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🇵🇹 Porto was the starting point of our 2 Weeks in Portugal. We spent three nights here before heading south to Lisbon, and these three days were among the best of the entire trip.
Porto is the kind of city that rewards a slow pace. The Ribeira waterfront, the port wine cellars of Gaia, the extraordinary bookshop of Livraria Lello — these are unmissable. But the real Porto reveals itself in quieter moments: a pastel de nata at a marble counter in Cedofeita, the view from a miradouro as the sun drops over the Douro, a plate of bacalhau in a restaurant where the owner knows every regular by name.
Three days is the perfect amount of time. Here is exactly how we spent ours.
Where to Stay in Porto for 3 Days
We stayed in a GuestReady apartment in the Bonfim neighbourhood — an excellent base that put us within 15 minutes' walk of all the main attractions while keeping us away from the tourist crowds of the Ribeira. GuestReady manages beautifully designed short-stay apartments across Porto and Lisbon; it was the best accommodation decision we made on the entire trip.
Alternatively, Booking.com has an excellent range of options from boutique hotels in the old town to guesthouses in Cedofeita — filter by "Old Town" or "Ribeira" for the most central location.
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If you are visiting many museums and using public transport, read our Porto City Card Review to see if the card saves you money.
Day 1: The Heart of Porto — Ribeira, Gaia, and the Bridge
Morning
Start at São Bento Railway Station — even if you are not catching a train. The entrance hall is entirely covered in 20,000 blue and white azulejo tiles depicting scenes from Portuguese history. It is one of the greatest pieces of public art in Europe and costs nothing to see.
Walk up Rua das Flores — Porto's most beautiful pedestrianised street, lined with azulejo-fronted buildings and artisan shops. Stop at Confeitaria do Bolhão for a pastel de nata and bica (espresso).
Continue to Livraria Lello — one of the world's most beautiful bookshops. Buy your ticket online to skip the queue; the entry fee is redeemable against a book purchase.
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Afternoon
Head down to the Ribeira waterfront and walk the riverbank. Order white port or a fino at one of the riverside esplanadas. Soak it in — this is one of Europe's most beautiful urban waterfronts.
Cross the Dom Luís I Bridge (upper deck) to Vila Nova de Gaia and visit the port wine cellars. We visited Graham's Port, which has one of the best cellars and tasting rooms. Book in advance.
Return across the bridge (lower deck this time) and walk up through Ribeira to the Sé Cathedral. The Romanesque cloisters with azulejo panels are stunning; the views from the terrace over the old city even more so.
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Evening
Head to Palácio da Bolsa for a guided tour at dusk — the Arab Room alone is worth the entry price. Then dinner in the Ribeira neighbourhood. Try the Francesinha — Porto's legendary sandwich of meats, cheese, and spicy beer sauce — at Café Santiago or Bufete Fase.
Day 2: Art, Markets, and a Miradouro Sunset
Morning
Start at Mercado do Bolhão — Porto's beautifully restored covered market. Explore the stalls of fresh produce, local cheese, presunto (cured ham), and flowers. Have breakfast at one of the market cafés.
Walk up to the Clérigos Tower and climb the 240 steps for panoramic views over the city.
Book: Clérigos Tower Entry
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Then explore the Bonfim neighbourhood (if you are staying here as we were, this is your daily backdrop): street art, azulejo-covered chapels, independent coffee shops, and the Cemitério de Agramonte — one of the most beautiful cemeteries in Portugal.
Afternoon
Spend the afternoon at the Serralves Museum and Contemporary Art Foundation — 18 hectares of art deco gardens, the pink Serralves Villa, and an excellent contemporary art museum by architect Álvaro Siza Vieira.
From Serralves, walk or take a cab down to Foz do Douro — where the river meets the Atlantic. Have a late-afternoon beer at one of the ocean-facing bars.
Evening
Take tram Line 1 back from Foz towards the Ribeira, getting off at the Miradouro da Vitória for sunset. Then dinner in the Cedofeita neighbourhood — try DOP (by chef Rui Paula) or the more casual Taberna dos Mercadores.
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Day 3: Douro Valley Day Trip
Full Day
The Douro Valley is the unmissable day trip from Porto and deserves a full day.
The most scenic way is the historic train along the Douro river — the line from Porto Campanhã to Pinhão (2 hours 30 minutes) is one of the most beautiful train journeys in Europe, clinging to the hillside above the river.
Alternatively, join a guided tour that combines a train or coach journey with a river boat cruise and wine tasting at a quinta.
Also on Tiqets: Douro Valley Day Tour from Porto
What to do in Pinhão:
- Walk along the riverfront and admire the famous azulejo-covered station
- Visit a quinta for wine tasting and lunch
- Take a short boat cruise up the river
Return to Porto by train in the late afternoon/early evening, arriving back in time for a final dinner in the old town.
Getting from Porto to Lisbon
On day 4 of our trip, we headed south to Lisbon. The Alfa Pendular train runs 6+ times daily from Porto Campanhã to Lisbon Oriente — takes 2 hours 45 minutes, costs €25–35 booked in advance. See our Porto to Lisbon guide for the complete transport breakdown.
Porto 3-Day Itinerary: Quick Reference
| Day | Morning | Afternoon | Evening |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | São Bento, Lello, Rua das Flores | Ribeira, Gaia wine cellars | Sé Cathedral, Francesinha dinner |
| 2 | Bolhão Market, Clérigos Tower | Serralves, Foz do Douro | Miradouro sunset, Cedofeita dinner |
| 3 | Douro Valley day trip | Wine tasting at quinta | Boat cruise, return to Porto |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 3 days enough for Porto? Three days is a genuinely satisfying amount of time. You will not see everything, but you will see the best of it — and you will leave with a real sense of having understood the city.
What is the best neighbourhood to stay in Porto? Ribeira for atmosphere (and noise), Cedofeita for hipster cool, Bonfim for local feel (our choice). All are within easy walking distance of the main sights.
Do I need to book Porto attractions in advance? Yes for Livraria Lello (always), and advisable for Serralves, the wine cellar tours, and the Douro Valley day trip in summer.
When is the best time to visit Porto? April–June is perfect — warm, dry, and before the summer crowds arrive. September–October is also excellent.
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