• HOME
  • ABOUT
  • WORK
  • CONTACT
  • COURSE
  • DESTINATIONS
  • Nav Social Icons

  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • HOME
  • ABOUT
  • WORK
  • CONTACT
  • COURSE
  • DESTINATIONS
  • Mobile Menu Widgets

    Connect

    Search

Bucketlist Bri

Bucketlist Bri

Adventurous Slomad Travel

  • Start Here
  • Destinations
  • Digital Nomad
  • Responsible Travel
  • Slow Travel
  • Van Life

How Many Days in Porto? The Perfect Itinerary

Last Updated: February 26, 2022 · Portugal

Looking for the perfect Porto itinerary? Then you’re in the right place! Whether you’re going to spend 2, 3, or 5 days in Porto, you will have all the best things to do in Porto curated into a special itinerary right here at your fingertips.

Porto is such a quaint and charming little city. It’s buzzing with local life and isn’t yet exposed to mass tourism. In other words, it remains authentic and affordable in all the best ways!

View of Sé Porto Cathedral from small street Rua do Ferraz in Porto Portugal
My favorite view I stumbled on exploring Porto! (Rua do Ferraz)

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links that may earn me a small commission should you decide to click through and make a valid purchase (at no extra cost to you). Thanks so much for your support!

The riverside Ribeira district and historic Sé neighborhoods are loaded with tiled houses, churches, and cute cafés—everything you’ll come to discover in this itinerary!

In just two days, you could check off the bulk of your Porto bucket list! With 3 days in Porto or more, you could add in an exciting day trip to the Douro Valley and squeeze in a few more must-sees and dos.

Snag this ultimate Porto, Portugal itinerary below and get ready to set sail down the Douro!

Table of Contents show
How Many Days in Porto?
Where to Stay in Porto for Short Trips
What to See in Porto in 1-5 Days
The Perfect Porto Itinerary
Day 1: Intro to Porto
Day 2: Porto Bridges & Port Wine
Day 3: Baixa & Sé Historic District
Day 4: Douro Day Trip or More Porto Tours
Day 5: Bolhão & Bonfim
Final Thoughts

How Many Days in Porto?

View of Porto, Portugal historic center, Baixa neighborhood, and Sé cathedral
Porto’s historic center and Sé cathedral

How many days should you spend in Porto? I wondered the exact same thing when planning my solo trip! Now that I’ve been there, I can say Porto is a city you can cover rather quickly.

However, I would recommend spending no less than 48 hours or two full days in Porto to see the top sights and fit in 1-2 tours.

How much time is “enough” also depends on your intentions for your trip. I prefer to slow down my travels whenever possible, spreading out my time across several days. That’s mostly why I spent a week in Porto (or 5 full days not counting travel days).

🎟 Get around with the Porto City Card & save! — Enjoy free entry to 6 museums, unlimited transport, and a 20-50% discount on admission to popular attractions (i.e. wine cellar, river cruise, etc).

Porto's skyline with the Torro dos Clérigos in the distance
Porto colorful buildings on the Ribeira waterfront

I was also super glad to visit Porto in January, which allowed me to see some of the top touristy sights like the Livraria Lello — the Harry Potter Bookshop without enormous crowds.

That said, when exactly is the best time to visit Porto?

I haven’t been in summer, but I can imagine it’s like what I experienced in January, only more pleasant! Luckily, it didn’t rain during my time there so I could take advantage of all my 5 days in Porto exploring around on foot.

Also note that tourists typically flock to Porto on weekends, which doubles or even triples the size of the crowds compared to the weekdays. So if you can, plan to go sometime during the week!

Where to Stay in Porto for Short Trips

Porto's Vítoria neighborhood with orange rooftops
  • Top Pick (Studio/Apartment) — PipaD’oro by YoursPorto
  • Budget $ — Porto Lounge Hostel & Guesthouse
  • Boutique $$ — Porto A.S. 1829 Hotel
  • Luxury & Unique $$$ — ArmaZém Architectural & Design Hotel

As I mentioned, Porto is fairly small. At most, you can reach all the major attractions on foot within 15-20 minutes.

That said, you could pretty much stay anywhere in Porto and be well-positioned to get out and explore at a moment’s notice! Nevertheless, the historic center is arguably the best place to stay for a short trip.

You’ll be just a block or two away from the beautiful Azulejo tiled churches and cathedrals, Rua das Flores shopping street, and the famous Ribeira neighborhood (the bustling waterfront).

What to See in Porto in 1-5 Days

Waterfront view of Ribeira in Porto, Portugal
Inside the Clérigos Church in Porto Portugal
Sé Porto Cathedral and Plaza in Porto Portugal
Porto's colorful tiled houses on the Ribeira disctrict

Ready to pack in the best of Porto in as little as 1 to 5 days? Here is what you can expect from this itinerary below!

