2 Days In Porto: A Detailed Itinerary (+ Essential Travel Tips) (2024)

Porto, Portugal’s second-largest city, is a VERY charming destination. If you’ve already had the chance to visit Lisbon, Porto will feel worlds away.

Known for its charming and historic architecture, picturesque riverfront, and colorful streets, Porto is both laidback and lively, old and new. This unique combination is how the city usually steals people’s hearts away as soon as they set foot there.

Compared to Lisbon, Porto offers a more intimate, gritty, and authentic experience, with narrow winding streets, hidden squares, and a sense of Old World charm that you can’t really get in a big city like Lisbon.

While Lisbon may boast grander boulevards and a big-city atmosphere, Porto’s character lies in its historic neighborhoods, local taverns, down-to-earth locals, and traditional markets.

Is it worth visiting? 100%.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to spend 2 days in Porto to experience as much of the city as you can with such limited time.

We’ll give you activity and food recommendations to help you plan your Porto itinerary, plus all the other important info you need, such as where to stay, when to visit, annual events, travel tips, and more.

This post may contain affiliate links. You won’t be paying a cent more, but in the event of a sale, the small affiliate commission I receive will help keep this blog running/pumping out useful and free content. Thanks a lot!

DAY 1: Historic City Center, Ribeira, Port Wine

Breakfast at Do Norte Café

Do Norte Café by Hungry Biker is an awesome place to grab breakfast to fuel your first day exploring Porto. The atmosphere of the restaurant is so cute, especially the back area with all the plants.

The food is great and all the dishes are served in huge portions. If you’re not sure what to get, the Brunch Traditional or the Brunch do Norte are going to give you the most variety! The salty pancakes are also awesome.

Walk through the historic city center

The first thing you should do after fueling up is to explore the historic city center of Porto. Given the fact that the historic center was declared UNESCO World Heritage in 1996, it is definitely worth visiting first!

This neighborhood is home to so much architectural beauty! No matter where you look, you will see medieval buildings, baroque churches, and ornate palaces not too far away from your line of sight.

One of the most iconic landmarks is the Porto Cathedral, a magnificent Romanesque cathedral dating back to the 12th century.

After soaking in the views from the Porto Cathedral, stop by the São Bento Station to admire the intricate azulejo tilework, depicting historic scenes and traditional Portuguese motifs.

Other notable attractions in the neighborhood include Livraria Lello, often regarded as one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world. More on that later.

There’s also the Clerigos Tower (the tall, towering structure you often see in panoramic photos of Porto), offering great aerial views of Porto’s skyline.

Take a moment to enjoy all the cute local businesses in the area, too! Manteigaria is located nearby if you want to stop for a quick pastel de nata.

And while today is not our shopping day (we’ll do that on Day 2!), if you want to pop into a really cute store, I love The Feeting Room boutique. It’s right by the Clerigos Tower and Tower and the little side street you take to get there is so pretty.

See the cathedrals of Porto

If you love churches, you’re going to be spoiled with choice in Porto. There are dozens of beautiful churches all throughout Porto. Here are just a few notable ones to get you started:

Porto Cathedral (Sé do Porto): This Romanesque-style cathedral is one of the oldest and most significant landmarks in Porto. Sé do Porto has amazing architecture on top of truly intricate carvings and panoramic views of the city from its terrace.

Church of São Francisco (Igreja de São Francisco): Known for its lavish Baroque interior, the Church of São Francisco is a masterpiece of Portuguese religious architecture. When inside, note the ornate gilded woodwork, intricate tile panels, and beautiful altarpieces.

Igreja do Carmo: With its distinctive blue and white tile façade, the Igreja do Carmo is one of those things you’ll only find in Portugal. The exterior is absolutely gorgeous and a really good example of Portuguese azulejo artistry.

Stroll through Jardim da Cordoaria

Steps from the Igreja do Carmo is the Jardim da Cordoaria, which is totally worth a quick stroll through if you like parks, gardens, and being among nature.

Among the trees and greenery, you’ll find some interesting statues, historic monuments, and lovely little ponds to enjoy. There’s a small playground for the kids and plenty of seating to just watch the world go by.

This is a really nice way to break up your morning of sightseeing manmade landmarks and buildings!

See the fancy McDonald’s

Just a street up from the Sao Bento train station (the one with really pretty azulejo tiling on the inside), is the fanciest McDonald’s you’ll ever lay your eyes on.

