Porto was one of our stops on our 4-month European Adventure. We spent 3 days here in early April 2024. We had originally planned on a day trip for one of our days, but didn’t end up doing one. Two days would be enough to explore the city, but 3 will allow for a day trip or venturing to some lesser-known areas.
We will include a list at the end of this post of extra ideas of things to do that we didn’t get a chance to do/see, as well as some day trips that we heard are awesome! There is also a map with all of our suggestions. If you want to check out where we ate during our 3 days, our gluten free guide is here.
In this guide you will find:
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When is the best time to visit Porto?
We travelled to Porto in early April and had beautiful weather. We have friends who have travelled there in October with similarly wonderful weather. Most travel websites will say to visit from May to September, but we found April to be quite pleasant. October and November can be great shoulder months to travel to Porto as well, but be prepared for the possibility of rain. Going during these shoulder months will save you a bit of money, as the costs for hotels and transportation will likely be lower. Additionally, shoulder months won’t be as crowded as the summer. Be cautious about going in December – February, as these months are typically much colder and wetter (but not like Canada cold). August is the most crowded month to visit, which likely means higher prices as well.
Where to stay?
We stayed in the area near Bolhao and Baixa (Aliados), at the Hotel Moov Porto Centro. The hotel itself is very bare bones and basic (breakfast included) but is very inexpensive. However, we really liked the location – it was super easy to get around to everything on foot, and to catch our hop on-hop off bus by City Sightseeing. Baixa is a great neighbourhood for restaurants and nightlife as well. Bolhao is known for its shopping, and we have friends who stayed at Eurostars Aliados in Bolhao and raved about it!
Another neighbourhood that is very walkable and central to many of the main Porto sights is Ribeira, known for its colourful buildings. If you want a beach escape, the Foz do Douro area is the best choice for you. For travelers who are focusing on wine and port tasting, Vila Nova de Gaia is a great option. There aren’t as many hotel and nightlife options in Vila Nova de Gaia, however.
Explore Porto hotel availability below:
For a great overview of different neighbourhoods and their pros and cons, check out this site.
Neighbourhoods to Explore
1. Downtown Porto (aka Baixa or Aliados)
The neighbourhood above Ribeira, this includes city hall. Home to one of the largest squares in the city. This area is home to a lot of nightlife, so expect it to be busy in the streets after dark. There is lots of shopping around this neighbourhood as well.
2. Bolhao
Included in this neighbourhood is the famous Bolhao Market, the main shopping street Rua de Santa Catarina, and many churches. There is tons of shopping and restaurants.
3. Ribeira
A picturesque old neighbourhood that is designated as a UNESCO site. This neighbourhood is famous for its colourful buildings and is alongside the Douro River. You can easily cross the river here to get to many of the famous Port wine tasting spots. We found this to be a beautiful neighbourhood, but very busy.
4. Vila Nova de Gaia
On the opposite side of the Douro River from the rest of this list, this is where you will find many of Port wine lodges that Porto is famous for. This area is most bustling during the day and dies down at night. If you head up the hill, there are some beautiful views of the city (especially at sunset). There is a cable car you can take up the hill if you don’t feel like making the climb. Check out 7G Coffee Roasters if you’re in need of a great cup of coffee!
5. Cordoaria
In the center of the city, here is where you’ll find the Livreria Lello and the Torre dos Clerigos. You’ll also find a charming park that is a welcome break from the inevitably large amounts of walking you’ll do, as well as from the heat if it’s that time of year.
6. Foz do Douro
The best neighbourhood to explore if you’re interested in beach time, as it is located beside the ocean! There is a large walkway alongside the Atlantic where you’ll find people cycling, running, and rollerblading. It is not near the city center, so you’ll likely need to catch a bus, tram, or rideshare to make your way out here.
Streets, Squares, & Miradouros
1. Rua Santa Catarina
One of the most famous streets in Porto, this is a bustling shopping street. There are tons of boutiques, chain shopping stores, and cafes. There are even some hidden shopping malls here! They look like regular stores from the front and are deceivingly large. ViaCatarina Shopping is where we discovered one of these hidden malls – a wonderful reprieve from the heat in their air conditioning! On this street, you’ll also find a couple of famous churches and the famous Café Majestic.
