If you’re dreaming of sipping port wine by the river and getting lost in narrow, colorful streets, welcome to Porto. Portugal’s second-largest city is completely underrated (in the best way). I loved Porto so much I actually started looking up rental prices! If you’re planning your itinerary, keep reading for all the best things to do in Porto, including must-visit spots, hidden gems, and some very important pastel de nata breaks.
Whether you’re coming for a weekend or a full week, this guide will help you fall in love with Porto the second you arrive.
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Quick Picks for Porto
If you’re short on time, these are some of the top tours and experiences I’d recommend booking.
Save this if you’re skimming!
- Best viewpoint: Miradouro da Vitória (peaceful, panoramic, and way less crowded than others).
- Must-see landmarks: Capela das Almas, Palácio da Bolsa, Sé Cathedral.
- Food you need to get: Grab a warm pastel de nata at Manteigaria. And try a Francesinha.
- Iconic experience: Cruise down the Douro River at sunset.
- Top day trip: A wine tour through the Douro Valley. It is such a unique experience, and the views of the valley and the river are unreal
- Souvenir to get: Hand-painted ceramics or vintage-style tinned sardines.
How to Get to Porto
Porto is well-connected and surprisingly easy to reach, whether you’re flying in or already bopping around Europe.
If you’re coming from abroad, fly into Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport (OPO), it’s small, efficient, and just 20 minutes from the city center by metro. From Lisbon, you can take a direct train from Santa Apolónia or Oriente stations (around 3 hours) with gorgeous views of the countryside.
You can also rent a car if you’re planning to explore nearby towns like Guimarães or the Douro Valley, but you won’t need one to explore Porto itself.
We decided to visit Porto after visiting Santiago de Compostela, located in Spain. So, we had to take a bus since there were no direct trains. It was around 3 hours, and we had a seamless experience.
Our next stop was Lisbon, and I wrote a full guide with over 40 things to do in Lisbon, including the most well-known attractions to hidden gems we came across.
Where to Stay in Porto
Porto is super walkable, and every neighborhood has its own vibe; some are right in the middle of the action, while others are quieter. Here’s a quick breakdown to help you choose where to stay.
Ribeira
This is the neighborhood bordering the river, filled with colorful buildings, cobblestone streets, and wine bars everywhere you turn. It’s touristy, yes, but it is also very beautiful and also more expensive.
- Best for: first-timers
- Hotel picks:
- The Editory House Ribeira: cozy, design-forward hotel in the heart of Ribeira, super central and walkable.
- Hotel Carris Porto Ribeira: stylish hotel in a prime riverfront location with modern rooms tucked inside a beautifully restored historic building.
- Pestana Vintage Porto Hotel: gorgeous 5-star hotel right on the riverfront, if you want classic vibes and a postcard view, this is it.
Baixa
This is downtown Porto, and the easiest area to explore on foot. It’s packed with landmarks, restaurants, and nightlife, so if you want to be in the middle of everything, this is your spot.
- Best for: those who want to stay in the middle of everything.
- Hotel picks:
- Room Select Porto: modern, stylish, and super central. Great option if you want cute rooms and walkability without breaking the bank.
- Wine & Books Porto Hotel: A luxe boutique hotel near the cathedral with pretty interiors, a spa, and an on-site wine bar (yes, please).
- Maison Albar – Le Monumental Palace: If you’re going all out, this 5-star stunner brings Paris-level elegance to Porto, think marble bathrooms, velvet everything, and Michelin-level dining.
Cedofeita
More modern and way less crowded, Cedofeita feels more local. You’ll find galleries, shops, and brunch spots where everyone’s actually Portuguese. A great place to stay if you want to feel like you live here.
We stayed in this neighborhood, more on our experience below.
- Best for: those looking for a more local experience.
- Hotel picks:
- HF Fénix Porto: Bright, spacious rooms and a modern vibe, great pick if you want to be close to shops and galleries without the downtown chaos.
- Crowne Plaza Porto by IHG: This is where we stayed! Comfy, polished, and in a more local part of the city. The staff was super friendly, and the breakfast spread was so good.
- Palacete Severo: A gorgeous boutique stay in a restored palace, seriously stunning interiors, and luxe details. Total splurge, total dream.
