2 days in Porto

Day by day

1. Day 1: Ribeira waterfront and Dom Luís I Bridge

   Ribeira waterfront, Dom Luís I Bridge, Palácio da Bolsa and Church of São Francisco, then Casa da Música in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Ribeira waterfront

      The Cais da Ribeira promenade runs along the quay below arcades of cafés, with rabelo boats on the water and the iron arch of the Dom Luís I bridge overhead.

   2. Late morning

      Dom Luís I Bridge

      Metro line D and pedestrians cross the upper deck 45 metres above the river, while cars and walkers use the lower deck at quay level.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Francesinha

      Cafés and snack bars across the city; locals debate their favourites endlessly.

   4. Afternoon

      Palácio da Bolsa

      Guided tours lead through the glass-domed Hall of Nations and end in the Arab Room, a lavish Moorish Revival hall covered in gilded stucco.

   5. Late afternoon

      Church of São Francisco

      The visit includes a small museum and catacombs beneath the church.

   6. Evening

      Casa da Música

      Check the programme for an evening concert; tickets for smaller shows are often reasonably priced.

2. Day 2: Port-wine lodges in Vila Nova de Gaia and Serra do Pilar and Jardim do Morro

   Port-wine lodges in Vila Nova de Gaia, Serra do Pilar and Jardim do Morro, Livraria Lello and Clérigos Church and Tower, then Galerias de Paris and Rua Cândido dos Reis in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Port-wine lodges in Vila Nova de Gaia

      Houses such as Taylor's, Graham's, Sandeman, Cálem and Ferreira run cellar tours explaining ruby, tawny and vintage styles among giant oak casks, ending with a tasting.

   2. Late morning

      Serra do Pilar and Jardim do Morro

      The monastery is part of the UNESCO site.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Tripe Porto style

      Traditional tascas and restaurants in the old town, often as a dish of the day.

   4. Afternoon

      Livraria Lello

      It is one of Porto's most visited sights, so entry is by paid voucher, which can be deducted from the price of a book.

   5. Late afternoon

      Clérigos Church and Tower

      More than 200 steps lead to a panorama over the terracotta roofs, the river and Gaia's port lodges.

   6. Evening

      Galerias de Paris and Rua Cândido dos Reis

      Dense bar streets that fill with locals and students on weekend nights, with drinking on the pavements.

Before you go

• Port-wine lodges in Vila Nova de Gaia: Tours at popular houses fill up in summer; reserving a slot online a day or two ahead helps.
• Livraria Lello: Timed tickets are sold online; buying ahead avoids the outdoor queue.

If it rains

• Swap in São Bento railway station (Baixa and Aliados): Step inside even if you are not catching a train; stand back from the centre of the hall to take in all four walls.
• Swap in Bolhão Market (Baixa and Aliados): Go in the morning for the liveliest atmosphere and the best produce.
• Swap in Sea Life Porto (Foz do Douro): Combine it with a walk in the Parque da Cidade or on the beach nearby.

Where to stay for this itinerary

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 8–10 hours of visiting over 2 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 9.2 hours in December to 15.1 hours in June, so in winter start early and keep museums for the afternoon.

Getting between stops: Walking. Most sights between São Bento, Ribeira and the Clérigos Tower are within 15 minutes' walk, though the climbs are steep.

More or fewer days

• One day in Porto
• 3 days in Porto
• 4 days in Porto
• 5 days in Porto
• 7 days in Porto

Questions travellers ask