How to spend 3 perfect days in Porto, Portugal, with this ultimate first-timer’s guide. Top must-see sights, and of course, my best food recommendations!
Porto, Portugal’s second-largest city, is a hidden gem brimming with history, vibrant culture, and stunning architecture. Nestled along the Douro River, this beautiful city is known for its colorful buildings, azulejo-tiled churches, and world-famous Port wine.
For my first trip to Porto, I spent 5 days and 4 nights. While the first and last days were mainly for arrival and departure, the time I had in between allowed me to explore the city at a relaxing pace. Porto is small and incredibly walkable, which makes it easy to cover the major sights in just 3 full days. This itinerary even includes a day trip out!
This itinerary is perfect for first-time visitors, and for those who, like me, want to explore at a leisurely pace while still experiencing the best that Porto has to offer. Of course, I try to include as much food recommendations as possible! Some of these recommendations were by you too, so of course I have to include them in the post.
Whether you’re interested in art, history, food, or just wandering through a postcard-perfect city, this guide will help you make the most of your time in Porto.
Table of Contents
Introduction
I chose Porto for a few reasons. I needed a safe and easy city to explore, and I’ve never been to Portugal! Plus, I’d heard nothing but good things about it. I LOVED my time in Porto. There’s so much to see and do, and the people are extremely friendly and helpful. It’s also a lot more relaxed than other cities.
I wanted to include Lisbon on this trip as well, but the (good and affordable) hotels were fully booked up. I found out later on that it’s Lisbon Fashion Week, hence the scarcity of decent hotels. Next time for sure!
There’s a lot of tourists in Porto, which might be a con for some, but it’s always a plus for me. It makes traveling easier and more accessible – no need to Google or think too much about things. Everyone speaks English (except perhaps the cute old lady merchants at the market), and English menus are in abundance. It’s just a charming city!
Getting to Porto / Getting Around
Getting to Porto is a breeze!
By Air
The city is well-connected via Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport (OPO), which is about a 30-minute drive from the city center.
I arranged for a hotel shuttle, since I was coming from a long flight and wanted the most convenient route. Having been here, I’m sure taking a taxi or an Uber from the airport to the accommodation would’ve been easy.
There’s also the option to take the metro from the airport to the city center, which is super efficient and budget-friendly.
By Train
If you’re arriving by train, São Bento Station, right in the heart of Porto, is your stop.
Getting Around
Porto is small and incredibly walkable. I walked almost everywhere during my stay, except for when I took the tram to Foz.
A lot of Porto’s attractions are concentrated in the city centre so you can expect to do plenty of walking. Pack good walking shoes! Porto is very hilly, but I wouldn’t say too strenuous. There are also plenty of cobblestone streets.
If walking isn’t your thing, public transportation options like buses, trams, and the metro available.
Uber is easy to use if you want to save yourself from the city’s steep hills. The only time I took an Uber was to the airport, and it was smooth sailing and transparent in pricing.
Where to Stay in Porto
If you only have a few days in Porto, I definitely recommend staying in the city centre.
I stayed in Ribeira, which is right by the Douro riverside, and it was an excellent location for me. It’s also near major transport hubs such as the Sao Bento Station. The neighborhood is incredibly picturesque, and everything I wanted to see was just a short walk away.
Another good location would be Baixa or Bolhao, which is considered Porto’s downtown. There’s more ranges of hotels here as well.
I stayed in an Airbnb, since I wanted a bit more space and a kitchen to cook quick meals.
Porto can get pretty hot in the afternoons, so it was nice to be able to pop back into my Airbnb to cool down, rest, or escape from the crowds. The convenience of having a kitchen was a bonus – there were a couple of nights where restaurants I wanted to try were fully booked, and I just whipped up something easy at the Airbnb instead.
The Perfect 3-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Explore the Azulejos of Porto
Mercado do Bolhão
I got a late start to the morning—because why not! Well, I started the day with a visit to Mercado do Bolhão for brunch! I consider my visit here one of the top highlights in Porto.
