Stroll along the Douro River, go port tasting at the wine cellars in Gaia, visit the most beautiful bookstore in the world, and watch the sunset from the Dom Luís I Bridge. These all top the list of the best things to do in Porto, but there are also beautiful churches to visit, new foods to try, and neighborhoods to explore.
Tim and I LOVED Porto. Tasting port wine at the ancient wine cellars, sampling the street foods, strolling along the Douro River, and visiting several breathtaking churches were our favorite experiences.
We spent four busy days in Porto, which is reflected in this list. While here, Tim and I visited the main attractions, and we also discovered several hidden gems, like the gilded Santa Clara Church, some amazing wine lodges, plus a few budget-friendly restaurants. We quickly learned that Porto is best savored from its viewpoints, its street food, and local wines.
Overall, we list 30 things to do in Porto. This guide begins with the top 10 things to do in Porto, ideal for those planning a quick visit to the city (1 to 2 days). We then provide additional activities for those with more time.
October 2025 Update: Added weather graphs and additional travel planning information, including links to 1, 2, and 3-day itineraries for Porto.
A Quick Porto Geography Lesson
Porto, sometimes also called Oporto, is the second largest city in Portugal. This city is famous for its port wine, one of Portugal’s largest exports.
The Douro River runs through the Porto Metropolitan Area.
On the north side of the river sits Porto. This is where you will find many of the churches, cathedrals, and museums, as well as the majority of the hotels and restaurants, and the train station. The historic center of Porto is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Vila Nova de Gaia, or simply Gaia, sits south of the Douro River. Gaia is home to the wine cellars where port wine is stored and aged. If you are visiting Porto with the main reason of sampling the port wine, you’ll spend most of your time in Gaia.
Porto, Portugal
10 Best Things to Do in Porto
This list starts with the very best things to do in Porto. These are the essential experiences to have, particularly if it is your first visit to Porto.
1. Visit the Wine Cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia
Let’s get started with the #1 thing to do in Porto and the reason why Porto is so famous.
Located in Vila Nova de Gaia (Gaia) are a cluster of wine cellars (sometimes also referred to as caves). These large warehouse-like buildings sit in the hills of Gaia. This is where port wine is stored and aged, before being exported around the world.
There is a long list of wine cellars to visit in Porto. The most popular and touristy of the bunch include Taylor’s, Sandeman, Graham’s, and Cálem. These cellars offer frequent tours throughout the day, some as quick, relatively inexpensive group tours to more expensive small group or private tours. They also have a convenient location along the waterfront.
And then there are the smaller, lesser-known wine cellars. On this list are Niepoort, Cockburn’s, Kopke, Burmester, and Barros. These wine cellars produce amazing port wine.
Wine barrels at Niepoort
Port tasting at Sandeman
How to Visit the Wine Cellars in Gaia
RESERVATIONS FOR THE WINE CELLARS: To visit many of the wine cellars, you will need to make a reservation in advance. Wine cellars offer guided tours and tastings, and these can take 30 minutes to several hours, depending on the cellar and the experience you choose to do. If you want to spend one day in Gaia, you can visit three wine cellars, breaking up the day with lunch.
DO YOU NEED TO TAKE A TOUR? Some wine cellars can only be visited on a tour (these are usually the smaller, less touristy wine cellars) and at others, you can show up and just do a tasting.
If you aren’t into port, visiting one or two of the more popular wine cellars for a tasting, such as Sandeman and Taylor’s, may be sufficient for you. But if you want to learn more about port, step inside the cool, dark wine cellars and see the massive, ancient oak barrels, and do a tasting, a tour is definitely worth it.
OUR #1 RECOMMENDATION: Our favorite experience was at Niepoort, where we had a semi-private tour of the cellar and tasted 8 different wines and ports.
In our guide to the Best Wine Cellars in Porto, we go more in-depth into planning a visit to Gaia, where we list the top wine cellars to visit, our favorites, and how to plan your time.
