Porto in 3 days: our day-by-day itinerary
Contents
In short: day 1, the azulejos of São Bento, the cathedral, Ribeira and the port cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia; day 2, Lello bookshop, the Clérigos Tower, the Stock Exchange Palace and São Francisco; day 3, a Douro cruise then the seaside at Foz. Wear good shoes: Porto is all hills.
Before you go: what to book
- Lello bookshop: paid entry, by time-slot booking.
- The port cellars: tours and tastings, often by reservation.
- The six-bridges Douro cruise: tickets on site or online.
Always check opening days and times on the official websites: they can change.
Day 1: São Bento, Ribeira and the Gaia cellars
Morning: São Bento and the cathedral. Start in the hall of São Bento station, covered in azulejos, then climb to the cathedral (Sé) for the view.
Midday: Ribeira. Walk down to Ribeira, its colourful façades and terraces on the Douro.
Afternoon: the Dom Luís I Bridge and Gaia. Cross the Dom Luís I Bridge to Vila Nova de Gaia and visit a port cellar with a tasting.
Evening: sunset. Watch the sun set over Ribeira from the heights of Gaia, then have dinner by the water.
Day 2: Lello, Clérigos and the Stock Exchange
Morning: Lello bookshop. Arrive early at Lello bookshop, with your slot, for its famous red staircase.
Midday: the Clérigos Tower. Climb the Clérigos Tower for a 360-degree view of the city.
Afternoon: the Stock Exchange and São Francisco. Visit the Stock Exchange Palace and the Church of São Francisco, its interior covered in gilded wood.
Evening: a francesinha. Try the francesinha, Porto’s hearty sandwich, or grilled fish.
Day 3: the Douro and Foz
Morning: the six-bridges cruise. Board a short Douro cruise under the city’s six bridges.
Midday: to Foz do Douro. Follow the river to Foz do Douro, where it meets the ocean, by historic tram or bus.
Afternoon: the seafront. Stroll along the promenades and beaches of Foz.
Evening: sunset over the Atlantic. Stay for sunset over the ocean, before heading back for dinner.
A fourth day? Day trips
- The Douro Valley, its terraced vineyards and quintas.
- Guimarães, birthplace of Portugal, and Braga, by train.
- Aveiro, the “Portuguese Venice”, and its canals.
Our tips to make the most of 3 days
- Wear good shoes: streets are steep and cobbled.
- Use the Guindais funicular to climb back up from Ribeira.
- Book Lello and the cellars in high season.
- Get a rechargeable transport card for the metro and buses.
- Bring a warm layer: the Atlantic wind cools the evenings.
Where to stay for these 3 days
The centre (Baixa, Aliados) or Ribeira are ideal for this itinerary. Every area is detailed in our guide Where to stay in Porto. To go further, see Things to do in Porto.
Frequently asked questions
Are 3 days enough to visit Porto?
Three days cover the centre, Ribeira, the Gaia cellars and Foz. Add a day for the Douro Valley and its vineyards.
Do you need to book Lello bookshop?
Yes, entry is paid and requires booking a time slot.
Where can you taste port wine?
In the cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia, across the Douro, which offer tours and tastings, often by reservation.