This is Porto’s main market, where you can find fresh produce, fish, and traditional Portuguese delicacies… it’s also one of the cleanest market I’ve ever come across. While it’s still a working market, it’s also a tourist spot, so you won’t feel too lost here. It’s a great place to snack, stock up on local goodies. I bought some canned sardines as a souvenir here.
A lot of people were walking around with wine glasses – I thought this was amusing. Ordered some fresh seafood, namely the octopus and ‘lobster’… in quotation because they were not real lobsters. I thought they were just OK.
I had a fresh pasta dish at A Favorita do Bolhão Massas, you can’t miss this stall as there’s always a crowd! Fun to watch your pasta in the making and I enjoyed my Tagliatalle ai Funghi.
I bought some groceries – fruits (peaches were DELICIOUS), fresh tomatoes, spinach and somehow a giant bunch of cilantro that I bought from a very nice old lady that I couldn’t communicate with.
Make sure to save some tummy room for a taste of your first pateis de nata or Portugese egg tarts at Manteigaria or Confeitaria do Bolhao – which is the oldest confectionary in Porto!
Find Beautiful Azulejos
Once you’re nicely full and fed, time to do lots of walking! Explore Porto’s Old Town, specifically seeking out the beautiful azulejos (hand-painted tiles). But the thing about Porto is, the azulejos find you! These colorful tiles are everywhere, decorating churches, train stations, and even everyday buildings.
Azulejos are traditional Portuguese ceramic tiles that are often intricately hand-painted and used to decorate buildings. These tiles are typically found in shades of blue and white, although other colors are sometimes used as well.
You’ll find azulejos everywhere—from churches and train stations to the facades of ordinary houses—adding to the city’s unique and colorful charm. Their presence all over the city makes walking around feel like stepping into an open-air museum!
Here are the must-see spots for azulejos:
Key Azulejo Highlights
- Capela das Almas de Santa Catarina (Chapel of Souls): One of the most beautiful displays of blue-and-white tiles.
- Igreja do Carmo: A stunning baroque church covered with intricate azulejo panels.
- Igreja e Torre dos Clérigos: Porto’s iconic tower offers great views and more tile work.
- Igreja de Santo António dos Congregados: Another beautiful example of azulejo art.
- Church of Saint Ildefonso: Famous for its blue-and-white façade.
- Sao Bento Train Station: If you arrived into Porto by train, you would have already seen the azulejo interior!
Livraria Lello – the Harry Potter Library!
In between Igreja do Carmo and Igreja e Torre dos Clerigos, you can squeeze in a visit to the Livraria Lello, a must-see for book lovers and Harry Potter fans alike.
I skipped this, because the queue was incredibly long. You can purchase tickets at specific time slots (that you can reimburse to buy books at the Livraria Lello), but even then, I noticed you will still need to queue for each time slot.
Santa Catarina Street
If you’re in the mood to shop, take a stroll along Santa Catarina Street, Porto’s main shopping avenue. The famed historic Cafe Majestic is also located here – pop in to enjoy the gorgeous interior over a pateis de nata and coffee. I skipped entering because the queue was always too long whenever I passed.
Also, the best coffee I had in Porto is nearby at C’Alma Coffee Room.
The azulejo here is my favourite: Capela das Almas de Santa Catarina (Chapel of Souls). It’s small, but particularly pretty. There is no protective cover on the tiles, like the bigger churches, so you can truly enjoy the full beauty of the blue and white tiles.
Consider Walking Tours
While I walked around on my own, if you want a little more enrichment, Porto offers plenty of walking tours that dive deeper into the city’s history and significance of the tiles. Joining a walking tour will also cover most of the sights and attractions on this itinerary.
Porto Views from Parque das Virtudes
Finish the day by making your way to Parque das Virtudes. The viewpoint of Porto from here is incredible at any time of the day, but it’s particularly pretty at sunset.
Make your way nearby to stop for dinner at any of the restaurants nearby. I made my way to Subenshi Porto, a recommendation by a subscriber. This turned out to be one of my favourite meals in Porto!
