Your Ultimate Porto Travel Guide | Portugal

I had a fantastic time during my visit in Porto. I can easily place Porto in my top 3 travel destinations in Europe.

So, in this guide, I will share all the amazing places you have to visit when in Porto and also great activities you can add to your Porto Travel Itinerary!

1. Things to do in Porto

2. Places to visit in Porto

3. Where to stay in Porto

4. Food to try when in Porto

5. Day trips from Porto

Things to do in Porto

Porto is a wonderful city and offers many amazing things to do. Here are some of my favorites.

Port Tasting

You can't leave Porto without trying one of their amazing Port wines. Completely honestly, I actually now prefer the Port wine over the normal ones, as it is slightly sweeter (depends on the brand, of course) and a bit stronger.

Port wine is made in the Douro Valley and stored in Porto’s cellars. It helped make Porto famous and brought money and life to the city.

So there are a few ways you can enjoy the Port tasting. You can go for a proper Port tasting that will offer you various Ports and will allow you to learn more about its history and influence over the city of Porto by having a tour at one of the local restaurants, Port shops, or an actual Port cellar.

You can also combine two great activities - a boat ride via the famous Douro River and a Port tasting. This is the exact tour I took: Douro River Boat Cruise with Port Wine Tasting. I really enjoyed it, but it was more of a boat tour with some Port tasting rather than a proper Port tasting on a boat. But as I said, I really enjoyed the boat ride and the Ports offered and would go on that tour again when back in Porto as the staff was really lovely and answered all my 100 questions about Port wine and Porto city.

Of course, if you can allocate more time to activities, then you can even pick a whole day tour dedicated to Port wine.

Boat Ride via the Douro River

Of course, if wine is not your thing, you can always simply take a boat ride without a Port tasting.

Historically, the Douro River was truly the lifeline of the city as Porto was a big port city, and boats once carried port wine barrels along it, helping Porto grow rich and famous. These days, the main port has been moved to the coast and the Douro River is a big part of the city’s charm, with boat tours offering lovely views and a different perspective of the city.

You can simply stroll down the promenade by the old town and catch boats on the spot, or book in advance one of the famous Six Bridges Cruises.

A long time ago, Porto was briefly the capital of Portugal when the country was still forming.

Enjoy Fado Performance

Fado is a traditional Portuguese music style known for its deep, emotional songs. Singers tell stories of love, loss, and longing. You might be lucky and catch a live performance by street musicians or even in some restaurants during your meal, but if you want to be on the safe side, I recommend booking in advance one of the intimate concerts in the Porto Old Town.

Porto Football Game

I personally didn't catch an opportunity to see a game, but people in Porto are very proud of their Porto football team, so the atmosphere in the home games is electrifying. If you are a football fan, check out their game schedule, and maybe you're in luck to see a game!

Porto City Walking Tour

And of course, my usual personal favorite - a walking tour! This time I have to say I really enjoyed the boat ride with Port tasting as it combined two great activities but a walking tour is usualy a must have for me and high on my things I enjoy doing in new places as it is a great way to see the city and most importantly teaches more about it from local guides.

I usually tend to go with a free walking tour, but sometimes I also consider booking one with more on the list that is a paid tour, and usually with fewer people. The walking tours mostly cover the Porto Old Town. If you want to see beyond that, then you can also consider one of the bike tours.

Places to visit in Porto

Most places you can't miss out visiting are in the Porto Old Town, but I will also share with you my favorite sunset spot!

Dom Luís I Bridge

An iconic double-deck bridge with great views of the river and city. You can literly walk both decks. The upper one offers fantastic views. There are usually street performers on both ends of the bridge. During the evening, the area on both sides becomes very lively.

Clerigos Tower

One of the highest viewpoints in the Porto Old Town. The Clerigos Tower is a famous example of baroque architecture, known for its ornate details and elegant curves. The ticket is 10 EUR, but it also includes a visit to its museum and church. The best part is that in summer it is open until 23:00! Do check the opening times before visiting as sometimes, due to events, they might close earlier.

São Bento Station

I normally do not recommend visiting the train station of the city, but this one is an exception. The São Bento Station is famous for its beautiful blue tile murals showing Portuguese history. It truly is a wonderful place to grasp a bit of the Porto city and Portugal's history in a very artistic way.

Porto Cathedral

Simply a must-see - the Porto Cathedral. Historically, this cathedral with a mix of Romanesque and Gothic styles was the main political and social center of the city. The Porto Cathedral is free to enter, but some additional parts of the cathedral are for a small fee, around 3 EUR.

The Porto Old Town

All the above you will find in the Porto Old Town. Apart from these significant sites, the old town is full of many little chirches, historic cafes, and lovely restaurants. So, a stroll through the Porto Old Town is a must! And of course, by the Douro River also. I found the area in the Old Town by the Douro River very touristic and full of people, so maybe it wasn't my favorite part, but still a significant area worth seeing and experiencing.

My favorite sunset spot - Jardim do Morro

For sunset, you have to head over the Dom Luís I Bridge to Jardim do Morro. It is a small, lovely park where locals and tourists go for sunset. It can get a bit crowded, so I actually recommend heading over and taking a spot at the monastery wall just next to it. Don't worry, you will see it! From there, you will get wonderful views of the city and the sunset.

Where to stay in Porto

Of course, if you are after convenience, then definitely pick the Porto Old Town. You will be close to all the main sites and surrounded by wonderful ambiance. In the old town, you will mostly find lovely boutique hotels. To understand where exactly the best spots in Porto Old Town are, check out my Best Areas to Stay in Porto Guide! 

To find cheaper accommodations, I recommend Vila Nova de Gaia as it is the city just across the iconic Luís I Bridge. Within a short walk over the bridge, you are in the old town, but the Vila Nova de Gaia area will offer you a less busy atmosphere and cheaper options.

Food to try when in Porto

So we covered quite a lot about the Port wine, which by now you probably gathered is one of my main recommendations, but of course, there are also some foods you can't miss out on.

Francesinha

The Francesinha sandwich actually comes specifically from Porto. You will find it all over Portugal, but it is very specific to Porto. It is a very rich sandwich, so be ready! It’s filled with meats, covered in melted cheese, and topped with a rich, spicy beer sauce.

Tripas à Moda do Porto

Another rich food specific to Porto is Tripas à Moda. I guess people in Porto love rich and filling foods! It is a tripe stew that gave Porto’s people the nickname tripeiros.

Pastel de Nata

This iconic pastry/dessert is, of course, very traditional to Portugal in general, but I think whichever Portuguese city you are visiting, it is a must-have! Pastel de nata is a small custard tart with a crispy pastry shell and creamy filling. Sweet and lightly caramelized on top, it can come in a normal version, but sometimes I also have had it with cinnamon on top.

Day trips from Porto

Braga

Braga is one of Portugal’s oldest cities, known for its beautiful churches, lively squares, and rich history. Highlights include the Bom Jesus do Monte sanctuary with its famous baroque staircase, the historic cathedral, and a vibrant old town full of cafes and shops.

Aveiro

Aveiro is known as the “Venice of Portugal” for its canals lined with colorful boats called moliceiros. The city is famous for its Art Nouveau buildings, salt pans, and sweet local treat, ovos moles.

Peneda-Gerês National Park

Those who want to combine city touring with some time in nature, the Peneda-Gerês National Park will be a great option. You will find there wild beauty, mountain trails, waterfalls, and traditional villages. It’s perfect for hiking!

Of course, if you have more time in Portugal, you can make your way to the capital, Lisbon, or the beautiful south coast of Portugal, full of amazing beaches!