | Heroísmo / Campanhã |
| Mouco Hotel | 9.0 | Heroísmo / Campanhã |
| Predicados do Douro | 9.2 | Crystal Palace Gardens |
| Pestana Douro | 9.0 | Valbom |
| Marquês Apartments | 9.1 | Marquês |
| Porto Deluxe Suites | 9.3 | Boavista |
Porto Itinerary in 2 days | Travel Guide
I now present to you my proposal for itineraries to visit Porto. If you are looking for a 2-day itinerary in Porto, choose the one below, knowing that it focuses only on the historic center, ignoring the surroundings and emblematic places such as Serralves Park or even the Crystal Palace Gardens. These places I left only for itineraries of 3 or more days.
Note that instead of the route I propose, you can take the Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour in Porto. Follow the bus itinerary and stop where you find it most interesting. 😉 The ticket includes a boat trip and a visit to the Port Wine Cellars!
Day 1 | Porto Itinerary
On the 1st day of this 2-day itinerary to visit Porto, you will get to know Ribeira do Porto and Ribeira de Gaia, right next to Douro River. You will take the 6 Bridges Cruise, visit the main wine cellars and taste some port wine.
Day 1 Map – Porto Itinerary in 2 days
1. São Bento Station and Congregados Church
I will consider that the day begins in a central place in the city, at São Bento Station, which dates back to the beginning of the 20th century, and has its interior lined with tiles that represent some moments in the history of Portugal.
Next to São Bento Station, you can also visit the Church of Santo António dos Congregados (early 18th century), also with beautiful tiles, but this time depicting the life of Santo António. I really liked the stained glass windows inside.
2. Rua Mouzinho da Silveira and Rua das Flores
You will then pass through two of the main arteries of the city of Porto, namely Rua Mouzinho da Silveira and Rua das Flores. I definitely highlight the Monumental Fountain in the first, and the urban art mural in the alley that connects the two streets, “The Cat”.
3. Misericórdia do Porto: Museum and Church
At the end of Rua das Flores you will find the museum and Church of Misericórdia do Porto. Be sure to visit them both.
The Church dates from the second half of the 16th century, but underwent major interventions in the 18th century by Nicolau Nasoni, an important Italian architect then residing in Porto. At the Misericórdia Museum, the Benefactors Gallery stands out, but there are also many pieces of sacred art to admire in other rooms.
4. Largo de São Domingos and Praça Infante Dom Henrique
On the way to Praça do Infante Dom Henrique, don’t forget to also pass by Largo de São Domingos, where the façade of Palácio das Artes is located. The first mentioned has in its center a monument to Infante D. Henrique, and the following important spaces around it:
- Palácio da Bolsa, the most fascinating one. You’ll need to book a guided tour, but I guarantee you won’t regret it, as the building is beautiful inside, with incredible rooms like Pátio das Nações, Escadaria Nobre or the Arab Hall.
- Ferreira Borges Market, which appeared in 1885 to replace the old Ribeira Market. It ended up never being used for that purpose, and is currently an exhibition center and cultural space.
- The Douro and Porto Wines Institute, with a free interpretive center about Douro and Porto region, allowing you to get to know the region better and taste some wines (by paying for the tastings, obviously).
- And the Church of Saint Nicholas.
5. São Francisco Monument Church
After visiting the previous sites, you will head to São Francisco Monument Church, which stands out for its gilded carvings and also for its huge catacombs. There is also a sacred art museum, so be sure to buy a ticket for all available spaces! It is believed that over 300 kilos of gold dust were used inside this church.
6. Casa do Infante
Then head to the Ribeira area, not forgetting to visit Casa do Infante, the most important museum in Porto, for those who really want to know more about the city’s history. Of course, it also contains information about the Infante himself and about the Portuguese discoveries, and even some archaeological ruins, such as the Roman mosaic that emerged during the excavations carried out in that place.
7. Ribeira do Porto
In Ribeira do Porto, be sure to stop by the following places:
- By the Medieval Tower of Reboleira.
- By Douro Extension Museum. It is an optional visit, as it is mostly made up of photographs of the Douro Valley region.
- By the small handicraft shop Naná Barcos, where Rabelo Boat miniatures are made out of wood. 😉 An excellent place to buy some souvenirs, and you’ll even be helping a local business.