It seems strange to have sushi outside of Japan, but it makes sense since Portugal is well-known for fresh seafood. There are two omakase sushi platter options: a traditional Japanese-style sushi platter, or a fusion Portuguese sushi platter. I, of course, ordered the fusion. It was fantastic!
There are some sushi with a bit more spice that I love! They have vegan options as well. I love that you can easily let them know of any food restrictions or allergies beforehand, and they’ll happily replace it for you. A little above mid-range in pricing, but I thought it was absolutely worth it.
Where to Eat on Day 1
- Mercado do Bolhao: Porto’s main market to soak up the atmosphere while having lots of local bites along the way! Try the fresh seafood, bolinhos de bacalhau or codfish fritters, cheese and sardines.
- Manteigaria: Popular pateis de nata spot with a couple of locations in downtown Porto.
- Confeitaria do Bolhao: Visit the oldest confectionary in Porto! Lots of pastries, including pateis de nata.
- C’Alma Coffee Room: Best coffee I had in Porto.
- Cafe Majestic: Famous historical cafe known for its gorgeous interior.
- Subenshi Porto: A Portuguese-Japanese restaurant featuring fresh sushi.
Other Spots
- Café Santiago: A recommendation by my Uber driver. Go here to try the iconic Francesinha, Porto’s over-the-top sandwich. Since I don’t eat pork, I tried a vegetarian Francesinha. Not my most favourite thing to eat; it’s very heavy. I would imagine the full meaty version to be even heavier – let me know your thoughts on it!
- Casa Guedes: A recommendation by a subscriber! I never made it out here, but it is a popular local spot for sandwiches and other traditional snacks.
- A Tasquinha: Another recommendation I didn’t manage to hit! Great for local Portuguese dishes.
Day 2: Discover Ribeira and Beyond
Start your day exploring Porto’s most picturesque district: Ribeira. The winding streets, colorful houses, and lively waterfront make this UNESCO World Heritage site a joy to explore. Don’t forget your camera!
Stroll along Rua das Flores, which in my opinion, is one of the prettiest streets in Ribeira!
While you’re here, have brunch or lunch at Floresta Cafe by Hungry Biker. I had the savoury waffles which were crispy waffles topped with a huge, fresh burrata! The food was absolutely delicious, generous, and fresh! The coffee was also good. There is no better way to kick off your day of exploring Porto.
Palacio da Bolsa
A Neoclassical 19th-century palace built as the headquarters of Associação Comercial do Porto and used to host official state receptions and visiting representatives. The majestic palace is classified as a National Monument and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
When it’s not being used for official business, you can visit the architectural jewel of Porto on a 30 minute guided tour. In fact, you can ONLY visit the palace on a tour, which is a two-step process. First, you queue up in line for a ticket and time slot. There are different time slots for different languages. I didn’t have any issues with picking the closest time slot for the English tour.
Then you simply wait for your tour to begin. I chose the closest time slot for the English tour, which was about an half-hour wait. I definitely recommend this visit; the palace was BEAUTIFUL. The tour was fantastic too, informative and we had a funny guide!
To while the time, I walked over to Boutique do gelado nearby, for some gelato! Another option for a delicious snack would be Castro for the best pateis de nata I had in Porto! Soft, warm, creamy and not too sweet with perfectly flaky crust – I went back a couple of times throughout my trip for a bite!
São Bento Station
Step into the station and be wowed by more than 20,000 tiles depicting Portugal’s history!
If you arrive into Porto by train, you would have a look here already. It’s likely you would pass Sao Bento Station on Day 1 already, but take the time to pop in for a bit and admire the lovely tiles.
Then head on to the attached Time Out Market for lunch. This is a somewhat upscale food hall featuring stalls from top restaurants in Porto.
I’ve been meaning to try Arroz de Marisco (Seafood Rice) in Porto, but most restaurants only have options for 2 servings. Here at Meia-Nau, the Seafood Rice is sold in 1 servings. This was so good – one of my favourite things to eat here in Porto! Lot of flavour in the broth, and generous portions of seafood, every spoon I had plenty of seafood on it! I arrived at lunchtime, right before they opened for business, and there was a line already forming.