Wine Cellars in Porto: Port Tasting in Vila Nova de Gaia
Best wine cellars to visit in Porto, with recommendations on how to plan your day.2. Stroll Across the Dom Luís I Bridge
The Dom Luís I Bridge, also called the Luís I Bridge and Ponte de Dom Luís I, is a double-decker bridge that spans the Douro River. It connects Porto with Gaia.
The view from the top level of the bridge is spectacular and not to be missed. It’s also one of the best sunset spots in Porto.
Dom Luís I Bridge, photo taken from Miradouro da Serra do Pilar (mentioned next)
This bridge was constructed in 1886 and at that time, it was the longest type of this bridge in the world.
There are two levels to the bridge:
- The upper deck is open to pedestrians and the metro trains. For the best views, walk across the upper deck. The metro trains frequently cross the bridge, but there is a designated pedestrian area. Keep an eye out for the train if you cross the bridge to take photos.
- The lower deck is open to pedestrians, cyclists, taxis, and public transport. You can walk across the lower deck, but the views aren’t nearly as good as those from the upper deck.
Upper level of the Dom Luís I Bridge
The view from the Dom Luís I Bridge
How to Get on the Upper Level of the Bridge
If you happen to be at river level in Porto, you can either walk up a long series of steps to get to the upper level, take the Lada elevator, or ride the Funicular dos Guindas. Once in Gaia, enjoy the amazing views looking back to Porto, and you can walk about 10 minutes to Miradouro da Serra do Pilar (mentioned next), stroll the hilly streets to the wine houses, or ride the Gaia Cable Car to the riverfront.
3. Miradouro da Serra do Pilar
This is our favorite viewpoint in Porto.
This panoramic viewpoint is located in Gaia, near the Luís I bridge and Mosteiro da Serra do Pilar, a monastery that dates back to the 1500s.
It’s free to visit, open all day, and from here you get one of the best views of Porto, Gaia, and the Douro River. Our photos below were taken midday, which is a great time for photography (sunset would be wonderful as well).
The view from Miradouro da Serra do Pilar
Mosteiro do Pilar
How to Get to Miradouro da Serra do Pilar
Getting here isn’t obvious. If you crossed the Dom Luís I Bridge, you will walk down Avenue da Republica, turn left, and immediately walk up Rampa do Infante Santo. It’s an uphill walk on this street to get to the viewpoint.
From the Luís I Bridge, it is almost a 1 km walk that takes about 12 minutes, a little shorter if you start at the Jardim do Morro metro station.
4. Stroll Along the Gaia Riverfront
If you read other guides to Porto, the Ribeira waterfront (the promenade on the Porto side of the river) is what is usually highlighted. However, we think that the Gaia riverfront is more interesting.
Not only do you get gorgeous views of Porto, but this promenade is lined with wine cellars, where you can stop in for a tasting, a Porto tonic, or do a little shopping.
Mid to late afternoon is the best time to do this walk, which works perfectly if you plan to tour a wine cellar or two in Gaia after lunch.
The view from the Gaia promenade
5. Livraria Lello, aka the Most Beautiful Bookstore in the World
This gorgeous bookstore is a must-do on a visit to Porto. It attracts an insane number of visitors and we saw the longest lines here than at any other place in Porto.
This bookstore is relatively small, but it has a long history and is famous for its whimsical architecture, iconic staircase, and stained-glass ceiling.
Livraria Lello
To enter the bookstore, you must have a ticket. It’s best to make your reservation in advance, and you will schedule a time slot.
Tickets for Livraria Lello
There are three ticket types: a standard ticket (the silver voucher), the gold ticket (standard entry plus a reserved book), and the platinum ticket. The platinum ticket is by far the most expensive ticket option but you enter through a priority line, plus you get access to the Gemma Room.
If you have a silver or gold ticket, even with a time slot entry, you could wait in line for up to 15 minutes to enter the bookstore. If you have a platinum ticket, you enter right at your allotted time, without waiting in line for the standard ticket.
The bookstore opens at 9 am. If you choose the silver or gold ticket option, it’s a good idea to get here early, because the line starts forming before 8:30 am. If you really want to be one of the first to enter the store, then the platinum ticket is the best option (but it is very pricey).