- The small Chapel of Nossa Senhora do Ó and the Estiva Pier.
- Postigo do Carvão and the tunnels of Ribeira do Porto, with several shops and restaurants.
- And Praça da Ribeira, with its two fountains.
8. Cruise of the 6 Bridges of Porto
It is from Ribeira do Porto that you should depart on the 6 bridges Cruise, which lasts about 50 minutes. The bridges are as follows: Ponte da Arrábida, Ponte Luís I, Ponte do Infante, Ponte Maria Pia, Ponte de São João and Ponte do Freixo.
- 6 Douro Bridges Cruise with Get Your Guide
- 6 Douro Bridges Cruise with Civitatis
9. Luís I Bridge and crossing to Ribeira de Gaia
Luís I Bridge dates from 1886, and has two floors, the upper one being used by Porto metro and the lower one by cars. You will cross the bridge along the side pedestrian corridors of the lower deck to Ribeira de Vila Nova de Gaia. This is the most touristic bridge in Porto, but Maria Pia Bridge is the oldest.
10. Corpus Christi Convent and Beira Rio Market
In Ribeira de Gaia itself, the essential thing will be to admire the view to the other side of the river and, of course, the Rabelo boats that are anchored there. Also check out the following locations:
- Corpus Christi Convent, the most iconic place in Ribeira de Gaia alongside the Port Wine Cellars. It has a magnificent high choir, with a beautiful ceiling filled with oil paintings of saints, doctors of the church or Dominican figures.
- Casa Portuguesa do Pastel de Bacalhau, where you can taste this Portuguese delicacy (fried codfish cake) while watching a musical show.
- The Urban Art Mural by Bordallo II, Half Rabbit.
- The Church of Santa Marinha.
- And the Beira Rio Market, full of commercial shops that sell a little of everything, from food to handicrafts and souvenirs.
Optional is the Wow Porto district (World of Wine), at least in a 2-day Porto Itinerary. If you want to visit Wow, my recommendation is that you do so if you have many more days in the city, as Wow has 7 thematic museums to discover, so it takes some time!
11. Port wine cellars and wine tastings
As far as Port Wine Cellars are concerned, I won’t go into much detail in this article, as I have another one full of things to do in Porto, which contains a presentation of 17 different cellars located in Porto / Gaia. I really recommend that you read it, or learn more about possible tours with Get Your Guide and Civitatis:
1 - Cockburn's Port Cellars Tour 2 - Poças Port Cellars Tour 3 - Burmester's Port Cellars Tour 4 - Graham's Port Lodge Tour 5 - Calém Port Cellars Tour with fado Show 6 - Porto Wine Tour + Fonseca Visit 7 - Porto Wine Tour + Touristic Train
12. Serra do Pilar Monastery and Jardim do Morro
For the sunset I leave you one of the best spots in Gaia, with one of the best viewpoints over the city of Porto and Luís I Bridge: Serra do Pilar Monastery. To get there, why don’t you use the cable car from Ribeira de Gaia to Jardim do Morro?
Your 1st day visiting Porto ends here, but you can always go have fun at night, and don’t forget to choose a good restaurant for dinner.
Day 2 | Porto Itinerary
On the 2nd day of this Porto Itinerary, you will focus on 4 locations in the city: the Cathedral area, Bolhão, the surroundings of Avenida dos Aliados and also the Clérigos Tower area. If you follow my tips, after 2 days you will have an excellent overview of the historic center of Porto.
Day 2 Map – Porto Itinerary in 2 days
1. Porto Cathedral and Episcopal Palace
Start the day at Terreiro da Sé. From there you can enjoy an excellent view over the city of Porto, but from the Cathedral tower this viewpoint will be even better. It is therefore mandatory to enter the grounds of the church, which was built between the 12th and 13th centuries, at the request of the first bishop of Porto, D. Hugo. Discover its various chapels, its treasury, as well as the cloister and tomb of the 14th-century knight João Gordo. It was in the Cathedral of Porto that the kings D. João I and D. Filipa de Lencastre were married in 1387.
Be sure to also visit Porto Episcopal Palace, which is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places in the city, especially on the inside.
Next to Terreiro da Sé, don’t forget:
- The ruins of the Primitive Wall of Porto.
- The Archaeological Site at Rua de D. Hugo.