2. Rua das Flores
Located in the Ribeira neighbourhood, this short street starts at the famous Sao Bento train station and continues south. There are so many cool stores filled with local artisans, from photography to textiles to jewelry. You’re also sure to find some cute cafes or spots to grab an ice cream. It is a pedestrian zone, but there are a few exceptions, so make sure to still watch out for cars.
3. Avenida dos Aliados
One of the main streets in Porto that houses possibly the largest square in the city. It is in front of city hall. There are many large monuments and statues around here. While we visited the city, much of this street was under construction so it was hard to get the full feeling of how majestic this street is.
4. Praca da Ribeira
Located in, you guessed it, the colourful Ribeira neighbourhood. It is a historical square that was super busy each time we passed through. If you’re lucky, you can get a patio seat at one of the restaurants to people watch. Chances are, you’ll catch some live music too!
5. Miradouro da Vitoria
Beautiful city views! We hoped to catch a sunset from here, but realized we were facing the wrong way…oops! Still a great view of the city and worth a stop if you’re walking nearby this area.
6. Miradouro da Rua das Aldas
Great viewpoint across the city. Would likely be wonderful for sunset! It is in front of a church, so often missed.
7. Miradouro da Serra do Pilar
We didn’t personally get to this one, but apparently it is one of the best places to catch the sunset in the city! From here, you can see down the Douro River, to the Pointe Luis 1 Bridge, and across Porto’s rooftops. It is located in the Vila Nova de Gaia neighbourhood.
8. Jardim do Infante Dom Henrique
In Ribeira, this is a beautiful grass park with a large statue in the middle. Surrounded by Bolsa Palace and restaurants.
Things to Do & See
1. Porto Sao Bento
Yes, this is a railway station. However, it is so beautifully tiled inside that it is worth a visit even if you aren’t training in or out of Porto through here. It will likely be busy regardless of what time you visit – we went at 10:30pm and it was busy with night tours coming and going!
2. Torre dos Clerigos
A bell tower in the center of the city. We only viewed it from the outside, as you need tickets to go in and it was sold out when we got there. You can climb the tower too, if you like, which is 225 steep and narrow steps. There is an attached museum as well.
3. Livraria Lello
Considered the most beautiful book shop in the world! It is very beautiful – the woodwork especially is super intricate! Expect a huge line to enter, and you’ll likely need to buy tickets ahead of time. You book your time slot online, and it is 8 Euro per person. The ticket fee is taken off of any books you end up purchasing.
4. Mercado do Bolhao
Porto’s largest central market, you’ll find this in the middle of the Bolhao neighbourhood. We loved this market as it was super organized, modern, and not at all chaotic. We had fantastic coffee and found great locally made souvenirs in food form. If you’re staying in an apartment or somewhere that you’re cooking for yourself, this is a great spot to grab meats, cheeses, and fresh produce.
5. Cordoaria’s Garden
Sitting near to the Torre dos Clerigos and Livreria Lello, this park is quite tranquil. It is a nice break from the walking you’ll inevitably be doing and provides shade and a breeze as a reprieve from the heat.
6. Dom Luis 1 Bridge
Connecting Porto to Vila Nova de Gaia across the Douro River. If you’re visiting both sides of the river, you’ll probably cross this massive bridge at some point. It has two levels – one for pedestrians only, and one that for both cars and pedestrians.
7. Fonte dos Leoes
A bright turquoise fountain in front of two famous churches. The square that it sits in is sure to be bustling, but the fountain is so beautiful it’s worth battling any crowds that may be here.
8. City Sightseeing Hop-on, Hop-off Bus
We purchased tickets online using a coupon code for a discount, but there are many places throughout the city to purchase a pass. We bought a 48-hour pass. The commentary provided wasn’t great and didn’t line up with where we were on the route, which was disappointing. The busses also didn’t really follow the timetable once you were past the first stop due to the construction throughout the city. However, we really enjoyed seeing some areas of the city we probably wouldn’t have seen if we had only explored on foot. One of the lines took us to Vila Nova de Gaia and all around that side of the river, and the other line took us all the way out to Foz do Douro! Our pass also came with a free tour and port tasting! There was the option to do a night tour as well, but we didn’t do this. Overall, we’d do it again but if you’re hoping to learn about the city via the commentary, this might not be the best tour option.
