16 Best Places to Visit in Porto: The Perfect Porto Guide
Looking for the best places to visit in Porto? Here you’ll find some of the best things to do in Porto.
On the banks of the River Douro, you’ll find one of Portugal’s greatest gems, the city of Porto. Porto is small but is home to some of the best gastronomy and Portuguese wine. It’s a city that still displays tradition while being modern. It definitely has a way of capturing your heart and soul.
Porto is the second largest city in Portugal and has been an important center for trade and wine. If you are a tourist visiting Porto, it provides almost everything in one place. From the iconic bridge, rivers, beaches, historical monuments, museums, art galleries, wineries, viewpoints, and great restaurants, there is no shortage of things to do in Porto.
The city of Porto is vibrant, filled with colorful houses, azujelo tiles, and delectable food. In addition, you’ll have some of the best wine of your life here. Prioritizing your time is key in this city. It’s easy to get lost walking through the streets, but if you only have a few days in Porto, you’ll need to make the most of your time there.
So, I’m sharing my list of the best places to visit in Porto, based on first-hand experience. I put this list together for family and friends traveling to Porto and they found it incredibly useful. Discover some of the most amazing places to visit in Porto with our list of the top 15 attractions.
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Porto Travel Guide – Know Before You Go
Language: Portuguese
The name Porto comes from the Latin expression Portus Cale, which means “the place where boats dock”
Currency: Euros
Transportation: Francisco Sá Carneiro International Airport is less than 20 minutes from the city center. You can get from the airport to the city center by metro, bus, transfer, taxi, or Uber. There are also trains and bus lines that run from Lisbon to Porto.
Language: Portuguese is the official language spoken in Porto. However, it’s very easy to get by using English. Regardless, a little effort goes a long way. Here are a few words that may come in handy during your visit to Porto.
Hello = Ola!
Goodbye: Adeus
Please: Por favor
Thank you: Obrigado (masculine), obrigada (feminine)
Yes: Sim & No: Nao
Best Time to Visit Porto
Porto is a great destination to visit year-round. Spring (April, May) and Autumn (September, October) tend to be the quieter months. But if you are wanting bright, sunny skies, and don’t mind the crowds, then summer is the ultimate travel time. July and August are hotter and filled with tourists, so expect to pay higher prices for everything. September is grape harvest time being the best time for a tour of the Douro and its wineries. From November to February, it rains and is colder. Places are less busy and cheaper.
Getting Around Porto
Porto is a great city to explore on foot. You can visit the main tourist spots quite easily. There are trams, trains, and tourist buses that take you for tours all over Porto. I wouldn’t recommend driving as traffic is horrendous. The only time you would use a car is if you use Porto as a base to explore places further up North or a day trip to the Douro Valley. `
How Many Days Do You Need in Porto?
You could get away with 2 full days in Porto, however, I feel like it would be a full-on trip to the city.
With 3 days in Porto, you can explore some of the top attractions in Porto at your leisure.
We spent 3 blissful days in the city and managed to cover some of the top highlights in Porto while still being able to enjoy some of the restaurants and cafes in the city. Needless to say, I could have stayed on much longer because I fell in love with Porto. It surprised me beyond my expectations.
To make the most of your time in the city, I wouldn’t recommend anything less than 2 days in Porto.
If you have 3 days in Porto you could break it down as follows:
Day 1: Spend the day discovering Old Town and some of the top attractions in Porto
Day 2: Explore the Cathedral, churches, and museums. Spend the evening in Foz do Douro district
Day 3: Spend time in the Ribeira neighborhood, cross the Dom Luis I Bridge, taste port wine in Vila Nova de Gaia and finish off with a sunset boat cruise
Neighborhoods in Porto
Baixa do Porto/Sé
In terms of location, this area is close to everything and very centrally located. It’s in the heart of the city, close to famous sights and subway stations. It’s best to walk through the streets to get a feel for Porto and discover some of those hidden gems along the way. You’ll find plenty of hotels covering all ranges. It’s probably one of the best places in Porto to stay when discovering the city.
Ribeira
The district of Ribeira is seen on so many postcards. Colorful houses along the Douro River with Luiz I Bridge sitting right over it. There are plenty of restaurants in the area. The hotels here are a little more expensive.
Foz do Douro
Foz do Douro is located by the seaside. It’s the ideal location for those looking to relax a bit further away from all the tourist areas. The hotels here are a bit more expensive.