- The Statue of Vimara Peres, an important Galician military leader from the second half of the 9th century who played a leading role at the time of the Christian reconquest, and who had the title of first Count of Portucale, long before the formation of the nation.
- The Angel Fountain and the Pelican Fountain.
- The old town hall.
- And also Porto’s pillory.
2. Convento dos Grilos and streets of downtown Porto
Next, you’ll explore the alleys around Porto Cathedral, with Convento dos Grilos as your destination. For example, use Rua das Aldas and then Rua de Pena Ventosa. Visit Convento dos Grilos’s Church and its Museum of Sacred Art and Archeology, going up to the tower for another awesome viewpoint over the city of Porto.
3. Funicular dos Guindais and Fernandina Wall
When you get back to Ribeira do Porto, be sure to explore the area next to the elevator. However, I recommend that you use Funicular dos Guindais (railway) to go back to the top of the hill, where you will find access to Fernandina wall. Take a closer look there!
4. Santa Clara Church
Next to the entrance to Fernandina Wall is the most beautiful church in Porto, in my opinion, Santa Clara Church, which deserves to be visited inside, without fail! You will also have access to the high choir, where the nuns attended mass.
5. Praça da Batalha and São João National Theater
You will head to Praça da Batalha, with a monument in honor of King D. Pedro V. It is also where São João National Theater is located, built in 1910. It is possible to schedule a guided tour to see it from the inside, but the ideal is to buy a ticket for one of its possible shows at night. 😉
Nearby, and optionally, how about going down the street towards the Church of Nossa Senhora do Terço and its hospital? The latter is linked to some of the most important surgeries performed in the past in Portugal, such as the first cesarean section in the country, dating from 1782. The first operating room in Portugal was also created here, in 1856.
6. Santo Ildefonso Church and São Lázaro Garden
Not far from Praça da Batalha is the beautiful Church of Santo Ildefonso, covered in tiles on the main façade, with representations of the life of Saint Ildefonso de Toledo and some episodes from the New Testament. It’s a church from the first half of the 18th century, and the aforementioned tiles, by Jorge Colaço, are from 1932. I’m sure you’ll enjoy the handicraft fair that takes place in the churchyard, every day.
I recommend taking the detour to São Lázaro Garden, as it really is one of the best and most beautiful parks in the city of Porto, with its magnolias and camellias standing out.
7. Rua de Santa Catarina and Café Majestic
To get to the Bolhão market, my suggestion is that you use Rua de Santa Catarina, stopping along the way at the famous Café Majestic, undoubtedly the most beautiful in Porto, and which was once considered one of the most beautiful in the world. It’s a centenary cafe in the city of Porto!
8. Bolhão Market and Chapel of Souls
Bolhão Market almost needs no introduction. It has been in operation since 1914 and is a fascinating place for some contact with the people of Porto, in the form of merchants, who sell a huge variety of products there.
Don’t forget Capela das Almas (Chapel of Souls), also known as Capela de Santa Catarina, which is covered in incredible tiles with representations of episodes from the lifes of Saint Francis of Assisi and Saint Catherine. The church itself dates from the 18th century.
9. Avenida dos Aliados and Trinity Church
On the way to Avenida dos Aliados, you can pass by Teatro do Bolhão, Praça de Dom João I and Teatro Sá da Bandeira, a must only for those who really feel they have time. The important thing is to get to Avenida dos Aliados, to discover its main tourist attractions:
- Porto City Hall.
- The Monument to Almeida Garrett.
- The Monument to D. Pedro IV.
- The Statue of Ardina, the famous Porto newsboy.
- The letters “Porto”, ideal for a photograph.
- Aliados Fountain or Lagoon.
Avenida dos Aliados is full of monumental buildings, and I’m sure you’ll enjoy discovering it for that very reason! On its back is the Church of the Holy Trinity.
10. Carlos Alberto Square and Bank of Materials
Walking to Carlos Alberto Square, you will have the possibility to pass by the theater with the same name, and also by Bank of Materials Museum, located in Viscondes de Balsemão Palace, from the 18th century. This museum consists of a deposit of materials collected from degraded buildings that were going to be demolished or renovated, such as tiles, stucco, decorative elements, etc. The memory of these places has thus been preserved.
