If your travel plans end up passing through Porto for one day and you’re looking for a quick adventure in this beautiful city, it can be done.

The trick is to have a thorough, detailed plan to make the most of it so you don’t miss anything! 

Luckily, we’ve got just the guide for you.

Porto is home to an incredible array of historical landmarks, gorgeous churches, and spectacular views of the Douro River.

While at least two days in Porto is ideal, it’d be a shame to miss out on sampling a bit of Porto’s best sights, even if you only have one day in Porto.

Foodies, contain your excitement: Porto is also the perfect place for a tasting of its signature port wine (no need to rent a car and go all the way to the Douro Valley for that — though it is worth it!), or to devour delicious Portuguese food. 

In this short guide, you’ll find a condensed but complete one-day itinerary to experience everything Porto has to offer in a short amount of time.

During the two years I lived in Portugal, I visited Porto on many occasions, almost every time on short trips of just a day or two. 

So, if I do say so myself, you’re in good hands when it comes to planning your unforgettable whirlwind trip through Porto!

In the guide that follows, I’ll take you through all the top highlights you can’t miss in this charming Portuguese city, even if you’ve only got 24 hours in Porto!

And if you have another day… you can either follow this two-day Porto itinerary or take a day trip to the Douro Valley for some wine tasting!

What to Know Before Visiting Porto

If you’re visiting Porto on a short trip, you can save time by sticking to the historical center and getting around everywhere on foot. 

This heart of the city is home to all of the most important landmarks, so you won’t need any public transportation. 

Be warned, though! Porto’s a city built on hills, so you’re in for a bit of a workout with all the climbing ahead of you.

Another thing to be aware of is the weather in Porto. Unlike the south of Portugal, or even Lisbon, Porto tends to get more rain. Like, a lot more.

Did you know Porto is rainier than London? Yes, that London.

During the winter months, the temperatures can be downright chilly, and it can rain for several days in a row. 

The best seasons to visit Porto are spring and autumn, but you’ll want to avoid the Easter period due to holiday crowds. 

If you visit in summer, brace yourself for high temperatures and huge crowds of summer tourists, especially during the peak months of July and August. 

If you ask me, it’s best to avoid these busy times and visit when you’ll have a little more breathing room!

One Day in Porto Itinerary

Start with a delicious breakfast.

Begin your day in the Vitória district, where you can have breakfast to fuel up for a busy day ahead!  

Wander over to Praça de Carlos Alberto and stop by one of the many nearby cafés.

You’ll have a ton of delicious options to choose from, but just trust your appetite, and I guarantee you’ll leave full and happy. 

Options in the area will cover a wide range of tastes, from a typically Portuguese breakfast or a tasty and filling brunch. 

Some of the best places in the area are Zenith, O Diplomata, and, for the coffee fiends among you, SO Coffee Roasters.

Admire the azulejos at Igreja do Carmo.

All right, now that you’re fed and ready to set off on your explorations for the day, let’s get to it! 

Just a short walk from breakfast, you’ll find one of the most iconic churches in Porto, Igreja do Carmo. 

The church’s most distinctive feature is the side façade covered in azulejos, so be sure to stop by and take a closer look.

These gorgeous scenes depict the foundation of the Carmelite Order on Mount Carmel. 

It’s also every Instagrammer in Porto’s favorite spot, so you will likely have to wait to snap a good photo here!

Igreja do Carmo is a church in the Baroque and Rococo styles,dating to the second half of the 18th century, and it’s located next to the existing Igreja dos Carmelitas Descalços. 

Interestingly, building two churches so close to each other wasn’t allowed, an ingenious solution had to be devised.

A house was built between them, turning them into a single building — or better yet — a twin church.

The house became known as Casa Escondida do Porto (Porto’s hidden house).

After admiring the beautiful church from the outside, you might think you’ve seen the best this church has to offer, but there’s so much more inside.. 

For just €4.50, you get access to the entire site, including the church, the Hidden House, the catacombs, the sacristy, and the library.

Enjoy bookstore heaven at Livraria Lello.

As if visiting an ancient church library wasn’t enough, the next stop on your journey through Porto is a bookworm’s paradise. 

Only a few steps from Igreja do Carmo, you’ll come across one of the world’s most famous bookstores, Livraria Lello.

This gorgeous old bookstore opened the doors of its current location in the early 20th century, but its history starts even earlier, in the second half of the 19th century. 

The iconic wooden staircase with the red steps became the defining  emblematic feature of the bookstore, and played no small part in giving it a reputation as the prettiest bookstore in the world.

The bookstore’s fame rose again when rumors spread that it inspired J. K. Rowling when writing Harry Potter (specifically that the staircase inspired the stairs inside Hogwarts), as she lived in Porto for much of her early writing career. 

The author denied the claims, but the rumors had spread widely at that point, and the line between fact and fiction blurred, increasing the fame of this already-famous bookstore.

Livraria Lello is now so popular that you need a ticket to enter it.

The good news though, is that you can apply the entire value of the ticket voucher (€5) when you purchase anything from the bookstore. 

