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🇵🇹 This guide is part of our complete Portugal Travel Series. We personally travelled Porto → Lisbon → Lagos → Albufeira and back — everything here is from first-hand experience.
Porto took us completely by surprise. We had budgeted two days in the city as a warm-up before heading south to Lisbonand ended up wishing we had stayed a full week. The city has this rawtextured energy — crumbling azulejo-tiled facades next to buzzing wine barsbaroque churches overlooking a river lined with wooden rabelo boats. It is nothing like any other city in Europe.
We stayed at a GuestReady apartment in the Bonfim neighbourhood — perfectly locatedbeautifully designedand managed with real attention to detail. GuestReady manages a portfolio of serviced apartments across Porto and Lisbon and we cannot recommend them highly enough for getting that authentic local feel without sacrificing comfort.
Here is everything we discovered on our own tripcondensed into the 25 best things to do in Porto Portugal.
Quick Tip: If you are planning to visit a lot of museums and use public transportcheck out the Porto City Card Review to see whether the card saves you money.
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Things to Do in Porto: The Essentials
1. Walk the Ribeira Waterfront
The Ribeira district is Porto's postcard image — and it earns every photograph. Narrow medieval lanes open dramatically onto the Douro riverfrontwhere coloured houses cascade down to the water's edge. Sit at one of the riverside cafésorder a fino (draft beer) or a glass of white portand watch the world go by. This is the best free thing to do in Portofull stop.
Best time to visit: Late afternoon when the light turns golden and locals start filling the terraces.
2. Cross the Dom Luís I Bridge
The double-deck iron bridge designed by a student of Gustave Eiffel is Porto's most iconic structure. Walk the upper deck for sweeping views of both sides of the Douro — Porto on the north bankVila Nova de Gaia on the south. The lower deck drops you directly into the Ribeira neighbourhood.
Pro tip: Cross on the upper deckreturn on the lower deck — two completely different perspectives.
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3. Tour the Port Wine Cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia
Just across the bridgethe hillside of Gaia is stacked with the famous lodges of Graham'sTaylor'sSandemanFerreiraand Cálem. You can walk in off the street and book a tastingbut booking online saves time and often includes a better tour.
Book via Tiqets: Porto Wine Tasting & Cellar Tour
4. Visit Livraria Lello
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Consistently ranked one of the most beautiful bookshops in the worldLivraria Lello's neo-Gothic façade and sweeping red staircase have become a Porto pilgrimage in themselves. It inspired J.K. Rowling (who lived in Porto while writing Harry Potter) and there is a palpable magic to the place. Buy a ticket online — entry has been ticketed to manage crowds and the ticket is redeemable against a book purchase.
Book skip-the-line entry: Livraria Lello Tickets
5. Climb the Clérigos Tower
The 76-metre baroque Clérigos Tower dominates the Porto skyline. Climb 240 steps to the top for panoramic views across the terracotta rooftopsthe Douroand Gaia. The adjacent church is free to enter and worth a few minutes.
Book: Clérigos Tower Ticket
6. Marvel at São Bento Railway Station
Even if you are not catching a trainvisit São Bento station for its extraordinary entrance hall — completely covered in 20,000 blue and white azulejo tiles depicting scenes from Portuguese history. It is one of the greatest pieces of public art in Europeand it is completely free.
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7. Explore the Alfândega do Porto (Porto Customs House)
A stunning 15th-century customs house on the waterfrontnow home to rotating art exhibitions and events. The architecture alone is worth a visit.
8. Wander Rua de Santa Catarina
Porto's main shopping street is lined with traditional shopsart nouveau cafésand street performers. The unmissable stop here is Café Majestic — Porto's most famous belle époque caféopened in 1921 and still serving excellent pastéis de nata.
9. Take the Historic Tram Line 22
Like LisbonPorto has historic yellow trams. Line 22 loops through the old town and Line 1 runs along the river all the way to Foz do Douro at the mouth of the Douro. A ride on either is a joy.
10. Day Trip to the Douro Valley
The Douro Valley — the world's oldest demarcated wine region — is Porto's greatest day trip. Terraced vineyards tumble down steep hillsides to the emerald river below. Take a scenic train to Pinhãojoin a boat cruiseand visit a quinta for wine tasting.
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11. See the Church of São Francisco
The exterior is plain Gothic. Step inside and you are confronted with one of the most extravagant baroque interiors in Europe — every surface encrusted with gilded carved wood. Beneath the churchthe ossuary (bone chapel) adds a sobering counterpoint. One of the most memorable church visits in Portugal.
12. Discover the Bolhão Market
Porto's historic covered market recently underwent a meticulous renovation and now dazzles in its neo-baroque glory. Browse stalls selling fresh producecheesecharcuterielive fishand local specialities. A great place to pick up a tripeiro (tripe) lunch — Porto's signature dish.
