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Things to do in Porto

Portugal’s second biggest city doesn’t disappoint with locals and views as sweet as the region's Port wine.

Our most recommended things to do in Porto

From Porto: Douro Valley w/ Boat Tour, Wine Tasting & Lunch

1. From Porto: Douro Valley w/ Boat Tour, Wine Tasting & Lunch

Get out of Porto and into Portugal's gorgeous wine country. Take in views from the window of your vehicle, visit vineyards and taste their wines, embark on a boat cruise, and more on this all-inclusive trip. Take advantage of a morning pickup by choosing that option during booking. Begin your tour with a stop at a viewpoint to enjoy the views. Then, sit back and relax as your vehicle hits the road for the Douro Valley. Enjoy an excursion which includes a visit to different 2 visits to two distinct places, with the opportunity to taste some of the different types of wine which are produced there. You'll also experience a typical (and delicious) Portuguese meal. Partake as well in a relaxing ride along the Douro River. Your excursion also includes being taken by your driver to what the BBC called one of the most beautiful viewpoints in the world.

Douro Valley: Wine Tour with Lunch, Tastings & River Cruise

2. Douro Valley: Wine Tour with Lunch, Tastings & River Cruise

Explore the stunning beauty of the Douro Valley on a tour to 2 wine estates. Make a quick stop at the town of Amarante and taste regional wines at both wine estates. Sit down to a delicious lunch before sailing through the lush landscapes of the Douro Valley on a river cruise. Begin your tour in Porto and learn about the region's history and wine while driving to the Douro valley. Stop for a coffee break in the historic town of Amarante and admire the town's Church and Convent of São Gonçalo, or purchase some of the pastries at one of the iconic pastry shops. Continue to a wine estate in Sabrosa. Enjoy a guided tour of a family-owned wine estate. Learn about and try 3 of the estate's wines during a guided tasting. Savor a lunch paired with red and white Douro wines while overlooking the vineyards. After lunch, drive to Pinhão, with a photo stop at São Cristovão viewpoint. Take in panoramic views of the Douro valley. See where the Pinhão river joins with the waters of the Douro River before embarking on a cruise at Pinhão.  In the afternoon, take a guided tour of a famous wine estate (Quinta da Roeda – Croft/Taylor’s group or Quinta São Luiz – Kopke/Burmester group). Uncover the history of the vineyard and the secrets if the wine-making processes. Taste 3 of their fine wines before returning to Porto by one of the world's most scenic roads, the N222.

Porto: Palácio da Bolsa Guided Tour

3. Porto: Palácio da Bolsa Guided Tour

Explore the historic Palácio da Bolsa in Porto with an entry ticket and guided tour. Discover master architectural work completed over 3 generations and pass through the elegant rooms in a palace that's over 180-years-old. The Associação Comercial do Porto started the construction of the Palácio da Bolsa, its headquarters, and property in 1842. Over three generations, many masters and craftsmen worked to build this architectural jewel of the 19th century in neoclassical style. Great names in architecture, painting, sculpture, and decorative arts contributed to the construction of the building, which is now classified as a National Monument and one of the main attractions of Porto e Norte, receiving more than 450,000 visitors annually. During this guided tour with a certified guide from Palacio da Bolsa, you will visit the authentic and impressive rooms of a building that is now over 180 years old. Learn about how the building has received governors from almost every country in the world and is the location of most of the official state receptions held in the north of Portugal.

Porto: Douro Valley Tour with Wine Tasting, Cruise and Lunch

4. Porto: Douro Valley Tour with Wine Tasting, Cruise and Lunch

Start your full-day tour in the center of Porto where your guide will introduce you to the rich history of the city and share some intriguing anecdotes with you. Travel in style in a comfortable vehicle to Peso da Régua and relax there. Next, head to the first tasting stop on the itinerary. Discover and taste the region's famous wines while admiring the panoramic views of the vineyards that weave across the landscape. Around midday, you’ll move on to a restaurant for a delicious local Portuguese lunch. Choose from fish, meat, and vegetarian options. Continue your journey to the second vineyard visit and enjoy a tasting conducted by an expert in wine. Before returning to Porto, take a scenic 1-hour river cruise along the Douro River, where you can mingle with the other guests you've met along the tour.

Porto: 6 Bridges Douro River Cruise

5. Porto: 6 Bridges Douro River Cruise

Board the original boats used to transport the Port Wine barrels from the Douro Region to Gaia and Porto. The boats have been adapted with the most modern navigation equipment to transport passengers with maximum comfort. Enjoy a journey that stretches from the historic center of Porto, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, upstream to Freixo and then downstream toward the mouth of the Douro. Take the opportunity to admire the rich and breathtaking landscape while you learn the history of the 6 bridges that unite Vila Nova de Gaia and Porto. Discover other points of interest in these two cities. 