Dom Luís I Bridge
Walk across the famous Dom Luís I Bridge for stunning views!
Across is Vila Nova de Gaia, the area on the other side of the river that’s known for its port wine cellars. Stroll along the riverside, or consider taking the cable car.
Evening
You can have dinner along this side of the river, or make your way back to Cais da Ribeira. Stroll along the Douro River and perhaps pick up a souvenir or two at the many street side stalls.
If you didn’t manage to make any dinner reservations, relax by the riverside to enjoy the sunset.
I had codfish at Bacalhau for dinner, a lovely restaurant right by the Douro river. Unfortunately I was too late to score a nice outdoor seat for sunset but I enjoyed the dinner all the same.
If you’re up for more exploring, there are plenty of bars along the waterfront to cap off the night. The area is always bustling, so it was nice to people-watch!
Where to Eat on Day 2
- Floresta Café by Hungry Biker: Great for a healthy breakfast or lunch.
- Do Norte Cafe by Hungry Biker: This is a subscriber recommendation, and they’re opened by the same Hungry Biker people! Judging by my solid experience at Floresta, I have no doubt this one’s good too!
- Meia-Nau at Time Out Market: For the arroz de marisco or seafood rice!
- Castro: For the best pasteis de natas I had on the trip!
- Boutique do gelado: A gelato break in the middle of the exploring.
- Bacalhau: A riverside restaurant with Portuguese dishes.
Other Spots
- O Bom Talher: Casual dining with good local Portuguese food. Appears family-owned, the vibes was very welcoming and friendly. Order the fresh codfish fritters – best I ever had!
- Mistu: A fusion restaurant with a creative menu! I stayed right by Mistu, but unable to pop in at all because they were fully booked my entire stay.
- Bota & Bira: A small eatery offering steaks and Mediterranean tapas. Also fully booked (or closed) during my stay.
- Holy Sandwich: If you’re craving for burgers, check out this spot! It’s a popular burger place that has very good reviews on Google. They don’t accept reservations, and I notice a line any time I passed by.
Day 3: Day Trip to Foz
For Day 3, I had two tempting options: a day trip to the Douro Valley or a visit to Foz do Douro. Since I wasn’t interested in the wine tours, I chose Foz. I’ve included other day trip options below, depending on your interest!
Foz do Douro
Foz do Douro, or simply Foz, is one of Porto’s most charming coastal neighborhoods, where the Douro River flows into the Atlantic Ocean.
To get to Foz, there are a few options:
- Tram: Just a short 20-minute tram ride from Porto’s city center, getting there is an experience in itself. Take the historic tram from Porto to Foz, a scenic coastal neighborhood. The tram stop starts at the stop right in front of Palacio do Bolsa called Infante and ends at Passeio Alegre. Be prepared for a wait, as the tram gets packed quickly.
- Bus or Uber: Alternatively, take the bus or Uber if you don’t want to waste time and energy waiting for a spot on the tram.
Though the tram can get busy, it’s worth the ride for the nostalgic feel of the wooden tramcars and the leisurely pace. The tram ride was a novelty for me though, and an attraction in itself for my Foz trip – no regrets!
Stroll Along the Beach
Once in Foz, I spent the morning strolling along the beach, and this would largely be the activity here.
It was a peaceful change in atmosphere from downtown Porto! I regretted not bringing my swimsuit on the trip.
Some points of interest
- Beaches: Foz boasts beautiful beaches like Praia do Carneiro and Praia dos Ingleses, perfect for relaxing strolls or simply enjoying the scenic Atlantic coastline.
- Iconic Lighthouses: The iconic red-and-white Farol de Felgueiras is a lighthouse at the end of the breakwater. This is a great spot for photos and to watch the waves crash against the pier. I didn’t travel all the way towards the lighthouse; right ahead of me, someone got completely drenched from a crashing wave! Right at the opposite side is the Farol de Felgueiras, also picturesque but you will be equally at risk of being drenched by crashing waves!
