4 days in Porto

Day by day

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

   Ribeira waterfront, Dom Luís I Bridge and Palácio da Bolsa, then Serra do Pilar and Jardim do Morro in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Ribeira waterfront

      Allow 1–2 hours (free). Wander the stepped lanes behind the quay, such as Escadas do Barredo, to see everyday life away from the restaurant terraces.

   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

      Allow 45 minutes (mid-priced). Visits are by guided tour only; buy a ticket on arrival for the next tour in your language.

   5. Evening

      Serra do Pilar and Jardim do Morro

      Bring a drink and arrive 30 minutes before sunset; the lawns fill with locals and buskers.

2. Day 2: Church of São Francisco and Six bridges river cruise

   Church of São Francisco, Six bridges river cruise and Historic tram line 1, then Casa da Música in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Church of São Francisco

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

   2. Late morning

      Six bridges river cruise

      Allow 1 hour (low cost). Sit on the upper deck on the Gaia side for the best views of Ribeira.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Tripe Porto style

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

   4. Afternoon

      Historic tram line 1

      Vintage wooden trams run from near the Church of São Francisco along the north bank of the Douro to Passeio Alegre in Foz, a scenic ride of about 20–25 minutes past the Arrábida bridge and the old customs house.

   5. Evening

      Casa da Música

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

3. Day 3: Port-wine lodges in Vila Nova de Gaia and Livraria Lello

   Port-wine lodges in Vila Nova de Gaia, 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

      Allow 1–2 hours (mid-priced). Compare a tour at a large house with a tasting at a smaller producer, and try an aged tawny alongside the ruby.

   2. Late morning

      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.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Roast pork sandwich

      Long-running snack bars around Praça dos Poveiros and the Baixa.

   4. Afternoon

      Clérigos Church and Tower

      Allow 1 hour (low cost). Climb in the late afternoon for softer light on the river and Gaia.

   5. 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.

4. Day 4: Day trip to Douro Valley

   About 2–2.5 hours by train each way. Getting there: Train from São Bento to Régua or Pinhão; or a tour or car.

   1. Morning

      Travel to Douro Valley

      About 2–2.5 hours by train (Train from São Bento to Régua or Pinhão; or a tour or car); about 110 km.

   2. Day

      Douro Valley

      Terraced vineyards along the Douro river produce port and table wines in a UNESCO-listed landscape. The train line beyond Régua to Pinhão hugs the river, and quintas offer tastings, lunches and river boat trips.

   3. Evening

      Back in Porto

      Dinner: try Bacalhau à Gomes de Sá.

Before you go

Reserve timed tickets for Port-wine lodges in Vila Nova de Gaia and Livraria Lello before you travel; the rest of this plan needs no advance booking.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 4 nights, Ribeira keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Baixa and Aliados ($$$) suits first-timers, shopping, food lovers and families. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 10–12 hours of visiting over 4 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.

More or fewer days

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

Questions travellers ask