Where We Stayed + Why
We didn’t book things far in advance, and in an American fashion, we like AC. These two are important things to note.
The hotels downtown and in the Ribeira were too expensive (since we waited too long to book), and a lot of them were old buildings, which tend to be small, and some don’t have AC. We read that taxis to and from the city center were relatively cheap (around 5 euro), so we decided to stay on the outside of the city center.
We stayed at the Crowne Plaza Porto, which was spacious, had AC, was super comfy, and the breakfast was really great! Truly a five-star hotel experience.
Tips for Visiting Porto
Here are a few things I wish someone had told me before arriving:
- Wear comfy shoes: The cobblestone hills are no joke. I cannot imagine walking all day around Porto in sandals, I think I’d have definitely fallen once or twice. So, pack at least one pair of sneakers. I absolutely love the on the roger sneakers from on cloud, they are cute and super comfortable.
- Book Livraria Lello in advance: Or go right when it opens to avoid lines. We didn’t get to go because of the big lines!
- Dinner starts late: Locals eat around 8-9 PM. If you show up at 6, the place might be empty.
- Cash is helpful: Most places take cards and Apple Pay, but the occasional café or bakery might be cash-only.
- The beach is 40 minutes away from the city centre: So, if you’d like to go to the beach while in Porto, it will be a day trip. You can get there easily by bus or taking a taxi. There are some beach clubs and plenty of restaurants around the area. Just keep in mind it will be most likely a day trip because it isn’t as close.
- Use Bolt instead of Uber to order taxis: It is significantly cheaper, just keep in mind you might have to wait a little bit longer.
Best Things to Do in Porto
Let’s get into the good stuff. These are the things you absolutely can’t miss while in Porto, including what I did and things that are still in my bucket list.
Wander Through Ribeira
This is the riverside neighborhood you’ve probably seen all over Pinterest. Colorful houses stacked on a hillside, laundry hanging from balconies, restaurants along the riverwalk… it’s magical. Come here in the late afternoon and grab a seat at a café by the water, order a glass of vinho verde and just people-watch.
It truly is so pretty and magical, I absolutely loved it. I recommend exploring all the little streets and alleys you’ll find in Ribeira.
Ride the Funicular dos Guindais
This little funicular is adorable, and honestly, you’ll get the best views. It takes you from Ribeira up to Batalha (the upper part of the center) in under 2 minutes, saving your calves from the steepest climb.
Visit Livraria Lello
If you’re a book lover (or a Harry Potter fan), this is a must. It’s often called one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world, and it lives up to the hype. You’ll find a stained glass ceiling and a spiraling wooden staircase.
You do have to pay a fee to enter, I believe it is around 10 euros, but it counts as credit you can use towards purchasing a book.
👉 Pro tip: Go first thing in the morning to avoid the massive crowds, and don’t forget you need to book a time slot online.
Try a Francesinha
Francesinha is a sandwich, and it is not for the faint of heart. It contains layers of steak, ham, and sausage between thick slices of bread, drenched in melted cheese and spicy tomato-beer sauce, with a fried egg on top. Café Santiago and Brasão are local favorites.
This is the first thing we did as soon as we got to Porto. We went to Brasão and also got to try other things like a Rissol de carne, which is like a croquette with meat, and croquetes de bacalhau, which we absolutely loved! I recommend getting a few appetizers.
To be completely honest, we didn’t like the Francesinha. But we love trying typical foods, so we had to try! Portugal has incredible seafood! We tried many different dishes and loved them, I highly recommend shrimp or Bacalhau à Brás, seafood rice, bacalhau croquettes, and sardines.
Watch the Sunset at Jardim do Morro
This park is directly across the river from Ribeira and has one of the best sunset views in the city. Locals come here with drinks and snacks, musicians often play live music, and the golden light on the tiled rooftops is just breathtaking.
You can also climb down and eat at one of the restaurants along the river walk. We recommend Tempero d’Maria, we dined there twice, and the fish was incredible!
Take a Cruise Down the Douro River
One of the best ways to see Porto is from the water. There are 1-hour boat rides that pass under the six bridges of Porto, or you can splurge on a full-day Douro Valley tour with wine tastings and lunch. If you have the time, do both.