That said, the books are marked up quite a bit, so it isn’t the deal you think it is.

If you love books and need to pick up your next vacation read before continuing on your travels, why not pay a visit to this charming little bookstore? 

The rumors may not be true, but the charm of this place is undeniable.

Visit Clerigos Church and climb up its Tower.

From Livraria Lello, walk two minutes to Clerigos Church and Tower (see how insanely walkable Porto is?)

The architectural complex of the Clerics is a large one, consisting of a church, a tower, and even a museum. 

The entire complex dates back to the 18th century, and it became a National Monument in 1910.

At a breathtaking 75 meters tall (nearly 250 feet!), the Tower of the Clerics offers of the best scenic views in Porto. 

To get to the top, you’ll have to climb 225 steps, but once you get to the top (and catch your breath!) the view is worth the effort!

In addition to climbing the tower, you can visit the church and the museum dedicated to the Brotherhood of the Clerics housed in the House of the Brotherhood. 

The entire visit costs €8, or you can get a night pass just for the tower for €5.

Explore the Praça da Liberdade and Church of Saint Ildefonso.

After you clamber down from the dizzying heights of the Clerigos Tower, walk to the Church of Saint Ildefonso, passing through Praça da Liberdade along the way. 

This is one of Porto’s most famous squares, surrounded by several important buildings, like Banco de Portugal, along with many restaurants and high-end hotels.

At the center of the square, you can see the statue of D. Pedro IV, king of Portugal (although just for a brief time), who was also first ruler of the Empire of Brazil. 

To the north end of the square, you can see Porto’s city hall and in front of it, the scenic Fonte dos Aliados.

As you take it all in, keep walking east for a few more minutes along Rua de 31 de Janeiro, and you’ll reach the Church of Saint Ildefonso. 

Like many other churches in Porto, this charming little church features a striking façade decorated with blue and white azulejos.

The Church of Saint Ildefonso dates to the early 18th century, but its façade was only decorated as recently as the 1930s. 

A jaw-dropping quantity of roughly 11,000 azulejo tiles cover the façade, depicting scenes from the life of Saint Ildefonso, to whom the church is dedicated.

Admire the beautiful mosaics in São Bento Station.

Stick with me here. I know a train station may be a bit of an unusual landmark to go out of your way to see.

But I promise you that São Bento Station is something special – it’s truly one of the most beautiful public transportation stations in the world. 

Step inside, and you’ll see why you can’t miss checking out this historical station while you’re spending a day in Porto. 

The interior of the station is literally covered floor-to-ceiling in stunning azulejos, depicting key events in Porto’s history. 

Among the many scenes depicted in the white and blue tiles, you can see the Battle of Valdevez and the Portuguese Conquest of Ceuta (yes, Portugal is really into their colonial history, but that’s a story for a different day…). 

Fittingly for a train station, above the more traditional historical scenes, the multicolored azulejos depict Portugal’s various forms of transportation over the centuries.

São Bento station was built between 1904 and 1916 on the site of the former Benedictine Convent of São Bento da Avé Maria. 

The convent was in disrepair by the end of the 19th century, so it was demolished to make space for Porto’s brand-new central station. I think it’s quite the glow-up and I’m sure you’ll agree!

Admire the awe-inspiring Porto Cathedral.

Just about ready for lunch? We’ve got one more stop first, and it’s a good one.

The last visit before lunch is to Porto’s Cathedral, known in Portuguese as the Sé do Porto. 

The Sé do Porto is one of the city’s oldest monuments, dating all the way back to the early 12th century when ground was first broken on the site. 

However, the completion of the church would be a lengthy affair, taking several centuries – it only finished in 1737. (And I think I’m a procrastinator.)

Unsurprisingly, given how long the  construction dragged on for, the cathedral features several architectural styles. 

These styles span a handful of centuries, the most prominent ones being Romanesque and Gothic. 

But that’s not all. Some striking Baroque elements were added during the last stages of construction in the 17th century.

Those elements include the silver altarpiece and the apse that replaced the prior Romanesque one that was looking a bit worse-for-wear.

You can enter the cathedral free of charge, but there is a small fee to visit the beautiful Gothic cloisters, and trust me when I tell you it’s worth it for the azulejos alone!

For just €3, you can step inside the cloisters to admire the stunning azulejos decorating the walls of the cloisters depicting famous religious scenes.

As a bonus, despite this being one of Porto’s main sites, many people don’t know it’s worth paying the extra few euros for the cloisters, so these azulejos are among the least-crowded in Porto.

Take a lunch break.

By now I’m sure you’ll have worked up quite an appetite, so it’s a good thing that you’ll find many restaurants within a short walk from the cathedral. 

If you want to try the most traditional dish in Porto, have the Francesinha, but be warned, it’s not for the faint of heart! 

The Francesinha is a truly massive sandwich filled with various meats, from ham to fresh sausage, steak, and a Portuguese sausage known as linguiça. 

To add heart attack upon heart disease, all this is then covered in cheese, topped with a fried egg, and soaked in a traditional Francesinha sauce made with tomato and beer.

