Having visited Porto thrice, we clearly love this stunning metropolis in Portugal. It really is one in every of our favourite locations in Europe. Lots of people pop into Porto for only a day, be it earlier than their Douro Valley River Cruise or on a day journey on their Portuguese journey. As a result of this metropolis is so compact, Porto is a really walkable metropolis, and it’s simple to see lots of its prime points of interest in simply sooner or later.
Whereas we advocate a minimum of a couple of days in Porto, it’s potential to see quite a bit, as all the primary points of interest are situated near the town middle. So, we’ve created the proper one-day in Porto Itinerary to benefit from your brief keep.
One Day in Porto Itinerary
Porto is Portugal’s second largest metropolis but it surely nonetheless feels small. The historic middle is walkable and with simple and reasonably priced public transport, Ubers and an organized strolling route, you possibly can see quite a bit in a short while.
In case you solely have sooner or later in Porto, we advise utilizing Uber to get round. We discovered them to be very dependable and reasonably priced. Additionally, in the event you plan on going into quite a lot of Porto points of interest and utilizing public transport you could think about the Porto Card. We didn’t use the Porto Card for sooner or later, however you possibly can take a look at what’s included right here.
Plenty of our strategies are simply walkable when you get to the world that we advise. We have now a map on the backside of this publish that you may comply with. And we are going to counsel the place and when to take an Uber and when to stroll.
Morning
Livraria Lello
Harry Potter followers will need to head straight to Livrario Lellow to begin your one-day itinerary. Name an Uber out of your lodge and make your strategy to R. das Carmelitas for the primary entry into this world’s most stunning bookstore. It’s rumored that Hogwarts’ winding staircases have been modeled after Livraria Lello’s stunning baroque staircases, however JK Rowling denies that. Both method, there’s a whole part devoted to the beloved sequence, and you’ll really feel as you probably have entered a magical bookshop.
Many individuals have probably the most stunning bookstore on the earth on their checklist throughout their Porto itinerary, however many individuals additionally miss out as a consequence of an absence of planning. Be sure that to e-book your timed entry upfront. The bookstore opens at 9:00 am, and it would be best to e-book a golden ticket that allows you to skip the road and provides you a free e-book of your selection. Even in the event you booked the golden ticket and might skip the road, present up at 8:00 to be on the entrance. We let you know precisely what to do right here.
It’s worthwhile to e-book effectively upfront on the LIvrario Lello Web site, and we’ve a whole weblog publish telling you precisely how you can e-book that golden ticket and how you can be sure you are the primary one to enter the bookstore proper right here. Final Information for Visiting Livraria Lello
Igrega do Carmo
When you’ve completed at Livraria Lello, stroll towards the close by sq. to see the long-lasting tiles of Igrega do Carmo. It is likely one of the hottest partitions of tiles in Portugal, and you may get an iconic {photograph} within the doorway. Sure, we’re responsible of taking that actual shot. The sq. itself is gorgeous however busy. Excursions cease right here to speak concerning the church, which has a stunning fountain standing at its middle.
Once you go to Porto, you may be in awe. The historic middle was named a UNESCO World Heritage Website in 1996, and for good purpose. Its winding streets, historic church buildings adorned with Azuelos (Portuguese tiles), and delightful buildings are one thing you’ll always remember.
Cafe Majestic
In case you didn’t have breakfast at your lodge, which we extremely advocate doing as a result of reserving a lodge that features breakfast saves you a ton of time and money, make your strategy to the Majestic Cafe for Breakfast. Begin your stroll uphill, and in the event you don’t need to eat at Cafe Majestic, there are some nice breakfast locations simply up from Igrega do Carmo. We loved a improbable breakfast, Zenith Brunch and Cocktails, and Restaurant Carlos Alberto, each situated on Praça de Carlos Alberto, at a extra cheap value.
Nevertheless, you’re solely going to be in Porto for sooner or later, so we expect you’ll need to eat at one in every of its hottest cafes. Cafe Majestic was as soon as touted as probably the most stunning cafe on the earth. It, too, has Harry Potter connections, as JK Rowling frequented his cafe throughout her time in Porto, and it’s stated that she wrote the primary Harry Potter e-book there.