9. McDonald’s
Okay, hear us out! The McDonald’s Imperial location in downtown Porto is considered one of the most beautiful in the world. The building it’s in used to be a fancy café, and McDonald’s kept the décor when they took over. It’s stunning inside, and worth a stop.
10. Port Wine Tasting
There are many Port wine lodges in Porto, many across the river in Vila Nova de Gaia. We only did one tasting and tour which came with our hop-on, hop-off bus tickets. However, we have friends who visited and basically “Port-hopped” their way around to a bunch of the different lodges. Some highly rated individual port lodges include Cockburn’s, Graham’s, and Taylor’s. You can also get tours that bring you to various tastings.
Churches in Porto
1. Capela das Almas
Also known as the Chapel of Souls, you’ll find this church along Rua Santa Catarina. Photos we had seen online made it seem like there was so much space around it, but it’s on the corner of two busy streets surrounded by buildings. It’s actually quite crammed in there! But the tiling on this church is so beautiful. You can go inside as well.
2. Igreja de Santo Ildefonso
The Church of Saint Ildefonso has an almost broken beauty to it. The tiles are gorgeous but the church itself is a bit grungier than some of the others on the list. It is in front of a big square, so isn’t as tightly fit into the surrounding buildings as the previously mentioned Church of Souls. It is at the end of Rua Santa Catarina.
3. Igreja do Carmo & Igreja dos Carmelitas
What looks like one massive church is actually two separate churches that are connected by a hidden 3-foot-wide house. Igreja do Carmo has one wall that faces towards the nearby square, which is beautiful white and blue tiles. Igreja dos Carmelitas has a bell tower and apparently a beautiful interior (we didn’t go inside either church). You can enter both churches – make sure to check their opening hours and any attire requirements before visiting.
4. Se do Porto
The Porto Cathedral overlooks the city, with beautiful views of Porto’s rooftops and the Douro River. We didn’t go inside, but apparently the interior is stunning. Tickets are required for the cloisters and the museum, which you can buy on site, but pre-booking a tour that includes your tickets will save you time at the entrance. The cathedral is Porto’s oldest and largest church and is protected by UNESCO.
MAP of Things to Do in Porto
HOW TO USE THE MAP: Click on the Wanderlog logo in the bottom right corner to open the full-size map up in a new tab. There, you can choose to just look at one type of activity at a time or see all the activities on the map at once (click the 3 squares in the top right to choose). You can also export the map to Google Maps, share the map with others, or save the map.
Possible Day Trips from Porto
We didn’t end up taking a day trip as we weren’t feeling very well, but we sort of regret it as there were so many that were recommended to us. You can rent a car, in many cases take a train, or book a tour. Here are some suggestions:
- Braga (45 min drive)
- Douro Valley (1 – 1.5 hrs drive)
- Guimaraes (45 min drive)
- Aveiro (1 hour drive)
- Obidos (2 – 2.5 hrs drive – far for a day trip…best bet is to stop here & Nazare on the way between Porto and Lisbon)
- Do Braga & Guimaraes together
Other Things to Do (that we didn’t get to)
- Bolsa Palace (purchase tickets on site)
- Serralves Contemporary Art Museum
- Igreja de Santa Clara (tickets on site – 5 Euro each)
- Take a 6 Bridges river cruise
- Miradouro da Serra do Pilar
- Take a food tour
- Do a walking tour – free & ticketed options
- Casa da Musica
- Cafe Majestic
Helpful Planning Tips
I rely on these tools when planning my trips:
- Get Your Guide – book tickets for experiences like Livraria Lello, Port Wine lodges, or a 6 Bridges cruise
- Airalo eSIM – get Portuguese mobile data instantly on arrival, without roaming charges
- Stay22 – compare hotels across Porto, near neighbourhoods like Ribeira, Bolhao, or Foz do Douro
- Wanderlog – organize your itinerary and map your Porto days efficiently