Cedofeita: Trendy and Charming
This area of Porto is filled with art galleries. It’s the perfect place for those who want to explore the artistic side of Porto. There are also plenty of trendy restaurants and bars in the area.
16 Best Places to Visit in Porto: The Perfect Porto Travel Guide
From the wine to the bridges, Porto has plenty to enjoy. The Portuguese Pearl is home to some great restaurants and some incredible museums and galleries. Regardless of how long you spend in this amazing city, you’re bound to have a great time. This Porto travel guide is here to help you plan the perfect trip and cover some of the top attractions in Porto. If you are looking to take a walking tour of the city, this walking tour covers some of the main attractions mentioned below.
1. Discover Old Town
When you visit a city, there’s no better place to explore the Old Town and historic sites. Old Town is set on a hillside overlooking the River Duoro. The historic heart of the city is filled with narrow, crooked alleyways, plenty of restaurants and cafes, and some of Porto’s top attractions.
Old Town is best explored on foot. You can start with a stroll through the narrow streets and cover major attractions like Igreja do Carmo, Livraria Lello, Clerigos Church, and Tower, the iconic São BentoStation, Igreja de Santo Ildefonso and Porto Cathedral.
From the cathedral, you can make your way down through the Ribeira neighborhood to get to Cais da Ribeira. Sit down at a restaurant and enjoy a delicious meal while you take in the views of the Dom Luis I Bridge.
2. Explore Ribeira
Located along the Douro Riverfront, Cais da Ribeira is one of the oldest neighborhoods filled with colorful houses and narrow medieval streets. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996.
The absolute highlight of this neighborhood is the waterfront, Cais de Ribeira. This is where a lot of Porto’s trade used to happen. Today the area is filled with restaurants, cafes, and shops.
One of the best things to do in Porto is to take a stroll along the waterfront, admire the colorful buildings and maybe stop by one of the restaurants or cafes to grab a glass of wine and a snack. You get great views of Luís I Bridge from here. The riverfront is busy and filled with tourists and locals.
This is undoubtedly one of the best places to visit in Porto.
Note: Cais da Ribeira is located at the lowest point in Porto. You can walk down the slopes of Ribeira to get here. However, if you don’t feel like walking back up, you can take an inexpensive funicular backup. The Funicular dos Guindais runs just under the Dom Luis I Bridge.
3. Dom Luis I Bridge
The iconic Dom Luis I Bridge was designed by a student of Gustav Eiffel so you’ll see a lot of resemblance to that of the Eiffel Tower. The bridge spans the river Douro and is considered an architectural accomplishment.
A stroll across the bridge is one of the must-do things in Porto. The bridge has two decks (one for trains and one for road traffic), with pedestrian access to both. If you want some excellent views of Porto, I highly recommend walking across the top deck of the bridge.
To get an even better view of Cais da Ribeira, cross the bridge to reach Vila Nova de Gaia. Vila NBova de Gaia is the hub of the port wine trade. You can visit one of the many port wine cellars to learn a little about the production as well as do some tasting. Slurp!
Head to the Jardim do Morro or fortress-like Monastery of Serra do Pilar for the best sunset views over the river.
Walking the bridge is truly an iconic Porto experience. We did this on all 3 days we were in Porto. In my opinion, it’s truly one of the best places to visit in Porto. The bridge is busy no matter what time of the day you visit. So if you want to get a photo without a lot of people in it, I’d suggest waking up at the crack of dawn and making this your first stop.
4. Sample Port Wine in Villa Nova da Gaia
Portugal’s famous port wine cellars are located in Vila Nova de Gaia and there’s certainly no shortage of them. Gaia which is easily reached via a stroll or metro ride across the iconic Ponte de Dom Luís I. Tour and taste Porto’s delicious wines at vintage cellars such as Calem, Graham’s, or Taylor’s.
You can delve deeper into the port experience at the World of Wine, a vast cultural complex that contains various museums, a wine school, and a dozen restaurants and bars. There’s also a huge terrace with views over the Ponte Dom Luís I, the Douro, and the city across the water.
As wine tasting is one of the most popular things to do in Porto, it may pay to book your tour and tasting well in advance. Here are a few great ones:
- Cálem: The biggest port wine producer in Porto, Calem is a must-visit for those who love port.
- Taylor’s: This is amongst the most famous cellars in Porto.
