Porto is a city of rich history and distinct character, making it a memorable holiday destination. It offers a wealth of sights, from the grand Port cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia to the charming, maze-like streets of the Ribeira district.

For a first-time visitor, two full days is the ideal amount of time to spend in Porto. This allows you to explore all of the main attractions, tour a Port cellar, and soak up the city’s unique atmosphere without feeling rushed. A third day provides the opportunity for a more in-depth visit, allowing you to discover Porto’s excellent museums or take a popular day trip to a nearby historic town.

Porto also serves as a gateway to a region of beautiful towns, the stunning Douro Valley, and the wild coastline of the Costa Verde. This variety means your trip could easily be extended to a week or more, using the city as a base to discover all that northern Portugal has to offer.

This guide will help you decide on the perfect trip length for your interests. It provides suggested itineraries for different timeframes, from a short city break to a longer regional tour, helping you get the most from your time in this fantastic part of Portugal.

 

 

If you are new to Porto, we recommend dedicating two full days to exploring the city. This is the perfect amount of time to see all the main sights and experience its different districts.

A suggested two-day itinerary for new visitors to Porto could be:
• Day 1: Explore the historic heart of Porto, including the Sé, Baixa, and Ribeira districts. Highlights include the beautiful tile-covered exterior of the Igreja do Carmo, the Gothic Sé cathedral, the wonderful Livraria Lello bookshop, and climbing the Torre dos Clérigos for panoramic views. The day could also include a relaxing boat tour along the Douro River, passing under the city's six famous bridges.

• Day 2: Cross the magnificent Ponte Luís I bridge to Vila Nova de Gaia, the city on the southern bank of the Douro. This is home to all of the major Port cellars, where you can join a tasting tour to learn about the fortified wine. Afterwards, you could ride the cable car for fantastic views or explore the pretty Foz district, which sits at the mouth of the Douro River.

For evening entertainment, the Ribeira district has a sociable atmosphere with a great choice of restaurants overlooking the river. For late-night bars, head to the streets around the Rua Galeria de Paris, close to the university.

An interactive map for your two days in Porto is shown below. Day one is highlighted in green and day two in yellow. (Note: zoom in or out to see all of the points)

Day one: 1) São Bento train station 2) Torre dos Clérigos 3) Igreja do Carmo 4) Avenida dos Aliados plaza 5) Sé cathedral 6) Ribeira district 7) Igreja de São Francisco 8) Palácio da Bolsa 9) Rua das Flores (shopping street)
Day two: 10) Ponte Luís I bridge 11) Cálem (Port cellar) 12) Sandeman (Port cellar) 13) Ferreira (Port cellar) 14) Foz district

The water front of Vila Nova de Gaia

Accommodation in Porto is in high demand during the peak season, especially over the weekends. We recommend booking your accommodation as early as possible to secure the best locations and prices.

The map below shows the location of hotels and rental rooms in Porto. By changing the dates to suit your trip, the map will display current prices and availability.

Booking.com

A three-day stay allows you to venture beyond the city limits and discover the remarkable destinations of northern Portugal. While there are many options, three day trips stand out for their unique appeal and ease of access from Porto. All are highly recommended, so the best choice depends on your interests.

Option 1: Guimarães – The Birthplace of Portugal
Guimarães is a delightful city filled with character and Portuguese charm, making it a fantastic choice for a day trip. Often referred to as the cradle of the nation, this is where Portugal’s first king was born and the country's identity was forged. Its exceptionally well-preserved historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage site, a wonderful area of medieval streets, pretty squares, and traditional houses to explore.

Key sights include the formidable 10th-century Guimarães Castle, which sits proudly on a hill overlooking the town, and the grand Palace of the Dukes of Braganza, a magnificent 15th-century noble residence. A trip to Guimarães feels like stepping back in time, offering a memorable experience of historic Portugal. It is easily reached by a direct train from Porto’s São Bento station.

Option 2: Braga – Portugal's Religious Heart
Braga is known as the religious capital of Portugal, a vibrant city that is home to the country's oldest cathedral. While the city centre is lively with shops, university students, and beautiful baroque architecture, the main attraction lies just outside the city.

