Are you thinking of spending 2 days in Porto? Our Porto Itinerary explains how to see this beautiful World Heritage City on your next trip to Portugal.
Porto sits unassumingly in northern Portugal, overlooking the Douro River which flows to shores of the Atlantic Ocean a short distance away. While it’s not a huge city by global standards, it’s brimming with history at every step.
This area of Portugal was the first part of the country to be reconquered by Christians, which led to the birth of the nation. Due to its northern location, it was a key player in Portugal’s historic military alliance with the British (the Treaty of Windsor), which is the oldest military alliance in the world.
Plus, Porto gave the world port wine, so it’s definitely a city worth visiting!
You don’t need all that long to see the best of Porto – it’s quite a small place and the attractions are all very close to each other. In fact, I think that two days in Porto is ideal.
Porto Itinerary – The Best Way to See Porto in 2 Days
Authored by Claire Martin
Porto Itinerary Day One
Take a free walking tour
I always find that the best way to immerse myself in a new city is to take a free walking tour. Sandemans offer excellent walking tours in European cities around the world, and their Porto tour is fantastic.
Starting from Clerigos Tower, these tours traverse the historic city centre of Porto, detailing fascinating stories on the way.
For example, did you know that Portugal was ruled by a dictatorship from the 1930s until the 1970s? The most famous dictator was called António de Oliveira Salazar, and as J.K. Rowling spent some time living in Porto, it’s widely considered that he inspired the name of the character Salazar Slytherin!
The walking tour lasts between two and three hours, and by the end you should have good bearings of the city!
If you’re visiting Porto in winter, take a jacket with you for the tour. Although Porto’s warmer than other locations in Europe, it can be surprisingly cool (much more so than Lisbon!).
Related features on itineraries in European cities with important World Heritage Sites
* Barcelona 2 Day Itinerary – How to See the Top Sites
* Guide to Granada in Spain – What to See in 3 Days
* 2 Day Venice Itinerary – Best Places to Visit in Italy
* Sofia Itinerary – What to See in Sofia Bulgaria in One Day
Chow down on a Franceschina sandwich
The walking tour is hungry work, so I’d recommend trying a Porto staple afterwards. Franceschinas are ham and sausage sandwiches, coated in melted cheese, with an egg on top, and then served in a tomato and beer sauce. It’s certainly not the healthiest lunch, but it’s a Porto staple and something that you absolutely have to try when you’re here!
If you’re vegetarian or vegan, don’t worry – you can still try this sandwich. Head to Franceschinas Al Forno da Baixa, a popular eatery that serves up many different types of the sandwich, some of which are vegan. I had the vegan option with mushrooms and tempeh! If you want to try the more traditional meaty variety, that’s on offer here too.
Ascend Clerigos Tower
Next up, summit Clerigos Tower for an epic view of the city. Dating back to 1750, this church boasts a 75-metre high bell tower, with over 200 steps to reach the top. It’s tiring work – you’ll burn off your Franceschina – but worth it when you reach the summit!
Visiting the church below the tower is free, so don’t forget to duck in here when you get down from the top of the tower!
Visit Igreja do Carmo
Igreja do Carmo is another icon of the city. With beautiful blue azulejos, the tiled church has become a popular photo spot in the city. Spend some time taking photos outside, but it’s also worth entering inside.
The church is actually two in one, and fascinatingly, there’s a tiny house in the middle of them! The original church was a nunnery, built in the later part of the 18th century. Men from the city wanted to join the church, but as it was a nunnery, they couldn’t.
However, in the interests of charity, the nuns didn’t want to turn them away and instead invited them to build a church next to it. There was an alleyway between the two, which ended up being a fully un-Christian place! To combat this, the alleyway was turned into a house – and it’s nowadays the narrowest house in Porto.
As well as seeing the churches, you can also visit the house!
Visit the Liveria Lello
Potentially Porto’s top tourist attraction, Liveria Lello is the most charming store in the whole of Porto. It used to be a small bookstore, but thanks to lots of press and gaining prestige as a Harry Potter-related place to visit, it’s now constantly frequented by tourists!
The outside is spectacular – but the inside is absolutely charming. Enjoy the spiralling staircase and gothic bookshelves – it was actually rumoured to be where J.K. Rowling wrote some of her bestselling novel series, Harry Potter!
She has since denied these claims, but it still remains one of the most magical places to visit in Porto.
Capela Das Almas
The last attraction on day one of your Porto itinerary is the Capela Das Almas. Located close to the Bolhao train station, this beautiful church is a popular photo spot in the city. Inside, enjoy 18th-century murals and an extensive history!
Dinner at Casa de Pasto da Palmeira Porto
Enjoy dinner at Casa de Pasto da Palmeira Porto. This is a 25 minute train ride or 15 minute drive from the centre out towards the coast and has gorgeous views over the river.