If that got your mouth watering, go ahead and try the Francesinha at Porto Escondido or Restaurante Fininho. 

If you’re a vegetarian but you want to sample the Francesinha, my vegetarian friend living in Porto swears by the Lado B Café (and we liked the meat ones there as well!)

However, if Francesinha sounds too intimidating for you (I get it – for me, once was enough!) you can find many great alternatives at these restaurants or others nearby. 

Other good options in the area are Em Canto and Impar Flores.

Wander through the lively Cais da Ribeira area.

After lunch, make your way down to the riverbank in the area of Cais da Ribeira and just stroll around for a while to enjoy the lively atmosphere.

Cais da Ribeira is always buzzing with life, from locals to tourists and street artists performing for passersby.

As you pass through Praça da Ribeira and along the river, be sure to admire the stunning view of the massive Dom Luís I Bridge, one of Porto’s prettiest landmarks.

Looking across the river to the opposite bank, you’ll see Vila Nova de Gaia with its port wine cellars. 

Along the river, check out the traditional Ravelo boats which were historically used to transport barrels of port wine along the Douro River. 

Nowadays, they’re a tourist attraction in and of themselves, and you can even go for a spin on the water in one of these boats!

Cross the beautiful Dom Luís I Bridge.

From Cais da Ribeira, you can either cross the bridge on the lower level or make your way up to the upper level. 

Both options are good, but the view is more impressive from above, and it’ll take you straight to the next stop. 

If you’re dying for the full experience of seeing the lower level, don’t worry! You can cross the lower level on your way back.  

Dom Luís I Bridge was designed by a disciple of the renowned architect Gustave Eiffel, Théophile Seyrig.

Seyrid had already worked with Eiffel on another bridge between Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia, Maria Pia Bridge. 

With this history in mind, it’s not surprising that the two bridges have a similar design, and you can even see a striking resemblance between Dom Luís I Bridge and the Eiffel Tower – just think horizontal, not vertical.

A light rail connects the two cities on the upper deck, while the lower deck is dedicated to general traffic. 

Pedestrian walkways are available on both levels, so you can enjoy different viewpoints while crossing the bridge on its two levels.

Explore Porto’s “sister city” of Vila Nova de Gaia.

As soon as you cross Ponte Dom Luis, you’ll be in Vila Nova de Gaia. 

Although technically, you’ve left the city of Porto proper, it is part of the greater Porto Metropolitan Area, and I couldn’t resist including it on this guide. 

Gaia is a must-see, especially for the views you get of Porto from some of the city’s main points of interest.

Besides, the city is Portugal’s wine hub, which means here’s where  you’ll find most port wine cellars (and caves), which are among the most popular tourist attractions for anyone visiting Porto.

Visit the Mosteiro da Serra do Pilar.

Just after crossing the bridge, you can take a left turn and climb to Mosteiro da Serra do Pilar for one of the best panoramic views of Porto. 

The monastery features a huge terrace overlooking the Douro River, Ponte Dom Luis, and Porto.

A part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Historic Centre of Porto, Luiz I Bridge, and Monastery of Serra do Pilar, the 16th century monastery’s most notable feature is the circular church.

The monastery is typically open to the public but as of 2023, it’s closed due to renovations.

However, it’s still worth a visit even during its closure period, as you can still walk to the terrace and check out the spectacular view.

Take in the views from Jardim do Morro.

Just across the street from Mosteiro da Serra do Pilar, Jardim do Morro is a cute little park overlooking the river. 

It offers yet another great vantage point to enjoy the view of the candy-colored stacked houses of Porto’s historical center.

The park is perfect for a relaxing break after crossing the bridge, and is often filled with people checking out the view and listening to the occasional street artist playing music. 

The atmosphere is always lively, and the place turns outright magical at sunset when the warm colors wash over the city.

A cable car connects the garden to the lower side of Gaia, offering sweeping views of Porto and the river. 

The ride is very short, and a one-way ticket costs 7€ (€10 for a return ticket) – pricey for Portugal, so it’s perhaps not for the budget-conscious.

Luckily, you can also walk down in less than 10 minutes.

Enjoy a port wine tasting.

I promised you wine tastings at the start of this guide, and here we are at last!

In the lower part of Vila Nova de Gaia, all along the riverbank, you’ll find several port wine cellars offering tours and wine tasting. 

You don’t have to be a wine connoisseur to enjoy a port wine tour, as they’re a fascinating experience where you’ll learn about the history of Porto’s famous wine.

The choice of cellars to visit is huge, so check out the various options. Just a heads up, you’ll definitely want to book in advance to make sure you get the tour that you most want!

After trying several of these tours over my time in Portugal, I’ve got to recommend the Cálem Tour.

You can just have a cellar tour with wine tasting or go for the full experience and add in a ticket to see a Fado show (a traditional Portuguese music — it’s hauntingly beautiful).

Other popular tours are Graham’s Port Lodge Tour where you get to pair port wines with chocolates and cheeses, Burmester Cellars (also with chocolate tastings for an additional price), or Cockburn’s Cellar (also with tasting option).

