Having visited Porto 3 times, we clearly love this stunning metropolis in Portugal. It really is one among our favourite locations in Europe. Lots of people pop into Porto for only a day, be it earlier than their Douro Valley River Cruise or on a day journey on their Portuguese journey. As a result of this metropolis is so compact, Porto is a really walkable metropolis, and it’s straightforward to see a lot of its high points of interest in simply sooner or later.
Whereas we suggest at the least just a few days in Porto, it’s doable to see rather a lot, as all the primary points of interest are situated near the town heart. So, we now have created the proper one-day in Porto Itinerary to take advantage of your brief keep.
One Day in Porto Itinerary
Porto is Portugal’s second largest metropolis but it surely nonetheless feels small. The historic heart is walkable and with straightforward and reasonably priced public transport, Ubers and an organized strolling route, you’ll be able to see rather a lot in a short while.
For those who solely have sooner or later in Porto, we propose utilizing Uber to get round. We discovered them to be very dependable and reasonably priced. Additionally, in the event you plan on going into a number of Porto points of interest and utilizing public transport it’s possible you’ll take into account the Porto Card. We didn’t use the Porto Card for sooner or later, however you’ll be able to take a look at what’s included right here.
Lots of our solutions are simply walkable when you get to the realm that we propose. We’ve a map on the backside of this submit which you could observe. And we’ll counsel the place and when to take an Uber and when to stroll.
Morning
Livraria Lello
Harry Potter followers will need to head straight to Livrario Lellow to begin your one-day itinerary. Name an Uber out of your resort and make your approach to R. das Carmelitas for the primary entry into this world’s most stunning bookstore. It’s rumored that Hogwarts’ winding staircases have been modeled after Livraria Lello’s stunning baroque staircases, however JK Rowling denies that. Both method, there’s a whole part devoted to the beloved sequence, and you’ll really feel as when you’ve got entered a magical bookshop.
Many individuals have probably the most stunning bookstore on the planet on their record throughout their Porto itinerary, however many individuals additionally miss out as a consequence of a scarcity of planning. Be certain that to guide your timed entry upfront. The bookstore opens at 9:00 am, and you’ll want to guide a golden ticket that permits you to skip the road and provides you a free guide of your selection. Even in the event you booked the golden ticket and may skip the road, present up at 8:00 to be on the entrance. We let you know precisely what to do right here.
It’s essential guide nicely upfront on the LIvrario Lello Web site, and we now have a whole weblog submit telling you precisely the right way to guide that golden ticket and the right way to be sure you are the primary one to enter the bookstore proper right here. Final Information for Visiting Livraria Lello
Igrega do Carmo
When you’ve completed at Livraria Lello, stroll towards the close by sq. to see the enduring tiles of Igrega do Carmo. It is among the hottest partitions of tiles in Portugal, and you may get an iconic {photograph} within the doorway. Sure, we’re responsible of taking that actual shot. The sq. itself is gorgeous however busy. Excursions cease right here to speak concerning the church, which has a beautiful fountain standing at its heart.
Whenever you go to Porto, you’ll be in awe. The historic heart was named a UNESCO World Heritage Website in 1996, and for good purpose. Its winding streets, historic church buildings adorned with Azuelos (Portuguese tiles), and delightful buildings are one thing you’ll always remember.
Cafe Majestic
For those who didn’t have breakfast at your resort, which we extremely suggest doing as a result of reserving a resort that features breakfast saves you a ton of time and cash, make your approach to the Majestic Cafe for Breakfast. Begin your stroll uphill, and in the event you don’t need to eat at Cafe Majestic, there are some nice breakfast locations simply up from Igrega do Carmo. We loved a implausible breakfast, Zenith Brunch and Cocktails, and Restaurant Carlos Alberto, each situated on Praça de Carlos Alberto, at a extra affordable value.
Nevertheless, you might be solely going to be in Porto for sooner or later, so we expect you’ll need to eat at one among its hottest cafes. Cafe Majestic was as soon as touted as probably the most stunning cafe on the planet. It, too, has Harry Potter connections, as JK Rowling frequented his cafe throughout her time in Porto, and it’s stated that she wrote the primary Harry Potter guide there.
