1. Cais da Ribeira
The stunning riverside area of Cais da Ribeira is the scene that most people think of when they imagine Porto. Colored townhouses line the banks of the River Douro, with bustling restaurant terraces, and street musicians.
Also read: Complete 3-Week Portugal Travel Guide
There’s no doubt that this is the heart of the city, lively at any time of the day or night. Enjoy a port while you overlook the river and the majestic Dom Luis I bridge, before exploring the charming hillside streets.
Tip: Don’t miss the Praca da Ribeira square: one of the oldest and most famous squares in Porto.
2. Escada Guindais
Porto’s hilly scenery means there are plenty of steep climbs and amazing views to be found. Street stairs are a common find, and the Escada Guindais is the main stairway leading away from the Ribeira neighborhood. Walk up the stairs and admire all the old-fashioned houses, watching the locals as they hang out their washing.
On your climb to the top, you can also see the old medieval walls. The climb will be rewarded with spectacular views over the Douro River and the Dom Luis I bridge.
Alternatively, take the funicular from the Dom Luís I Bridge’s foot, which takes you to the top of the hill.
More Portugal: Visit Cascais, the coastal paradise near Lisbon
3. Porto Cathedral
Set in the middle of a huge open square, the Porto Cathedral symbolizes the city. Although its stone facade is impressive, its beauty really happens on the inside!
Here, you can discover impressive hallways, arches, and the token blue and white detailed Porto tiling. It is also built at the city’s highest point, so afterward, make sure to wander around the Batalha district and discover the best views in the whole of Porto.
Entry: The cathedral is free to enter; however, the cloister (beautiful walkway) is 3 EUR. Opening times: April – October 9 AM-6.30 PM. November – March 9 AM-5.30 PM.
4. Largo da Pena Ventosa
A short 5-minute walk from the cathedral is the most charming square in Porto. The square is surrounded by rainbow-colored houses, with cute narrow lanes, flagstone flooring, and stone stairways. Enjoy a coffee at one of the sweet cafes, a great place to soak up the atmosphere. This thing to do in Porto can be a bit hard to find, so be sure to use your map.
5. Dom Luis I Bridge
For the best views of Porto, walk over the iconic Dom Luis I bridge. This huge steel structure was once the largest bridge in the world and is unique for its two levels: the top for pedestrians and the metro, and the lower for cars. Wander down the hill to the bridge around sunset to see the sky burst into color but note to visit the top level.
Tip: Take part in the popular bridge climb, the ultimate adrenaline rush!
Day 2: Azulejos Tiles and Magical Buildings
It is all about the details of beautiful Porto on day 2! Use the funicular railway to get up to the center of the city, where you can discover many beautiful buildings filled with the iconic blue and white tiles.
Also read: The 14 best things to do in Lisbon
6. Porto Funicular Railway
Start your day with a trip on the Porto Funicular railway. The railway climbs the steep hill between the Ribeira and the Batalha neighborhood, saving your legs from another steep hike after all the walking on day 1. Take the railway uphill and enjoy beautiful views of the city.
Opening times: 8 AM-10 PM every day of the week. On Fridays and Saturdays, the railway runs until midnight. Price: 2.50 EUR.
7. Sao Bento Station
Sao Bento Station is located in the historic center of Porto, now a UNESCO world heritage site. The building is not only a functioning station, but it celebrates the history of Porto and the stunning ‘Azulejos’ blue tiles that the city is famous for.
There are around 20,000 of these unique tiles within the train station, all of which have murals painted on them that represent the stories of Porto. The stunning interior means that the station has become a favorite place for tourists to come from all over the world and take pictures.
8. Livraria Lello – Top Thing To Do in Porto
Immerse yourself in the magical world of the Livraria Lello: a stunning bookstore made famous from JK Rowling’s Harry Potter stories. The story goes that when JK Rowling used to live in Porto, the bookstore became the inspiration for her novels.
More about: Livraria Lello Bookstore
It’s easy to see why when you see the grand shelves filled with books and the sweeping wooden staircases with deep ruby red carpet. As such, it’s no surprise that the Livraria Lello is known as one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world! No wonder it is one of the most popular things to do in Porto.