You can also skip the tour of the cellar house and wine taste a la carte along the many port houses, such as Quinta do Noval.

Have dinner in Gaia or Porto.

For dinner, you’ve got plenty of options. If you’re famished and can’t wait, you can stay in Vila Nova de Gaia for dinner before walking back to Porto. 

If you’re not quite ready for dinner yet,  walk back first and find something on the other side once you’ve worked up an appetite!. 

If you’re staying in Gaia, try Barris Do Douro Restaurante or Bacalhoeiro. 

I also love the Brazilian churrascaria experience in Restaurante Mineirão, where meat is served tableside rodízio-style.

There’s also the Mercado Beira-Rio which is great for small bites, perhaps if you want something small to eat before you have a larger meal in Porto proper.

Back in Porto, head to the charming Restaurante Cana Verde or try the tapas at Tapabento S. Bento. 

For something more unusual, you can try Mozambican food at Tia Orlando.

It’s hard to find this just anywhere, but since Mozambique was a Portuguese colony, you’ll be able to find some unique flavors in Porto.

For something traditional in Porto, try the Bacalhau à moda do Porto, just one of literally hundreds (yes, hundreds) of recipes for salted codfish that Portugal is famous for.

This Porto-style codfish dish comes with potatoes, onion, garlic, and black olives.

Have drinks along Rua da Galeria de Paris.

We’re almost, but not quite, at the end of our fabulous one-day trip to Porto!

The city has a vibrant nightlife scene, so if that’s your thing, head on over to Rua da Galeria de Paris. 

This popular street and the surrounding area are where you find most bars and clubs in the city. 

Whether you want to have a drink or dance the night away, you’ll find a place here for every mood.

Looking for a pub? Head to Bonaparte Downtown.

In the mood for an expertly-crafted gin cocktail? As you might expect from its name, The Gin House has you covered. 

To end your night in a truly unforgettable, one-of-a-kind spot, don’t skip Capela Incomum.

The name literally translates to Uncommon Chapel, and the club is located inside a renovated chapel!

Plus, it’s convenient: the club is not far from Rua da Galeria de Paris.

Roxana Fanaru

Roxana is a Romanian-born freelance travel writer who has lived in Italy for over 15 years. She has a Master’s in Journalism and a Bachelor’s in Film Studies, and she studied at Università degli Studi di Roma Tre. Besides her native Romania, Roxana has lived in Rome, Lisbon, and Berlin, and she has traveled through much of Europe in search of hidden gems, history, and culture.

I had a feeling I would love Porto, the Portuguese city famed for its port wines and beautiful tiles… and after 2 days in Porto, I knew I was right.

This city on the Douro truly lives up to all its hype. Its azulejos were stunning, its food incredible, and its vibe enchanting.

Everything was so supremely walkable that we barely hopped on transportation at all during our 48 hours in Porto.

That was except for the occasional Uber when we got lazy, as we stayed a bit outside of the city center (something I probably wouldn’t do on a repeat trip).

In the end, I was surprised by how much we were able to do with just 2 days in Porto.

If you’d like to snag my Porto itinerary, I’ve made it quite easy for you — just follow it below.

Note: Another option is to do one day in Porto and spend the other on a day trip to the Douro Valley for wine tasting, or you can rent a car and go on a road trip!

Where to Stay in Porto

For our trip to Porto, we opted to stay near the train station at Campanhã as it was close to where our friends live.

While it was good for our stay, I wouldn’t recommend it to other travelers who only have a few days in Porto.

We stayed across from Quinta Bonjoia and the walk to the metro was about 20 minutes on a street more meant for cars than people – meaning we ended up using Uber basically the entire time we were in Porto!

It wasn’t expensive (rides into the city from Campanhã are only about 4-5 euro) but it wasn’t exactly optimal. We stayed at Bonjoia Apartments and it was fine, but nothing too special.

I’d recommend instead staying somewhere in the center on the Porto side, as accommodations in Porto really aren’t that expensive and there’s no need to stay so far away.

Budget

For a unique place to stay on a budget in Porto I’d opt for Zero Box Lodge. This hipster hotel has a unique design, fun vibe, and rave reviews.

Its design reminds me of a capsule hotel, but with far more privacy as each ‘box’ is quite large and private and comes with their own en-suite bathroom (no sharing!) and air conditioning in summer.

The location is ultra-central, as São Bento train station and Mercado do Bolhão are only a short walk away.

At the property, you have a fun bar and restaurant as well as several public lounge areas that you can relax in if your room is feeling a bit too basic. For the price and location, it’s hard to beat!

Check out reviews, photos, and prices here.

Mid-Range

If you have a little more to spend and want a more traditional hotel experience I recommend staying at Laurear Guesthouse. It’s cozy, modern, and ultra-aesthetically pleasing without breaking the bank.

I love the wooden beams in many of the rooms, the natural light, the funky furniture and unique vibe of the place – this is no cookie-cutter Hilton, for sure.

