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Amazing things to do in Porto City!
Porto is the second largest city in Portugal, and it has a lot of charm! It’s located along the banks of the Douro River, and the Atlantic Ocean is just around the corner.
You have Porto on one side of the river and Vila Nova de Gaia on the other side. Porto is famous for its Port wine, but there is a lot more to see and do. Let’s discover the best things to do in Porto.
Is this your first time visiting Portugal? Get all the information you need in our Portugal Travel Guide, including what to pack, the best time of year to go, getting there, and practical tips to help you have the best trip!
Take a Boat Tour on the Douro River
The first thing you will notice when you arrive in Porto is the many bridges and the river flowing through the city! The Douro River starts in Spain and zigzags across the Douro Valley in Portugal all the way to Porto, where it flows into the Atlantic Ocean. To see the city from the water, you can join a Porto boat tour; we recommend this excellent six bridges tour.
Thanks to the commentary, you will learn more about Porto and the bridges you sail underneath. The most famous one is Ponte Dom Luis I, which you should cross at least once on foot, too! It was designed by Téophile Seyrig, who used to work with Gustave Eiffel. You might spot some similarities with the Eiffel Tower!
You can step on board a traditional Rabelo boat. These were used to bring the Port wine barrels from the Douro Valley to Vila Nova de Gaia, on the other side of the riverbank. Another tip is to book a sailing tour during sunset. You won’t pass the bridges, but instead, you sail out towards the Atlantic Ocean to see a stunning sunset along the Portuguese coast.
Explore Ribeira
Ribeira is the old town in Porto, located right next to the Douro River. It’s a lovely area to stroll along the water and watch the day go by. The neighborhood is even listed on the UNESCO World Heritage list, and it’s the most picturesque area in the city!
Along the riverside promenade, you will see many colorful houses with balconies. At the street level, there are many restaurants and establishments where people can enjoy a drink. The area around the Largo do Terreiro is bustling with tourists and locals alike. From the riverfront, you have a fabulous view over Vila Nova de Gaia and the Dom Luis I Bridge.
Whether you come here during the day or night, the vibrant neighborhood should definitely be on your Porto itinerary. If you want to know more about Porto’s history, booking this highly-rated guided walking tour is a great idea. Every street has a story to tell, and you’ll spot many unique plaques and houses that most people pass.
Join a Port Tasting Experience
Port is famous for its Port wines, and from Ribeira, you have a fantastic view of the Port wine cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia. So, it’s time to cross the Dom Luis I bridge! When you cross the bridge on the lower level, you will be surrounded by restaurants and the first Port houses. When you take the upper level, you can enjoy a ride in the cable car for a stunning view over Porto!
There are many Port wine houses to choose from. They all offer a similar experience, and most offer a tour and a tasting. Cálem, Taylor’s, Cockburn’s, and Graham’s are some of the most famous. But you can also enjoy a tasting at Ferreira, which is the only Port house that has always been in Portuguese hands! You will learn the differences between the Port wines, how they are made, and how they age.
If you can’t get enough of the Port wine, joining this recommended day trip to the Douro Valley is a great idea. It’s the most famous day trip from Porto, and you will visit one or two vineyards. After lunch, you can enjoy a boat ride on the River Douro, which is surrounded by vineyards. You can also reach Douro Valley by train or car. This option is perfect if you want to stay a few nights!
Try a Francesinha
The Portuguese kitchen is pretty famous, and you will most likely try bacalhau (salt cod), sardines, and pork during your trip to Portugal. But in Porto, you can try something extra special: the Francesinha.
A Francesinha is like a steak sandwich. It’s made with several layers of bread, steak, ham, and melted cheese. It’s served with a fried egg on top and drenched with moho de Francesinha, a special sauce. It’s often served with fries and goes well with a local beer!
It’s a pretty heavy meal, so you might want to share it! But there are some great restaurants where you can try your first Francesinha. Café Santiago is a very local spot to enjoy your meal! Casa Guedes serves a few different styles of Francesinha and other Portuguese dishes. Brasão is another recommendation, but you will most likely require a reservation.
Visit the São Francisco Church
The São Francisco Church is one of the most beautiful churches in Porto. Although the outside is pretty somber, the interior is stunning! It’s often referred to as the Golden Church, and once you’re inside, it’s easy to see why! Besides the many golden decorations, you’ll spot gilded woodwork, several chapels, and beautiful altarpieces.