Majestic Cafe is a historic restaurant situated on the pedestrian-only procuring avenue Rua de Santa Catarina. After you have overpaid on your Pasteis de Nata and low, take a brief stroll alongside the road to browse its distinctive outlets and costly boutiques. There are chocolate outlets, bookstores and naturally the common Gucci and Rolex shops.
Igreja de Santo Ildefonso
Igreja de Santo Ildefonso Church is probably the most photographed church in Porto, because of its location and the 11,000 Azulejos (conventional Portuguese ceramic tiles) protecting the açade and sides of the church.
We by no means went inside as a result of we expect church buildings get sufficient cash and aren’t followers of paying to see inside, however we did benefit from the view from the steps. For those who do go inside, you’ll see a Nineteenth-century pipe organ, oil work, and, in fact, the standard non secular statues.
São Bento Prepare Station
There’s a number of magnificence in Porto, and the Sao Bento prepare station is not any exception. For those who haven’t seen sufficient of these blue tiles, and even when you’ve got, you don’t need to miss The São Bento Prepare Station. It’s touted as one among Europe’s most stunning prepare stations because of its 20,000 azulejos. Every tile tells a narrative of Portuguese historical past.
This prepare station was opened in 1916 on the location of a former Benedictine monastery of Saint Benedict (São Bento). Excursions cease at this busy station all day lengthy to marvel on the ceramic tiles that have been painted by Jorge Colaço, some of the famend azulejos artists of his time. The panels depict numerous historic scenes from Portugal’s historical past, together with battles, royal occasions, and conventional life.
Mid-Day
Snack and Sprits at Mercado Do Bolhão
When visiting Porto, you’ll undoubtedly need to go to one among its markets. For lunch, you will have just a few choices: you’ll be able to flip round and stroll again the hill a bit of bit to go to Mercado do Bolhão, which we extremely suggest, or begin making your approach to the waterfront. However let’s speak concerning the Bolhao Market. That is one among our favourite markets in Europe, and Bolhão Market is among the most genuine and conventional markets in Porto.
Though the unique construction has undergone renovations, the neoclassical facade stays. The lined market is cool and an important escape from the warmth. Inside, you’ll be able to pattern recent seafood, cheese, sausages, and pastries. The store house owners are pleasant and enthusiastic about their native specialties.
Wander via stalls providing quite a lot of cheeses, meats, and recent produce, and savor some genuine Portuguese delicacies that pair completely with wine! You possibly can order a glass of wine, Gin and Tonic, or a Porto and Tonic which you could take with you to sip on it as you wander via the aisles.
Pastel de Nata
If you wish to attempt some Pasteis de Nata, go throughout the road to the Confeteria de Balhao. It is among the oldest bakeries in Porto, and plenty of say it has the most effective Pasteis de Nata within the metropolis. The road is big within the morning, however later within the morning, it slows down a bit.
Porto Metropolis Corridor
For those who love getting these pictures of metropolis indicators, Porto Metropolis Corridor is only a brief stroll from the Bolhaor
Cais da Ribeira
If you wish to make your approach to the river as a substitute of going to the market, you’ll be able to have lunch within the Ribeira district. A number of eating places and out of doors cafes line the waterfront with avenue performers entertaining friends as they pattern Portuguese meals. Cais da Ribeira is Porto’s most picturesque district, with colourful buildings lining the Douro River, and you’ll undoubtedly need to spend a while exploring this neighborhood.
Get pleasure from winding your stroll down via the slender streets of Porto (it’s all downhill from the Bolhao Market and São Bento Station in the event you take the primary street), or you’ll be able to take an Uber to get there sooner.
When you get to the waterfront, you’ll want to benefit from the power of this vigorous a part of the town. There are out of doors markets, eating places, boat excursions, and delightful views of colourful buildings lining the Douro River. This can be a excellent spot to tug up a chair and revel in some lunch (in the event you skipped the citadel and market) or to take pleasure in an Aperol Spritz.