Porto: Hop-On Hop-Off Bus, River Cruise, & Port Cellar Tour

6. Porto: Hop-On Hop-Off Bus, River Cruise, & Port Cellar Tour

Explore the picturesque and historic city of Porto at your leisure with a ticket that gives you access to 2 sightseeing bus tours. Hop on and hop off in areas like Santa Catarina and Batalha. Sample wines at the Calém Wine Cellars and sail on the Douro River on a cruise. Located in the north of Portugal, the city of Porto has a rich history that dates to the Roman occupation of Iberia. This is a notable port city, situated on the estuary of the Douro River, where the river meets the Atlantic Ocean. You can also hop off the bus in the city’s oldest district, Ribeira, to enjoy a traditional Portuguese lunch in a quaint café nestled along the city’s medieval walls and discover Porto’s famous wines. Your ticket gives you access to the cellars of Cales Calém, where top quality port wines have been produced since 1859. You can also sample some of the goods, including white, dry and ruby ports. Once you have seen Porto on dry land, you can take the Douro River Cruise to see it from the water. This is included as part of your tour package and gives you a chance to admire the city from a comfortable river cruiser as you drift down the Douro under 6 of the city’s bridges. Historical Porto: • Cathedral/S.Bento • Cathedral • Pç Batalha • Jardim do Morro/Caves Calém • Porto Viewpoint/Yeatman • Boeira Garden/Poças Junior (10min walk) • Lg Aviadores/El Corte Inglés • City Hall • Jardim Morro • Alfândega/Caves Calém • Cordoaria/Clérigos • Palácio de Cristal • Casa Música/Rotunda Boavista • Shopping/Mercado Bom Sucesso • Ribeira/River Cruise/Palácio Bolsa/Caves Calém Porto Castles: • Cathedral/S.Bento • Cathedral • Praça Batalha • Praça República • Palácio Cristal (SuspendeD) • Casa Música/Rotunda Boavista • Av. Boavista Hotels • Fundação Serralves • Parque da Cidade • Castelo Queijo/Sealife • Anémona • Palácio Cristal • Tourism Office/Cruises Terminal • Matosinhos Beaches • Anémona • Sealife • Passeio Alegre • Fluvial • Tramcar Museum • Ribeira/River Cruise/Palácio Cristal/Caves Calém

Porto: River Douro 6 Bridges Cruise

7. Porto: River Douro 6 Bridges Cruise

Enjoy a traditional “6 Bridges Cruise” along the River Douro and follow in the footsteps of the old wine merchants that transported wine from the valley to the wine cellars. Board the boat at Ribeira Quay and sail along the sparkling Douro river. Admire the beautiful landscapes and red-roofed buildings of the towns of Ribeira and Vila Nova de Gaia from the water. Let the old-fashioned charm of the Rabelo Boat (old wine transport ship) transport you back in time. Get to know the historic bridges that connect Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia, as your boat glides under them. Learn more about their construction and curiosities, and upon arrival at the last bridge, see the sandy beaches of the seafront area Foz do Douro where the river pours into the ocean.

Porto: Torre dos Clerigos Entrance Ticket

8. Porto: Torre dos Clerigos Entrance Ticket

Experience one of Porto’s most iconic attractions at your own pace with an entrance ticket to the Torre dos Clérigos. Adjoining the baroque Igreja dos Clérigos, the Torre dos Clérigos, can be seen from various points in the city and is one of its most emblematic symbols. Built for the Clérigos Brotherhood by Nicolau Nasoni, an Italian architect and painter responsible for a large body of work in the north of Portugal during the 18th century, construction of the church began in 1732 and was finished around 1750. The monumental divided stairway in front of the church was completed in the 1750s. The main façade is heavily decorated with baroque motifs. Climb the monumental Bell Tower of the church for panoramic views across the entire city, and an up-close view of its most symbolic attraction. Then, go to the exhibition space in the Clerigos Building to admire the Irmandade dos Clérigos Collection and Christus Collection, where you can see pieces from the 18th and 19th centuries, including furniture, paintings and vestments.