The church also has several retables with so much detail! Examples are the Retable of the Tree of Jesse and the Retable of Nossa Senhora da Rosa. If you’re into religious artwork, joining a guided tour is very interesting! Take a look at the chapels, too, before continuing to the other buildings.
After seeing the main São Francisco Church, you will enter the museum, which contains paintings and religious artifacts. The last area you can visit is the catacombs. The underground cemetery contains many graves, and you can see the bones of the Franciscan monks.
Explore Bolsa Palace
The next Porto highlight is just around the corner from São Francisco Church. Bolsa Palace is the Stock Exchange Palace in Porto, and the building is still operational. You have to make a reservation for a guided tour of the palace, but it’s more than worth it!
Inside, you first admire the Nations’ Courtyard, a huge hall with 20 coats of arms and a glass dome. The architecture is amazing! You’ll then follow the Noble Staircase to the next floor, where you can visit several important rooms. Examples are the Commercial Court Room, the Golden Room, and the President’s Room.
But the last room you’ll visit will really take your breath away! The Arab Room was built in the Moorish Revival style, and it is one big decoration by itself! 18 kilos of gold were used to decorate it, and the designs are fantastic to see!
Check Out the Viewpoints
The hills in Porto might be challenging at times for walking, but when you reach the top, you’ll be rewarded with beautiful views! One of the most famous ones is Jardim do Morro on the Vila Nova de Gaia side of the river. It is THE place to see the sun go down! And, of course, the view from the Dom Luis I Bridge is also phenomenal!
When you visit Porto Cathedral, you’ll see another amazing viewpoint. Or walk a little further down towards the riverfront in Ribeira and discover Miradouro da Rua das Aldas. On the other side of the hill, you can enjoy the view from Miradouro da Vitória. There is often a street artist playing tunes, and it is a lovely spot to soak up the views.
Most viewpoints are free, but the highest lookout is inside the Clérigos Tower. You can visit the church and tower, and with clear weather, you can see the Atlantic Ocean! Porto also has many rooftop bars, the perfect spot to end your day with a drink in your hand. Or book a room with a view to enjoy this beautiful city 24/7!
Other Portugal Travel Ideas
How to Get Around in Porto
Porto is a relatively small city, and renting a car is unnecessary. The city is very walkable, but also very hilly in places! If your next sight is uphill or a little further, you can take public transportation or a taxi. Uber and Bolt are the cheapest taxi services in Porto.
From Porto Airport
Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport, or Porto Airport, is located on the north side of the city. The easiest way to get to Porto city center is by metro. The purple Line E runs every 20 or 30 minutes, and you reach Trinidade Station in about 25 minutes. You can then switch metro lines if needed. You can also take bus 120 to the city, and there are plenty of taxis.
Public Transport
In Porto, you can take the bus, metro, or tram to your next destination. The metro has six lines, and the stations are pretty well connected. Porto also has old trams, and many tourists ride them for a unique experience.
The bus is perfect for places you can’t easily reach by metro and tram. You can buy a day ticket or the Porto Card, which also provides discounts and free entrance to several monuments and museums.
Excursions in Porto
If you want to see a lot in Porto but are strapped for time, a Porto tuk-tuk tour is an amazing way to go. The guides are very knowledgeable and can tell you many stories about the city! It’s a fun and easy way to tackle the hills, too!
The Porto hop-on hop-off bus is also very convenient. It stops at all major sights, and the commentary is available in several languages. If you prefer an active day in Porto, you can join a walking tour or bicycle excursion. Most bike tours use electric bikes, so you won’t break a sweat!
Make sure you have travel insurance you can trust when visiting Portugal. We recommend True Traveller for their 5-star TrustPilot reviews, variety of cover options, best activities cover as standard, great prices, and excellent service.
Conclusion
Porto is a stunning city and a must-see city when visiting Portugal. You can see many places in a day, but ideally, you have at least three days to explore the sights. There are also many options for a day trip nearby, such as Aveiro, Braga, and the Douro Valley.
Try a Francesinha or taste the wonderful flavors of the local Port wine. You can even enjoy a day at the beach! Porto has many monuments worth visiting, such as the Cathedral in Porto, Bolsa Palace, and São Francisco Church. Remember to just wander around and discover the many azulejo tiles, viewpoints, and parks. You’ll have a great time in the city, I’m sure!
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