Nothing about the food is fancy, but the architecture is why you’re here! We visited purely for its reputation as the McDonald’s with the best architecture inside and out.

On the outside, you’ll find a massive bird perched atop the sign. Very Harry Potter-esque.

On the inside, expect something out of a roaring 20s movie, like The Great Gatsby. There are chandeliers, window decorations that make it look like stained glass, mirrors, wooden carvings by the ceiling, etc.

Even if you don’t plan on eating the food, it’s still a great stop to admire the decor and take a bathroom break (bathroom use is free)!

☕ Need a little coffee pick-me-up? We like C’alma Coffee Room, Combi Coffee Roasters, and SO Coffee Roasters. They’re all super conveniently located within the historic city center, so you can always try one now, then another one the next day.

Stop by Miradouro da Vitoria for epic views

Miradouros (viewpoints) are everywhere in Porto, and you’ll probably end up at some without even trying! If you’re going viewpoint hunting, one of the best ones to check out is Miradouro da Vitoria.

From Miradouro da Vitória, you’ll be treated to amazing views over many of the city’s major landmarks, including the Cathedral, Bishops Palace, Douro River, and Dom Luis I Bridge.

Explore the Ribeira district

Head to Ribeira, Porto’s historic riverside district, for lunch. But don’t start eating until you’ve fully taken in the views of the neighborhood!

The city center of Porto (including the riverfront area) is a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its colorful buildings, narrow streets, and charming riverfront atmosphere.

The Ribeira district is specifically one of the city’s oldest neighborhoods. Lining the waterfront is the Cais da Ribeira, the long row of colorful houses that this area is known for. The buildings below them were once warehouses in a distant past, but have now been turned into shops, cafes, and restaurants.

Choose from one of the waterfront restaurants to enjoy traditional Portuguese cuisine while admiring the views of the Douro River. Restaurante Casario or Cais 35 are good options!

👉 Pro Tip: This area really comes alive in the evenings, so make a note to return if you want to experience the lively atmosphere again at night!

Stroll along the Douro River promenade

Take a leisurely stroll along the Douro River promenade, soaking in the atmosphere and snapping photos of the colorful boats and historic landmarks.

There are usually a bunch of market stalls set up here, selling all kinds of quirky knick-knacks, cork products, touristy souvenirs, hats, flags, textiles, and more.

On my last trip, we did some strolling, but we also did a lot of purposeful sitting. The views by the river are just too pretty to pass by that quickly! We must have spent 45 minutes just sitting along the river, enjoying the views all around us.

For your walk along the river promenade, you’ll want to walk towards the iron-looking bridge because next up is crossing it to get to the other side!

Cross Dom Luís I Bridge

Cross Dom Luís I Bridge either by walking (or taking the tram) to the other side of the river.

Completed in 1886, this double-deck iron arch bridge connects Porto with Vila Novo de Gaia, the city located on the south bank of the Douro River. This area is where a majority of the port wine cellars are located.

If the bridge reminds you of the Eiffel Tower, that’s because it was ​​designed by Téophile Seyrig, a disciple of Alexandre Gustave Eiffel (the designer of the Eiffel Tower).

Pedestrians have access to both the upper and lower decks of the bridge. Cars can only pass through on the lower section as the upper deck is reserved for the Metro.

I’ve walked along both levels on different visits to Porto, and I’ve got to say, the views from the top deck are way prettier! For the best views and photo ops, you’ll want to walk across the upper deck.

Port wine tasting at Ferreira Cellars

Porto is known for their fortified wines, particularly Port wine. In fact, the Douro Valley, located upstream from Porto along the Douro River, is one of the oldest wine regions in the world.

In a nutshell, Port wine is a fortified wine, meaning that grape spirits are added during fermentation to increase the alcohol content and sweetness. You’ll learn about all of this in detail when you opt for a Port wine-tasting tour in Porto!

We went with Ferreira Cellars, which I’d highly recommend if you want to do a port wine cellar tour.

Built by a family of winemakers from the Douro in 1751, Ferreira is the only Porto Wine company that has always remained Portuguese throughout its history. The cellar tour focuses a lot on Dona Antónia Adelaide Ferreira, as she contributed significantly to the brand, the Douro region, and its people.

You’ll learn so much about their 250+ years of history, tour through the massive wine cellars, and ultimately try their unique port wine.

You can book your wine tasting experience here.

Dinner: Have a traditional Portuguese meal

Porto’s signature dish is the Francesinha, so you’ll find that a lot of guides, blogs, and websites will tell you to try it.

Having tried this dish way before I even knew it was a specialty from Porto, I can tell you that I was personally… not a fan.

Here’s what it is: Francesinha is a hearty Portuguese “sandwich” that consists of layers of bread, cured meats such as ham, linguiça (smoked sausage), and steak, all smothered in melted cheese, then topped with a spicy tomato and beer sauce.

It’s heavy and meaty, so I would ONLY recommend you try it if you like ingredients like toast, ham, more meats, and cheese.

Since it was not my favorite thing to eat, I was in search of other traditional foods that were more to my taste. I ended up going on a walking food tour (I’ll cover this on Day 2 of the itinerary) and asking my guide all about other foods in Porto.

He told me duck rice was also big in Porto. For the best duck rice, he recommended a few restaurants that also served other traditional Portuguese dishes:

• O Buraco – authentic Portuguese food where the locals go. Prices are less than €10 for a main dish.
• Restaurante Alicantina – more duck rice! This one is farther away from the city center.
• CUFRA – More duck rice! You can find seafood, Francesinha, and pica-pau here too.

I haven’t had the chance to try them all, but from the photos of the restaurants, they look AMAZING.

We also tried pica pau (pictured above) in Porto! This is a traditional Portuguese dish consisting of small pieces of fried beef in a light gravy made with beer, garlic, oil, chili, and mustard.

You can enjoy this dish and a lot more at Brasão Aliados — a very popular restaurant we dined at one night. Highly recommend!

Is Livraria Lello worth the wait?

Livraria Lello is often noted as one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world. It’s pretty hard to disagree. Dating back to 1881, the bookshop has some of the coolest interiors ever.

You’ll find grand staircases, lavish neo-Gothic and Art Nouveau carved archways and columns, floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, and even an elegant stained-glass skylit ceiling.

If you’re a Harry Potter fan, you’ve probably heard the rumor that the red staircase of Livraria Lello inspired J.K. Rowling to use the same design for the Hogwarts staircase when she was in Porto crafting the first drafts of her now-famous books.

I’m sorry to break the news — this isn’t true. Theauthor herself has since debunked this myth on Twitter. Nevertheless, the masses keep going!

If you still want to see this bookstore for yourself, you’ll want to arrive early to beat the crowds.

Trust us, there WILL be crowds. If you think you’re going to be snapping photos of the bookstore with no people in it, that could not be further from the truth. The bookstore will be packed with other tourists looking for the same photos. See the photos above for proof!

NOTE: The bookstore has started charging admission to enter, which is pretty insane. At the time of writing, it costs €8 to enter. At this price point, you will still have to wait in line. They do offer skip-the-line admission for €16, which sounds super steep, but it does come with a book (you can choose from a few different titles).

To visit or not to visit Livraria Lello? As someone who hates lines and throngs of people in tight spaces, I’d say visiting Livraria Lello is not worth the hassle. Having said that, if you want to see the interior of the bookstore for yourself and don’t mind crowds, paying admission to go into a bookstore, or waiting in lines, then go for it!

DAY 2: Rua Santa Catarina, Mercado do Bolhão, Boat Cruise, Food Tour

Breakfast and coffee at Esquires Coffee Porto

This place has it all: good coffee, hearty breakfast plates with eggs and bacon, pasteis de nata, chia seed bowls, yogurt bowls, salad plates, waffles, pancakes, you name it — they’ve probably got it.

Stroll and shop along Rua Santa Catarina

You can’t visit Porto and not visit Rua Santa Catarina at least once! As one of Porto’s main shopping streets, R. Santa Catarina is home to a bunch of shops, boutiques, and department stores.

You’ll find your typical chain stores (Zara, OYSHO, Sephora), local brands, gelato shops, and cafes.

Mercado do Bolhão

Mercado do Bolhão is a must if you love strolling through markets full of fruits, veggies, gourmet specialties (cheeses, meats, canned sardines, etc.), and grab-and-go foods.

You’ll findmany stalls with chances to eat oysters, taste port wine, purchase cheese and baked goods, and more.

If you want something small to nibble on, this market is a good place to get appetizers and small sandwiches. It’s not enough to feed your belly to the brim though, so you’ll want to head to an actual restaurant elsewhere for lunch.

Cruise by the six bridges by boat

As touristy as it is, taking a cruise along the Douro River is a must when visiting Porto. The river area is THAT pretty — returning there a second time won’t feel overdone, I promise!