Majestic Cafe is a historic restaurant situated on the pedestrian-only procuring road Rua de Santa Catarina. After getting overpaid in your Pasteis de Nata and low, take a brief stroll alongside the road to browse its distinctive outlets and costly boutiques. There are chocolate outlets, bookstores and naturally the common Gucci and Rolex shops.
Igreja de Santo Ildefonso
Igreja de Santo Ildefonso Church is probably the most photographed church in Porto, because of its location and the 11,000 Azulejos (conventional Portuguese ceramic tiles) protecting the açade and sides of the church.
We by no means went inside as a result of we expect church buildings get sufficient cash and aren’t followers of paying to see inside, however we did benefit from the view from the steps. In case you do go inside, you’ll see a Nineteenth-century pipe organ, oil work, and, in fact, the same old non secular statues.
São Bento Prepare Station
There’s quite a lot of magnificence in Porto, and the Sao Bento prepare station is not any exception. In case you haven’t seen sufficient of these blue tiles, and even you probably have, you don’t need to miss The São Bento Prepare Station. It’s touted as one in every of Europe’s most stunning prepare stations because of its 20,000 azulejos. Every tile tells a narrative of Portuguese historical past.
This prepare station was opened in 1916 on the location of a former Benedictine monastery of Saint Benedict (São Bento). Excursions cease at this busy station all day lengthy to marvel on the ceramic tiles that have been painted by Jorge Colaço, one of the crucial famend azulejos artists of his time. The panels depict numerous historic scenes from Portugal’s historical past, together with battles, royal occasions, and conventional life.
Mid-Day
Snack and Sprits at Mercado Do Bolhão
When visiting Porto, you’ll undoubtedly need to go to one in every of its markets. For lunch, you have got a couple of choices: you possibly can flip round and stroll again the hill slightly bit to go to Mercado do Bolhão, which we extremely advocate, or begin making your strategy to the waterfront. However let’s speak concerning the Bolhao Market. That is one in every of our favourite markets in Europe, and Bolhão Market is likely one of the most genuine and conventional markets in Porto.
Though the unique construction has undergone renovations, the neoclassical facade stays. The lined market is cool and an ideal escape from the warmth. Inside, you possibly can pattern contemporary seafood, cheese, sausages, and pastries. The store homeowners are pleasant and keen about their native specialties.
Wander by stalls providing a wide range of cheeses, meats, and contemporary produce, and savor some genuine Portuguese delicacies that pair completely with wine! You’ll be able to order a glass of wine, Gin and Tonic, or a Porto and Tonic that you may take with you to sip on it as you wander by the aisles.
Pastel de Nata
If you wish to attempt some Pasteis de Nata, go throughout the road to the Confeteria de Balhao. It is likely one of the oldest bakeries in Porto, and lots of say it has the perfect Pasteis de Nata within the metropolis. The road is large within the morning, however later within the morning, it slows down a bit.
Porto Metropolis Corridor
In case you love getting these pictures of metropolis indicators, Porto Metropolis Corridor is only a brief stroll from the Bolhaor
Cais da Ribeira
If you wish to make your strategy to the river as an alternative of going to the market, you possibly can have lunch within the Ribeira district. A number of eating places and outside cafes line the waterfront with road performers entertaining visitors as they pattern Portuguese meals. Cais da Ribeira is Porto’s most picturesque district, with colourful buildings lining the Douro River, and you’ll undoubtedly need to spend a while exploring this neighborhood.
Get pleasure from winding your stroll down by the slender streets of Porto (it’s all downhill from the Bolhao Market and São Bento Station in the event you take the primary street), or you possibly can take an Uber to get there quicker.
When you get to the waterfront, it would be best to benefit from the power of this full of life a part of the town. There are outside markets, eating places, boat excursions, and delightful views of colourful buildings lining the Douro River. It is a excellent spot to drag up a chair and luxuriate in some lunch (in the event you skipped the fort and market) or to take pleasure in an Aperol Spritz.