11. Carmo Church and Lions Fountain
Carmo Church is located next to Carmelitas Church, and close to another large square of the city, where the beautiful Fountain of Lions is located. You should admire the tiled side façade of this church, and visit it from the inside, getting to know its “Hidden House”, the sacristy and other museum rooms.
12. Lello bookstore
Lello Bookstore is a must stop, but be prepared for the crowd that you will certainly find inside, and even for the queues outside. The visit works with the payment of a Ticket-Voucher of €5, but this value will be deducted in the purchase of a book. Highlight for the staircase and the gigantic stained glass in the ceiling.
13. Clérigos Tower and Olives Garden
Finally, the Clérigos Tower and the Olives Garden, the latter built in 2013 over an open-air shopping center in the city, called Passeio dos Clérigos. The Clérigos Tower is one of the main monuments in Porto, dating from the 18th century, designed by Nicolau Nasoni.
- You can buy the tickets here, with Get Your Guide.
- At the time of my last visit, the Spiritus Multimedia Show was taking place inside the Clérigos Church. Do a little research to see if there are any shows on your dates, so you can add them to your Porto itinerary. They usually occur at night!
14. Cordoaria Garden and Porto Old Prison Building
Be sure to stroll through Cordoaria Garden, with immense vegetation and sculptures. Nearby you will find two free museums in the city of Porto:
- The Museum of Natural History and Science of the University of Porto.
- And also the Portuguese Photography Centre, installed in the building of the former Prison of Porto, where the bars of the cells can still be admired.
Also noteworthy is the fountain on the corner of the old jail, and the statue of Camilo Castelo Branco, in honor of his work “Amor de Perdição”.
15. Church of São José das Taipas and Vitória Viewpoint
Near the end of this 2nd day, head to Vitória Viewpoint, stopping along the way to visit Church of São José das Taipas. This church is the only one in Porto dedicated to São José, and if you want, you can take a guided tour to discover its crypt and also its small museum of sacred art.
I’m sure you’ll love waiting for the sunset next to Vitória viewpoint, one of the most beautiful in the city.
Porto Itinerary in 3 days | Travel Guide
If you have 3 days in Porto, then you can dedicate yourself to visiting the surroundings of the historic center, getting to know the essentials of the city up to the coast. Start with the previous 2-day Porto Itinerary, adding the following 3rd day.
Useful tips:
- How about renting an electric bike and having fun on the cycle paths at your disposal, all the way to the coast?
- You can reach the Mouth of Douro on one of the old Porto trams. Check the timetables for Line 1 here, knowing that the ideal is to catch it at Alfândega do Porto. Keep in mind that the tram only goes as far as the mouth of the river, so to get to know the rest of the places on this day you’ll have to use city buses or the metro!
- Rent a car with Discover Cars.
Day 3 Map – Porto Itinerary in 3 days
1. Passeio das Virtudes and São João Novo Square
Start the day by seeing Alfândega do Porto from afar, on Passeio das Virtudes. That place is one of your destinations for today, so I recommend that you start walking in that direction, using Rua das Taipas until you reach São João Novo Square, with a church that can be visited. 😉 Very close to the Caminho Novo staircase, you will find one of the still preserved sections of the Fernandina Wall.
1. Alfândega do Porto Museums
Upon reaching the river, head towards Alfândega do Porto, observing along the way the urban art murals by Daniel Eime and Vhils, optionally stopping to visit the Church of Miragaia. Alfândega is today a great cultural center, with several permanent and temporary exhibitions. I highlight the following spaces:
- The Transport and Communications Museum, with its exhibition of vehicles belonging to the various Presidents of the Portuguese Republic.
- Porto Legends, with an engaging show about the most tragic and dark events in the city of Porto.
- And the World of Discoveries, with 20 different thematic areas about the Portuguese discoveries.
It is from Alfândega do Porto that you will really need to find transport to continue this itinerary, ideally an electric bicycle, as I have already mentioned. 😉 But you can also take the tram there that goes to the coast.
2. Tram Car Museum in Porto
Even if you choose not to take a tram ride, be sure to visit the Tram Car Museum, founded in 1992 in the old Massarelos Thermoelectric Power Station. The museum has several real examples of this type of transportation, and it is also possible to visit the engine room of the old power plant.