Porto Cathedral
For those who select to go to the market, you can too have your driver drop you off on the Porto Cathedral for breathtaking views of the Douro River. It’s an uphill stroll to the cathedral, so it’s possible you’ll need to rent a automobile to save lots of time. It’s price visiting for the views of the town and river. The Porto Cathedral is among the metropolis’s oldest monuments, and it has been a spiritual web site for the reason that twelfth century.
That is one cathedral it’s possible you’ll need to go to. Its cloisters are stunning, and inside, the cathedral is adorned with azulejos (blue and white ceramic tiles) that narrate non secular tales.
Afternoon
Stroll Throughout the Ponte Luis I Bridge
It’s time to move to the town of Novo de Gaia throughout the river. We beloved this district, and it’s the excellent place to spend the remainder of the afternoon. To get to Novo de Gaia from Porto, you’ll be able to stroll throughout the well-known Ponte Luis I Bridge. You possibly can stroll on the decrease or higher portion of the bridge. Word that you just’ll be sharing the street with automobiles.
For those who had lunch down by the water, you could possibly stroll throughout the decrease portion to get to Gaia, or in the event you went to the Porto Cathedral (which we extremely suggest as a result of you’ll be able to eat dinner on the Ribeira), you could possibly stroll alongside the higher portion. We beloved the views from the higher portion. The Ponte Luis I Bridge is 45 meters excessive, and the views of each cities are stunning from up right here. There are not any automobiles driving on the higher bridge, however there are trams going forwards and backwards, so preserve an eye fixed out.
River Cruise on the Douro River
When you get to Gaia, you’ll be able to embark on a river cruise on the Douro River to see Porto’s gorgeous riverside surroundings. We took the 6 Bridges Cruise, which takes you from one finish of the town to the opposite. The 50-minute cruise gives you a singular perspective of Porto’s iconic bridges and landmarks, from the colourful streets of Cais da Ribeira to the port wine cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia.
You possibly can guide river cruises on the Ribeira aspect as nicely, however they’re fairly busy. We booked on Gaia as a substitute. You possibly can guide your cruise upfront as nicely which can assure your time slot. It’s price seeing your entire aspect from a bot.
Port Wine Tasting at Vila Nova De Gaia
The waterfront of Gaia is known for its port wine cellars, and now could be the time to go to them and do a port tasting. A visit to Porto isn’t a visit with out tasting its well-known port wine! You don’t have to take a tour, however it’s enjoyable to go to one of many cellars. We’ve toured and acquired wines from Taylor’s, Calem, and Foncesco, and the port wines are divine.
Calem is the simplest to go to as it’s situated immediately on the waterfront, and so they supply port-tasting flights. If you wish to see the WoW District (World of Wine) Fonseco and Taylor’s are situated only a brief stroll up. They’re each much less busy, however the wines are finer. We beloved our port tasting expertise Taylor’s is the official provider of the Royal Household, and it was the primary port of wine in house! Check out a tasting session to find the depth and richness of those world-class wines.
Going right into a port wine lodge is an excellent expertise; you’re feeling as when you’ve got stepped again in time and loved a wine tour via these historic cellars.
Portuguese wine is as scrumptious as it’s distinctive, with varieties similar to Vino Verde and Port Wine. The Douro Valley is Portugal’s well-known wine area, and you may guide a tour of Porto within the Douro Valley when you’ve got just a few days.
Stroll the Gaia Waterfront
We loved the Gaia waterfront greater than the Ribeira as a result of, for one, it has the most effective views of Porto (together with the gorgeous Riviera). You possibly can see the colourful terraced homes rising up from the Douro River, with the cathedral and fort standing proudly overhead.
Port homes line the waterfront, showcasing the well-known Portuguese wine. Gaia is far much less busy than Porto and two of our favourite shops are situated on the waterfront of Gaia.
Fantastic World of Portuguese Sardines
You need to cease by to see the fantastic world of Portuguese Sardines. This circus-like retailer is a vacation spot unto itself. Related in fashion to Livraria Lello, this retailer has baroque staircases and partitions stuffed with 1000’s of colourful cans of sardines. There’s a multimedia show showcasing the historical past of Portuguese Sardines, and it’s merely a spectacle. Plus, you should purchase a sardine from a yr that’s particular to you. Why not convey house a Portuguese can together with your birthdate or anniversary on it?