The Bom Jesus do Monte is one of northern Portugal's most incredible monuments. This pilgrimage site features a spectacular 116-metre-high baroque staircase that zigzags up the hillside, representing the path to salvation. Whether you climb the steps or ride the 19th-century water-powered funicular, the views from the church at the top are outstanding. Braga offers a fantastic combination of urban energy and monumental religious heritage, and it is also a short train ride from Porto.

Option 3: The Douro Valley – A Scenic Wine Region
For a day of breathtaking natural beauty, a trip into the Douro Valley is an unforgettable experience. This world-famous wine region, also a UNESCO World Heritage site, is where the grapes for Port wine are grown. The landscape is stunning, with steep terraced vineyards carved into the hillsides that plunge down to the winding Douro River.

There are two excellent ways to experience the valley:
• By Train: The Linha do Douro is one of Europe's most scenic railway lines. The train journey from Porto follows the river's path, offering incredible views right from your window. You can get off in a riverside town like Pinhão to admire the tile-covered station and visit a local quinta (wine estate).
• By River Cruise: For a more relaxed experience, full-day river cruises depart from Porto. These organised tours glide you up the river, usually including lunch on board and a guided tour and tasting at a wine estate. This is a hassle-free way to soak in the magnificent scenery from the water.

Pinhão

If you visit Porto during the summer (June to mid-September), you could include a visit to one of the beautiful beaches of the Costa Verde coastline. This region is known for its vast stretches of golden sand, powerful Atlantic waves and dramatic scenery. It is worth noting that the sea is fed by the Atlantic Ocean, so the water temperature remains surprisingly chilly, even on the hottest of summer days.

The largest and most popular beach is at Matosinhos, a modern town with a large port that is easily accessible by metro. For prettier beach towns, consider Vila do Conde, Povoa de Varzim, or Espinho. All of these towns are on train lines that depart from Porto.
Related articles: Porto beach guide

Matosinhos

With a full week, Porto transforms from a city break destination into a fantastic base for exploring the rich diversity of northern Portugal. This suggested itinerary balances time in the city with some of the region's most popular day trips, offering a comprehensive and enjoyable holiday experience.
• Day 1: Porto (historic centre)
• Day 2: Porto (Vila Nova de Gaia)
• Day 3: Day trip to Guimarães
• Day 4: Day trip to the Douro Valley (by train, river cruise or organised tour)
• Day 5: Day trip to Braga
• Day 6: Day trip to Aveiro
• Day 7: Beach day at Matosinhos or Vila do Conde

Note: All of these day trips are possible using Porto’s excellent public transport, so there is no need for a car.

For this itinerary, we've suggested a day trip to Aveiro, a charming town known for its network of canals, colourful moliceiro boats, and beautiful Art Nouveau architecture. It offers a very different atmosphere from the historic cities of Braga and Guimarães and makes for a relaxing and picturesque day out

The historic centre of Guimarães

You can still experience the best of Porto even if you only have a single day, whether you're visiting on a cruise, a flight stopover, or as part of a larger tour. It will be a busy day of sightseeing, but a highly rewarding one.

A great approach is to spend the morning exploring the historic heart of the city and the afternoon in Vila Nova de Gaia, home of the Port cellars.

A suggested route would be to start at the magnificent São Bento train station to admire its famous tile murals. From there, it's a short walk to see the iconic Torre dos Clérigos before meandering down the charming streets to the bustling Ribeira waterfront.

In the afternoon, walk across the upper level of the impressive Ponte Luís I bridge for the best panoramic views of the city. On the other side, you'll be in Vila Nova de Gaia, where you can conclude your day with a tour and tasting at one of the famous Port cellars.

The weather is an important consideration for any trip to Porto. The best time to visit is during the long, warm summer season, which runs from May to September. During these months, you can expect pleasant, sunny weather that is ideal for sightseeing and exploring the region.

Outside of this peak season, the weather can be unpredictable. Winters in Porto are known for being very wet, and this rainy season often extends until the end of April. If you are planning a trip between October and April, it can be wise to wait for a reliable weather forecast before booking accommodation and flights. The reward for this flexibility can be a much quieter city and some fantastic off-season deals.