3. Foz do Douro and Passeio Alegre Garden
Arriving at the mouth of the Douro (Foz do Douro), Passeio Alegre Garden definitely stands out, with its “Chalé do Carneiro”, the ponds, the obelisks and the minigolf club, for example. Try taking the riverside walk that goes to the pier of Barra do Douro, and don’t miss the Fortress of São João da Foz do Douro, dating from the 16th century, and important in the Wars of Restoration and Liberal Wars.
4. Pérgola da Foz and Porto Coast Beaches
Along the coast of Porto you will find beautiful beaches worthy of an occasional dip in the sea, if the season is right. For example, Praia do Carneiro, Praia do Molhe, Praia do Homem do Leme or Praia Internacional. I would like to highlight, in addition to the beaches, the fabulous Pérgola da Foz, which could be an excellent place to return for an awesome sunset.
5. Castelo do Queijo and Porto City Park
Castelo do Queijo is a fortress located on the extreme north of the coast of Porto, close to the border with Matosinhos. Nearby, how about visiting the city’s aquarium, SEA LIFE Porto?
Be sure to admire the Equestrian Monument to D. João VI, and then enter Porto City Park, known as the largest urban park in the country, dating from 1991. It is completely free and has several lakes, extensive green gardens and lots of vegetation.
6. Serralves Park and Museum
From the city park, head to Serralves, which has more beautiful gardens and also a Museum of Contemporary Art. I consider the museum unnecessary, as this type of art does not attract me very much, but the gardens are impressive, with a TreeTop Walk inside, for example, with wooden walkways. 😉 I also highlight the small pedagogical farm with some animals, namely cows, sheep and even pigs.
7. Porto Botanical Garden
You should also visit Porto Botanical Garden and the Biodiversity Gallery inside. The botanical garden is completely free, but the gallery is paid. I believe you will love to see the giant skeleton of a blue whale that is on display inside the gallery.
During my last visit, both the Botanical Garden and Serralves Park were promoting shows at night, but these shows were temporary, so during your visit they may or may not be taking place. If you’re interested, do your own research to confirm.
8. Porto Holocaust Museum
Near Porto Botanical Garden there is also the Holocaust Museum. It was created only in 2021, by the city’s Jewish community, and the theme is exactly the persecution of Jews in World War II.
9. Crystal Palace Gardens
You will watch the sunset from Crystal Palace Gardens. There is no crystal palace today, but it existed in the past. 😉 It was replaced by Pavilhão Rosa Mota, or Super Bock Arena, with a fabulous 360º viewpoint over the dome (entrance to the pavilion and viewpoint is paid, but there is a free view next to the park tower or Torreão).
Be sure to admire the statues of the 4 seasons at the entrance to the gardens, and then explore the rest of it, not forgetting the grand boulevard, the garden of feelings, the Chapel of Carlos Alberto, or the lakes.
Porto Itinerary in 4 days | Travel Guide
If you have 4 days for an itinerary in Porto, do the 3 days that I showed you earlier, plus the 4th day that I will expose now, which you can also do on an electric bike, for example, since it will also be made up of nearby tourist spots from the historic center of Porto.
Day 4 Map – Porto Itinerary in 4 days
1. Soares dos Reis National Museum
Start by visiting the Soares dos Reis National Museum, one of the most important in the city of Porto. It is installed in the 18th century Palácio das Carrancas and was created in 1833 when D. Pedro IV decided to have a Museum of Painting and Engraving in Porto. Today it has a collection consisting of ceramics, engraving, jewellery, furniture and painting, and you will find sculptures such as those made by Soares dos Reis, one of the most renowned sculptors of the 19th century in Portugal.
2. Museum of Romanticism in Porto and House Tait
You will go to the Crystal Palace Gardens area again, but this time to visit the Museum of Romanticism, which is really beautiful and very different from the usual museums. It will be completely free if you have the Porto Card, but there is also a combined ticket with other museums in the city of Porto.
House Tait, on the other hand, is only optional, but it is right next to the Extension of Romanticism, so be sure to visit its gardens.
3. Boavista Roundabout and Casa da Música
Next is Rotunda da Boavista (Boavista Roundabout), or Praça Mouzinho de Albuquerque, which has a gigantic monument in the center in honor of the heroes of the peninsular war, fought during the French invasions. The lion and eagle have nothing to do with Portuguese football clubs, as many people think, but with the symbols of England (lion) and Napoleon’s empire (eagle).
