Porto 3-Day Itinerary

Porto, a wonderful city in the North of Portugal, is the perfect destination for a weekend, especially if you love wine. You can immerse yourself in the beauty and history of its historic center, get lost among the cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia, and dedicate a whole day to exploring the Douro Valley, the land of Portuguese wine!Here are all our tips for organizing the perfect 3-day Porto itinerary.

Consider purchasing a card: to save on individual attraction costs and transportation, we recommend buying the Porto Card, which includes unlimited transportation and free or discounted entries to attractions like Casa da Musica, Torre dos Clérigos, Palácio Da Bolsa, and more.

First time in Porto? Let yourself be guided: join a free tour in English with a local guide or enjoy a ride on the open-top tourist bus.

Start this journey in Porto from the La Ribeira neighborhood, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site (Get directions). It is indeed one of the most characteristic and beautiful areas of the city, to be discovered on foot, getting lost among its steep streets and admiring the view from the many Miradouros, wonderful viewpoints and terraces.Admire the city from Miradouro da Vitória: one of the most beautiful viewpoints in all of Porto, not far from the Cathedral!Visiting time: 30 min

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Take a tour of the neighborhood: this is one of the best ways to discover every corner and get a first approach to the city Here are the details about the free tour of La Ribeira

To reach this stop: 5 min walk (Get directions).The second stop of the day is the Porto Cathedral, called La Sé (open daily 9:00-19:00; free admission). It is one of the most important examples of Romanesque architecture in Portugal, with a facade that features a large central rose window and two twin towers. It is also designated a National Monument, and inside you must not miss the visit to the Gothic Cloister, adorned with many white and blue azulejos (entry fee €3.00).Visiting time: 30 min

To reach this stop: 6 min walk (Get directions).Continue your walk in the historic center of Porto and stop to admire the São Bento Station, a true city attraction, probably one of the most visited.The interior is entirely decorated with over 20,000 white and blue azulejos. A truly unique sight that you certainly don't expect to find inside a train station.Visiting time: 30 min

Take a break at Majestic Café: not far from the station is this establishment, one of Porto's great institutions. This historic café is definitely worth a visit, even just for a coffee (the prices are indeed a bit high). The interior is elegant and will take you back in time.

To reach this stop: 6 min walk (Get directions ).Just a 6 minute walk from the station, you can find the famous Lello Bookstore, one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world! Be prepared for a bit of a queue outside, but the wait is absolutely worth it: the atmosphere inside is truly magical, perhaps created by the various styles present, Gothic and Art Nouveau! But that's not all: some scenes from the famous Harry Potter film were filmed here! The ticket costs €8.00 but is refunded with the purchase of a book. To avoid long lines, you can also buy tickets online from the official bookstore website.Visiting time: 30 min

To reach this stop: 3 min walk (Get directions).Conclude this first morning by reaching the Torre dos Clérigos, one of the must-see attractions in Porto (open daily 9:00-19:00; entry fee €8.00). It is just a 3 minute walk from the bookstore, so easily accessible with a nice walk along Rua das Carmelitas.This tower is part of the Igreja dos Clérigos complex and is now a true symbol of the city. It is open to the public and you can climb to the top to admire the entire Portuguese city from above. To reach it, you will need to climb an internal staircase, ascending about 240 steps, but the effort will be rewarded: you will be able to enjoy one of the most beautiful views of Porto. Absolutely not to be missed!Visiting time: 30 min

Buy the ticket in advance: this is one of the most visited attractions in Porto, so we recommend that you purchase the entrance ticket in advance to avoid the queue at the ticket offices.

To reach this stop: 12 min walk (Get directions).After lunch, head to one of the most beautiful palaces in all of Porto, the Palácio da Bolsa (April to October 9:00-19:00, November to March 9:00-13:00 and 14:00-18:00; full price €12.00, reduced €7.50). Again, you can move comfortably on foot, as it is located just 12 min from the Torre dos Clérigos.Built in 1842 at the request of the city's merchants to symbolize the country's commercial power, the palace is a true treasure of beauty. Inside, admire the wonderful hall inspired by the Alhambra of Granada, in neo-Moorish style, and then continue your tour through rooms with different architectural and decorative styles, rich in sculptures, paintings, and period furniture.Visiting time: 1 hour

Book the guided tour: we recommend visiting this wonderful palace with an expert guide, through a tour of Porto's historic monuments and the Palácio da Bolsa.

To reach this stop: 2 min walk (Get directions).Finally, conclude the day of visits with one of the most beautiful Churches in all of Portugal, the wonderful Igreja Monumento de São Francisco (November to February 9:00-17:00, March to October 9:00-19:00, July to September 9:00-20:00; admission €9.00). It is located just a few meters away from the Palácio da Bolsa, and you can reach it on foot.Not only is it one of the most beautiful Churches in the country, but also one of the most richly decorated in Europe. Think that the three naves are completely covered with 300 kilos of gold dust! And that's not all; upon entering, prepare to be amazed: as you enter, look up and admire the entirely carved and gold-leaf wooden ceiling using a technique called talha dourada. Truly unmissable.Below the church are the catacombs and an ossuary visible through a glass panel on the floor, which can be visited alongside the church.Visiting time: 2 hours

Conclude the day with a boat ride: one of the must-do activities in Porto! Enjoy a Douro River cruise, admire the city from another perspective, and enjoy the beauty of the Dom Luís I, the famous iron bridge built by one of Gustave Eiffel's students! After the cruise, we recommend spending the evening in the La Ribeira neighborhood.