Prices are surprisingly affordable given the quality of the room and the location – it’s near Clérigos Tower and Mercado do Bolhão, so it’s quite literally in the center of everything.

The more affordable rooms tend to book up early, so check out reviews, photos, and prices here.

Luxury

Porto is much more affordable than other European cities so when you opt for luxury you’ll often end up getting a great deal, as luxury properties cost perhaps half of what you’d pay in places like Barcelona or Paris.

One great example of this is Infante Sagres, a 5-star luxury historic hotel that’s a member of one of my favorite hotel groups, Small Luxury Hotels of the World.

Renovated in 2018, the hotel features antique chandeliers and a sundeck with a plunge pool for cooling off on hot days.

The design is quintessentially Portuguese with touches like tilework and neo-Baroque detailing that will make you swoon. Rooms are massive, soundproofed, and offer gorgeous views over Porto, and the location near Aliados couldn’t be more perfect as you’re a short walk from virtually everywhere in Porto.

The hotel has a variety of rooms that suit a range of budgets, so check out photos, reviews, and prices here.

Best Time to Visit Porto

Porto is a beautiful city to visit any time of year, but there are certainly some times to visit that are better than others!

Porto has a long and protracted rainy winter. Friends who live in Porto say that it often rains more than half of the days from October through March, so winter in Porto is a mixed bag!

Personally, I visited in mid-March and had beautiful warm and sunny weather — but March is still very much a crapshoot month when it comes to rain.

April through June is one of the best times to visit Porto. The summer rush has not begun, the rain has subsided quite a bit, and it won’t quite have the crowds of July and August.

July and August can be quite hot and humid, and as Europeans travel the most during the months of July and August, Porto can get incredibly busy during this time.

If you’re wanting to swim and sunbathe, though, this might be the only time that it’s hot enough to enjoy the freezing cold water at Porto’s beaches!

In September and early October, Porto again experiences a shoulder season with pleasant weather and fewer crowds, making it another good time to visit Porto.

Two Day Porto Itinerary, Day 1

Start your day at the azulejo-covered Chapel of Souls

While Porto has no shortage of beautiful tile-covered buildings, one of my favorites is the small but stunning Chapel of Souls (Capela Das Almas).

While its interior is rather plain (it’s free to enter!), just your standard church, its exterior is absolutely stunning.

In fact, I’d bet its exterior wall is one of the most photographed walls in all of Porto. It’s also a great location to start exploring Porto’s center by foot.

Love azulejos, Porto’s distinctive blue-and-white tile work? Here are more of the best places for azulejos in Porto.

Visit the (temporarily-located) Mercado do Bolhão

Normally, the Mercado do Bolhão is one of Porto’s most famous landmarks!

Unfortunately, its neoclassical building which dates back to the early 20th century is currently being renovated, and it’s now housed in a temporary location on the basement level of the La Vie Shopping Center.

Update: This was true during my 2018 visit, and I just checked, and the renovations are still incomplete and it’s still in the same temporary location.

Despite its temporary location, I was actually still really impressed by the market and would highly recommend it to travelers anyway.

Sure, you won’t get to see the historical building, but I loved sampling port and ginjinha (a cherry liqueur best enjoyed out of an edible chocolate cup), window-shopping for colorful canned fish, and photographing the market.

Check out the traditional shops near Mercado do Bolhão

While the market itself is closed, there are several cute stores which exemplify the turn-of-the-century aesthetic of the market — all of which are open during the renovations.

My favorite was the insanely photogenic A Pérola do Bolhão, which is basically a Wes Anderson dream come to life.

The other one nearby, Mercearia do Bolhão, is not quite as photogenic but well worth a wander regardless.

Stroll past the tiled Church of Saint Ildefonso

Not the most beautiful of Porto’s azulejo-covered churches but still so centrally located that it’s worth a quick gander, the Church of Saint Ildefonso is located right near Batalha Square, one of the busiest squares in Porto.

The church dates back to 1739 and has proto-Baroque architectural detailing. The façade was added in 1932 and features Porto’s quintessential azulejos.

Both times I walked past it, the Church appeared closed, but it’s apparently open to visitors and free to enter.

Gape at the most beautiful train station in the world

I love me a gorgeous train station, and boy, does Porto ever deliver!

Covered floor to ceiling with full-scale azulejo murals (seriously, look at me to get some perspective on how huge they are), São Bento is an unmissable stop on any Porto itinerary.

It was completed in 1916, made with tiles from the famous Sacavém factory near Lisbon, one of the best factories for ceramics and tilework in all of Europe.

The ‘paintings’ of the train station are composed of around 20,000 tiles, all created between 1905-1916 by the azulejo artist Jorge Colaço.

The paintings represent important moments and battles throughout centuries of Portuguese history, from the 1140 Battle of Valdevez to the conquest of Ceuta (the first Portuguese colony) in 1415 and beyond.

Note: This place can get quite crowded, so watch your belongings! Pickpocketing isn’t as rife in Porto as it is in Lisbon, but you need to be mindful nonetheless.

Walk past the lovely Town Hall

As you cross the main boulevard in Porto, Avenida dos Aliados, you’ll notice the Câmara Municipal (Town Hall) front and center.

Its beautiful structure dates back to 1957 and it’s a symmetry-lovers dream.

While you could certainly go inside (entrance is free), I was feeling rather hungry and just wandered past it on my walk to lunch… which is up next on this Porto itinerary!

Eat delicious Portuguese food at a churrasqueira

I was visiting Porto with my Brazilian boyfriend, and naturally, getting some churrasco (Brazilian BBQ) was on the agenda… seeing as it can be a bit hard to find in Bulgaria, where I was living at the time.

Halfway through a fit of hanger, I was delighted to find a place on Google maps serving up churrasco – or so I thought, as I accidentally led us to a churrasqueira and not a churrascaria. Whoops?

As far as mistakes go, it was a delightful one, because we ended up eating one of the best Portuguese meals of our trip.

I was in love with the bacalhau with chickpeas and potatoes (and a whole boiled egg, because #Portugal), and the BBQ half chicken we got was also fantastic.

If you want traditional Portuguese food that’s not a tourist trap, I highly recommend Churrasqueira Moura Lda.

Just don’t tell your boyfriend you found a Brazilian restaurant.

Visit Harry Potter heaven / Instagram hell at Livraria Lello (or don’t)

I’m a bit conflicted as to whether to include Livraria Lello on my Porto itinerary as I had mixed feelings about this place. I decided to include it just because others probably will want to go.

My two cents? While the bookstore is absolutely beautiful (and you can see why it inspired J.K. Rowling while she was living in Porto), it’s basically a melee of Instagram vultures all angling for ~the shot~.

And unless you visit at the exact opening, you likely won’t get “the shot,” because it’s just so freaking crowded and full of people selfie-ing. Entrance is 5 euros and you have to buy it down the street.

You can use that 5 euros towards buying something, but honestly, I was halfway to an anxiety attack in there because it was so crowded and left without wanting to make a purchase… and everything in there is about 5 euros more than it should be, anyway, so it’s not even a good deal.

So, it’s on this Porto itinerary just because I know so many people feel like they need to see it, but if you have any reservations about it or any crowd-related anxiety or claustrophobia… just skip it, trust me.

Marvel at the azulejos at Igreja do Carmo

Once you’ve survived the Instagram Hunger Games… err, I mean Livraria Lello… head towards the stunning Igreja do Carmo.

While it’s also a popular photo spot, it’s immensely more enjoyable here, probably because you can actually move without getting glared at.

Of all the azulejo-covered church facades, this and Capela das Almas are tied for my favorite, and both are absolutely worth going to.

Ascend the lovely Clérigos Tower

The Clérigos Tower is quite popular amongst travelers and even in March we had to wait about 20 minutes in line to ascend the tower.

I didn’t mind the wait as it meant that it wasn’t too crowded at the top as they did a good job managing the crowds!

The stairwell up to the top viewing platform is extremely narrow, and sometimes there are other people coming down as you’re coming up and vice versa, so it’s definitely not for the claustrophobic.

If you can stomach the stairs and the tight fit, though, the views are entirely worth it.

The museum that you can walk through before climbing Clérigos Tower is rather interesting and I really loved the beautiful rose-pink interior of the attached church you can visit.

Entry to the museum and tower costs 5 euros, but you can buy a combined ticket which includes other Porto sights which may be worth it depending on what you want to see.

Take the bus (or Uber) to the Castelo Do Queijo

For those who speak Portuguese… unfortunately, no, the Castelo do Queijo is not indeed made of cheese.

It is, however, a really interesting fortified structure right on one of Porto’s beautiful (but frigid) Atlantic beaches, so it is well worth a visit.

It’s especially lovely if you can time your visit so that it’s close to sunset as we did… but that’s easier to do in March when we went than in summer when most people visit Porto.

The fort’s current structure dates back to 1661 and entry is just 50 cents! It closes at 5 PM, so we just missed visiting inside it, but it was worth walking around the area and checking out the nearby beaches anyway.

If you have time, you can walk up the beach a bit towards the art installation in the neighborhood of Matasinhos, called anémona by locals for its resemblance to a sea anemone.

The real name of the art piece is She Changes and it was created by Janet Echelman in 2005, in deference to the fishing heritage of Porto and Matasinhos.

You can get here by bus (the #500) which leaves from Praça da Liberdade, and it costs €2 per ride.

Walk down the beach to the Pérgola da Foz for sunset

There’s something amazing about exploring a city all day and getting to watch the sun sink into the ocean’s horizon later that evening.

It’s something I loved about growing up in California, and it’s something not many other cities in the world can boast.

We watched the sunset from Pérgola da Foz and it was the perfect way to say goodbye to the sun on our first day in Porto.

Head back to the center for a delicious Mozambican meal

I’ll forgive you if you want to eat Portuguese food during your entire time in Porto – I mean, it is delicious.

But one of my favorite things about traveling in other cities is getting to understand the demographic makeup of the city and its immigrants by exploring the ethnic food scene.