- Sandman: The Porto cellar has been in operation since 1811 and the brand is well known far beyond Portugal’s borders. The port is great and the history of both port and the founder is quite interesting.
- Caves Ferreira: Caves Ferreira is one of the oldest port cellars in Porto. It’s a tad further located from the bridge folks use to cross from Ribeira to Gaia, so it gets fewer visitors.
5. Take a cruise down the Douro River
One of the best ways to see the city of Porto is to jump on a boat cruise in a traditional Rabelo Boat. It takes you from Gaia along the Duoro for just under an hour. You’ll learn about the history and architecture of the six bridges that cross the river. I wouldn’t skip this experience. It’s such a beautiful way to get a feel of the city. You can book your tickets here.
If you have more than 3 days in Porto, you can take a trip down the Douro River to the Douro Valley wine region. It’s an unforgettable experience whether you are into wine drinking or not.
6. Funicular dos Guindais
The Guindais Funicular is an alternate way of getting from one part of the city to another. If you don’t want to walk up steep slopes but still want a great view of the city, take a ride on the Funicular.
The funicular runs along a steep hill from Batalha to Ribeira or vice versa. It’s only a two-minute journey but one that could save your legs from the upslope walk. The Funicular also offers pretty great views of the city as you ascend the mount.
For just € 3.50 (US$ 3.40) you can take a one-way journey either up to Rua da Batalha or to the city’s river bank.
7. Porto Cathedral (Sé do Porto)
This magnificent building is one of the oldest structures in Porto and is a historic landmark of the city. The architecture here is without a doubt quite a sight to witness.
The cathedral is located on the Terreiro da Sé, an esplanade that provides great views of the city’s rooftops and monuments like the Clérigos Church Tower. You’ll get some of the best views in Porto from here.
To enter the Cathedral you’ll need to pay a small fee but it’s 100% worth it. You’ll get to see the Cloisters, a beautifully decorated church with stunning stained-glass windows. You can also climb to the top of the north bell tower for some panoramic views of Porto. This is one of the most memorable things to do in Porto and I would highly recommend you don’t leave this off your itinerary.
You can get to the Cathedral by walking from the upper platform of the Dom Luis Bridge on the North side or you can walk from the city center (which is quite steep). Alternatively, the Hop-on Hop-off Bus stops right next to the cathedral in Porto on its blue route. It is a great way to get around Porto and save yourself walking up steep slopes.
8. Igreja do Carmo and Igreja dos Carmelita (Carmo and Carmelita Churches)
Located in downtown Porto, Carmo and Carmelita churches are located right beside each other. The two churches are separated by one of the world’s narrowest houses (1m wide). It is said that the narrow 3 storey house was built so that the two churches would not share a common wall and prevent any relations between the nuns of Igreja dos Carmelitas and the monks of Igreja do Carmo.
Carmo Church was built in the 18th century and is popularly known in Porto for its outstanding blue and white azulejo-covered exterior. The interior is equally as beautiful.
Carmelitas Church has a granite façade with three arched entrances and a single bell tower to the left. While the interior of the Igreja dos Carmelitas has a single nave with six ornately decorated side chapels.
Both churches are worth exploring in this area.
9. Clérigos Church and Tower
This captivating church is perched on a hilltop in the heart of Porto and is an iconic sight that can be seen from almost anywhere in the city. The Clérgios church is topped by the Clérgios tower and is one of the most emblematic monuments in Porto. As long as you don’t mind climbing the narrow 200 + steps, you’ll be rewarded with beautiful panoramic views of the city.
If you purely wish to visit just the church, there is no entrance fee. However, to go up to the top of the tower, you will need to purchase a ticket.
Note: Being one of the more popular attractions in Porto, the towers get pretty crowded during the day. So, you may want to consider visiting first thing in the morning or at night
10. Visit Livraria Lello
It’s not often you are told to visit a bookstore when you visit a city. But Livraria Lello is no ordinary bookstore. The building goes back to 1906 and the store is considered one of the most beautiful in the world. And this all boils down to the architecture that you see across the two floors that will leave you mesmerized. The winding wooden staircase, gorgeous wooden floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, and stained-glass windows are all stunning.
This is one of the more unique experiences in Porto, so be sure to check it out.
Note: This is one of the most popular attractions in Porto and it gets quite crowded quickly. Visitors must purchase a 5€ ticket and schedule a timed entry in advance.