- Pergola da Foz: This elegant seaside promenade with its iconic white columns is one of Foz’s most photographed landmarks. Overlooking the ocean, it’s an ideal spot for a romantic walk and to take in the ocean views, especially at sunset.
- Fortress of São João Baptista da Foz: A historic 16th-century fortress at the river’s mouth, offering fascinating history and panoramic views of the Douro River and Atlantic.
- Serralves Museum & Gardens: One of Porto’s top cultural attractions, popular for its pink facade and a must for art lovers. This modern art museum is surrounded by beautiful gardens that are perfect for an afternoon walk. I skipped this, because I wanted to spend time sun soaking at the beach.
I saw that there’s a Mercado da Foz on the map, so I made my way there, since I had such a great experience at the mercado in Porto. This mercado is totally different! It’s a smaller market with a few restaurants. I had a burger here, while portions were generous, it was far too dry for my liking. I would have actually much preferred finding a location along the beaches to have my lunch. Some beachside options I came across include Restaurante Praia da Luz and Lapa Lapa.
I did have a snack at Tavi, a local café with great views of ocean and tasty pastries. I had the Mango gelato (YUM!) and the lime tart – I needed a refreshing break from walking under the hot beach sun! I sat at the terrace initial, and the view was lovely. I moved in about 5 minutes later though; the sun was too intense!
Unlike downtown Porto, where there is so much to see and take in by simply walking the streets, Foz is a lot more laidback. I didn’t spend the whole day in Foz, perhaps just 4-5 hours before I felt like I was done with Foz and made my way back to Porto. It’s definitely possible to spend the whole day in Foz, perhaps with dinner where you can catch a breathtaking sunset over the Atlantic Ocean.
Where to Eat in Foz
- Tavi: A local café with great views and tasty pastries.
- Restaurante Praia da Luz: A beachside restaurant.
- Lapa Lapa: A beachside restaurant.
Other Day Trip Options
- Douro Valley: If you’re more of a wine lover, a day trip to the Douro Valley is a must. I chose Foz this time, but had I stayed longer, I would have visited the valley for its breathtaking vineyards. There are lots of guided tours available to take you through the vineyards and offers wine tastings. Some tours even include a boat ride on the Douro River, which I’ve heard is an unforgettable experience.
- Braga – Visit the oldest city in Portugal, with a rich history that dates back to Roman times. Braga is known for its many religious buildings, ancient monuments, and beautiful gardens. There’s a direct train between Porto and Braga that takes around an hour each way, so this is an easy day trip to take on your own.
- Guimarães – Spend a day exploring Portugal’s former capital. The historic city center of Guimarães is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to its many well-preserved medieval buildings, including a castle, palace and numerous churches. The direct train from Porto to Guimarães takes just over an hour.
Final Thoughts: Porto in 3 Days
Three days in Porto is the perfect amount of time to fully appreciate this charming city at a decently relaxed pace. The above itinerary sounds like A LOT, but truthfully the sights are mostly concentrated within the city centre. More accurately I had 4 days, so I was able to enjoy Porto at an even more relaxed pace. Either way, you’re going to be doing plenty of walking, so make sure you pack good walking shoes.
While 3 days are enough to cover the essentials, having the extra time allowed me to take a day trip and explore more of Porto’s hidden gems. Whether you’re into history, food, or coastal views, Porto is a city that leaves you wanting more.
To recap, these are the must-sees in Porto:
- Exploring azulejos or the blue-and-white tiles
- Mercado do Bolhão, a vibrant market for local produce and culinary delights
- Taking in the breathtaking views from the Dom Luís I Bridge
- Visiting Livraria Lello, one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world
- Strolling along the Ribeira, the picturesque riverside promenade
- Enjoying gorgeous sunsets
- Getting lost in the beautiful, winding streets of Porto
- Sampling traditional dishes like Francesinha, Bacalhau à Brás, and Pastéis de Nata at local eateries
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