Portugal · 3 days · 17 stops
3 days in Porto – a ready-made itinerary
Porto is steep, down-to-earth and cheaper than Lisbon. The plan takes you through the old town by the river, out to the Atlantic and to the port wine cellars on the other bank, and shows the city's best tiled façades.
In short
- Length
- 3 days, 17 stops
- Highlights
- São Bento station, Serralves, Chapel of Souls, Porto Cathedral (Sé), Torre dos Clérigos
- Where to stay
- Baixa, Ribeira
- Getting around
- The centre is walkable but steep – bring comfortable shoes.
- Best time to go
- May to October is warm and mostly dry, and in June the city celebrates São João.
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Plan created with AI support – please check opening hours, prices and routes before you go. YesTrip editorial team · Updated: .
Day 1
Old town and Ribeira
São Bento station
The station hall with 20,000 tiles showing scenes from Portuguese history.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): São Bento stationabout 5 min on foot
Porto Cathedral (Sé)
A fortress-like cathedral on the highest point of the old town, with a tiled cloister.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Porto Cathedral (Sé)about 5 min on foot
Torre dos Clérigos
Baroque church tower with 240 steps and an all-round view over the rooftops.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Torre dos Clérigosright next door
Livraria Lello
Bookshop with a curving red staircase. Entry by ticket only, which counts towards a book.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Livraria Lelloabout 10 min on foot
Palácio da Bolsa
The old stock exchange with its lavish Arab Room. Guided tours only.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Palácio da Bolsaabout 5 min on foot
Ribeira
The waterfront with colourful houses, cafés and rabelo boats. Good for a break by the river.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Ribeiraabout 5 min on foot
Dom Luís I Bridge
Walk across the upper deck to Gaia. For sunset, head up to the Serra do Pilar viewpoint.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Dom Luís I Bridge
Day 2
Serralves, the Atlantic and port wine
Serralves
Museum of contemporary art, an Art Deco villa and a large park with a treetop walk.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Serralvesabout 20 min on foot
Foz do Douro
Where the Douro meets the sea: promenade, lighthouse and fish restaurants.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Foz do DouroHistoric tram 1 along the river, then across the bridge to Gaia, about 45 min.
Cálem port wine cellar
One of the port wine cellars on the Gaia waterfront. Book a tour with tasting in advance.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Cálem port wine cellarright next door
Gaia Cable Car
A small cable car above the cellars up to the upper level of the bridge, with views of Porto.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Gaia Cable Carabout 5 min on foot
Jardim do Morro
A park above the river, a sunset meeting point with a view of the old town.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Jardim do Morro
Day 3
Market, tiles and gardens
Bolhão Market
The restored market hall with fish, fruit and small stalls to try things. Closed on Sundays.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Bolhão Marketright next door
Chapel of Souls
A chapel whose outer walls are covered entirely in blue tiles.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Chapel of Soulsabout 5 min on foot
Café Majestic
Art Nouveau café from 1921 on Rua de Santa Catarina. Go for a coffee, not for lunch.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Café Majesticabout 15 min on foot
Carmo Church
The large tiled side wall, and next to it one of the narrowest houses in the city.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Carmo Churchabout 15 min on foot
Crystal Palace Gardens
Gardens with peacocks and viewing terraces high above the Douro.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Crystal Palace Gardens
Good to know
Best time to go
May to October is warm and mostly dry, and in June the city celebrates São João. Winter is often rainy, but quiet and cheaper. The Atlantic stays cool even in summer.
Getting around
The centre is walkable but steep – bring comfortable shoes. Metro, buses and the historic trams complement each other; tickets go on the rechargeable card from the machines. Metro line E runs from the airport straight into the centre.
Where to stay
Baixa
Around Aliados and Bolhão: central, with plenty of cafés and metro links.
Ribeira
By the river with postcard views, but noisy and with steep lanes. Nice for a short trip.
Your plan
Start with this plan.
Copy it into YesTrip, pick your dates and make it yours: move stops, drop them or let the AI add more. On the road the app shows you the next stop and how to get there.
Porto: frequently asked questions
Is Livraria Lello worth it?
Yes, if you come early or book a time slot. The ticket counts towards the price of a book.
Which port wine cellars should I visit?
Many cellars sit side by side on the Gaia waterfront, from big brands to small houses. Almost all offer tours with tastings – best booked in advance.
Are 3 days enough for Porto?
Yes. With a fourth day, a trip into the Douro Valley vineyards or an excursion to Guimarães or Braga is worth it.
Can you swim in Porto?
Yes, at the beaches of Foz and Matosinhos. The water is chilly even in summer.
Plan created with AI support – please check opening hours, prices and routes before you go. Coordinates checked with Wikipedia and OpenStreetMap (Photon). Photo: Deensel, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. More in Sources & licences. YesTrip is a trip planner, not a travel agency – nothing is booked.
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