Also noteworthy in this roundabout is Casa da Música, which emerged when Porto was elected as the European Capital of Culture. It is a very modern building, used as a concert hall in the city.
4. Bom Sucesso Market and Marta Ortigão Museum
If it’s already lunch time, head to the Bom Sucesso Market, where you can have a snack. Also visit Marta Ortigão House-Museum, with several works by the painters Aurélia de Souza and Sofia de Souza, in addition to extraordinary pieces of furniture, and a very important collection of jewellery from the 17th to the 20th centuries.
5. Churches of Cedofeita, Lapa and Nossa Senhora da Conceição
If you are a fan of Churches, try visiting these 3:
- The Church of Nossa Senhora da Conceição has beautiful stained glass windows and also the highest viewpoint in the city of Porto, from its tower.
- The Church of Lapa, in turn, is a mandatory stop for anyone wanting to visit the Mausoleum of D. Pedro IV, Emperor Pedro I of Brazil, containing his heart.
- And the Romanesque Church of São Martinho de Cedofeita, dating from the 13th century, but which came to replace an earlier one from the 6th century, associated with a miracle of São Martinho de Tours.
6. Fernando de Castro House-Museum
“It will be a crime” not to visit Fernando de Castro House-Museum. Don’t forget to book it in advance using the form found in one of the links on this page.
This house was the home of the caricaturist poet Fernando de Castro, and has several rooms lined with gilded carving, with a lot of sacred art, and objects that the poet collected throughout his life. From the images I saw, it must be one of the best museums in the city of Porto, if not the best! I’m still to visit it.
7. FC Porto Museum and São Roque Park
Are you a fan of FC Porto or do you simply like football? Then you will learn more about the history of this Portuguese club in its museum. Why don’t you take a stadium tour?
As far as São Roque Park is concerned, I think you will be fascinated by its gardens, namely the labyrinth, the patio with the camellias, the cave, the viewpoint, the lake and the chapel. São Roque Palace, which is next to the garden, was owned by the well-known producer and exporter of port wine Ramos Pinto.
8. Bonfim Church and Porto Military Museum
Next is the Bonfim Church, and then the Military Museum of Porto. I really liked the collection of miniature soldiers that this museum has on display, and of course, all the war equipment!
9. Park Águas do Porto
The main feature of Park Águas do Porto is the water, as there are many fountains in it, some of which were transferred there between 1930 and 1960, to conserve them, as they were going to be removed from their original locations in the city. It also has an excellent viewpoint over the Douro River and the River Beach of Areinho, located on the Gaia side.
10. Infante Viewpoint and Passeio das Fontaínhas
You’ll end the day with another sunset at a fabulous viewpoint in Porto, this time next to Infante D. Henrique Bridge, but with incredible views of Luís I Bridge. You have two viewpoints to choose from, one on Porto side (Passeio das Fontaínhas) and the other one at Gaia side of the river. Both are magnificent!
Porto Itinerary in 5, 6 or 7 days | Travel Guide
In the previous four days you did a very complete Porto itinerary, but there are still many places to discover in the city and surroundings. I leave you several tips below in case you have more time to visit Porto, for example, 5, 6 or even 7 days.
1. Other Porto Museums
- The Pharmacy Museum, where you will find a lot of information about Portuguese pharmacy since the end of the 15th century, and also about the evolution of pharmacy in other parts of the world.
- The Museum of the Central Hospital of Porto, housed in the former Apothecary of Santo António Hospital from the 19th century.
- The National Press Museum, which allows the visitor a historical tour of the equipment and parts that were used by the printing industry in the past.
- Casa Guerra Junqueiro, which presents the poet’s rich artistic collection, consisting of ceramics, metals, jewellery, sculpture, furniture and textiles from the periods between the 15th and 19th centuries.
- The Stained Glass Museum.
- The Filigree Museum.
- And the Puppets Museum, a small space for the exhibition of puppets, props and other objects used in puppet theater shows in the city.
2. Wow Porto
Wow Porto, or World of Wine, is not exactly a museum, but a cultural district of Gaia, which has several thematic museums in its interior:
- The Wine Experience – about wine and its production process.
- The History of Chocolate – about chocolate process since cocoa.
- The Pink Palace, associated with rosé wine.
- Porto Region Across The Ages, about the history of the Porto region, its historical and cultural heritage.
- Planet Cork, about the cork used to close wine bottles.
