Free things to do · Porto · Portugal
8 free things to do in Porto
Porto without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Guinness323, CC0
Quick answer
You can fill at least 3 days in Porto without paying an entry fee: Ribeira waterfront, Dom Luís I Bridge, São Bento railway station and Jardins do Palácio de Cristal are all free. Eat the prato do dia at lunch in local tascas for a full meal at a modest price.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 8
- Low-cost extras
- 7
- Cost level
- Affordable
- Lowest hotel prices
- January–February and November
Free sights and experiences
Waterfront · Ribeira
1.Ribeira waterfront
Wander the stepped lanes behind the quay, such as Escadas do Barredo, to see everyday life away from the restaurant terraces.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Photo spot
- Couples
- After dark
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Landmark · Ribeira
2.Dom Luís I Bridge
Walk across the upper deck at sunset towards the Serra do Pilar for the classic view over Ribeira.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Views
- Photo spot
Architecture · Baixa and Aliados
3.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.
- Time needed
- 20 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Iconic
- Art
- Architecture
- Rainy day
Garden · Massarelos
4.Jardins do Palácio de Cristal
Head for the terraces on the southern edge at sunset, a favourite local picnic spot.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Kids
- Couples
- Outdoors
Waterfront · Foz do Douro
5.Foz do Douro and the seafront
Ride historic tram line 1 along the river from the centre and walk the seafront back towards Matosinhos.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Views
- Couples
Market · Baixa and Aliados
6.Bolhão Market
Go in the morning for the liveliest atmosphere and the best produce.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Food
- Free
- Shopping
- Rainy day
Religious site · Baixa and Aliados
7.Capela das Almas
Visit in the morning when the low sun lights the tiled side wall along Rua Fernandes Tomás.
- Time needed
- 15 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Photo spot
- Art
- Architecture
Viewpoint · Vila Nova de Gaia riverfront
8.Serra do Pilar and Jardim do Morro
Bring a drink and arrive 30 minutes before sunset; the lawns fill with locals and buskers.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Couples
- Photo spot
- After dark
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Ribeira | Ribeira waterfront and Dom Luís I Bridge | 1–2 hours + 30 minutes |
| Baixa and Aliados | São Bento railway station, Bolhão Market and Capela das Almas | 20 minutes + 1 hour + 15 minutes |
| Massarelos | Jardins do Palácio de Cristal | 1 hour |
| Foz do Douro | Foz do Douro and the seafront | Half a day |
| Vila Nova de Gaia riverfront | Serra do Pilar and Jardim do Morro | 1 hour |
Worth a small ticket
Architecture · Baixa and Aliados
Livraria Lello
Book the first time slot of the day online; queues on Rua das Carmelitas grow quickly.
- Time needed
- 30–45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Architecture
- Iconic
- Rainy day
- Shopping
Viewpoint · Baixa and Aliados
Clérigos Church and Tower
Climb in the late afternoon for softer light on the river and Gaia.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- Iconic
- Architecture
- Photo spot
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Religious site · Sé
Porto Cathedral (Sé)
Visit the cloister and upper terrace for the tiles and views, then walk down through the Barredo lanes to the river.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Architecture
- Views
Religious site · Ribeira
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.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Art
- Rainy day
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Architecture · Boavista
Casa da Música
Check the programme for an evening concert; tickets for smaller shows are often reasonably priced.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Architecture
- Rainy day
- After dark
Experience · Ribeira
Six bridges river cruise
Sit on the upper deck on the Gaia side for the best views of Ribeira.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Views
- Couples
Experience · Ribeira
Historic tram line 1
Board at the Infante stop near São Francisco and sit on the left side for river views.
- Time needed
- 1 hour return
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Views
- History
More ways to save
- Eat the prato do dia at lunch in local tascas for a full meal at a modest price.
- Many of the best views are free: Jardim do Morro, Terreiro da Sé and the Palácio de Cristal gardens.
- São Bento station, Capela das Almas and the Ribeira cost nothing to enjoy.
- Use the metro from the airport instead of a taxi; it runs straight to the centre.
- Visit between November and March, outside the holidays, for the lowest hotel prices.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Porto expensive to visit?
Porto is affordable for most visitors, but 8 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Porto?
Ribeira waterfront: Wander the stepped lanes behind the quay, such as Escadas do Barredo, to see everyday life away from the restaurant terraces.