One Day Itinerary in Porto

With just one day to spare, you'll need to do a lot of walking, but you can still discover the charm and essence of Porto.

The itinerary includes main stops while excluding museums and attractions that would take too much time.

The itinerary starts from the ultimate must see in Porto: the Ribeira District, the city's main and characterful neighborhood. Here, visit the Sé, the grand cathedral, and then walk over to the beautiful São Bento Station, a true attraction! Get lost among the books and shelves of the famous Lello Bookstore and then admire the city from above at the Torre dos Clérigos.

After lunch, head to the riverbank to visit the famous Palacio da Bolsa (the guided tour lasts 30 minutes), then make your way to Igreja Monumento de São Francisco, one of the most beautiful churches in all of Portugal. Conclude the afternoon with a 6 Bridges Cruise on the Douro River (50 min), where you can sail under the famous Dom Luis I bridge.

Finally, end your day in the charming neighborhood of Vila Nova de Gaia, on the opposite bank of the Douro River. This area hosts most of the cellars and major Port producers, and the main street is lined with bars and restaurants offering panoramic views of the city!

The day can only start at the Ribeira, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site (Get directions). It is one of the most characteristic and photogenic areas of Porto, consisting of a labyrinth of steep streets, filled with many Miradouros, or wonderful viewpoints and terraces.

Visiting time: 1 hour

To reach this stop: 5 min walking (Get directions ).

While walking through the streets, you can't miss a visit to The Sé, the wonderful cathedral of Porto (daily 9:00-19:00, free entry, cloister entrance €3.00 - Get directions). This is one of the most important examples of Romanesque architecture in Portugal, with a facade that features a large central rose window and twin towers. Inside, don't miss the Gothic-style cloister, decorated with numerous white and blue azulejos.

Visiting time: 30 min

To reach this stop: 6 min walking (Get directions).

The third stop of the morning is the wonderful São Bento Station, a true attraction and probably one of the most visited! The interior is, in fact, entirely decorated with over 20,000 white and blue azulejos, a truly unique sight! Take some time for a photo before continuing your visits.

Visiting time: 15 min

To reach this stop: 6 min walking (Get directions ).

Just a 6-minute walk from the station is the famous Lello Bookstore, one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world! The atmosphere in the bookstore is truly magical, created perhaps by the various styles present, Gothic and Art Nouveau! And perhaps the more attentive will recognize the location: some scenes from the famous Harry Potter movie were filmed here!

Visiting time: 1 hour

To reach this stop: 3 min walking (Get directions).

Finally, conclude the morning by reaching the Torre dos Clérigos, just 3 minutes on foot from the bookstore. This tower is part of the Igreja dos Clérigos complex and is today a true symbol of the city. With its height of 75 m, it can be easily seen from various points in the neighborhood.

To reach the top, you will need to climb an internal staircase, going up about 240 steps. Once you reach the top, you can admire one of the most beautiful views of Porto. Absolutely not to be missed! Visitor Info: open daily 9:00-19:00. Entry ticket €8.00.

Visiting time: 30 min

To reach this stop: 12 min walking (Get directions).

After lunch, head to one of the most beautiful palaces in all of Porto, the Palacio da Bolsa, located about 12 minutes from the Torre dos Clérigos. Before reaching your destination, stop along the way at the Miradouro da Vitoria, one of the most beautiful viewpoints in the city.

And here you are at the Palacio da Bolsa, built in 1842 at the request of the city's merchants to symbolize the country's commercial power. Inside, don't miss the room inspired by the Alhambra of Granada, in neo-Moorish style. But all the rooms are filled with wonders, decorated with sculptures, paintings, and decorations from various styles, all perfectly integrated with the architectural style of the palace. Visitor Info: open from April to October 9:00-19:00, from November to March 9:00-13:00 and 14:00-18:00. Full €12.00, reduced €7.50 (students, seniors, schools), free for children under 12 years.

Visiting time: 1 hour

To reach this stop: 2 min walking (Get directions).

Just 2 minutes from the Palacio de Bolsa is the magnificent Igreja Monumento de São Francisco, one of the most beautiful churches in all of Portugal, and one of the richest decorated churches in Europe. As soon as you enter, you will be truly amazed by its interiors: the ceiling is intricately carved and gilded, created using a technique known as talha dourada. It's estimated that over 100 km of gold was used for the decorations!

Once you've finished your visit, stroll along the riverside, admiring the view and, in the distance, the Dom Luís I bridge, a famous iron bridge constructed by one of Gustave Eiffel's students! Visitor Info: Church open from November to February 9:00-17:00, from March to October 9:00-19:00, from July to September 9:00-20:00. Single entry €9.00 (also includes a visit to the catacombs and the Treasure Museum).

Visiting time: 2 hours

If you love art, in the afternoon, instead of the Palacio da Bolsa, we recommend visiting the Museu Nacional Soares dos Reis (€8.00), home to one of the most important art collections in the city. The visit will take a few hours. If you love photography, you can find the Centro Portugues de Fotografia (free) in the historic center.

If you are fond of religious architecture, you are in the right place: along with the churches already mentioned, you should also visit the Igreja do Carmo (€3.50) and the Igreja das Carmelitas (free). Don't miss the visit to the Igreja da Misericordia (€6.00, including internal museum).

If you've perhaps already been to Porto or want to immerse yourself in the countryside rather than stay in the city, we recommend exploring the Douro Valley, with a wine tasting and lunch from Porto. The excursion lasts around 9 hours.

If you are traveling with family, in addition to the boat ride on the river and the bookstore, a must in the afternoon is a visit to the Jardim do Palacio de Cristal (free), the most loved green space in the city, not far from the center. See also: What to see in Porto: guide with practical tips for the city