IS THE PLATINUM TICKET WORTH IT? When we visited Livraria Lello, we were the first ones inside, (this was before the ticketing system changed). Now, you’ll need a Platinum ticket (about €50) for that privilege, which feels like a lot to pay just to take a few photos.
On the official website, get hours, pricing, and purchase your tickets in advance. A visit here lasts about 30 minutes, once you are inside of the bookstore.
6. Visit the Porto Cathedral
The Porto Cathedral, also called Sé do Porto, is the largest, grandest church in Porto, and one of the oldest. It dates back to the 12th century, although over the years the cathedral has been gradually enlarged and decorated.
Porto Cathedral (photo taken from Igreja de São Lourenço)
On a visit here, there are several things to see and do. It’s free to enter the cathedral but the cloister and terrace have a small fee. The cathedral is open every day with the exception of Christmas and Easter.
Things to do inside of the cathedral:
- Admire the baroque altarpiece covered in gold leaf.
- Stroll around the cloister and see the intricate Azujelo Mural, a mural made of blue and white tiles.
- Climb the tower for views of the cloister and panoramic views of Porto from the roof of the cathedral.
Azujelo Mural
Cloister of the Porto Cathedral
View from the Porto Cathedral
7. Try Porto’s Street Foods
It seems as if each Portuguese city has its token pastry or signature dish. Porto has several to try, each a savory, calorie-laden sandwich or meat dish.
Here is a list of foods to try and where you can get them.
Francesinha: This is Porto’s most famous street food. A francesinha is Porto’s version of a croque-monsieur. This sandwich is filled with ham, steak, sausage, and cheese and covered with a spicy sauce. There are several different versions (some contain prawns, shrimp, or mushrooms). It was created at A Regaleira (this is where we tried it) but other recommended restaurants include Yuko and Café Santiago.
Francesinha
Cachorrinhos: This is a grilled, slightly spicy hot dog. Enjoy it with Super Bock beer. This was our favorite Porto street food that we tried. The best place to go is Gazela.
Cachorrinho
Sandes de Pernil com Queijo da Serra: This is a roasted pork sandwich with melted sheep cheese. We tried it at Casa Guedes, a crowded restaurant with a small rooftop terrace.
Prego com Queijo de Serra: This is a steak sandwich with melted sheep cheese. Try it at Venham Mais 5 restaurant.
Frango Assado: This roasted chicken dish is best enjoyed with a glass of vinho verde. Try it at Pedro dos Frangos.
8. The Majestic Café
This is arguably one of the most beautiful cafes in Portugal. It is located on Rua da Santa Catarina.
This Art Nouveau style café opened in 1921 and was designed to look like a café in Paris. Originally, it catered to elite members of society but now it is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Porto.
The Majestic Café is open from 9 am to 11 pm Monday through Saturday. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner. This is a busy place but we had no problem getting a table right at opening time. We were impressed with their friendly and speedy service.
On the official website, you can make a reservation in advance and see their menu.
9. Church of Santa Clara
This is one of Porto’s hidden gems.
If you want to visit a church with an astonishing display of gold leaf decorating its intricately adorned nave, don’t miss the Church of Santa Clara (Igreja de Santa Clara).
Church of Santa Clara
This is a lesser-known and underrated church in Porto, but it amazed both me and Tim.
Inside, the nave is covered with gold leaf, even more than we saw in some other larger, more famous churches in Porto. This church is unique in that there are a lot of large windows and the afternoon sun really brightens up this church. Make sure you climb the stairs to the second level where you can look over the nave from the choir room.
We shared this visit with just a handful of people.
VISITING THE CHURCH: The Church of Santa Clara is just a 3-minute walk from the Porto Cathedral. There is a small fee to enter.
Church of Santa Clara
10. Enjoy the View from Torre dos Clérigos
Torre dos Clérigos is a 75-meter tower that is attached to Clérigos Church. Climbing this tower for 360° views is one of the best things to do in Porto.
To reach the top of the tower, you will climb 240 steps and from here, you can see the Douro River, Gaia, and famous Porto landmarks such as the Porto Cathedral.