From Porto: Braga and Guimarães Full-Day Trip

9. From Porto: Braga and Guimarães Full-Day Trip

Embark on a full-day guided tour of Guimarães and Braga from Porto. Pass through the scenic Minho region and explore the historical centers of these two cities. Optionally, you can also enjoy lunch in a traditional restaurant. Minho is known for having some of the most beautiful natural landscapes in Portugal, as well as being one of the richest regions in history. Explore the area and visit the cities of Guimarães and Braga on a full-day trip from Porto. Guimarães is the birthplace of Portugal and of the first Portuguese king. See the medieval castle of Guimarães and spend some time in the historical city center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The streets and monuments of Guimarães are so well-preserved that it is easy to imagine the past. Go on to spend the afternoon in Braga, one of the oldest Christian cities in the world. After lunch in a local restaurant, visit the cathedral and the historical center. See an important sanctuary, Bom Jesus do Monte, before making your way back to Porto.

Porto Card with Transportation (1, 2, 3 or 4 Days)

10. Porto Card with Transportation (1, 2, 3 or 4 Days)

See the sights of Porto at your own pace with a Porto Card plus transportation, valid for 1, 2, 3, or 4 days. Enjoy up to 150 discounts and benefits, such as free entrance to 6 city museums, 20% off cruises on the Douro River, and a 2-for-1 port wine tasting at Espaco Porto Cruz. The Porto Card is your key to the city, offering price reductions at shows, theme centers, tourist excursions in Porto and north Portugal, restaurants, wine shops, and fashion shops. Created to provide easy access to the city’s sights, the add-on transport offer will help you save money and spend less time searching for spare cash. The following is a short list of some of the benefits you can enjoy: • Free Metro Do Porto (all lines) • Free Bus STCP (all lines) • Free Train CP Porto (Urbanos Valongo, Trofa, Espinho) • 50% of at Real Companhia Velha Port Wine Cellars • Casa Do Infante-Museu (free entry) • Casa-Museu Guerra Junqueiro (free entry) • Casa-Museu Marta Ortigão Sampaio (free entry) • Museu Romântico (free entry) • Museu Do Papel-Moeda (free entry) • Museu Do Vinho Do Porto (free entry) • Up to 50% off at the Casa Da Música • 25% off at the Tower + Exhibition Igreja E Torre Dos Clérigos • 50% off at the Museu Da Farmácia Do Porto • 50% off at the Museu Da Misericórdia Do Porto • 50% off at the Museu De Arte Sacra E Arqueologia • 50% off at the Museu Militar Do Porto • 50% off at the Museu Nacional Da Imprensa • 50% off at the Museu Nacional Soares Dos Reis • 50% off at the Museu Das Marionetas • 50% off at the Museu Dos Transportes E Comunicações • 50% off at the Teatro Nacional São João • 35% off at the Catedral (cloisters) • 35% off at the World Of Discoveries, Interactive Museum & Theme Park • 35% off at Paço Episcopal • 30% off at Sea Life Porto • 25% off at the Igreja Monumento S. Francisco • 25% off at the Zoo Santo Inácio (individual tickets only) • 25% off at the Palácio Da Bolsa • 20% off at the Museu De Arte Contemporânea De Serralves • 10% off on Tour FC Porto Museum + Stadium

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Frequently asked questions about Porto

What top attractions are a must-see in Porto?

What are the best day trips and excursions from Porto?

The best day trips and excursions from Porto are:

Aveiro

Insider tips: Planning a trip to Porto

Megan & Aram is a travel blog that focuses mostly on travel in the Nordics and Eastern Europe with the occasional trip beyond those regions. We love coffee, promoting small businesses, and sports. To read more about what they have to say about Porto click here!

What should I do on my first trip to Porto?

You will find plenty of signficant attractions in Porto for a first-time visitor but one of the best things to do is to take in the iconic view of Ribeira from across the Luís I Bridge. This double-deck bridge passes over the Douro River and connects Porto with Vila Nova de Gaia. Once you walk across the bridge, you will see the spectacular view of Porto that lands itself on so many postcards! When you make your way over to this side of the water, pop into Calem Caves for a port wine tasting through their extensive cellar and portfolio of the famous drink.

What are some hidden gems to see in Porto?

Porto is a maze of hidden gems and corners and one can't-miss stop for coffee lovers is to hit up Combi Coffee Roasters. They coffee shop was founded in 2015 and now includes two sops where they roast their coffee and work alongside ethical cooperatives and farms to source top-quality, single-origin coffee from all over the world. Another fantastic thing to do in Porto when visiting is to take a day trip to Sistelo, a mountain village known for its terraces and ability to adapt to the high topography. It is about 1.5 hours away from Porto and is easily reached by train for an 11 Euro ticket.

How much time should I spend in Porto?

You can see most of the highlights in Porto within two days easily, but if you really want to dive deeper into the city, it is recommended to stick around for a few extra days and explore its beaches and embark on some cool regional day trips. You can visit the Douro Valley, Braga, and Aveiro all rather easily from Porto and they are all some of the top destinations in the country.