- The Bridge Collection, featuring part of the collection of cups, bowls and other vases owned by Adrian Bridge, Director General of WOW. It has pieces that are thousands of years old.
- The Porto Fashion & Fabric Museum, about the textile industry in Portugal, the art of filigree, national footwear and Portuguese fashion since the 80s.
3. Other Parks and Gardens in Porto
- The Oriental Park of Porto, next to Tinto river.
- The gardens of Freixo Palace.
- Quinta de Vilar d’Allen, for which prior appointment is required through the contacts on its Facebook page.
- Quinta da Bonjóia.
- The Pasteleira Urban Park, inaugurated in 2009 based on a project by the landscape architect Marisa Lavrador. It has a lake and natural vegetation consisting of pine trees and cork oaks.
- The Carregal Gardens, next to Santo António Hospital. The monument to Abel Salazar and its lakes stand out.
- The Arca d’Água Garden.
- And Covelo Park.
4. Enjoy the best Rooftops in Porto
There will certainly be others, but the ones that follow will please you for sure. They are all excellent places for a good end of the day.
- The Terraço Lounge 360º at Espaço Porto Cruz.
- The Douro Sky Lounge, at Hotel Vincii.
- Rooftop Flores, located next to Vitória Viewpoint.
- Graça Rooftop Bar, not far from Avenida dos Aliados.
- Mirajazz, next to the Caminho Novo Staircase.
- The Rooftop of Santa Catarina, in the Bolhão area.
- And the 17th Restaurant & Bar.
5. Visit more places in Vila Nova de Gaia
Still close by, on the side of Vila Nova de Gaia, I highlight the following places:
- Santo Inácio Zoo, the largest in the north of Portugal, and with huge animals such as lions, giraffes, rhinos, hippos, etc.
- Gaia Biological Park, which can be an excellent alternative to the zoo, also having animals (of smaller size), and at the same time several other tourist attractions.
- Lavandeira Park, with a huge infrastructure for sports, and also enormous green gardens.
- Senhor da Pedra Chapel, on Miramar beach. So turistic! 😉
- The Afurada Zone and the Douro Marina.
- And Teixeira Lopes Museum, with absolutely brilliant plaster sculptures.
6. Day trips from Porto
You can also opt for day trips to various points of interest in the north and center of Portugal, and even Galicia, always departing from the city of Porto. Other possibility is to just rent a car with Discover Cars and do it by yourself.
Day trips from Porto with Get Your Guide: 1 - Douro Valley Tour from Porto 2 - Vineyards Tour from Porto with Lunch 3 - Braga and Guimarães day trip 4 - Surf Experience 5 - Santiago de Compostela Day trip from Porto 6 - Paiva Walkways day trip from Porto 7 - Peneda-Gerês National Park Day trip from Porto 8 - Aveiro Day trip from Porto 9 - Fátima and Coimbra Day Trip from Porto
Day trips from Porto with Viator: 1 - Douro Valley Small-Group Tour 2 - Authentic Douro Wine Tour with River Cruise 3 - Best of Braga and Guimaraes Day Trip 4 - Aveiro & Costa Nova Half Day Tour 5 - Full-Day Tour to Santiago de Compostela and Valença do Minho 6 - Peneda Geres National Park Tour from Porto 7 - Arouca Suspension Bridge and Paiva Walkway Day Tour from Porto 8 - 4x4 Porto Mountain Excursion 9 - Fátima and Coimbra Full Day Tour
Day trips from Porto with Civitatis: 1 - Guimarães and Braga Day Trip 2 - Douro Valley Wine Tasting and Tour 3 - Douro Region Full day Tour 4 - Fátima and Coimbra Day Trip 5 - Day trip to Santiago de Compostela 6 - Paiva Walkways + 516 Bridge Tour 7 - Peneda-Gerês National Park Day Tour 8 - Aveiro and Costa Nova day trip 9 - Matosinhos Surf Class 10 - Régua Day Cruise from Porto 11 - 1 Day Cruise to Pinhão
Porto Itinerary in 2 to 7 days | Map
Porto Itinerary in 1 day | Travel Guide with all the essentials
With regard to the essentials for visiting Porto in 1 day, I have to be very direct: you should focus on the riverside area, following the itinerary I proposed for 2 days, but much more summarized and concise.