Get a unique perspective of the city while cruising along the same route the traditional Rabelo wine boats once took. Rabelo boats were used back in the day to transport wine from the Douro Valley to the wine cellars of Porto.

This 50-minute boat cruise will take you along the Douro River, passing underneath all 6 of Porto’s bridges while learning the history behind each of them.

Go on a walking food tour

Around dinner time, partake in a food tour of the city. We did our food tour with Eating Europe and it was amazing.

It was a small group of us, which was exactly how a food tour should be. But instead of just getting a little morsel/bite of everything, we got full-on portions of food at various restaurants.

We visited a handful of local eateries and munched presunto (prosciutto), bifanas (traditional Portuguese pork sandwiches), pastéis de bacalhau (salt cod fritters), and more. At each stop, there was also some kind of drink to sample, such as green wine — which is delicious of course.

In between bites, you’ll learn about Portuguese history and culture. Our guide, Gonçalo was so knowledgable and answered all kinds of random questions I asked him about the food and local life in Porto.

Overall, this was a 10/10 experience and one of the most memorable things I did in Porto! You can book the same walking tour I did here.

Alternative Activity: Fado show

If walking and tasting local food is not how you want to spend your night, another option is to sit down in a historical venue and enjoy a live fado performance.

In short, fado is a traditional Portuguese music genre characterized by soulful melodies and heartfelt lyrics that express themes of longing, loss, and nostalgia.

There are a few different spots you could choose from to experience this:

See the immersive light show at Clérigos Church

If immersive artistic experiences are more interesting to you than seeing churches during the day (when there’s usually nothing going on within them), then you’ll love Spiritus at Clérigos Church.

Spiritus is basically an audiovisual light show experience that pairs light, music, and architecture with the Clérigos Church in Porto.

You’ll show your pre-purchased ticket at the door to the church and step into this 18th-century Baroque building which boasts a 75-meter-tall bell tower. Take in the lights, the architecture, and the intense soundtrack for the next 30 minutes.

Grab evening drinks on Rua de Cândido dos Reis

One of the best places to grab drinks in Porto is undoubtedly Rua de Cândido dos Reis. This little street is so charming, especially when you first stumble upon it.

You’ll find a cobblestoned street lined with a plethora of bars, cafes, and restaurants, making it a hotspot for nightlife in the city. Whether you’re in the mood for craft co*cktails, local wines, or artisanal beers, you’ll probably find the perfect bar for you.

The atmosphere is always lively and bustling, especially on weekends. For some fun dancing, head to The Wall Bar — or any other bar near it!

WHERE TO STAY IN PORTO

Finding a place to stay for your trip to Porto is part of the fun! There are so many trendy spots to choose from, and surprisingly, many of the accommodations come in the form of apartments (way more spacious than typical hotels).

WHAT YOU NEED TO BOOK IN ADVANCE

Livraria Lello – Should you choose to go to the wildly popular bookstore, you’ll need a timed-entry ticket to enter.

Wine Cellar Tours and Tastings: Porto is famous for its port wine, and many wineries offer guided tours and tastings. Many are by reservation only. To guarantee your spot, you’ll want to do research on which ones pique your interest the most, then book tours and tastings in advance, especially during peak season.

ANNUAL EVENTS IN PORTO

Porto Carnival (February): A lively celebration featuring colorful parades, street parties, and costume contests, marking the beginning of Lent with music, dancing, and partying.

Festa de São João do Porto (June): Porto’s iconic festival honoring St. John, featuring a night of lively celebrations marked by toy hammer-hitting (“martelinhos”), grilled sardines, and colorful fireworks lighting up the sky. The festivities extend into the streets and along the riverbanks, where locals and visitors gather for a nighttime party. I attended this — it was an amazing experience!

Festa de São Pedro de Afurada (July): A traditional fishing festival held in the riverside village of Afurada, just outside Porto. Expect seafood tastings, boat races, and live music.

Festival Internacional de Música de Gaia (September): An international music festival held in neighboring Vila Nova de Gaia, featuring concerts, performances, and cultural events.

Porto International Film Festival (October): A prestigious film festival showcasing international and Portuguese cinema, with screenings, premieres, and awards ceremonies held at venues throughout the city.

Christmas Markets (December): During the holiday season, festive markets are held in Porto’s main squares and streets, offering handmade crafts, gifts, and seasonal treats, along with live music and entertainment.

