Having visited Porto thrice, we clearly love this stunning metropolis in Portugal. It actually 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 a lot of its prime points of interest in simply sooner or later.
Whereas we advocate at the very least a couple of days in Porto, it’s attainable to see loads, as all the principle points of interest are positioned near the town middle. So, we’ve got created the right one-day in Porto Itinerary to take advantage of your quick keep.
One Day in Porto Itinerary
Porto is Portugal’s second largest metropolis nevertheless it 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 loads in a short while.
In case you solely have sooner or later in Porto, we recommend utilizing Uber to get round. We discovered them to be very dependable and reasonably priced. Additionally, when you plan on going into numerous Porto points of interest and utilizing public transport you might contemplate the Porto Card. We didn’t use the Porto Card for sooner or later, however you possibly can try what’s included right here.
Lots of our strategies are simply walkable when you get to the world that we recommend. We’ve got a map on the backside of this submit you could observe. And we are going to recommend 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 had been modeled after Livraria Lello’s stunning baroque staircases, however JK Rowling denies that. Both approach, there’s a whole part devoted to the beloved sequence, and you’ll really feel as if in case you have entered a magical bookshop.
Many individuals have essentially the most stunning bookstore on the planet on their checklist throughout their Porto itinerary, however many individuals additionally miss out as a result of an absence of planning. Make certain to e-book your timed entry prematurely. The bookstore opens at 9:00 am, and you’ll want to e-book a golden ticket that allows you to skip the road and offers you a free e-book of your selection. Even when you booked the golden ticket and may skip the road, present up at 8:00 to be on the entrance. We inform you precisely what to do right here.
It is advisable e-book properly prematurely on the LIvrario Lello Web site, and we’ve got a whole weblog submit telling you precisely find out how to e-book that golden ticket and find out how to be sure to 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 among the hottest partitions of tiles in Portugal, and you will get an iconic {photograph} within the doorway. Sure, we’re responsible of taking that precise shot. The sq. itself is gorgeous however busy. Excursions cease right here to speak in regards to the church, which has a stunning fountain standing at its middle.
Whenever you go to Porto, you’ll be in awe. The historic middle was named a UNESCO World Heritage Website in 1996, and for good cause. Its winding streets, historic church buildings adorned with Azuelos (Portuguese tiles), and exquisite 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 cash, make your strategy to the Majestic Cafe for Breakfast. Begin your stroll uphill, and when 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 positioned on Praça de Carlos Alberto, at a extra cheap value.
Nonetheless, 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 essentially the most stunning cafe on the planet. 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 positioned on the pedestrian-only procuring avenue Rua de Santa Catarina. After you have 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 essentially the most photographed church in Porto, due to its location and the 11,000 Azulejos (conventional Portuguese ceramic tiles) overlaying 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, after all, the same old non secular statues.
São Bento Practice Station
There’s numerous 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 if in case you have, you don’t need to miss The São Bento Practice Station. It’s touted as one in every of Europe’s most stunning prepare stations due to its 20,000 azulejos. Every tile tells a narrative of Portuguese historical past.
This prepare station was opened in 1916 on the positioning 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 had been painted by Jorge Colaço, one of the crucial famend azulejos artists of his time. The panels depict varied 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 could have a couple of choices: you possibly can flip round and stroll again the hill a bit bit to go to Mercado do Bolhão, which we extremely advocate, or begin making your strategy to the waterfront. However let’s speak in regards to the Bolhao Market. That is one in every of our favourite markets in Europe, and Bolhão Market is among the most genuine and conventional markets in Porto.
Though the unique construction has undergone renovations, the neoclassical facade stays. The coated market is cool and an incredible escape from the warmth. Inside, you possibly can pattern recent seafood, cheese, sausages, and pastries. The store house owners are pleasant and keen about their native specialties.
Wander via stalls providing quite a lot of cheeses, meats, and recent produce, and savor some genuine Portuguese delicacies that pair completely with wine! You may order a glass of wine, Gin and Tonic, or a Porto and Tonic you could take with you to sip on it as you wander via the aisles.
Pastel de Nata
If you wish to strive some Pasteis de Nata, go throughout the road to the Confeteria de Balhao. It is among the oldest bakeries in Porto, and plenty of say it has one of the best Pasteis de Nata within the metropolis. The road is big 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 quick stroll from the Bolhaor
Cais da Ribeira
If you wish to make your strategy to the river as a substitute of going to the market, you possibly can have lunch within the Ribeira district. A number of eating places and out of doors cafes line the waterfront with avenue 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 via the slender streets of Porto (it’s all downhill from the Bolhao Market and São Bento Station when you take the principle highway), or you possibly can take an Uber to get there sooner.