On the menu, you’ll find traditional Portuguese food with a contemporary twist. It’s a fantastic way to see another side of the city and enjoy some local dishes!
Porto Itinerary Day Two
Sao Bento Train Station
If you haven’t seen it yet, it’s well worth checking out the Sao Bento Train Station. The entrance hall of this station is adorned in murals, one depicting a war with the Spanish, and others portraying rural Portuguese life throughout history. It’s basically a free art gallery, and it’s well worth visiting while you’re in town!
Visit Porto Cathedral
Start your second day in the city by visiting Porto Cathedral, the biggest landmark of the city and also known as the Sé do Porto. A national monument, it’s located in the neighbourhood of Batalha and dates back to the 12th century.
However, it nowadays boasts a fusion of styles – baroque, romanesque and gothic – and it’s definitely worth visiting to see this patchwork of history. Don’t miss the cloisters, and it’s also worth walking around the square to see some views over the Douro River.
See the Bishop’s Palace
Bishop’s Palace is also located in the square of Porto Cathedral. It’s where the Bishops of Porto used to reside, also dating back to the 12th century. It was ultimately completely refurbished by Nicolau Nasoni, an Italian architect, in the 18th century.
Inside, there’s an epic Baroque staircase and lots of other elaborate features.
Walk over Dom Luís I Bridge
Dom Luís I Bridge is another fantastic Porto landmark. It spans the Douro River, connecting the area around Porto Cathedral to Vila Nova de Gaia. Walking over, you can enjoy views of Vila Nova de Gaia and look back to the gorgeous vista of Porto.
Once you’ve made it over the bridge, head to Mosteiro da Serra do Pilar, which has an incredible balcony where you can take in vistas back to Porto. Then, it’s time to go for some port tasting!
Lunch and port tasting in Vila Nova de Gaia
Vila Nova de Gaia is where port originates from, and next up is a visit to a port cellar! There are a few dotted around the city.
Visit Espaço Porto Cruz for a multimedia centre about the fortified wine, Caves Ferreira to explore a 250-year-old vineyard, and Taylor’s to walk around a historic cellar.
You can visit the port cellars independently, especially if you’re visiting out of the peak season. However, at other times of year, it’s better to book in advance or even reserve a port tasting tour.
Most of the port cellars offer tapas-style food that you can enjoy for lunch!
Six bridges cruise
Many Porto locals will tell you that the best way to see the city is by the water on a six bridges cruise. You’ll see the Gustav Eiffel Bridge, which was made by no other than the architect who created the Eiffel Tower.
As you sail along the river, you’ll take in incredible views of both Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia and learn about the architecture and history of the gorgeous bridges.
There is a range of cruises, some of which offer port wine as you sail and some that take in the beautiful sunset!
Dinner down by the river or at Food Corner
On a fine evening, enjoy some al fresco dining down beside River Douro in the Cais da Ribeira neighbourhood. Probably Porto’s most photographed scene, there are lots of restaurant terraces along the waterfront promenade choose from.
It’s not traditionally Portuguese, but Food Corner is a great street food venue with dishes from Mexico to Japan! Opt for delicious tacos or a light poke bowl, and either dine in the venue or takeaway.
Other things to do in Porto (plus day trips!)
Although this 2 day Porto itinerary ticks off most of the city’s attractions, there are a few other things to do around the city too. If you have a spare day or two, it’s worth extending your itinerary to include some of these!
Douro Valley Day Trip
If you’re a port wine fan, this valley is a must-visit! You’ll drive into the lush valley and explore some of the region’s best vineyards, sampling incredible red and white wines as you go. The best way to explore the Douro Valley is by an organised tour, which includes tastings at the vineyards, transport and lunch – and means that nobody has to be the designated driver!
Visit Porto’s Beaches
Another great day trip from Porto is visiting its coastline.
Porto isn’t commonly known as a beach destination, but the Atlantic coast here is beautiful. Praia dos Ingleses is a Blue Flag Beach, and its famous for its popular promenade with lots of cafés and bars alongside.
The sand dunes of Praia de Francelos stretch southwards from Vila Nova de Gaia. Easy to reach, this is only 15 minutes by road or a 25 minute train trip from Porto old town.
Meanwhile, Praia de Matosinhos is a busy resort with golden sands, just a 15 minutes north from Porto centre!
Plus, you can go surfing on Porto’s beaches! The waves here aren’t as big as further south in Portugal, but they’re ideal for beginners and improvers.
Useful Information for visiting Porto
When is the best time to visit Porto?
Porto is heaving during the peak summer season, especially in July and August when Europeans are mainly on holiday.