11. São Bento Train Station
Built in the 20th century, Sao Bento Train Station is covered in 20,000 hand-painted tiles. The station is incredibly beautiful and a real show-stopper. The tiles depict stores of Portugal’s past from floor to ceiling. Even if you don’t have a train to catch, make sure you allocate some time to visit this popular Porto attraction. It is a true masterpiece and one of the most unique and best places to visit in Porto.
12. Igreja de São Francisco (Church of St. Francis)
The Church of São Francisco is a gem that can be found near Praça do Infante or Ribeira neighborhood.
The Church can easily be spotted from the street due to its big south wall of the building, with its Gothic arches, windows, and rosettes, as the granite staircase that leads up to the main door. Outside the main door, you’ll see a statue of St. Francis. The church is composed of three large naves, all gold-plated. It is said that more than 300 kilos of gold were used to cover the whole church.
Next to the church, there is a picturesque tram station, with connections to other parts of the city.
13. Igreja de Santo Ildefonso
The Igreja de Santo Ildefonso is situated close to Batalha Square and stands on a slight incline. The church has some beautiful stained glass windows and a pipe organ dating from 1811. There are two bell towers that are topped with stone crosses, and flag poles with flags of Portugal. It’s definitely worth a visit with its exterior which has an incredibly fascinating façade of over 11,000 classic blue and white azulejos.
14. Take a tour of Palácio Da Bolsa
Right next to the Church of São Francisco is Porto’s old stock exchange. As impressive as the exterior is, you have to go inside to appreciate the splendor and detail that adorns the gold-leafed walls.
While Portugal’s stock exchange was eventually moved to Lisbon, it’s still used to this day for government and city meetings.
Note: You cannot visit Bolsa Palace without a guided tour, which is included with admission.
15. Grab a coffee on Rua Das Flores
This is probably one of the most popular streets in Porto. The street is filled with restaurants, cafes, and shops and is a pedestrian-only zone. It’s a great place to grab a seat and drink and people-watch.
16. Watch a sunset at Jardim do Morro
In Vila Nova da Gaia, head to the Jardim do Morro for more beautiful views of Porto at sunset. Carry some wine with you and soak in the breathtaking views.
Other places to visit in Porto for a beautiful sunset:
- Miradouro da Vitoria
- Monastery of Serra do Pilar
- Miradouro das Fontainhas
- Kitties Rock
- Ribeira
- Clerigos Tower
- Dom Luis I Bridge
These are some of the best places to visit in Porto to catch a beautiful sunset.
Porto is an incredible city and definitely should be on your Portuguese itinerary. Porto is easy to navigate, and you can easily explore the city in a few days.
Things to Eat in Porto
Portuguese cuisine is delectable. You’ll find plenty of restaurants and bars in Porto. You’ll find everything from small taverns to Michelin-star restaurants here. Here are the top 5 things to try in Porto.
1. Francesinha – The Typical Porto Sandwich
Francesinha is the most popular sandwich you’ll find in Porto. It is filled with meat including cured ham, roasted meat, and smoked sausage. Then it’s covered with melted cheese and sometimes topped with a fried egg. What makes the Francesinha so good is the spicy tomato-based sauce that comes with it. You can’t leave the city without trying one of these famous sandwiches.
2. Cachorrinho – Porto-Style Hot Dog
3. Alheira –Portuguese Smoked Sausage
This traditional sausage is commonly found in most Porto restaurants. It can be fried or baked and is usually served with french fries, rice, and a runny egg.
4. Tripas à Moda do Porto – Porto’s Traditional Pork Stew
This is a hearty traditional stew made with tripe, white beans, sausage, vegetables, and herbs.
5. Bacalhau à Gomes de Sá – Codfish Casserole
Codfish is an essential ingredient of Portuguese cuisine. Every region has its recipe, and Porto is no exception. Bacalhau à Gomes de Sá is a delicious casserole dish that combines codfish with eggs, potatoes, onions, and black olives.
6. Frango Assado – Portuguese-style chicken
Day Trips from Porto
Here are a few day trips you can consider taking from Porto.
Duoro Valley
This is probably the most beautiful day trip from Porto. You could visit the Douro valley for the scenery itself. The upriver destination is the hub of Portugal’s Port Wine industry and was recognized as a demarcated wine region in 1756, making port wine exclusive to Portugal.