When you get to the waterfront, you’ll want to benefit from the power of this vigorous a part of the town. There are out of doors markets, eating places, boat excursions, and exquisite views of colourful buildings lining the Douro River. It is a excellent spot to drag up a chair and luxuriate in some lunch (when you skipped the fortress and market) or to get pleasure from 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 might need to rent a automotive to save lots of time. It’s price visiting for the views of the town and river. The Porto Cathedral is among 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 might 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 move to the town of Novo de Gaia throughout the river. We cherished this district, and it’s the excellent 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 may stroll on the decrease or higher portion of the bridge. Observe that you simply’ll be sharing the highway with vehicles.
In case you had lunch down by the water, you would stroll throughout the decrease portion to get to Gaia, or when you went to the Porto Cathedral (which we extremely advocate as a result of you possibly can eat dinner on the Ribeira), you would stroll alongside the higher portion. We cherished 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 are not any vehicles driving on the higher bridge, however there are trams going backwards and forwards, so preserve 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 will provide you with 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 may e-book river cruises on the Ribeira facet as properly, however they’re fairly busy. We booked on Gaia as a substitute. You may e-book your cruise prematurely as properly which is able to assure your time slot. It’s price seeing all the facet 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’ve got toured and acquired wines from Taylor’s, Calem, and Foncesco, and the port wines are divine.
Calem is the best to go to as it’s positioned immediately 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 positioned only a quick stroll up. They’re each much less busy, however the wines are finer. We cherished 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 if in case you have stepped again in time and loved a wine tour via these historic cellars.
Portuguese wine is as scrumptious as it’s distinctive, with varieties similar to Vino Verde and Port Wine. The Douro Valley is Portugal’s well-known wine area, and you’ll e-book a tour of Porto within the Douro Valley if in case you 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 one of the best views of Porto (together with the gorgeous Riviera). You may 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 far much less busy than Porto and two of our favourite shops are positioned on the waterfront of Gaia.
Fantastic World of Portuguese Sardines
You should cease by to see the fantastic world of Portuguese Sardines. This circus-like retailer is a vacation spot unto itself. Comparable in fashion to Livraria Lello, this retailer has baroque staircases and partitions stuffed with 1000’s 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 buy a sardine from a 12 months that’s particular to you. Why not deliver house a Portuguese can along 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 strive the nation’s well-known Cod Muffins 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 reside 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 is able to take you again as much as the highest of Gaia in your sundown views. When you’ve got the price range, we advocate having appetizers and a cocktail on the Esplanada do Teleferico. It’s a improbable restaurant providing improbable views of Porto from its out of doors terrace.
Calm down 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 recommend laying aside dinner till later. In addition to, 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 ravishing reside efficiency of singers accompanied by guitars. We booked this tour via Get Your Information and cherished it. The hour lengthy efficiency additionally features a glass of Port Wine.
Fado is a real cultural expertise that’s so essential to Portugal that it’s acknowledged by UNESCO as a part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
It’s identified 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 positioned (or if you’re prepared to take a taxi or uber that are very reasonably priced) you’ll want to select the place to have dinner and night drinks. The Ribeira, Gaia Waterfront, or Rua de Santa Catarina are all nice eating selections.
There are such a lot of scrumptious and genuine eating places in Porto that it’s simple to be overwhelmed, however simply calm down, get pleasure from, and do what we do… search for eating places that appear to be stuffed with locals.
Francesinha – A Porto Staple
One meals you’ll want to strive at dinner is francesinha. This sandwich sounds disgusting, however it’s scrumptious. Most eating places serve it and in any case that port wine and cocktails, it’ll assist to take in the alcohol. So what’s it? It is a hearty sandwich made from sausage, cheese, ham, extra meat, and bread served with a tomato beer sauce.
Nightlife at Galerias de Paris Road
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 (also called Porto Airport), positioned roughly 11 kilometers from the town middle. The airport hosts quite a lot 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 immediately connects the airport to the Trindade metro station within the metropolis middle), bus, taxi, or ride-sharing companies.
By Practice: For vacationers coming from different components of Portugal or from Spain, trains are a handy possibility. Porto’s principal prepare station, Sao Bento Station, is positioned 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 facet of the town and serves as the principle hub for trains arriving from Lisbon, the Algarve, and worldwide locations similar to Spain. From Campanhã, passengers can take an area prepare or the metro to achieve 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 find out how to take advantage of your day on this stunning metropolis.