Start this second day by visiting two Churches that seem like one: the Igreia do Carmo and the Igreja das Carmelita (Get directions). Their facades are connected, giving the impression of being a single large building.The Igreia do Carmo is one of the best and most representative examples of the Rococo style in the city. Built in the 18th century, part of its exterior facade is covered with wonderful white and blue tiles.Next, you can visit the Igreja das Carmelitas (open daily 7:30-19:00; free entry- Get directions). Built in the 12th century, the church features a neoclassical facade, and inside you can admire lavish carved and gilded wood decorations, not to be missed.Visiting time: 1 hour

Start the day at Café Piolho / Âncora d'Ouro: a few steps from the two churches, this establishment is a true institution in Porto. Start the day with a pastel de nata, the typical Portuguese pastry.

To reach this stop: 5 min walk (Get directions).Spend the rest of the morning at one of the most important museums in Porto: the Museu Nacional Soares dos Reis. It is less than a 10 minute walk from the Igreia do Carmo.The museum is worth a visit even just for the building it occupies, the wonderful Palacio das Carrancas, in neoclassical style. It is an art museum that spans sculpture, painting, and all figurative and decorative arts. One of the most important sections is the Antonio Soares dos Reis collection, which also houses the work O Desterrado. Created in Rome with Carrara marble, the work is considered the apex of Portuguese sculptural art.Visiting time: 2 hours

To reach this stop: 10 min walk (Get directions).After lunch, head to one of the most beautiful green areas in Porto, located just a short distance from the Museu Nacional Soares dos Reis. We are talking about the beautiful Jardim do Palácio de Cristal (April-September 8:00-21:00, October-March 8:00-19:00; free entry).Created in the 19th century, this wonderful garden is one of the most beloved places by locals, where people come to spend some hours with family, relax, and exercise. But, above all, this place offers stunning views of the entire city and the Douro River thanks to the many viewpoints and terraces. Enjoy some time here immersed in greenery.Visiting time: 1 hour

Reach the most beautiful viewpoint: it is the Torreão do Jardim do Palácio, a tower you can climb to admire the entire city. It is one of the most beautiful spots in the park!

To reach this stop: 30 min walk (Get directions).In the mid-afternoon, head to Vila Nova de Gaia, a true little town on the opposite bank of the Douro River, often mistaken for a neighborhood of Porto, to which it is connected by the famous Dom Luis Bridge. From the park, you mainly have two alternatives: reach the town on foot with a wonderful riverside walk and cross the Dom Luis Bridge (30 min), or take a ride on tram line 1 and then proceed on foot.Vila Nova de Gaia is a paradise for wine lovers. This area is rich in cellars and hosts the tasting rooms and headquarters of some of the largest wine producers in the region. Enjoy a stroll through its streets, follow the riverside to admire all the views of Porto, and spend the evening here as well.Visiting time: 2 hours

Join a tasting: the options are plentiful, but we recommend doing a visit to Cálem Winery with wine tasting. It's truly an institution in the city! Finally, spend the evening in this neighborhood, rich in wine cellars and bars.

Dedicate this day to discovering the Douro Valley, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and especially famous for its wines, first among them Port wine. You can visit it independently by car, but the most convenient option is aguided excursion from Porto, which also includes lunch, a boat ride on a traditional Portuguese Rabelo boat, and visits to two wineries with tasting.The Douro Valley is a truly magical place that enjoys its own microclimate which gives unique characteristics to the wine and encourages production. Starting from Porto, the main cities are Peso da Régua (Get directions), the true administrative and commercial center of the Valley, and Pinhão, considered the capital of Port wine and where the river cruise begins.Visiting time: 9 hours

Get organized: book the Douro Valley tour with wine tasting as soon as possible, it's one of the most requested activities. Transportation is included.

Porto, like all of Portugal, is a destination suitable for all budgets. It is also very easy to reach thanks to various low-cost flight connections from the United States (compare flights).Once you arrive, the best option is to stay in the historic center, in the Ribeira neighborhood. If you want to save, choose the Cadofeita neighborhood, especially the Boavista area. Staying in the center allows you to move around on foot, but be prepared for continual ups and downs, so wear comfortable shoes. Alternatively, you can take the convenient tourist bus: zero effort and wonderful views of the city. Additionally, transport is free for holders of the Porto Card. For lunch and dinner, you can save: for lunch, stop by markets or small local eateries, where you can taste typical dishes spending little.Let's take a closer look at the costs of a weekend in Porto: