Porto Itinerary: How to Spend 2 or 3 Days in Porto, Portugal

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Planning a long weekend in Porto? Spending 2 or 3 days in Porto and looking for the best things to do in Portugal’s capital of the north? This detailed Porto itinerary written by a former resident has got you covered!

I’ve lived in Porto for a short period after graduating from college and absolutely fell in love with the city and its people. Although smaller in size than Lisbon, Porto offers a lot to do and see and certainly deserves a visit in its own right.

Portugal’s second city has a unique charm and beauty that you won’t find anywhere else in the country. It’s also a young and vibrant cultural city with a thriving art, food, and nightlife scene.

Whether you’re planning to visit Porto on a city break or to include it in your Portugal road trip, you won’t be disappointed.

So without further ado, here’s my recommended Porto itinerary for 2 or 3 days.

Read More:

• 7 Best Day Trips from Porto, Portugal
• Portugal Off the Beaten Path: 2 Weeks in Portugal itinerary by a Local
• Top 10 Best Yoga Retreats in Portugal: A Local’s Guide

 

Porto 2 or 3 Day Itinerary – Day 1

Lello Bookstore

Dedicate your first day in Porto to some of the city’s most famous landmarks.

Start with a visit to the famous Lello Bookstore, considered one of the most beautiful bookshops in the world.

Located on Rua das Carmelitas, right in the city center, the current bookstore was inaugurated in 1906 and is one of the oldest in Portugal.

Its building is an impressive example of the Neo-Gothic architectural style, with Art Nouveau and Art Deco elements.

But Livraria Lello is mostly famous for its remarkable staircase, which would have inspired the magical world of Hogwarts in the Harry Potter books.

Fans of the saga may be disappointed to learn that this is not the case after all. J. K. Rowling herself said recently she never visited or even heard about Lello Bookstore during her years living in Porto.

In any event, this gorgeous bookshop is well worth visiting for its architectural and historical value and stunning interior.

I recommend getting there before 9 am to avoid the very long lines though. The doors open at 9:30 am and buy then there’s already a lot of people queuing to go in.

The visitor voucher costs 5 euros for adults (deductible on 1 book). You can buy your voucher online here or at the coffee shop around the corner.

 

Clérigos Tower

Clérigos Tower is Porto’s most iconic symbol.

Designed by Italian architect Nicolau Nasoni, the Clérigos Tower and Church were built in the 18^th century in Baroque style.

Make sure to climb its 225 narrow steps to the top to enjoy the spectacular panoramic view of the city and the Douro River.

Avoid the lines by booking your ticket in advance here.

 

Aliados Avenue

Next, stroll along Avenida dos Aliados, in the heart of Porto’s downtown, which was classified by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1996.

Aliados Avenue is lined with beautiful palaces, now home to many hotels, restaurants, shops, and cafés.

At the southern end of this magnificent and lively avenue, you’ll find Praça da Liberdade, Porto’s main square, and the city’s social and political center.

Here you can see Porto’s City Hall and a statue of Dom Pedro IV in the middle of the square.

Have a pause in one of the alfresco cafés or join a Porto walking tour with a local guide and learn about the history of the city.

 

São Bento Train Station

Continue your Porto itinerary with a stop at São Bento railway station, named one of the most beautiful train stations in the world by Travel + Leisure magazine.

Inaugurated in 1916, this imposing building was designed by architect José Marques da Silva and is a fine example of the French Beaux-Arts style.

But the main attraction here is the stunning azulejo tile panels covering the entirety of the station’s entry hall.

Altogether, 20 thousand tiles hand-painted by Portuguese painter Jorge Colaço depict scenes from the country’s history and people.

 

Sé Cathedral

Porto Cathedral is one of the city’s oldest and most interesting churches.

Built between the 12^th and the 13^th centuries in Romanesque style, the church has undergone many changes over time.

An example of that is the beautiful Gothic cloister from the 14^th and 15^th centuries, decorated with 18th-century Baroque tiles by Portuguese painter Valentim de Almeida.

On the terrace, the tile panels from the same period were painted by António Vidal.

These remarkable blue and white tiles representing religious or historic scenes are a testimony of the golden age of the Portuguese azulejo art and can be found in many buildings, monuments, and churches across the city and the country.

 

Ribeira

From Porto Cathedral, walk down towards the Douro River through the picturesque Ribeira neighborhood and get lost in its narrow and steep maze-like streets and stairs.

This typical district of colorful buildings and wet laundry hanging out from the windows and balconies dates back to the Middle Ages, making it one of the oldest parts of the city.

It’s also one of my favorite areas in Porto and a photographer’s paradise.

