Porto is one of the most beautiful cities I’ve visited in Europe! I had an incredible time exploring Porto in 3 days during my one-week Portugal trip earlier this year. Now, I’m here to share my personal Porto recommendations to ensure you devour this captivating Portuguese city!
Porto was the original capital of Portugal and its vibe is much different than the vibes in Lisbon. And everyone I spoke to in Porto also agreed. Walking through the colorful cobblestone streets with a mix of Baroque and Gothic architecture all around, you’re bound to fall in love. Let me help you make exploring Porto in 3 days absolutely memorable.
HOW MANY DAYS do you need in PORTO?
I only spent two full days in Porto, and I wish I had more time to explore the city. I recommend 3 full days for your first time in Porto. You’ll be able to see a lot of Porto in 3 days because it’s a relatively small city — making it easy to check things off your to-do list!
HOW Do i GET TO PORTO?
Getting to Porto from Lisbon was easy! We bought round trip plane tickets to Lisbon because they were cheaper, and Porto is a quick 3-hour train ride away from Lisbon! HOWEVER, make sure you give yourself at least 2–3 hours from the time your plane lands and the time your train takes off. We missed the train that was supposed to take off about 1.5 hours after our plane landed. Unfortunately, our plane was delayed by more than an hour and the customs line took about 40 minutes. The electronic customs line was definitely faster (so you’re golden if you’re traveling with a U.S. passport). But note that if you use the electronic customs gates, you don’t get a cool little passport stamp!
Weigh your pros and cons. And then, book your train accordingly! We were able to book a second pair of train tickets while we waited in the customs line at the Lisbon airport. But I prefer having all my stuff booked ahead of time. So learn from my experience and give yourself a bigger cushion!
WHERE SHOULD I STAY IN PORTO?
We stayed in the very center of Porto on Avenida dos Aliados right by Praça da Liberdade. We chose The Editory Boulevard Aliados Hotel and loved it so much! It was the perfect location because of the Aliados and Trindade metro stations and bus stops nearby, and the proximity to São Bento Station. It was easy to get around on foot with this as our home base for exploring Porto in 3 days. The room was small but very clean and comfortable. Ribiera, Centro Baixa and Cedofeita are also good neighborhoods for where to stay in Porto for first-timers or returning adventurers.
HOW DO I GET AROUND PORTO?
Porto is a relatively small city. Exploring Porto in 3 days is easy by getting around mostly on foot! We loved walking around and getting to see the beautiful cobblestone streets and colorful buildings. One of my favorite things was crossing the Luis I Bridge to Villa Nova da Gaia, south of the Douro River. There are many wine cellars you can tour in Gaia, including World of Wine and Cálem. Use public transportation, including the metro and trams, or Uber to get farther afield.
And with that, let’s get into the day-by-day breakdown of this 3 day Porto itinerary!
DAY 1 — Livraria Lello, São Bento & Azulejos
Start out your Porto adventure by picking up a pastry and coffee at A Padaria Portuguesa near Trindade Metro Station. I love starting out my travel mornings with a light pastry and a matcha latte. Plus, overseas croissants go hard! Once you’re satiated and ready to start the day, head to Livraria Lello to get your bookworm on!
LIVRARIA LELLO
Livraria Lello is one of the top things to do in Porto! Yes, it is touristy AND is usually crowded as hell. But it is also very beautiful — especially if you love reading and books. Built in 1906, the bookstore is one of the “most emblematic” representations of the neo-Gothic architectural style in Porto and Portugal.
According to their website, Livraria Lello is the most beautiful bookstore in the world! It’s also one of the best Instagram spots in Porto. The iconic staircase is one of the main reasons people visit Livraria Lello. Buying tickets ahead of time is a must, and I highly recommend booking the earliest time slot possible. Although it will probably be hard to completely avoid people, I find that the earliest slots are always a little less busy. Buy Livraria Lello tickets online for €8 (about $9 USD). Plus, buying a ticket gives you an €8 discount on the purchase of a book!
Up next, walk about 2 minutes to Igreja do Carmo for our first traditional azulejos, Portuguese blue tiles, spot!
IGREJA DO CARMO
Igreja do Carmo is the first of three azulejos churches that are part of this Porto in 3 days itinerary. As I introduced in the first blog post in the Portugal series, these colorful ceramic squares adorn entire façades of churches and buildings throughout Portugal and are quintessential to the country’s history and culture. Igreja de Carmo is a must-see church in Porto for its beautiful tiled façade that pays homage to Nossa Senhora!
Visit this top Porto Instagram spot early in the morning as there will be less people. We went at around 10 a.m. and I was able to force my friend into taking photos of me for at least 10 minutes without anyone bothering us! The sidewalk by the church is pretty wide so that helps in putting some space between you and your photog. After doing it for the ‘gram, Torre dos Clérigos is your next stop!
TORRE DOS CLÉRIGOS
Get one of the best views in Porto by climbing the 240-step spiral staircase at Torre dos Clérigos! Built in the 18th century, the Baroque-style tower stands at 75 meters high and has become the symbol of the city of Porto. Today, it’s still the highest structure in all of Porto!