View from the Clérigos Tower
Another view from Clérigos Tower
It’s also worth visiting the inside of Clérigos Church, which is free to do. Again, you can see another ornately decorated nave and walk the hallways on the second level of the church for stunning views of the nave.
Inside Clérigos Church
This is an extremely popular thing to do and you can save yourself a lot of time by booking a time slot in advance. On the official website, you can get hours and purchase your tickets in advance, which can save you an hour or longer during peak season. If tickets are sold out, you can also purchase them on GetYourGuide.
Go Deeper: More Things to Do in Porto
Up next are 20 additional things to do in Porto. Some of these experiences impressed us so much that it was hard not to include them in our top 10. We’ve rated each one from 1 to 5 stars: 5 stars are must-sees, and 1 star means it’s good to be aware of.
11. The São Bento Railway Station
Our Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Quick to visit and one of the best places in Porto to see azulejos. Plus, it’s free!
The São Bento Railway Station, also called Porto São Bento, is the main train station in Porto. It is famous for the blue tiles that cover the walls of the entrance hall (approximately 20,000 azulejo tiles!). It is free to visit.
São Bento Railway Station
12. The Chapel of Souls (Capela das Almas)
Our Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The outside of this chapel is covered with azulejos and well worth the short walk up from the Majestic Cafe.
Located on Rua de Santa Catarina, the exterior of this small church is covered with blue and white tiles. You can step inside for a quick visit but it’s the outside that amazed us.
13. Rua de Santa Catarina
Our Rating: ⭐️⭐️ This famous pedestrian street is nice, but not an absolutely must-see. However, the Majestic Cafe and the Chapel of Souls are located on this street, so there’s a good chance you’ll be here at some point.
Rua de Santa Catarina is one of Porto’s famous pedestrian shopping streets. This long street runs through Porto, but the best part is from the Church of Saint Ildefonso (in the south) to Rua da Firmeza (in the north).
It only takes about 10 minutes to walk this street, longer if you go shopping or visit a few notable sites, two of which are mentioned next.
14. Church of Saint Ildefonso
Our Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Again, this is well worth it to see the blue and white tiles that cover the outside of the church.
This church makes our list for its beautiful blue tiles that adorn its façade, which depict the scenes from the life of Saint Ildefonso. It is located near Batalha Square, on Rua de Santa Catarina.
Our photo was taken in the morning. Midday and afternoon would be a better time to photograph this church, so it’s not backlit.
Church of Saint Ildefonso
15. St. Lawrence Church (Igreja de São Lourenço)
Our Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This was unexpectedly amazing, offering great city views and very few crowds.
This highly underrated church is well worth your time.
The views from the towers of this church are stunning and this church is overlooked by many visitors, so there are far fewer people here than some of the other churches in Porto. Plus, it’s just a 3-minute walk from the Porto Cathedral so it’s easy to get to.
Igreja de São Lourenço sits in front of the Porto Cathedral. To get here from the cathedral, cross the parking lot in front of the cathedral, take in the view from Miradouro da Rua das Aldas, and take the steps down to the next parking lot. Igreja de São Lourenço will be on your left (you can’t miss it).
Igreja de São Lourenço
There is a small fee to enter, cash only. Climb the spiral staircase to the top of the tower and from here you get amazing views of Porto. As you walk the upper terrace to the second tower, you get a sweet view of the Porto Cathedral. These rival the views from the Porto Cathedral and when we did this, there were just two other people.
The view from Igreja de São Lourenço
Inside of Igreja de São Lourenço
The inside of this church is not as impressive as the Porto Cathedral, but it’s still worth it, as it’s quiet, tranquil, and a great spot to sit and relax for a few minutes, away from the crowds.
16. Stroll Along the Ribeira Promenade
Our Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This scenic walk is a must-do. It didn’t make our Top 10, since we like the walk along the Gaia promenade a little bit more.
Cais da Ribeira is the promenade that runs along the Douro River in Porto. It’s a short, incredibly scenic walk, dotted with bars and restaurants. You’ll gaze across the Douro River to Gaia. It is definitely a must-do at least once on a visit to Porto.