Note that instead of following my Porto itinerary suggestion, you can take a guided tour, which includes some tickets for main attractions. In this case, the guide will have a car to easily transport you to places further away from the city, such as the beaches. 😉 Be sure to consider this!
Porto Itinerary Map to visit the city in 1 day
1. Clérigos Tower and Cordoaria Garden
Start the day with a walk in Cordoaria Gardens, admiring its various statues, as well as the surrounding buildings of Centro Hospitalar do Porto, the Courthouse and even the Old Prison.
Then head to the Clérigos Tower, which you have to climb to reach one of the best viewpoints in Porto, 75 meters high. There is also, as already mentioned, a church and a small religious art center to visit, for which you can purchase tickets by accessing this link.
2. Avenida dos Aliados and São Bento Station
After Clérigos Tower, go down to Avenida dos Aliados, to admire its grandeur and the Town Hall building, dating from the mid-20th century. Take a picture next to the letters “Porto”, and then head to São Bento Station, where you can admire its fabulous tile panels.
3. Church of Santa Clara and Porto Cathedral
I recommend that you make a small detour to the Church of Santa Clara, the most beautiful church in Porto. Its gilded carving is absurd.
Terreiro da Sé should be the next stop, and along the way, take a look at the remains of the original wall of the city. Visit Porto Cathedral, and optionally the beautiful Episcopal Palace.
4. Palácio da Bolsa and São Francisco Church
On the way to Palácio da Bolsa, you should explore the alleys that go down to the riverside from the Porto Cathedral, as they are some of the most colorful and picturesque in the city. A visit to the interior of Palácio da Bolsa is mandatory.
The Church of São Francisco is nearby, and clearly deserves to be known inside, as well as its crypt and ossuary with thousands of human bones.
5. Ribeira do Porto and 6 Bridges Cruise
Finally, Ribeira do Porto, where you will ideally arrive around 4 pm, with time to take the 6 bridges cruise on the Douro River.
- 6 Douro Bridges Cruise with Get Your Guide
- 6 Douro Bridges Cruise with Civitatis
6. Luís I Bridge, Ribeira de Gaia and Port Wine Cellars
Cross Luís I Bridge towards Gaia, and choose some Port Wine Cellars to visit. For example, Caves Calém, which also offers a fado show, but there are many others!
1 - Cockburn's Port Cellars Tour 2 - Poças Port Cellars Tour 3 - Burmester's Port Cellars Tour 4 - Graham's Port Lodge Tour 5 - Calém Port Cellars Tour with fado Show 6 - Porto Wine Tour + Fonseca Visit 7 - Porto Wine Tour + Touristic Train
7. Serra do Pilar Monastery Viewpoint
Go up to Jardim do Morro using Gaia Cable Car. Head then to Serra do Pilar Monastery and wait there for the fabulous sunset over the city of Porto and Luís I Bridge.
To end the day, there’s nothing better than eating a francesinha at Brasão, for example, next to Avenida dos Aliados. You can also get to know a bit of Porto’s night life and its bars, taking this guided tour.
Other Itineraries and Travel Guides in Portugal
- N2 Portugal Road Trip Itinerary
- Madeira Itinerary and Travel Guide
- São Miguel Itinerary and Travel Guide (Azores)
- Terceira Itinerary and Travel Guide (Azores)
- Pico Itinerary in Azores
- Faial Itinerary in Azores
- Minho | Northern Portugal Itinerary
- Things to do In Braga (Minho)
- Things to do in Guimarães (Minho)
- Things to do in Viana do Castelo (Minho)
- Peneda Gerês National Park Itinerary
- Douro Valley Itinerary
- Trás-os-Montes Itinerary
- Things to do in Bragança
- Montesinho Natural Park Itinerary
- Douro International Natural Park Itinerary
- Things to do in Aveiro
- Things to do in Coimbra
- Things to do in Leiria
- Things to do in Fatima
- Things to do in Nazaré
- Things to do in Peniche
- Things to do in Évora (Alentejo)
- Things to do in Beja (Alentejo)
- Algarve Road Trip Itinerary
- Things to do in Lagos (Algarve)
- Things to do in Portimão (Algarve)
- Things to do in Faro (Algarve)
- Things to do in Tavira (Algarve)
I hope you enjoyed this Porto Itinerary. Have a nice stay in my country! 😉