Livraria Lello Bookstore is incredibly popular; there will always be a line outside as they only allow a limited amount of people. Please get your tickets in advance via their website or skip the line by booking a tour.
9. Igreja do Carmo
Just around the corner is the Igreja do Carmo, a beautiful church that provides another opportunity to see the azulejos tiles of Porto. The amazing building is actually two churches, separated by a narrow house. This house was sandwiched in the middle to separate the monks and the nuns.
The facade and the church’s interior have beautiful details, but the main draw of this building is its huge exterior wall of azulejos tiles that tell the story of the Carmelite order.
Portugal has more to offer! Like Monsanto, the village built on rocks.
10. Palacio da Bolsa
This stock exchange is an absolute thing to do in Porto. Build-in 1842, it has a fascinating history and is a beautiful example of Portuguese architecture at the time. Enjoy an hour or two wandering through the luxurious rooms at the end of your second day in Porto.
Price: 10 EUR. Opening times: 9.30 AM to 6.30 PM. In the winter months November to March 9.30 AM-1 PM / 2 PM-5.30 PM
Tip: on your way, stop off at the Igreja dos Clerigos: an impressive baroque church with a huge bell tower, which can be seen from all over the city. Climb the bell tower for awesome views across Porto! Ticket prices and opening times can be found here.
Get to know: The fairytale palaces and castles of Sintra
Day 3: Douro Valley Day Trip
If you have a day to spare, it’s worth making a trip to the stunning Douro Valley. Here you’ll discover the country’s wine region and the enormous Douro River sandwiched between green rolling hills and vineyards. It’s only a 1.5-hour drive from Porto, so it can be visited by driving or via public transport.
If you are interested in doing a river cruise or a wine tasting, there are lots of tour options that include transport from Porto.
Best Restaurants & Cafés in Porto
Porto has an amazing dining scene. Travelers can enjoy traditional foods like fish and cheese, as well as the drink that gives Porto its name: Port! It’s also a colorful metropolitan city that has attracted many new and exciting restaurants. Some of our favorites were:
- Kind Kitchen (Vegan Burgers)
- Mercador Cafe
- Noshi Cafe (Breakfast)
- Nola Kitchen
- Manna (Vegetarian)
- TASCO (Portuguese)
- Zenith (Brunch)
- Hungry biker
Where to Stay in Porto
Stay in Ribeira if you want to be by the riverside and enjoy the night-time buzz of the city. For hillside views and a younger influx of restaurants and shops, stay near Igreja do Carmo.
How to visit Porto
Porto has its own airport, with international flights arriving from many destinations. However, more flights go into the capital city of Lisbon. From Lisbon, it’s a direct train to Porto that takes around 3 hours.
Getting Around
Once you’re in Porto, the city is small, and all the sights can be walked. The city is very hilly, so wear good shoes, and buy a pass for the trams and funicular railway if you get tired. Alternatively, you can use Uber to get around quickly and easily. Once you traverse outside the city, the best way to get around is to rent a car.
We recommend to rent a car in Portugal through Sunny Cars with free cancellation and insurance included. Book your rental car here.
How much does Porto cost?
When going on a city trip to Porto, expect to spend about 120 USD a day, including accommodation. Average prices in the city are;
Best Time to Visit Porto
Porto is beautiful all year round; however, it is known for very rainy winters. Because of this, it’s best to visit in the late spring or early autumn. At this time, it’s still sunny, but the temperatures are cooler, and there are fewer tourists. This way, you’ll be sure that you can still do all the things to do in Porto.
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Excellent post about Porto. For the next time, you visit Portugal, add Braga to your travel list. You will love this city!
Thank you! We had this planned but had to skip it, unfortunately. Another reason why we have to get back to Portugal as soon as possible. ☺️
Thanks for your reply.
If you come back to Portugal, please send me an email. I’d love to help you.
Yes loved our trip to Braga, worth the drive from Porto., visited the old town. In Porto please visit THE GARDEN restaurant, it is our favourite with great hosts, very welcoming and good food and drink.