17. Cruise the Douro River
Our Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Cruising the Douro River is one of the most popular things to do in Porto.
In about an hour, you can cruise the Douro River, past six of the city’s famous bridges, including Dom Luís I, the Dona Maria Pia Bridge, and Ponte de Infante. It’s a great way to see the riverfronts of both Porto and Gaia.
This cruise with Living Tours gets very good reviews and is one of the cheapest 6 Bridges Cruises available. Or cruise the Douro River at sunset on this party boat.
18. Gaia Cable Car
Our Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Great way to eliminate a hill climb, or a lot of walking, with aerial views of the city.
Running from riverfront of Gaia to Jardim do Morro is a cable car. The upper station is located near the Dom Luís I bridge and Jardim do Morro and runs parallel to the Douro River to the lower station next to the river (the Cais de Gaia station).
It is a scenic way to get between these two points. If you start at the Cais de Gaia station, it will take you up to the level of the bridge, saving you a hefty uphill walk.
For hours and pricing, visit the official website.
Gaia Cable Car
19. WOW – The World of Wine
Our Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The museums are interesting and very well done, plus you can do chocolate and port tastings and have a cocktail with a view of the city.
WOW is a cultural district in Gaia. It’s relatively new, is home to several museums, restaurants, shops, and wine cellars, and with so much to do, you could easily spend a full day here. Visiting a museum may not be high on your to do list in Gaia, but they have several unique museums which might interest you (and your kids, if you are traveling as a family).
On the list of museums are The Chocolate Story, Wine Experience (learn about Portugal’s wine regions and your visit ends with a wine tasting…how’s that for fun museum!), Planet Cork (everything you need to know about cork and its potential uses in the modern world), Porto Across the Ages, the Bridge Collection, and Pink Palace (a museum dedicated to rosé wine).
Inside the Wine Experience museum
At WOW, you can also attend wine school, have a cocktail at the Angel’s Share wine bar and enjoy the view over Porto, taste port at Taylor’s or Fonseca, or dine at one of the restaurants.
Tasting port at Taylor’s
For the full list of things to do, hours, pricing, and to purchase your tickets in advance, visit the official website. You can also purchase your museum tickets onsite at the visitor center which is next to the Chocolate Museum.
20. Take a Food Tour
Our Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ One of the best things to do in Porto is to take a food tour with an experienced guide.
This 3-hour morning tour includes breakfast and lunch, where you taste Porto’s sweet and savory delicacies.
On this 3-hour walking tour of the old town, try pastries, cheese, and sausage, plus a wine tasting.
If you prefer a private tour, on this tour you will sample food from the north part of Portugal, including a wine tasting.
Porto Food Tours
21. Liberdade Square (Liberty Square)
Our Rating: ⭐️⭐️
This large square is just a short walk from the Sao Bento Railway Station. Sitting in the center of the square is the Monument to King Peter IV. During our visit, this area was undergoing a massive restoration project, so it was completely surrounded by fencing. However, when it reopens, it should be a beautiful sight to see.
22. Letras do Porto
Our Rating: ⭐️⭐️ Worth it for those who like the idea of having their photo taken with the Porto sign; otherwise, it’s not worth the walk to get here.
From Liberdade Square, walk up Avenue dos Aliados to take a photo with the Porto sign.
23 & 24. Igreja do Carmo & Igreja dos Carmelitas
Our Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️½ Seeing Igreja do Carmo from the outside is the highlight (it is an iconic sight in Porto). The interiors of the churches are beautiful, but the rooftop view is skippable.
Sitting on Rua Carma is what looks to be one massive church. However, it is two smaller churches separated by Casa Escondida (the ‘hidden house’).
Igreja do Carmo, built in the 18th century for Carmelite monks, sits on the right and is adorned with beautiful blue tiles on its exterior.
Igreja dos Carmelitas, built in the 17th century for Carmelite nuns, sits on the left.
The narrow, 1-meter-wide house separates these two churches. There are several theories as to why this house was built, and the most popular theory is that it was to keep the nuns and monks separated.