Porto Cathedral
In case you select to go to the market, you can even have your driver drop you off on the Porto Cathedral for breathtaking views of the Douro River. It’s an uphill stroll to the cathedral, so you could need to rent a automotive to avoid wasting time. It’s price visiting for the views of the town and river. The Porto Cathedral is likely one of the metropolis’s oldest monuments, and it has been a non secular web site for the reason that twelfth century.
That is one cathedral you could need to go to. Its cloisters are stunning, and inside, the cathedral is adorned with azulejos (blue and white ceramic tiles) that narrate non secular tales.
Afternoon
Stroll Throughout the Ponte Luis I Bridge
It’s time to go to the town of Novo de Gaia throughout the river. We liked this district, and it’s the good place to spend the remainder of the afternoon. To get to Novo de Gaia from Porto, you possibly can stroll throughout the well-known Ponte Luis I Bridge. You’ll be able to stroll on the decrease or higher portion of the bridge. Observe that you simply’ll be sharing the street with automobiles.
In case you had lunch down by the water, you possibly can stroll throughout the decrease portion to get to Gaia, or in the event you went to the Porto Cathedral (which we extremely advocate as a result of you possibly can eat dinner on the Ribeira), you possibly can stroll alongside the higher portion. We liked the views from the higher portion. The Ponte Luis I Bridge is 45 meters excessive, and the views of each cities are stunning from up right here. There aren’t any automobiles driving on the higher bridge, however there are trams going backwards and forwards, so hold an eye fixed out.
River Cruise on the Douro River
When you get to Gaia, you possibly can embark on a river cruise on the Douro River to see Porto’s beautiful riverside surroundings. We took the 6 Bridges Cruise, which takes you from one finish of the town to the opposite. The 50-minute cruise offers you a novel perspective of Porto’s iconic bridges and landmarks, from the colourful streets of Cais da Ribeira to the port wine cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia.
You’ll be able to e-book river cruises on the Ribeira aspect as effectively, however they’re fairly busy. We booked on Gaia as an alternative. You’ll be able to e-book your cruise upfront as effectively which can assure your time slot. It’s price seeing all the aspect from a bot.
Port Wine Tasting at Vila Nova De Gaia
The waterfront of Gaia is known for its port wine cellars, and now could be the time to go to them and do a port tasting. A visit to Porto isn’t a visit with out tasting its well-known port wine! You don’t must take a tour, however it’s enjoyable to go to one of many cellars. We have now toured and purchased wines from Taylor’s, Calem, and Foncesco, and the port wines are divine.
Calem is the best to go to as it’s situated straight on the waterfront, they usually provide port-tasting flights. If you wish to see the WoW District (World of Wine) Fonseco and Taylor’s are situated only a brief stroll up. They’re each much less busy, however the wines are finer. We liked our port tasting expertise Taylor’s is the official provider of the Royal Household, and it was the primary port of wine in house! Check out a tasting session to find the depth and richness of those world-class wines.
Going right into a port wine lodge is a superb expertise; you are feeling as you probably have stepped again in time and loved a wine tour by these historic cellars.
Portuguese wine is as scrumptious as it’s distinctive, with varieties resembling Vino Verde and Port Wine. The Douro Valley is Portugal’s well-known wine area, and you may e-book a tour of Porto within the Douro Valley you probably have a couple of days.
Stroll the Gaia Waterfront
We loved the Gaia waterfront greater than the Ribeira as a result of, for one, it has the perfect views of Porto (together with the attractive Riviera). You’ll be able to see the colourful terraced homes rising up from the Douro River, with the cathedral and fort standing proudly overhead.
Port homes line the waterfront, showcasing the well-known Portuguese wine. Gaia is way much less busy than Porto and two of our favourite shops are situated on the waterfront of Gaia.
Great World of Portuguese Sardines
You will need to cease by to see the great world of Portuguese Sardines. This circus-like retailer is a vacation spot unto itself. Related in fashion to Livraria Lello, this retailer has baroque staircases and partitions stuffed with hundreds of colourful cans of sardines. There’s a multimedia show showcasing the historical past of Portuguese Sardines, and it’s merely a spectacle. Plus, you should purchase a sardine from a 12 months that’s particular to you. Why not carry dwelling a Portuguese can together with your birthdate or anniversary on it?