Explore the São Bento Train Station
Even if you’re not catching a train, stop by São Bento station just to see the stunning azulejo tile murals. Over 20,000 blue-and-white tiles cover the walls, depicting scenes from Portuguese history. Definitely worth stopping by, as you’ll likely be walking past it to see some of the most popular attractions.
Visit the Capela das Almas
You absolutely have to visit the Capela das Almas. It is fully covered in azulejos and you will love it! You don’t need much time here, but it’s 100% worth stopping for a photo (or ten). Feel free to enter to find some more azulejos, it is simply a very unique and beautiful church.
Go for a Stroll at Parque da Cidade
Need a break from city streets? Porto’s Parque da Cidade is huge, peaceful, and perfect for a morning walk or picnic. It even connects to the beach if you keep walking west. If you’re traveling with kids or just want some fresh air, this is the spot.
Do a Wine Tour in the Douro Valley
If you have an extra day, this is worth it. Rolling hills covered in vineyards, river views, and wine tastings at quintas (wineries).
It is totally worth it, and it will definitely be a completely different experience from any other winery tour you have done before! I did two wine tours in Florence, Italy, and the Duoro Valley tour was just a completely unique experience.
We booked a Douro Valley tour through GetYourGuide and had an amazing experience. Our tour stopped in small villages for coffee and to take photos, we also had a 1-hour boat tour to see the valley from the water, and visited two wineries. It also included lunch and wine tastings, of course.
Visit Mercado do Bolhão
For a dose of real local flavor, visit this fresh market. It’s full of stalls selling produce, meats, cheese, pastries, and wine. It is the perfect place to sample different foods, like cod chips, tarts with fresh salmon, cod croquettes, pastel de nata or other typical pastries.
I recommend grabbing breakfast here. You can browse all the stalls and get a few new things to try!
Visit the Palácio da Bolsa
This former stock exchange doesn’t sound glamorous, but just wait until you see the Arab Room, it’s absolutely stunning. The whole building is packed with details, frescoes, and chandeliers. Book a guided tour (they’re required) and get a little taste of 19th-century opulence.
👉 Pro tip: You don’t need to buy the tickets in advance; we purchased them in the afternoon, and there was barely a line. Stop by when it fits into your schedule. The tours are also only 30 minutes long and the tour guide doesn’t let you linger for long.
To be completely transparent, we didn’t have the best experience. The tour felt too rushed, and our tour guide’s English was hard to understand, even though we specifically booked the tour in English so could learn about Portuguese history. But, it was all worth it because of the Arab Room, it’s honestly jaw-dropping.
Walk Along the Dom Luís I Bridge (Both Levels)
Most people cross on the top level, but the lower level is just as cool. We did both, and I recommend you do the same. Definitely go either at sunrise or sunset, you’ll get the best views and photos. I’ll never forget the view, it is breathtaking.
If you’re visiting Porto soon, you’ll love my upcoming guides to Lisbon and Madrid. Join below so you don’t miss them!
Try the Famous Pastel de Nata
No trip to Porto is complete without trying a pastel de nata—a flaky, custardy, golden little tart that will ruin all other pastries for you. I think I ate around 10 of those during my time in Portugal. There are bakeries everywhere, but Manteigaria is the spot. You’ll know it by the smell and the little bell they ring every time a new batch comes out of the oven. Get it warm, sprinkle on some cinnamon, and enjoy it.
Catch the View from Miradouro da Vitória
Porto has a lot of viewpoints, but Miradouro da Vitória is one of the best. It’s not the most polished or signposted, which weirdly makes it even better. You’ll get amazing views of the city and the river. It’s a great little detour while exploring the old town, and even better at golden hour.
Portugal is known for its viewpoints, and if you’re visiting Lisbon too, then you’ll want to read my Lisbon guide, which includes my favorite viewpoints to get the best views of the city.
Admire the Igreja do Carmo’s Façade
This church has one of the most photographed azulejo (tile) walls in the city. It’s also right next to a tiny house tucked between two churches, which always makes people do a double take.
Stroll Through Jardins do Palácio de Cristal
If you have limited time in Porto, I recommend prioritizing visiting the Jardins do Palácio de Cristal. It was one of my absolute favorites because you get such a whimsical and magical view. Plan to go around sunset and bring snacks. I cannot emphasize enough how unreal the views are.