13. Visit the Serralves Museum and Gardens
Porto's contemporary art museum sits within 18 hectares of beautiful art deco gardens. The pink Serralves Villa is itself an attraction. Budget a half-day for the full experience.
Book: Serralves Museum Ticket
14. Walk Through Bonfim Neighbourhood
Skip the tourist trail and explore Bonfim — Porto's emerging creative neighbourhoodfull of independent cafésconcept storesstreet artand azulejo-covered buildings. This is where we stayed (via GuestReady) and we loved its locallived-in feel.
15. Eat a Francesinha
You cannot leave Porto without eating a Francesinha — a Portuguese variation on the croque-monsieurloaded with multiple meatscheesea fried eggand a secret spicy beer sauce. Cafetaria do Bolhão and Café Santiago are the most famous spots. This is pure Porto comfort food.
16. Take a Sunset Cruise on the Douro
A one-hour or two-hour river cruise at sunset is one of the most romantic things to do in Porto. The city lights up as the sun drops behind the bridge. Book in advance during summer.
Also on Tiqets: Porto Douro River Cruise
17. Explore Foz do Douro
Take tram Line 1 or a taxi to Fozwhere the Douro meets the Atlantic. The neighbourhood has a very different feel from the historic centre — wide promenadesseafood restaurantssurf cultureand one of Porto's best-kept secrets: the Farol de Felgueiras lighthouse at the river mouth.
18. Visit Porto Cathedral (Sé)
The Romanesque Sé dominates the hilltop above the Ribeira. The cloisters are lined with gorgeous 18th-century azulejo panels and the views from the terrace over the old city are superb.
19. See Palácio da Bolsa
Porto's 19th-century stock exchange is one of the most extravagant buildings in Portugal. The Arab Room — modelled on the Alhambra in Granada — is extraordinary. Guided tours run throughout the day.
20. Day Trip to Braga and Guimarães
Portugal's religious capital Braga is just 50 minutes from Porto by train and makes an excellent half-day trip. Guimarães — the birthplace of Portugal — is equally close. Both cities are compacthistoricand fascinating.
21. Discover Rua das Flores
Porto's most photogenic streetdraped with flower installations and lined with traditional artisan shopsjewellersand upmarket restaurants. The light in the afternoon here is extraordinary.
22. Try Port Wine Tasting at a Wine Bar
You do not need to cross to Gaia for port wine. Porto's old town has excellent wine bars where you can taste through the different s — rubytawnywhiteroséLBVvintage. Try The Yeatman Bar on the Gaia side for a more upscale experience.
23. Explore Cedofeita Art District
Cedofeita is Porto's bohemian heartland — a grid of streets filled with independent galleriesvintage shopsdesign studiosand excellent coffee shops. Saturday mornings see a popular flea market along Rua de Santa Catarina.
24. Visit Jardins do Palácio de Cristal
The Crystal Palace Gardens offer sweeping views over the Douro and the city below. Beautiful at any time of yearthey are especially lovely in spring when the gardens are in bloom. Free to enter.
25. Watch the Sunset from Miradouro da Vitória
Porto has dozens of miradouros (viewpoints) but Miradouro da Vitória — a small terrace off the beaten tourist path — offers one of the best sunset views in the city. Bring a bottle of wine from a nearby shop and settle in.
Practical Tips for Visiting Porto
| Best time to visit | April–June and September–October (warmfewer crowds) |
| Getting around | Metrohistoric tramsUberwalking |
| City pass | Porto City Card covers museums + transport |
| Where to stay | Our full Porto accommodation guide |
| Airport | Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport — 15 min by metro (Violet Line) |
How to Get from Porto to Lisbon
After Portomost travellers head south to Lisbon. The fastest option is the Alfa Pendular train — 2 hours 45 minutes and extremely comfortable. See our Porto to Lisbon transport guide for a full breakdown of all options including bus and car.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do you need in Porto? We recommend a minimum of 3 days. Two days covers the highlights but you will feel rushed. Three days lets you add the Douro Valley day trip and explore the neighbourhoods properly.
Is Porto safe? Porto is one of the safest cities in Europe. Petty theft can occur in busy tourist areas — keep an eye on your belongings around São Bento station and the Ribeira — but violent crime is rare.
Is Porto expensive? Porto is more affordable than Lisbon. Expect to pay €2–3 for coffee€12–18 for a main course at a mid-range restaurantand €80–150 per night for a good hotel or apartment.
What is Porto famous for? Port winethe azulejo-tiled buildingsLivraria Lellothe Ribeira waterfrontand the Douro Valley. Also the Francesinha sandwich.
Is the Porto City Card worth it? If you plan to visit 3+ museums and use public transport dailyyes. Read our Porto City Card Review for a detailed cost analysis.
Planning the full Portugal route? Read our 2 Weeks in Portugal Itinerary for the complete Porto → Lisbon → Lagos → Albufeira trip plan.
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