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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

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

1. 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.

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

2. 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.

Porto: Guided City Tour by Tuk-Tuk and Douro River Cruise

3. Porto: Guided City Tour by Tuk-Tuk and Douro River Cruise

Embark on an electric tuk-tuk tour of Porto and discover the city's top sights. Choose between a private or shared tour and ride your tuk-tuk past Porto Cathedral in the city's historic center and down Aliados Avenue. Then, see Porto from the Douro river on a relaxing cruise. Begin your electric tuk-tuk tour in the historic city center. As you ride through the city, admire the exterior of some of Porto's most iconic landmarks, including the Sao Bento Train Station, Porto Cathedral, and the Clerigos Tower. Continue down Aliados Avenue and past Lello Bookshop to reach the banks of the Douro river. After admiring the beautiful river, finish your tour with a ride through the Stock Market Palace, passing by Miragaia on your way. After the 50-minute tuk-tuk ride, you can enjoy a ride on a rabelo, a traditional boat that will take you on a cruise on the Douro River. See the six bridges of Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia on a 55-minute cruise.

Porto: 6 Bridges Douro River Cruise

4. 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: Palácio da Bolsa Guided Tour

5. 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, Lunch & Cruise

6. Porto: Douro Valley Tour with Wine Tasting, Lunch & Cruise

Acquaint your taste buds with the gastronomy and wine of the Douro region on this relaxing day trip from Porto. Sit down to an authentic Portuguese lunch and enjoy the countryside at two local wineries and on a river cruise. Delight your sense as you try regional wines and olive oils. Take advantage of an option to be picked up from Porto and sit back and relax on the drive to a winery that is nestled in the countryside of the Douro valley. Alternatively, meet your tour group in Porto and depart together on your wine and food-tasting tour. First, savor lunch with typical dishes of the region. Sample some of the wines from the winery. Marvel at the scenery during a panoramic cruise on the Douro River, then stop at a second renowned winery for another guided tasting. Before leaving, try local port wine, table wines, and olive oils that are local to the area. Return to Porto at the end of your tour to either your hotel or the same spot as the group meeting point.

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

7. 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. 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: 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.

Porto: Guided Tour and Tasting of 3 Port Wines

9. Porto: Guided Tour and Tasting of 3 Port Wines

Your wine-tasting tour will start with a guided visit to the aging cellar, where distinguished wines have been maturing for more than 100 years. Here, you’ll get to know what makes Port wine so special and learn all about the place where it’s made, the Douro Valley.  Next, you’ll take a walk to the tasting room, where a harmonized sample of three different Port wines awaits your palate. As you sample the wines, learn about which foods pair well with Port wine and discover unique Port styles you might not have tasted before. Before the experience is over, you'll also have the chance to buy your favorite Port wines in the winery's store to enjoy them in the comfort of your home.

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

10. 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

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Frequently asked questions about 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

Want to discover all there is to do in Porto? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about Porto

Overall rating

4.5 / 5

based on 45,996 reviews

One of the best tourist tours we ever did! Our guide Milena was amazing. She’s definitely enjoying what she’s doing and provided a perfect mix of information and entertainment. On the bus she started to tell us about the area we were passing through and the time flew by. Also as our driver Idalino did a great job and drove in a very secure style in the (sometimes) rather chaotic traffic. The tasting (wine, port wine and olive oil) at Touriga in Régua was very interesting and also here you can experience the passion of the shop owner for the products and history of the Douro valley. Lunch at “the river” next to Tourigo was very tasty (meat, fish and vegetarian option) and wine was constantly refilled. Afterwards short bus ride to the Kopke vineyard, which was also very informative and the views are just amazing. Tasting of another two port wine before we continued to Pinhao for the boat trip. Amazing views of the valley and another port on the boat. Thanks Milena&Lino for a great day!

The Fado show was excellent! All in all about 9 songs (3 by a male singer, 3 by a female and 3 duet) all accompanied by 2 guitars. We were in Lisbon last year and fado is way more popular there. More difficult to find a good show in Porto. We had booked the event for the music and were happily listening for ~ one hour. The tour prior to the show was great as well and very informative. But you need to make sure to stay close to the guide as the groups are pretty large. Also as this tour is part of the yellow bus 48 hour pass as well.

Wonderful tour! Our guide Joao was phenomenal. We walked through the main attractions at Porto (note: you don’t go inside the sites since this is only a 3hr tour). The pace was really nice, and the storytelling of our guide was spot-on. We decided to end the tour with the picnic option and walked to the Jardim das Virtudes (highly recommend if it’s not raining). Plus, after the tour they give you an extensive list of sites, restaurants and foods to check out during your visit.

I could not recommend this class enough. Joana is so knowledgeable and an absolutely wonderful host! I went on a solo trip and the other guests were lovely. Would highly recommend for anyone in Porto.

Our tour guide, Melisa, made our visit very special and memorable. You'll never regret to have her or her colleague as your guide.