ESSENTIAL TRAVEL TIPS FOR VISITING PORTO

Explore Beyond the Tourist Areas. While Porto’s historic center is undoubtedly charming and worth exploring for half a day, don’t be afraid to venture off the beaten path and explore lesser-known neighborhoods like Foz do Douro or Miragaia. You’ll discover way more hidden gems, local cafes, and authentic experiences away from the crowds.

Try the Local Cuisine. Just like many European cities, Porto has its dishes that make it uniquely… Porto! Make sure you take the time to try some traditional dishes like francesinha, bacalhau, bifana sandwiches, and duck rice. Look for restaurants called “tascas” — they often serve really authentic, local food.

Take Advantage of Public Transportation. While Porto is quite walkable, there may be times you’ll want to get around on a set of wheels. Porto has an efficient public transportation system, including buses, trams, and the iconic tram line 1. Purchase a reusable Andante card for easy access to public transportation.

Experience the São João Festival if you can! If you’re visiting Porto in late-June, DO NOT miss the São João Festival (St. John’s Festival), one of the city’s most iconic celebrations of the year. Join locals in taking the streets, hitting each other with plastic hammers, feasting on grilled sardines, and watching fireworks along the riverfront.

I went to this festival in 2018 and it remains, to this day, one of the most fun and memorable experiences of my entire 3.5 months in Europe!

Learn a Few Basic Portuguese Phrases. While many locals can speak some degree of English, making an effort to learn and speak a few basic Portuguese phrases will be appreciated. Try learning simple greetings, expressions of gratitude, and how to order food and drinks in Portuguese.

This is especially useful if you plan on visiting other cities within Portugal!

HOW TO GET TO PORTO FROM THE AIRPORT

Here are two of my favorite ways to get from the Porto Airport (OPO) to the city center:

Metro– A cheap and easy way to get to the city center from the airport is by taking the Metro Line E. This train leaves from the airport and costs €2.60 per person. It runs directly to the city center every 20-30 minutes depending on the time of day and it takes about 30 minutes.

Bolt – Bolt is the most popular form of rideshare in Portugal. It’s their version of Uber. A ride will cost you anywhere from €12-15 to get from the airport to the city center.

HOW TO GET AROUND PORTO

On foot

Porto is super walkable, and chances are if you’re young and spry, you’ll be able to see all the places on our itinerary on foot.

The only downside of walking around Porto is that it’s not the flattest city. Depending on which route you take, you may come across steep slopes and staircases leading towards cathedrals in the historic center.

And to get to all those pretty viewpoints (miradouros), you’ll have to head uphill of course. Make sure to wear comfortable walking shoes when you explore the city.

If you ever do get tired or want to opt for a set of wheels, opt for public transportation.

Public transportation

Public transport in Porto is extremely affordable and can get you anywhere you need to go.

• Metro– The metro system has six lines covering the city and outer suburbs. A single ride starts at €1.20. You’ll need to get an Andante card to travel on the metro.
• Buses– There are lots of public bus routes all across Porto. The buses also cover some areas on the outskirts of the city that the metro doesn’t reach. A single bus ticket costs €1.85, and you’ll need an Andante card to board. The downside of buses is that you may still end up stuck in infamous Porto traffic.
• Trams– Vintage tourist trams are a fun and unique way to get around Porto. There are three main routes – Line1, Line18, and Line22 – covering different areas of the city. At €3.50 for a single ticket, the trams are more expensive than the metro or buses.

Bus or metro? When you have the option between either taking the bus or the Metro, I’d opt for the Metro. Taking the bus means you may end up getting stuck in traffic jams during rush hour. Plus, there are better chances of the metro showing up on time than buses.

Plan on taking public transportation a lot? Opt for the Andante Tour card, designed for tourists. With the Andante Tour ticket you can travel in STCP buses, other selected bus lines, Metro and urban trains across the entire Andante Area. Learn more about it here.

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT PORTO?

Like most cities in Europe, Porto gets particularly busy during the summer months of June-August.

If you’re like us and plan trips strategically to avoid the crowds, then I’d recommend a visit either in the spring or fall.

On our most recent visit, we visited the city in mid-March and the weather was absolutely perfect! It wasn’t too hot or too cold — it was just perfect spring weather.

I had no complaints about the weather whatsoever! While it was chilly in the mornings, we were able to shed our jackets as soon as the sun came out.

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