The strip along the Douro River is very touristy and busy, with many restaurants, cafés, and souvenir shops, but also great views over the river, its bridges, the traditional Rabelo boats, and Vila Nova de Gaia across the water.

 

Lunch at Café do Cais

For a delicious lunch with a view, I suggest Café do Cais, in the heart of Ribeira (Cais da Estiva 130-131).

I had a chicken salad and my boyfriend a ham and cheese toasted sandwich. We also ordered some alheira croquettes as a starter.

The food was very good, and the service was quick and friendly.

They also serve more consistent dishes and are open for dinner as well.

 

Dom Luís Bridge

After lunch, cross the iconic Dom Luís Bridge on foot to Vila Nova de Gaia on the other side of the Douro River.

This striking steel bridge has two decks. You can walk through the lower deck, but I definitely recommend climbing the steps to the upper deck for some incredible views of the city and the river.

 

Vila Nova de Gaia

From the upper deck of Dom Luís Bridge walk down towards the river.

Stroll along the Cais de Gaia pier and soak in the best view of the Ribeira district across the Douro.

 

Port Wine Cellars

You can’t visit Porto without tasting the world-famous Port Wine, produced in the Douro Region.

And what better place to have a glass of Port than the cellars where the wine is aged, located along the riverside in Vila Nova de Gaia.

Book a tour of a traditional Port cellar and wine tasting experience here.

 

Dinner at Folias de Baco

End your first day in Porto city with local petiscos and wine at Taberna Folias de Baco.

Situated in Rua dos Caldeireiros 136, this place is an experience in itself. We found it by chance one night and were so glad we did, as it was definitely the best meal we had on our last visit to Porto.

You can choose from an array of delicious local sausages, cheese, and other petiscos (Portuguese tapas), paired with their excellent own-production wine.

Highly recommended!

 

Porto 2 or 3 Day Itinerary – Day 2

Casa da Música

For your second day in Porto, explore the modern and cultural side of the city.

Start at Casa da Música, a spectacular piece of contemporary architecture at the top of Avenida da Boavista.

Designed by the well-known Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas on the occasion of the Porto European Capital of Culture event, this unique diamond-shaped building was inaugurated in 2005.

Today, it’s Porto’s main concert hall and an icon of the city.

Take a guided tour of its remarkable interior or go see a performance.

Right next to Casa da Música, the blue Porto sign is another great photo motif.

 

Serralves Foundation

Serralves Foundation is another one of my absolute favorite places in Porto.

Designed by Siza Vieira, the most celebrated Portuguese architect, Serralves Museum is a work of art in itself and the most important contemporary art museum in the country.

Surrounding the museum, Serralves Park is an 18-hectare green oasis in the heart of the city, with lush gardens, woods, a romantic lake, a traditional farm, and the recently inaugurated Treetop Walkway.

In the middle of the park, you’ll find a unique example of Art Déco architecture in Portugal, the beautiful Serralves Villa, which hosts temporary exhibitions and can also be visited.

Last but not least, the foundation’s newest addition is the House of Cinema, dedicated to Manoel de Oliveira, considered the greatest Portuguese filmmaker of all time.

Inaugurated in 2019, the new building projected by Siza Vieira displays a permanent exhibition on the life and work of Manoel de Oliveira, who died in 2015 at age 106, as well as temporary exhibitions.

Having been to Serralves on several occasions already, last time we decided to visit the park and the new House of Cinema and were not disappointed.

You can buy a general ticket for the whole foundation here.

 

Francesinha at Cufra

You’ve probably heard about Francesinha, Porto’s most famous dish. So now it is time to try it.

For lunch, head to restaurant Cufra and brace yourself for a gastronomic experience.

Located on Avenida da Boavista 2504, Cufra is a Porto institution and one of the best places in the city to enjoy a Francesinha.

Francesinha is a rather heavy toasted sandwich filled with beef, sausage, and cold meats, topped with cheese and sometimes an egg, and served on a secret spicy sauce.

Fun fact: Apparently, only 3 people know the recipe for the secret sauce served at Cufra.

Not so fun fact: One Francesinha can have between 800 and 1500 calories. Fortunately for you (and me!), there’s still plenty to walk until the end of the day.

 

Foz do Douro

In the afternoon explore the pleasant area of Foz do Douro, where the Douro River meets the Atlantic Ocean.

From Castelo do Queijo, at the end of Avenida da Boavista, stroll along the Foz waterfront and enjoy the beautiful views.

Make a stop at Pérgola da Foz, a popular and romantic viewpoint, enjoy some beach time, or sit at one of the many beach bars along the way, soaking in the views and the sea breeze.