Igreja das Carmelitas, the Hidden House, and Igreja do Carmo
Igreja do Carmo
Igreja do Carmo
At Igreja do Carmo, there is a small fee to enter the church (cash only when we did this). There are multiple places to visit with your ticket.
The first thing you will see is the ornately decorated nave and altar, which is covered with gold leaf.
Then, you can enter the hidden house. You will walk up two flights of stairs to see several rooms decorated with antique furnishings. We didn’t find it to be all that exciting and it was quite crowded during our visit.
The hidden house
Next, you will enter the catacombs, followed by the Crucifix Gallery, an elevated viewpoint of the nave, and then the option to walk onto the rooftop. The view from the rooftop is just OK. I waited in the human traffic jam to climb the steps to the highest point, which overall wasn’t worth it in my opinion, but you can judge by our photos below. Our visit to Igreja do Carmo took about 30 minutes.
Viewpoint of the nave
On the rooftop of Igreja do Carmo
View from the highest point of the rooftop
Igreja das Carmelitas
This church is much quicker to visit. It’s also free. Step inside to admire the golden altarpiece and the small museum.
Igreja das Carmelitas
25. Go Shopping on Rua das Flores
Our Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ We walked this street a lot, morning, midday, and evening. It’s almost always busy, with its shops and restaurants. This is a great place to go shopping for souvenirs.
Rua das Flores is a pedestrian shopping street that runs through the old town of Porto. It starts near São Bento Railway Station and runs southwest for about 400 meters. This street is lined with small shops, cafes, and restaurants.
Rua das Flores
26. Bolsa Palace
Our Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ The rooms are gorgeous, but to see them, you will have to take a tour, and scheduling it can be tricky to work into an itinerary.
Bolsa Palace, also called the Stock Exchange Palace, was built in the 19th century, although it took until 1910 for the interior to be completed. Highlights include the Arab Room and the Hall of Nations.
The Arab Room | SvetlanaSF/shutterstock.com
This is another busy spot to visit, so to skip the ticket line, purchase your ticket online in advance on the official website. To visit Bolsa Palace, you will take a 30-minute guided tour.
27. The Church of São Francisco
Our Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Seeing the gold leaf adorning the interior of the old church is breathtaking.
Sitting next to Bolsa Palace is the amazing Church of São Francisco (the Church of Saint Francis).
On a visit here, you will visit the old church and the new church, and the catacombs. There is a small fee to enter.
The new church is worth a quick peek, but it is not nearly as picturesque as the other churches mentioned earlier on this list.
Inside the new church
The catacombs, which is where the Franciscan monks and wealthy families in Porto are buried, are interesting and quick to visit. Don’t miss seeing the bones in the ossuary in the glass floor.
The catacombs
The old church
The old church is amazing. Most of the naves are covered in gold leaf. Unfortunately, photos are not allowed in the old church, so you’ll have to wait and see it with your own eyes. It’s definitely worth it.
28. Miradouro da Vitória
Our Rating: ⭐️⭐️ This is a popular viewpoint and we think it is so-so (we like the views from the cathedrals and riverfront better).
For an elevated view over the old town of Porto to the Douro River and Gaia, climb the steps to Miradouro da Vitória. This viewpoint is free to visit and located near Rua das Flores.
Miradouro da Vitória
29. Museu Serralves
Our Rating: ⭐️⭐️ The gardens and villa look amazing but since it is located outside of Porto, it is only worth it for those with a lot of time in the city (3 or more days).
Museu Serralves is a modern art museum that is located in the western part of Porto, a bit far from the old town. However, the gardens that surround the museum and Casa de Serralves, an Art Deco villa, are the true highlights of a visit here. Even with four days in Porto, we never made it out this way, but it gets great reviews for its garden. Learn more on the official website.
30. Walk a Portion of the Camino de Santiago
The Camino de Santiago is a famous pilgrimage route to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Spain. There are multiple routes in Europe.
One of the shortest routes starts in Porto and travels north to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, 240 km away. This route starts at the Porto Cathedral and heads north out of the city.
Learn more here.
Best of Porto: On a Map
How to Use This Map: Click the tab in the top left corner of the map to see a list of the points of interest and to turn layers on/off. Click the icons on the map to get more information about each point of interest.