The Bacalau Home
The Balacau Home is one other must-stop. That is the place you’ll be able to attempt the nation’s well-known Cod Desserts whereas having fun with one other stunning store. The shop is a component store, museum arcade, and gallery. This store has two winding staircases, and the Bacalau home even has reside leisure. Pull up a chair on the higher balcony, seize a serving of Bacalau accompanied by port wine, and also you’ll have a real Portuguese expertise.
Night
Sundown Apperitivo
From the waterfront, you’ll be able to hop on the Teleferico (cable automobile), which can take you again as much as the highest of Gaia on your sundown views. When you have the price range, we suggest having appetizers and a cocktail on the Esplanada do Teleferico. It’s a implausible restaurant providing implausible views of Porto from its out of doors terrace.
Calm down with a refreshing drink and take within the breathtaking skyline because the solar units over the town.
Jardim Do Morro
For those who don’t need to pay €15 to €20 for a cocktail, you’ll be able to have the identical view simply behind the restaurant at Jardim Do Morro. Pull up a blanket and benefit from the view because the solar goes down and the lights go on over Porto.
Fado
Because you’ve had Bacalau, appetizers, and port wine, we propose laying aside dinner till later. Apart from, why not embrace the Portuguese tradition and eat late? So earlier than dinner, guide a Fado Present in a wine cellar. Fado is a phenomenal reside efficiency of singers accompanied by guitars. We booked this tour via Get Your Information and beloved it. The hour lengthy efficiency additionally features a glass of Port Wine.
Fado is a real cultural expertise that’s so vital to Portugal that it’s acknowledged by UNESCO as a part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
It’s recognized for its expressive and profoundly melancholic character, sometimes conveying themes of longing, unhappiness, and nostalgia. The music is very emotional, aiming to evoke a sense of ‘saudade’ a Portuguese time period that describes a deep emotional state of nostalgic eager for one thing or somebody that one loves.
Evening time
Dinner
Relying on the place your resort is situated (or in case you are keen to take a taxi or uber that are very reasonably priced) you’ll want to select the place to have dinner and night drinks. The Ribeira, Gaia Waterfront, or Rua de Santa Catarina are all nice eating selections.
There are such a lot of scrumptious and genuine eating places in Porto that it’s straightforward to be overwhelmed, however simply chill out, take pleasure in, and do what we do… search for eating places that appear to be stuffed with locals.
Francesinha – A Porto Staple
One meals you’ll want to attempt at dinner is francesinha. This sandwich sounds disgusting, however it’s scrumptious. Most eating places serve it and in any case that port wine and cocktails, it should assist to take in the alcohol. So what’s it? This can be a hearty sandwich product of sausage, cheese, ham, extra meat, and bread served with a tomato beer sauce.
Nightlife at Galerias de Paris Road
For nightlife, make your approach to Galleria Paris close to the Livraria Lello Bookstore for bar hopping. You end your day the place you started. That is the place the locals hang around into the wee hours of the morning.
Learn how to Get to Porto
By Air: The first gateway by air is thru Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport (also referred to as Porto Airport), situated roughly 11 kilometers from the town heart. The airport hosts quite a lot of worldwide and home flights, connecting Porto with main cities throughout Europe and past. From the airport, vacationers can attain the town heart through the metro (the Violet E line immediately connects the airport to the Trindade metro station within the metropolis heart), bus, taxi, or ride-sharing providers.
By Prepare: For vacationers coming from different components of Portugal or from Spain, trains are a handy choice. Porto’s most important prepare station, Sao Bento Station, is situated within the coronary heart of the town and is well-connected to the Portuguese rail community. One other key station is Campanhã, which is on the east aspect of the town and serves as the primary hub for trains arriving from Lisbon, the Algarve, and worldwide locations similar to Spain. From Campanhã, passengers can take an area prepare or the metro to achieve the central areas of Porto and Sao Bento Station.
And that’s our one-day in Porto itinerary. From the Ribeira district on the waterfront to the winding cobblestone streets, we’ve proven you the right way to take advantage of your day on this stunning metropolis.