 

Dinner at Taberna D’Avó

Taberna D’Avó is a traditional and cozy restaurant hidden in Rua de São Bento da Vitória 48, near the Clérigos Tower.

We had dinner here one night and really liked the typical Portuguese food and authentic atmosphere.

We shared the Alheira and the Bacalhau à Braz. Both were delicious and the service was great too.

 

Porto 2 or 3 Day Itinerary – Day 3

Douro River Cruise

If you have 3 days in Porto, I strongly suggest booking a Douro cruise for your last day.

This is such an amazing experience that I just can’t believe it took me so long to finally do it.

We took the classic route from Porto to Régua with return by train, departing from the Gaia Pier early in the morning and arriving in São Bento railway station in the evening.

While cruising the Douro river, you can admire the spectacular landscape of one of the oldest wine regions in the world.

The Alto Douro wine region, where Port wine is produced, is classified by Unesco as a World Heritage Site since 2001 due to its “cultural landscape of outstanding beauty”.

The cruise through this stunning scenery is available from March to October and includes breakfast and lunch served on board. There’s also a bar selling drinks.

Make sure to pack a bottle of water though, as well as a hat and sunscreen as there’s almost no shade on the open deck.

Near Régua, you can see the famous Douro valley vineyards planted in the traditional stone wall terraces called socalcos, but the whole journey is extremely beautiful.

You also get to cruise Crestuma-Lever Dam and the Carrapatelo Dam, rising 14 and 35 meters respectively.

In Régua, you have some free time to walk around, explore the city, and enjoy the views before catching the train back to Porto.

To be totally honest, Régua is not one of the most interesting or prettiest Portuguese cities, although the views over the Douro river are absolutely gorgeous.

We decided to take the tourist train that leaves from the harbor and does a sightseeing tour of the city, including a visit to a wine producer and Port tasting.

The train journey back to Porto is also very scenic and a great end to a great day.

Book your Douro River cruise from Porto to Régua here.

 

Have More Time in Porto?

Take a day trip outside the city

Check out the best day trips from Porto here.

 

Where to Stay in Porto

The Poets Inn

I stayed at The Poets Inn for 2 nights on my last visit to Porto and highly recommend it.

Very centrally located, this newly refurbished guest house set in a historic building is just a 2-minute walk from Clérigos Tower, Lello Bookstore, and Aliados Avenue, as well as public transportation.

Our double room was very spacious and comfortable, with lovely literary-inspired décor and a nice balcony overlooking the street.

We had a shared bathroom, which was not a problem at all since there was only another room on our floor.

Breakfast was ok, not the best I’ve ever had, but it did the job and it’s included in the room rate.

All in all, I would definitely stay here again.

If you’re looking to stay close to all the action and great value for your money, then look no further.

Click here for more info and booking.

 

So there you have it. This 2 or 3 days in Porto itinerary has got you covered for the best things to do, see and eat in Porto, whether you’re exploring the city in 48 hours or spending a long weekend in Porto.

 

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More travel tips

Travel Insurance

SafetyWing – Travel insurance is very important and you should never leave home without it! I use and recommend SafetyWing travel medical insurance for travelers, remote workers, and nomads.

They cover overseas medical assistance in case of accident or illness, travel delay or interruption, lost checked luggage, emergency medical or political evacuation, natural disasters, and personal liability, at very competitive prices.

You can subscribe online here for a minimum of 5 days to a maximum of 364 days, or opt for a monthly subscription instead.

 

Cheap flights

Looking for the best airfare deals? Skyscanner is my favorite travel search engine for finding cheap flights around the world. They also offer price tracking and alerts to help you secure the best deals.

 

Accommodation

When it comes to accommodation, Booking.com is the best site out there. From hotels to apartments, resorts, villas, B&B, and guest houses, it offers the best prices for accommodation all over the world. I book the vast majority of my stays through them.

 

Yoga Retreats

Looking for a yoga retreat near home or in an exotic destination? BookYogaRetreats offers the best yoga retreats, holidays, and courses around the world for all budgets and levels of experience.

 

Tours

GetYourGuide is my favorite platform for local tours, unique experiences, and skip-the-line tickets to attractions all around the world.

Klook is another great resource for tours and activities, especially if you’re looking for things to do in Asia.

 

Car Rentals

Booking.com has a car rental search engine that compares the biggest brands in car hire and allows you to find the cheapest deals all around the world.

 

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Have you been to Porto? What would you add to this Porto travel blog? Share in the comments section below.

 

Read More:

• 3 Days in Lisbon: The Ultimate Lisbon Itinerary by a Local
• Top 1o Things to Do in Tavira, Portugal
• Azores Itinerary: Things to Do in Terceira Island, Portugal

 

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