But it’s a great place to visit any time of year – even if you’re looking for a European winter city break!
The weather in January can be a little chilly, but thanks to its southern location, it stays mild throughout most of the year.
Where to stay in Porto
If you’re only in Porto for 2 or 3 days, look for accommodation in the historic centre (you won’t want to waste time travelling in and out every day). There are plenty of hotels, hostels and holiday apartments in Centro Baixa which covers the monumental historic district, around Avenida dos Aliados and Praça da Liberdade square.
The Ribeira neighbourhood which borders the river is another favourite, lively and traditional district to stay for a couple of nights in the heart of Porto. You’ll find the typical colourful houses that the city is so famous for, here in the heart of Porto.
Porto is infused with history, and lodgings often reflect this is in vintage deco and furnishings. Anyone looking for modern surroundings may want to look at the new international hotels located in Boa Vista. Simple to get into the old town from here on local transport, Porto’s business district is conveniently connected to the airport too.
Zero Box Lodge Porto is a really unique and trendy place to stay. It’s like a capsule hotel, but with an en-suite and double bed! You’ll enjoy comfortable mattresses with luxury linen and rain showers in these cosy box rooms. Out of the rooms, there’s a sauna, a rooftop dunk pool with great views over the city and a popular bar and restaurant downstairs.
Stay at Oca Oriental Porto Hotel for boutique-style rooms washed in natural light and a great bar and fitness centre on-site.
Alternatively, Casa da Companhia is a fantastic luxury place to stay. Here, you’ll find glorious luxury rooms with deluxe en-suites with rain showers or roll top baths. There’s also a rooftop pool where you can take in wonderful views of the city and an indoor pool and Turkish-style hammam bath.
How to get to Porto
Porto is relatively easy to get to from other European destinations.
If you’re flying, planes leave from European cities like London, Paris, Alicante, Amsterdam and Bologna, fairly frequently. Often, you can get much cheaper fares when flying into Porto compared to Lisbon and places on the Algarve! If you’re visiting both Porto and Lisbon on a Portugal itinerary, it’s worth flying into one destination and out of the other depending on flight ticket prices on specific dates.
Porto airport (OPO) is some 20 minutes from the historic city centre. The purple Metro line E connects the airport with downtown Porto. Trains run every 20 to 30 minutes. Here’s a useful map of Porto metro lines that comes in handy. Several companies offer airport shuttles to various parts of the city and resorts nearby. Taxis are available night and day at the airport, although it’s wise to book in advance.
Porto is also accessible by train and FlixBus from Lisbon, which makes the 2 destinations perfect for a week’s itinerary. You can book your FlixBus tickets in advance, and your trains on the CP Portugal website.
How to get around Porto
Porto is a very walkable city, but it also has an excellent public transport system. The metro connects Porto’s stations and the airport with the downtown area, and there are also buses and trains spanning the city centre and its outskirts.
However, you’ll no doubt want to ride one of Porto’s heritage trams that run through the old districts. Get aboard a vintage tramcar for a scenic trip along Line 1 which skirts the riverbank down to Douro’s river mouth, and the promenade at Foz do Douro. The Felgueiras Lighthouse is one of the landmark sights to see here.
The wonderful city of Porto is famous for its historical buildings, delicious food and rich fortified port wine. It’s a great city to visit for just a couple of days because you really can tick off the highlights in just a short amount of time. Just remember to pack your comfiest shoes and you’ll love seeing what Porto has to offer!
About the Author
Claire is an avid winter traveller. She loves making the most of the cooler months finding the best deals to winter sun destinations, hitting the slopes or visiting magical Christmas markets.
You can read all about travelling Europe in the cooler months on her website, Europe in winter!
More Exciting World Heritage Itineraries in Europe
1 Day in Florence – How to see Florence in one day or two days
Whether you’re here at the weekend, or just love travelling and need to budget the frills, our ‘1 Day in Florence’ guide gives some useful suggestions for a day out or overnight stay in Italy’s favourite city.
The panoramic view from our terrace is stunning – Seville skyline is backlit by the sunset, the unmistakable Giralda tower and a dozen church spires piercing the sky.
We’ve arrived in Seville late afternoon, just in time to see the sun setting over the city’s World Heritage Sites.
Sofia Itinerary (Bulgaria): What to see in Sofia in one day
If you’re visiting Bulgaria’s capital for only one day, you can easily see the main places of interest in the historic old town.
A 2-day itinerary gives you time to enjoy all the cultural and leisure activities on offer as well.
10 Mediterranean Heritage Sites to Visit
The list of top UNESCO sites in the Mediterranean countries is extraordinary!
Here is our pick of legendary wonders, 10 Mediterranean Heritage Sites to visit.
Discover the World with
the blog with a focus on independent travel