When I went, we waited in line for 25–30 minutes before we could climb the cramped staircase. It was busy in March, but not nearly as busy as it gets in the high season. The last set of stairs that takes you to a tiny, cramped 360-degree balcony is veeeery narrow and can make you feel claustrophobic. They didn’t have anybody counting how many people were coming up and down from the very top. And at some point while we were up there, it got scary cramped so we immediately decided to leave. Nightmare fuel!
Getting the best Porto views is 100% worth the climb though. Definitely book the first or last time slot of the day online for Torre dos Clérigos ahead of time because it’s a busy touristy spot and one of the top things to do in Porto. Plus, they have new night hours that let you see the city in a completely different light. Get tickets for Torre dos Clérigos and the museum online for €8 (about $9 USD).
After this, give yourself some time to shop for cute souvenirs and other items at Almada 13. Almada 13 is a really cool concept store where you can get prints, ceramics, clothes, mugs, accessories and more by Portuguese brands. Padaria Águas Furtadas is another good spot for prints and ceramics. Then, it’s time to hit São Bento Station!
SÃO BENTO STATION
Duh, everyone’s going to say visiting São Bento Station is one of the top things to do in Porto! I agree with them — it’s a must-see when seeing Porto in 3 days. This beautiful railway station in Porto’s historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a National Monument of Portugal. The gorgeous, traditional Portuguese blue tiles depicting the country’s history make this station famous. There are about 20,000 azulejos adorning the tall walls of the station. I’d also say it’s one of the best Instagram spots in Porto!
NOTE: They’re currently working on expanding the Porto Metro so expect there to be closures and construction in the area. Construction’s expected to be done in at least 2 years! (WOAH.) By now, you’re probably super hungry! It’s time to indulge your taste buds at Tapabento for lunch!
TAPABENTO
Tapabento is a really tasty restaurant that’s right in the São Bento Station building. They serve traditional Portuguese dishes and tapas-style plates in a cute, laid-back atmosphere. Make a reservation online for sure because it’s a popular spot. I recommend you try the fish soup and the Alheira croquetas. They’re super yummy! We’re heading to two more gorgeous Porto azulejos spots next.
CAPELA DAS ALMAS & IGREjA DE SANTO ILDEFONSO
If you’re looking for the most beautiful places to see azulejos in Porto, head to Igreja Paroquial de Santo Ildefonso (Church of Saint Ildefonso) and Capela das Almas de Santa Catarina (Chapel of Souls). From Tapabento, you can walk about 600 m. to the Church of Saint Ildefonso, a Baroque-style church completed in 1739. It’s mesmerizing façade has more than 11,000 azulejos that depict religious scenes and Saint Ildefonso himself. My second favorite, and one of the best Instagram spots in Porto, is next — Capela das Almas (Chapel of Souls). Walk for about 450 m. up Rua de Santa Catarina, and you’ll spot the Chapel of Soul’s blue-tile façade. Rua de Santa Catarina is known as shopping street so also take advantage of that!
I know you’re here for the photos! So let me tell you the ‘gram tea about the Chapel of Souls. The façade is beautiful but this church is in a much busier shopping area. Plus, the sidewalk is narrower than that of Igreja do Carmo. You can get a good photo if you’re patient! (Or you can visit this church in the early morning for less crowds!)
Next, you can pick up a snack at Mercado do Bohlão! Get meats, flowers, fruits, and more at this historic market in Porto. Dinner and drinks will conclude your first day in Porto. Some dinner options include Brasão (traditional Portuguese), Okra (delicious pizza) or Frida (Mexican). After dinner, get some handcrafted cocktails at Torto!
DAY 2 — Serralves Foundation, Sé de Porto & WOW
SERRALVES MUSEUM & PARK
Day two in Porto kicks off with a light breakfast and coffee from Combi Coffee Roasters. Their yogurt bowl with fruit and granola is pretty delicious and a good start to another day of exploring Porto! After breakfast, your first stop is the Serralves Museum and Park where you’ll see temporary and permanent contemporary art exhibits. After the museum, take a leisurely walk around Serralves Park, where you’ll be able to explore different routes and admire at least 200 species of plants and permanent art sculptures. Check out the Tree Top Walk and get great views of the park!
If you’re ready for lunch, Musa das Virtudes (beer garden with views) or Intrigo (more traditional Portuguese with gorgeous river views) are two great options! Make reservations ahead of time to ensure you get a table, especially at Intrigo. We’ll have more sightseeing for dessert and your next stop is the Porto Cathedral!
sé de PORTO
The Porto Cathedral (or Sé de Porto) is one of the oldest monuments in Porto. It’s also one of the most important examples of Romanesque architectural and religious buildings in the city. This national monument has gorgeous azulejos with scenes from the bible in its cloister (the interior patio-like area). Entrance to the cathedral is free. But entrance to the treasure room and cloister is €3 (about $3.25 USD). The cloister is beautiful and worth the visit. Apparently, criminals would be hanged in the square in front of the cathedral so … yeah, that’s a cool Porto factoid for ya. Now, it’s time to catch some lovely views!