I love traveling because sometimes you don’t know what you’ll find, and to our surprise, we found roosters and peacocks in this park.
It’s perfect for a picnic, an afternoon reset, or just escaping the city buzz for a minute. The original “crystal palace” is gone, but honestly, you won’t miss it, the gardens are the real draw here.
Visit the Sé Cathedral
The Sé do Porto is one of the oldest and most important buildings in the city. The inside is grand, of course, but don’t skip the cloisters and the view from the terrace, it is another spot where you’ll get amazing views of the city and you’ll love coming down by walking down narrow colorful streets.
Discover Rua das Flores
This street is lined with boutiques, cafés, and cute little galleries. It’s the perfect place to wander aimlessly and see what catches your eye.
Shop for Cute Ceramics
Ceramics are the souvenir in Portugal for a reason, they’re beautiful, functional, and totally unique to the culture here. You’ll find everything from hand-painted tiles (called azulejos) to mugs, plates, and bowls, all made by local artisans using traditional techniques. It’s one of the few souvenirs that actually feels meaningful, you’re not just buying something mass-produced, you’re bringing home a little piece of Portugal.
In Porto, check out O! Galeria for artsy finds, A Vida Portuguesa for curated classics, and wander the side streets of Rua das Flores or Cedofeita for hole-in-the-wall shops that feel like treasure hunts. If you’re looking for modern designs, I really liked Almada.
Ride Tram 1 to Foz do Douro
This vintage tram ride feels like stepping back in time—and it’s a scenic way to get from downtown Porto to the coast. The tram rolls along the riverbank all the way to Foz, where you can walk the beach promenade and grab seafood with a view.
Recommended for you: 48 Amazing Things to Do in Lisbon, Portugal
Climb the Clérigos Tower
The Torre dos Clérigos is one of Porto’s most iconic landmarks, and you can climb it. It’s 240 narrow, winding steps to the top, but the view is seriously worth it. You’ll get a full panoramic of the city, and river. Go early to avoid crowds (and the heat if you’re visiting in summer), and wear shoes that won’t betray you halfway up.
Grab Brunch at Zenith
If you’re craving something a little more international after all the francesinha and pastries, Zenith is a solid brunch spot. Think smoothie bowls, eggs benedict, matcha lattes, and a stylish crowd. It’s a nice reset before diving back into all things Portuguese.
Sip Cocktails at Base
This open-air bar is built on top of a garden and somehow feels both trendy and relaxed. It’s right in the middle of the city, but you’re surrounded by greenery and good vibes. Come here around sunset for cocktails and DJ sets on weekends.
Eat Dinner in a Taberna
Skip the touristy riverfront restaurants for a cozy, dimly lit taberna, the kind with handwritten menus, tile walls, and locals lingering over dinner. Try Taberna Santo António or Tasco, order some octopus or codfish, and enjoy the slow vibe of a traditional Portuguese meal.
Try Portuguese Sardines
Sardines in Portugal are a whole thing, and they’re nothing like the sad little ones in cans you might be picturing. Here, they’re grilled fresh, sprinkled with sea salt, and served with roasted peppers or potatoes. Super simple & flavorful. You’ll spot them on menus all over the city, especially in more traditional restaurants.
If you’re curious but grilled sardines don’t look that appetizing to you, you can also try tinned sardines from places like Comur or Loja das Conservas. They come in the cutest vintage packaging in different flavours and make a great foodie souvenir.
Visit the Museum of Photography
Housed in a former prison, the Centro Português de Fotografia is both fascinating and eerie. The exhibitions are always changing, but even just walking through the old jail cells is an experience. And bonus: it’s free to enter!
Watch the Sunset from the Yeatman Hotel’s Garden
You don’t have to stay there to enjoy this luxurious view—just head to the garden bar at The Yeatman in Gaia. It overlooks the whole city and has some of the best sunset vibes I’ve ever experienced. It’s a little upscale but totally worth it for a glass of wine and those panoramic views.
Porto has become one of my favorite cities and I dream of going back and staying longer this time around. Somehow 5 full days were not enough. I am sure you’ll love it too. Bookmark this post, pack your comfy shoes, and let Porto do its thing. You’ll leave full of wine, pastel de nata, and good memories, what more could you want?