Portugal is a great place to try obscure African cuisines that are hard to find elsewhere.

This is due to Portugal’s linguistic and historical relationship with its former African colonies that have led many Angolans, Mozambicans, Guineans, and Cape Verdeans to settle in Portugal.

While I’ve tried some African cuisines in New York and California — mostly Ethiopian, Moroccan, and Nigerian — I had never tried Mozambican food before!

I was delighted to get to know it during my recent trip to Porto, and it was really delicious.

If you haven’t tried Mozambican food before and you’re an adventurous eater, you really ought to!

Head to Tia Orlanda, where you can eat delicious curries and stews with a variety of meats and vegetables.

My favorite dish was the curry with beans and mushrooms. However good it sounds, it tasted 100 times better!

If you’re worried about spice, don’t be afraid – the food is relatively mild (this is Europe, after all) and you can add spice to your liking.

Two Day Porto Itinerary, Day 2

Start the day at Igreja do São Francisco

Whereas most of the churches in Porto are known for their azulejo-covered exteriors, the Igreja do São Francisco is not much to look at from the outside.

At first, it appears to be just another Portuguese church. However, the inside of it is spectacular with gold-plated everything.

And when I say everything, I mean everything – an estimated 300 kilos of gold were used for the interior.

In fact, there is so much showiness that it was literally closed for a few years, as it was believed too ornate that it was actually in-your-face for the poverty surrounding the church’s area!

Admission costs €6 and includes entry to the church, museums, and catacombs, which has thousands of human bones you can see through a glass floor.

You can save 25% of the cost of admission if you have a Porto card. Keep in mind that photography is not permitted at all inside the church.

Cruise down the Douro in a traditional port boat

Porto is known for its gorgeous river which bisects Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia (the city on the other side of the river), with six beautiful bridges including the impressive Ponte Luiz I which spans the Douro.

A Douro river cruise through Porto is inexpensive and takes you on a quick 50-minute tour of the Douro, passing Porto’s six bridges, on a traditional boat.

The Douro River is the heart of Northern Portugal’s wine region — going up it would lead you straight to Portugal’s famed Douro Valley wine region.

This tour has departures every 30 minutes between 10 AM and 6:30 PM, so you don’t have to commit to a time in advance.

It’s right by the Igreja do São Francisco, so it’s great to do after you’ve visited the church.

Click here to easily pre-book your ticket!

Check out the Porto Cathedral and its cloisters

You’d be easily forgiven for thinking I’m a religious zealot for how many churches, chapels, and cathedrals I’m having you visit on this Porto itinerary… but really, I’m not trying to convert you to Christianity (far from it), but rather to my azulejo mania.

While so many of the churches in Porto have gorgeous azulejos, my favorite were in the cloisters of the Porto Cathedral.

Entry to the Cathedral itself is free, but the cloisters have a small 3 euro charge which is entirely worth it.

Personally, I preferred the cloisters to the cathedral as the entry fee dissuaded many tourists from entering (I have no idea why, as 3 euros is quite reasonable) and it was really peaceful and beautiful.

While at the Cathedral, be sure to check out the impressive views literally every way you look!

You’ll have a great angle of Porto’s bridges and its sister city on the other side of the Douro, Vila Nova de Gaia, from this vantage point.

Cross Porto’s most famous bridge

From the cathedral, you’re just a short walk from one of Porto’s most famous bridges, the Ponte Luiz I.

It’s a wonderful bridge to walk across as it drops you off at one of the nicest viewpoints in Vila Nova de Gaia.

On a sunny day, I can’t think of any better way to enjoy Porto, as the views are absolutely incredible. Just have a jacket because it can get windy up there!

Relax on the grass, have a coffee, or check out the Mosteiro da Serra do Pilar

After crossing the bridge into the Vila Nova side of the Douro, there’s a large grassy area with lots of benches and a coffee shop with spectacular views.

If your feet are tired or you need a little pick-me-up, this is a great place to pause for a beat and take in some of the best views of Porto’s skyline.

Alternately, you can walk about 10 minutes up to the Mosteiro da Serra, which has an even better view of the bridge.

You can also enter the cloister area for an extra charge. I opted to do this and paid the €3 entry fee, but to be honest, I didn’t feel like it was worth it.

Stroll down to the Market Beira Rio

From the Mosteiro to the Market Beira Rio is about a 20-minute walk.

It’s relatively easy, but if you’re feeling lazy or have limited mobility, you may want to take the gondola.

It is a bit pricy at 6 euros per person (an Uber would literally be cheaper)… but if you want to do it, go for it.

If you’re looking for an interesting place to walk around in Vila Nova before you make your way to the port houses, I recommend the Beira Rio Market.

It’s a good place to get a meal if you want to try a lot of different things!

We strolled through here (though after we had gorged on Brazilian food, so we weren’t hungry) and it looked awesome.

They even had brigadeiros – one of my favorite Brazilian sweets!