The Bacalau Home
The Balacau Home is one other must-stop. That is the place you possibly can attempt the nation’s well-known Cod Desserts whereas having fun with one other stunning store. The shop is a component store, museum arcade, and gallery. This store has two winding staircases, and the Bacalau home even has stay leisure. Pull up a chair on the higher balcony, seize a serving of Bacalau accompanied by port wine, and also you’ll have a real Portuguese expertise.
Night
Sundown Apperitivo
From the waterfront, you possibly can hop on the Teleferico (cable automotive), which can take you again as much as the highest of Gaia in your sundown views. If in case you have the finances, we advocate having appetizers and a cocktail on the Esplanada do Teleferico. It’s a improbable restaurant providing improbable views of Porto from its outside terrace.
Loosen up with a refreshing drink and take within the breathtaking skyline because the solar units over the town.
Jardim Do Morro
In case you don’t need to pay €15 to €20 for a cocktail, you possibly can have the identical view simply behind the restaurant at Jardim Do Morro. Pull up a blanket and benefit from the view because the solar goes down and the lights go on over Porto.
Fado
Because you’ve had Bacalau, appetizers, and port wine, we advise laying aside dinner till later. Moreover, why not embrace the Portuguese tradition and eat late? So earlier than dinner, e-book a Fado Present in a wine cellar. Fado is a wonderful stay efficiency of singers accompanied by guitars. We booked this tour by Get Your Information and liked it. The hour lengthy efficiency additionally features a glass of Port Wine.
Fado is a real cultural expertise that’s so vital to Portugal that it’s acknowledged by UNESCO as a part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
It’s recognized for its expressive and profoundly melancholic character, sometimes conveying themes of longing, disappointment, and nostalgia. The music is extremely emotional, aiming to evoke a sense of ‘saudade’ a Portuguese time period that describes a deep emotional state of nostalgic eager for one thing or somebody that one loves.
Evening time
Dinner
Relying on the place your lodge is situated (or if you’re keen to take a taxi or uber that are very reasonably priced) it would be best to select the place to have dinner and night drinks. The Ribeira, Gaia Waterfront, or Rua de Santa Catarina are all nice eating decisions.
There are such a lot of scrumptious and genuine eating places in Porto that it’s simple to be overwhelmed, however simply calm down, take pleasure in, and do what we do… search for eating places that appear to be stuffed with locals.
Francesinha – A Porto Staple
One meals it would be best to attempt at dinner is francesinha. This sandwich sounds disgusting, however it’s scrumptious. Most eating places serve it and in spite of everything that port wine and cocktails, it should assist to take in the alcohol. So what’s it? It is a hearty sandwich product of sausage, cheese, ham, extra meat, and bread served with a tomato beer sauce.
Nightlife at Galerias de Paris Avenue
For nightlife, make your strategy to Galleria Paris close to the Livraria Lello Bookstore for bar hopping. You end your day the place you started. That is the place the locals hang around into the wee hours of the morning.
How you can Get to Porto
By Air: The first gateway by air is thru Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport (often known as Porto Airport), situated roughly 11 kilometers from the town middle. The airport hosts a wide range of worldwide and home flights, connecting Porto with main cities throughout Europe and past. From the airport, vacationers can attain the town middle through the metro (the Violet E line straight connects the airport to the Trindade metro station within the metropolis middle), bus, taxi, or ride-sharing providers.
By Prepare: For vacationers coming from different components of Portugal or from Spain, trains are a handy choice. Porto’s major prepare station, Sao Bento Station, is situated within the coronary heart of the town and is well-connected to the Portuguese rail community. One other key station is Campanhã, which is on the east aspect of the town and serves as the primary hub for trains arriving from Lisbon, the Algarve, and worldwide locations resembling Spain. From Campanhã, passengers can take an area prepare or the metro to succeed in the central areas of Porto and Sao Bento Station.
And that’s our one-day in Porto itinerary. From the Ribeira district on the waterfront to the winding cobblestone streets, we’ve proven you how you can benefit from your day on this stunning metropolis.