5 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 Casa da Música in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Ribeira waterfront

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

   2. Late morning

      Dom Luís I Bridge

      Walk across the upper deck at sunset towards the Serra do Pilar for the classic view over Ribeira. (30 minutes, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Francesinha

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

   4. Afternoon

      Palácio da Bolsa

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

   5. 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 and Livraria Lello, then Galerias de Paris and Rua Cândido dos Reis in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Port-wine lodges in Vila Nova de Gaia

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

   2. Late morning

      Serra do Pilar and Jardim do Morro

      Bring a drink and arrive 30 minutes before sunset; the lawns fill with locals and buskers. (1 hour, free).

   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

      Book the first time slot of the day online; queues on Rua das Carmelitas grow quickly. (30–45 minutes, low cost).

   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.

3. Day 3: Clérigos Church and Tower and São Bento railway station

   Clérigos Church and Tower, São Bento railway station and Bolhão Market, then Ribeira and Gaia riverfront in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Clérigos Church and Tower

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

   2. Late morning

      São Bento railway station

      Step inside even if you are not catching a train; stand back from the centre of the hall to take in all four walls. (20 minutes, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Roast pork sandwich

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

   4. Afternoon

      Bolhão Market

      Go in the morning for the liveliest atmosphere and the best produce. (1 hour, free).

   5. Evening

      Ribeira and Gaia riverfront

      Riverside terraces for drinks with views, quieter and more relaxed.

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. Best for food lovers, couples and culture.

   3. Evening

      Back in Porto

      Dinner: try Bacalhau à Gomes de Sá.

5. Day 5: Porto Cathedral (Sé) and Church of São Francisco

   Porto Cathedral (Sé), Church of São Francisco and Serralves Museum and Park, then Rua Miguel Bombarda in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Porto Cathedral (Sé)

      Visit the cloister and upper terrace for the tiles and views, then walk down through the Barredo lanes to the river. (1 hour, low cost).

   2. Late morning

      Church of São Francisco

      Combine it with Palácio da Bolsa next door, and allow a few minutes for your eyes to adjust to the dim, gold interior. (45 minutes, low cost).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Bacalhau à Gomes de Sá

      Traditional restaurants across the centre and Ribeira.

   4. Afternoon

      Serralves Museum and Park

      Allow time for the Treetop Walk and the pink Art Deco Casa de Serralves. (3–4 hours, mid-priced).

   5. Evening

      Rua Miguel Bombarda

      Gallery openings, wine bars and a creative crowd.

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 5 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 13–16 hours of visiting over 5 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
• 4 days in Porto
• 7 days in Porto

Questions travellers ask