MIRADouRO RUA DAS ALTAS
Miradouro Rua das Aldas is only 350 m. from the cathedral. We visited this viewpoint the afternoon we arrived in Porto (after a crazy day of travel that included me running through JFK with a broken foot and missing our original train from Lisbon to Porto). It was a really good introduction to the beauty and charm of Porto. Catching a gorgeous sunset at this charming viewpoint is one of the top things to do in Porto. We’ll continue in the theme of catching views not feels by heading to the famous Ponte Luis I!
PONTE LUÍS I
One of the top spots to see the best views of Porto is on Luis I Bridge. This double-deck, metal-arch bridge over the Douro River connects the cities of Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia. Cross the top deck of the bridge to catch the wonderful Porto sunset. The Teleférico de Gaia (Gaia Cable Car) and Jardim do Morro park are right by the bridge on the Gaia side. These are also two perfect spots to catch beautiful views of the sunset over Porto’s picturesque Ribiera neighborhood. Now that we’ve crossed into Vila Nova de Gaia, we’re going to explore the World of Wine!
WORLD OF WINE
World of Wine (WoW) is a cultural district in Vila Nova da Gaia with many museums, experiences, restaurants and bars that explore the history of port wines in Porto. WoW is a perfect playground for wine-lovers. You’ll learn about how wine is made, explore renovated wine cellars and taste a few libations to sweeten your journey! We only had time to visit The Pink Palace — an “extravagant and eccentric experience” about the world of Rosé. Through a series of educational, entertaining and immersive rooms, we learned how grapes used for Rosé come from different regions and affect the taste while tasting 5 different types of Rosé.
The honest truth is that World of Wine is very touristy and aimed toward capturing those top Instagram moments, but it does offer you a valuable educational aspect too. Simply put, I had a lot of fun! So if you like fun and want to get a little wine buzz, this should be on your list of top things to do in Porto! You can get tickets for two WoW museums for €34 (about $37 USD).
After you get your wine on at World of Wine, it’s time for din-din! BoaBao is a must-try restaurant in Porto that serves delicious food from different Asian cultures. Their Pad Thai is major and the pork belly baos are also super delicious!
DAY 3 — WALKING TOUR, Gaia cable car, calem wine & jardim do morro
WALKING TOUR OF PORTO
But first, breakfast! Check out Época Cafe for breakfast before kicking off your third day in wonderful Porto! After doing an amazing walking tour of Alfama in Lisbon, I just know I’ll always be adding free walking tours to my itineraries from now on! The tour guides work off tips, and I’ve learned they’re also usually very, very passionate about their cities. So a walking tour should be at the top of your bucket list when exploring Porto in 3 days. You’ll meet people from different parts of the world, learn about the culture and history of the place, and also reach off-the-beaten-path spots. The company I took the Alfama walking tour with also offers a variety of walking tour options in Porto!
GAIA CABLE CAR
Next, cross Ponte Luis I to ride the Teleférico de Gaia (Gaia Cable Car) to get beautiful views of Porto, Gaia and the Douro River. The ride is only 5 minutes long and I recommend booking Teleférico de Gaia tickets online ahead of time as they sell out sometimes. One-way adult tickets are €6 and roundtrip tickets are €9 (about $7 and $10 USD respectively). Also, check the schedule because they change depending on the season! You can do a one-way or a round trip. But for this itinerary, I recommend a one-way trip! At the end of your cable car journey with great views of Porto, Gaia and the Douro River, walk over to Cálem Wine
CáLEM WINE
Porto is very much known for its port wines, and wine-tasting is a must during your trip to Porto! Port wine is a fortified, typically sweet red wine that is produced in Portugal’s Douro Valley. Porto Cálem Wines is one of the most recognized port-wine brands from Portugal. You can tour their cellar in Vila Nova de Gaia, check out their interactive museum and learn all about the history of port wines. They offer different wine-tasting tours with some including a cheese and chocolate pairing (€19–45; about $21–48 USD) or a Fado show (€25; $27 USD). Of course I had to do the cheese and chocolate pairing because cheese is life. And while I’m not a huge fan of sweet wines, I really enjoyed tasting wine with 20% ABV ’cause we love a buzz! I recommend booking your Cálem tickets online ahead of time, as they do sell out!
JARDIM DO MORRO
Porto sunsets are beautiful and catching one at Jardim do Morro is a Porto must-do! Jardim do Morro is a hilltop park and popular viewpoint is frequented by locals and tourists alike for its stunning views of Porto’s colorful façades. When seeing Porto in 3 days, Jardim do Morro must be on your itinerary! After admiring the gorgeous Porto sunset, head to Genuíno (wine bar with creative dishes), Cozinha das Flores (creative twists on traditional Portuguese cuisine) or Kanpai (sushi) for dinner!
And that concludes our 3 days in Porto itinerary! Whether you have 2, 3 or more days in Porto, I just know you’re going to fall in love with this charming, wonderful city. If you have things I missed and should add to this 3 day Porto itinerary, let me know in the comments below. And also, let me know your favorite thing about Porto!
-V