What food is Porto known for?

Porto is synonymous with world-famous Port wine and you can enjoy a tasting at almost any bar or wine cellar throughout the city. Calem Caves is a popular choice for a night out. Don't leave without tasting the heavy, yet hearty Francesinha sandwich, a traditional sandwiches that stuffs two thick layers of bread with ham, steak, and cheese before topping it with beer gravy and a fried egg. Be sure to also visit the many markets throughout the city (or take a food tour)!

What is the best way to get around Porto?

There are plenty of ways to move about Porto and the best way to explore is on foot! You will stumble upon so many gems and hidden secrets this way! However, you can also take the Porto Metro light rail network around the city or buses. You will also get transportation discounts and freebies if you purchase the Porto City Card.

What are the best months to visit Porto?

While it may be the high-season and hotels may be pricier, the best time to visit Porto is from May until October. During this time, you will experience a lot of sun and the temperatures are warm but the close proximity to the ocean helps things stay relatively manageable.

What is neighborhood Ribeira known for?

The most famous neighborhood in Porto is Ribeira, the old city that sits along the Douro River and is lined with cozy bars, eateries, and charming buildings. This is also where you will find colorful homes from the 18th-century and neoclassical Palacio da Bolsa, one of Porto's most famous attractions.

What are the best neighborhoods for food?

If you wander about Ribeira, you will find plenty of restaurants but many cater to tourists and the prices are proof of that. If you're looking for fine dining and an interesting take on Portuguese cuisine, opt for a place in Vila Nova de Gaia across the river from Ribeira. The Yeatman is a Michelin-star restaurant located in the neighborhood. If you're seeking overall diverse food options, head to Baixa. There are also plenty of markets in the area where you can grab ingredients for cooking at your accommodation if the place allows it.

What are the best neighborhoods for shopping?

Porto is a goldmine for shopping and you will find boutiques, high-end shops, thrift stores, and many food markets throughout the city. Around the Bolhão Market, you will find many mercerias, or old fashioned grocery stores that sell traditional ingredients and fare. Book lovers will love Livraria Lello, one of the world's most beautiful book stores. You will also find several of the city's most famous shopping along Rua de Santa Catarina street in the city.

What neighborhood should I stay in when I visit Porto?

You will find hotels, guesthouses, and hostels all throughout Porto but the top neighborhoods to stay in as a traveler are Ribeira, Bonfim, Marques, Cedofeita, and Baixa. Each has its own perks and own drawbacks. If you opt to stay in Ribeira, do be aware that it is busy and can be noisy. However, it may be a great option for those who are older or those unable to walk far distances.

What is the best thing to do in Porto for couples?

Porto is so beautiful and aesthetically charming that it is a fantastic place for a romantic getaway with your signficant other. One can't-miss activity is to check out a Fado show in Porto. There are plenty of places to enjoy this but you can combine it with a Port wine tasting at Calem and other cellars in the city. Another fantastic place to visit is Serralves, a contemporary art museum that is surrounded by extravagent parks and gardens. You can have a picnic here or just enjoy a stroll. Another top pick is to take a cruise on the river or to bolt out of town and enjoy a day trip to the Douro Valley!

What are the best beaches around Porto?

Porto has so many beaches nearby that it is hard not to feel the lure to visit one when you are in Portugal's second city. One of teh best beaches to visit during your time there is Praia dos Ingleses, a city renowned for its long boardwalk and natural beauty. Another one, and perhaps the most accessible and largest is Praia de Matosinhos, a port area konwn for being only 15 minutes away from the center of the city.

Other Sightseeing Options in Porto

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What people are saying about Porto

Overall rating

4.5 / 5

based on 45,996 reviews

Maria was AMAZING! She was so sweet, helpful, positive, charming, knowledgeable!!! She bent over backwards to make our experience wonderful. The driver was also terrific. He was friendly, positive, and a terrific driver!! The bus was clean, modern comfortable. The venues and food were more than we anticipated. We were just overly happy with the entire experience.

Wow!!! Milena was so sweet and knowledgeable. The tour was so fun and it was nice to have everything planned for us so we could just relax and have a good time. Milena made the entire experience even better, we really enjoyed our time with her and in the Douro Valley. Highly recommend!

Our guide Pedro was top notch, an awesome guide. The meal was excellent and the activities super interesting. The organization of the agency was perfect

We had an excellent day and very informative our guide was great fun. Recommended

Driver arrived right on time for early morning pick up. Professional and nice.