If you want to go for Brazilian food, we ate at Restaurante Mineirão nearby, which offered rodízio, which is basically Brazilian BBQ all-you-can-eat style.

You can get a mini rodízio which means they go around once with each kind of BBQed meat (be sure to ask for extra of the picanha, the last meat at the end – it’s incredible!) or just plain rodízio where you can ask for more of anything at the end.

We were happy with the mini, but if you’re a real meat lover, you’ll want the full deal.

I think we paid around 12 euro each for the mini rodízio which included something like 7 types of meat, greens, coleslaw, beans, rice, and other sides. The full rodízio was around 17 euro, if I recall correctly.

End the afternoon with a port wine tour

If you’re at all interested in wine, you really ought to make time for a tour of Porto’s wine houses on the banks of the river, on the Vila Nova de Gaia side of Porto.

I wished I could make time for a visit to the Douro River valley for a proper wine tasting day trip, but I only had 2 days in Porto, so I had to settle for tasting port in the city itself. Luckily, it was pretty delicious!

You can either do a self-guided port wine tour if you have specific wineries you’re interested in, or if you’re clueless when it comes to port you can check out a guided port houses tour.

I’m a wine geek with a fixation on port, so I wanted to cater my own experience. I went to Quinta do Noval because it’s one of my favorite port producers and I wanted to really cater my own experience.

I did a flight tasting of 5 wines, plus a 20-year-old tawny port, for around 25 euros, then added on about 15 euros of additional tastes that I was interested in (a colheira and two white ports).

Our host at Quinta do Noval was great at explaining the wines to me and their characteristics, and I loved the personalized 1-on-1 experience.

If you’re really interested in port and have previous experience, I recommend picking your own port houses that you love and visiting independently as you get a more individualized experience.

However, if I was a novice to port wine, I think I would have benefited more from a proper tour and tasting, explaining the process of how port is created and stored and what all the different kinds of port are.

This port house tour is inexpensive and covers quite a bit in three hours.

It is actually cheaper than my DIY option, as I spent over 50 euros on tasting at one quinta… but I have pretty expensive taste when it comes to port and wanted to sample some older vintages that I don’t usually have access to.

On this tour, you’ll get to see one of the largest and oldest port houses in Porto and sample three distinct kinds of port.

Afterward, you’ll check out two traditional wine houses, try some dry wines from the Douro Valley, including one of Portugal’s best wines – a vinho verde, alongside some cheeses and meats.

It’s a great option that provides great value for money, so if you decide to do the tour, leave your afternoon free as it begins at 4 PM.

Check out reviews, prices, and availability of the tour here.

Sop it all up with a francesinha

The most famous sandwich of Porto, a francesinha is a must-eat once in your life.

Literally, probably better off just once, as this is probably the most artery-clogging sandwich known to man.

A francesinha is basically a grilled cheese meets a trio of sausage, ham, and steak, meets a heavy tomato-beer sauce on top.

If that’s not enough calories, you can opt for it with an egg on top and fries to really bust your belly.

We ate at Lado B (B-Side), as my boyfriend’s best friend who we were visiting doesn’t eat meat, and they have a vegetarian option that she likes.

My francescinha was delicious…. but I literally never need to eat one again, as I think it took 3 months off my life in a single sandwich.

Worth it? I’ll let you know at the end of my life.

More Than 2 Days in Porto?

Time for a day trip from Porto, then!

The obvious answer if you’re a wine drinker is to take a Douro River cruise and wine tasting tour.

This tour includes a coffee stop at Peso da Régua, transit to the Douro Valley where you can enjoy two vineyards (quintas) and delicious wine tastings full of delicious port and other Portuguese wines.

You’ll also get to enjoy a lunch at a local restaurant in the Douro Valley, where you can eat your choice of fish, meat, or vegetarian.

After that, you’ll then be taking a boat cruise from Pinhão (after stopping at the beautiful azulejo-covered railway station there), with one final photo stop in scenic Sabrosa on your way back to Porto.

Book your Douro River Cruise & Tour here!

If you’re not a wine drinker, then I would suggest this historical and cultural tour of Braga and Guimarães, two beautiful Northern Portuguese small towns with some of the most beautiful churches in the country.

Guimarães is considered to the the “birthplace of Portugal” as it was home to the first-ever king of Portugal. There’s a beautiful medieval castle there, and the entire city center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Braga is another gem, rich with history with its cathedrals, historical city centers, and sanctuaries. The Bom Jesus do Monte sanctuary is especially stunning and makes for some unforgettable photos!

Book your Braga and Guimarães tour here!

Allison Green

Allison Green is a former teacher who has been travel blogging since 2016. She has a Masters in Teaching and a B.A. in English and Creative Writing. Her blog posts merge her background as an educator with her experience traveling to 70+ countries to encourage ethical, meaningful travel. She has been a speaker at the World Travel Writers Conference and her writing, photography, and podcasting work has appeared in National Geographic, CNN Arabic, CBC Canada, and Forbes, amongst others. Now a full-time traveler, she has lived in Prague, Sofia, New York City, and the San Francisco Bay Area.

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