There are a number of ways to get to the Douro Valley. The most enjoyable may be a cruise upriver while you take in the beautiful scenery. A number of companies run tours to the Douro Valley. These include wine tasting, visits to a few Quintas, and learning all about the production of Port Wine. You can check out a few tours here.
Braga
The city of Braga is over 2,000 years old and is considered the oldest city in Portugal. It’s famous for its churches, palaces, and gardens. A top attraction in Braga is Bom Jesus do Monte, a Catholic shrine with over 500 zigzagging steps that lead up to the church. Tackle the 580 steps on foot or take the funicular to the top if you prefer.
Braga is easily reached from Porto by train with regular departures from both the São Bento and Campanhã stations. The journey time is around an hour. Alternatively, if you are driving it takes approximately 50 minutes by car to get to Braga.
Fatima
Fatima is one of the more unique day trips from Porto and takes just under two hours by car. Fátima is one of the greatest pilgrimage sites in Europe. It is the place where three little shepherd children saw a vision of Mother Mary in 1917. Ever since believers have flocked to this place to seek blessings. Catholics around the world long to visit the shrine at least once in this lifetime.
Guimarães
The municipality of Guimarães is considered the birthplace of Portugal. A famous tourist spot is the Castle of Guimarães, built in the 10th century to protect the region against attacks by Vikings and Moors.
Getting to Guimarães by public transport is very simple – just take one of the frequent trains from São Bento or Campanhã train station. The journey should take around 1 hour and 15 minutes. Alternatively, it’s an easy day trip from Porto (under 1 hour) and can be combined with visiting another city in Northern Portugal on the same day.
Viana do Castelo
Northern Portugal has a very unique culture from the rest of Portugal, it’s an area of its own. One of the best places to visit in this region is the small town of Viana do Castelo. You’ll find plenty of architectural treasures as you walk through the town.
From the town center, you can hop onto the Funicular de Santa Luzia which will take you to the top of Monte de Santa Luzia. Here you can admire the magnificent landmark of Viana do Castelo; Sanctuario de Santa Luzia.
Coimbra
Coimbra makes a great day trip from Porto as it is easily reachable using public transportation. The charming city of Coimbra is Portugal’s sixth largest city. Most people visit the UNESCO Heritage University of Coimbra, which is one of the oldest universities in the world. The city is quite compact so a lot of the major attractions in Coimbra can be explored during a day trip. Of course, if you had longer you could explore a lot more.
Aveiro
The coastal city of Aveiro is known as the “Venice of Portugal” due to its picturesque canals. The city center and scenic canals are just a short walk from the train station. If you are traveling by car, it takes about an hour to get to Aveiro.
There is a frequent train service that operates between Aveiro and Porto, with departures almost hourly. The service begins at São Bento Train Station but also passes through Porto’s Campanhã Train Station.
Tip: If you plan on visiting both Porto and Lisbon, consider breaking up your trip with Aveiro which lies halfway between the two cities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way to get from Porto airport to the city center?
The International Airport is located 10 kilometers north of the city center.
You can easily get to central Porto using the Metro. Line E (purple) runs every 20 minutes during weekdays, and around every half an hour on weekends and holidays. Tickets can be purchased from vending machines or at the airport’s tourist information office.
Alternatively, conventional taxis and Ubers circulate throughout Porto.
What are the best beaches near Porto?
Porto’s proximity to the ocean has the city well positioned for some gorgeous beaches in the area.
Foz do Douro: The seafront suburb of Foz do Douro can be reached by bus and tram.
Praia de Matosinhos is the largest beach, with easy access to the city center, and is perfect for spending a lazy day in the sun.
Praia do Molhe: A lovely place to sit and catch the sunrise or sunset
Best Places to Visit in Porto
- Discover Old Town
- Explore Ribeira
- Dom Luis I Bridge
- Sample Port Wine in Villa Nova da Gaia
- Take a cruise down the Douro River
- Funicular dos Guindais
- Porto Cathedral (Sé do Porto)
- Igreja do Carmo and Igreja dos Carmelita (Carmo and Carmelita Churches)
- Clérigos Church and Tower
- Visit Livraria Lello
- São Bento Train Station
- Igreja de São Francisco (Church of St. Francis)
- Igreja de Santo Ildefonso
- Take a tour of Palácio Da Bolsa
- Grab a coffee on Rua Das Flores
- Watch a sunset at Jardim do Morro