To take this map with you, click the star next to the title of the map which adds it to your Google account. Next, within your Google Maps app, select ‘Saved’ and then select ‘Maps’. This map title will now appear in your list.
Best Things to Do in Porto with Kids
Here are a few things that kids will love…cable car rides, climbing the towers for a view of the city, a visit to a bookstore that looks like it is straight out of a fairytale, and even a few museums geared towards kids.
- Visit Livraria Lello
- Cruise the Douro River
- Climb Torre dos Clérigos for views over Porto
- Dine at the Majestic Café
- Climb the tower of St. Lawrence Church
- Walk across Luís I Bridge
- Ride the Gaia Cable Car
- Visit a museum or two at WOW
- Stroll along the Douro River
- Try Porto’s street foods
The view from the Porto Cathedral
How Much Time Do You Need in Porto?
Plan on spending a minimum of two days in Porto. This gives you just enough time to tour the famous landmarks, churches, and cathedrals in the old town plus visit a wine cellar or two in Gaia.
If you are a wine aficionado, 1 to 2 days in Vila Nova de Gaia to visit the wine cellars is a very memorable experience.
There are also many hidden gems in Porto, and having three or more days gives you enough time to go off the beaten track.
A third or fourth day in Porto allows you to day trip to the Douro Valley, Braga, and Guimarães. For those with an abundance of time, you could easily spend five or more days in Porto.
We spent four days in Porto, using one of these days to day trip to Braga and Guimarães. From Porto, we traveled to the Douro Valley and spent three days here.
When is the Best Time to Visit Porto?
Porto can be visited all year. Spring and summer are the best times to visit, when the weather is pleasant but crowds are manageable. Summer is the hottest, busiest time to visit Porto. Our visit was at the end of September. Porto still felt busy, but it was warm and sunny every day we were here.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can’t you miss in Porto?
Must-see sights in Porto include Cais da Ribeira (the promenade that runs along the Douro River in Porto), the wine houses in Gaia (port tasting is an essential experience to have in Porto), the Porto Cathedral, the Dom Luís I Bridge, and Livraria Lello.
If you could only do one thing in Porto, what would it be?
Touring the wine cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia was our favorite thing to do in Porto. However, walking along the riverfront and enjoying views of Porto from the Dom Luís I Bridge are also a big highlights.
Is Porto worth it?
Absolutely! With its wine cellars, viewpoints along the Douro River, long list of amazing places to visit in the historic old town, restaurants, street foods, and port wine, Porto is one of best places to visit in Portugal, even on the fastest itineraries.
What is the best way to spend one day in Porto?
There are several different ways to plan your time, depending on your interests. Would you rather spend your time visiting Porto’s historical sights, tasting port in the wine cellars in Gaia, or simply strolling through the city center and along the Douro River? In our One Day in Porto Itinerary, get suggestions on how to plan your time, based on your interests.
What tickets should I buy in advance?
To avoid waiting in lines, we recommend buying tickets in advance for Livraria Lello, Torre dos Clérigos, and Bolsa Palace. Advance reservations should also be made for tours of the wine lodges in Gaia.
Plan Your Trip to Porto
In this guide, we covered the top experiences in Porto, from iconic landmarks to hidden gems. For recommendations on where to eat, where to stay, and helpful tips, don’t miss our article How to Plan Your First Trip to Porto.
If you have any questions about the best things to do in Porto, or if you want to share your favorite experiences, let us know in the comment section below.
More Information for Your Trip to Portugal
We have TONS more information about Portugal in our Portugal Travel Guide, including Lisbon, Sintra, Porto, the Algarve, the Douro Valley, and Madeira.
How to Plan Your First Trip to Porto: Where to Stay, Eat & Play
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Portugal Travel Guide: How to Plan a Trip to Portugal
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One Day in Porto: Best of Porto in 24 Hours
If you have one day in Porto, there are a few ways you can plan your time. When deciding what to do, the biggest question to answer is would you rather spend your time visiting Porto’s historical sights, tasting port in the wine cellars in Gaia, or simply strolling through the city center and along […]
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