  • Livraria Lello (the Harry Potter Bookstore) and the Majestic Café where JK Rowling is said to have written her first words of the books
  • Clérigos Church & Tower
  • Tiled churches of Igreja de Como, Santo Ildefonso, and Capela das Almas
  • Hidden passageways and shortcuts, like the Trevassa do Ferraz
  • Viewpoints for sunrise and sunset like Mirador Vitória
  • Bustling plazas such as Liberty Square and Praça Ribeira
  • Port wine tasting in the Calem Cellar
  • Popular shopping streets Santa Catarina and Rua das Flores
  • Sé and Porto Cathedral
  • Porto’s 6 bridges cruise down the Douro
  • Tour of the Arab Room inside Palacio de Bolsa
  • São Bento Railway Station
  • Lunch and dinner tips at amazing cafés and restaurants
  • Ponte Dom Luís I and Mosteiro da Serra do Pilar
  • And more!

Now let’s put it all together into a jam-packed itinerary. Of course, feel free to use this as a guide but don’t forget to allow for a bit of flexibility during your stay, too!

The Perfect Porto Itinerary

Day 1: Intro to Porto

The best way to kick off your Porto trip is with a climb to the top of the Torro dos Clérigos (Clérigos bell tower). Get your skip-the-line entry ticket here.

View of Porto building from atop Torro dos Clérigos Tower in Porto
View of Porto's Baixa neighborhood framed by a window of the Torro dos Clérigos tower

Not only will you have the tower almost to yourself in the morning, but you’ll also have awesome 360-degree views of Porto. The museum and church make for a nice visit, but it’s really the climb and views people come to see (cost €6).

Right nearby the tower is the Livraria Lello — otherwise known as the famous Harry Potter bookstore. Doors open at 9:30 am, so you may want to go before climbing Clérigos. Either way, you should consider getting there early or as soon as it opens to avoid the mid-morning and afternoon crowds!

Crimson red spiraling staircase inside Livraria Lello in Porto, Portugal
Livraria Lello entrance with staircase, considered the Prettiest Library in the World

Finish touring the Clérigo district with a stroll through Jardim de João Chagas park and a visit to the blue and white tiled church at Igreja da Como.

This entire area is worth spending the morning in. Once you’re finished, grab lunch at Bilha Nova (the food and service are wonderful).

To wrap up your first day, stop by the Mirador da Vitória (for sunset) and finish the day with a stroll and dinner down by the Cais da Ribeira (quay).

View of Porto Cathedral and Sé neighborhood from the Mirador Vítoria in Porto Portugal
Sé Cathedral

Day 2: Porto Bridges & Port Wine

For your second day in Porto, learn all about the history and production of the world-famous Port wine with a cellar tour and cruise down the River Douro.

The Porto 6 Bridges Cruise is a 1-hour boat ride on the Douro River that takes you under Porto’s iconic bridges. You can go anytime between 11 am-4 pm, so plan it for sometime mid-morning or mid-afternoon. You can learn more about what to expect on this tour in my guide to the six bridges tour in Porto here.

Do the bridges river tour from 11 am to 12 pm, that way you can stroll the Ribeira and have lunch. Head up the stairs to cross the Ponte Dom Luis I bridge for epic views.

Boat tour on the River Douro with Dom Luis Bridge in the background
Porto's Ribeira with tiled houses and boat on the Douro
Porto's Ribeira with tiled houses and boat on the Douro

Cross to the other side to Vila Nova de Gaia and visit the Monastery of Serra do Pilar. (Watching the sunset from here and the adjacent Jardim do Morro is very popular!) Walk, or take the funicular down to the riverside. Depending on when you go, there may be a local artisanal market along the quay you can visit while you await your wine tasting reservation time.

The top recommended Port wine cellars are Cálem and Graham and Burmester (according to the Portuguese guide I asked at the Palacio de Bolsa).

There are several ways to experience Port wine in Porto!

  • Live Fado Show with glass of Port wine at Casa do Fado
  • Cálem Tour + Tasting — basic or premium (2 glasses or 3 glasses with Tawny)
  • Graham’s Port Lodge Tour + Tasting
  • Cálem Cellar with Chocolate, Cheese, and Wine Tasting
  • 3-Hour Walking Tour with 11 Tastings
  • Burmester Cellar Tour

I did the simple tour and tasting at Cálem Cellar and enjoyed it even though it felt a bit rushed. Groups are bigger on weekends which makes it harder to hear and move around the rooms to read the displays.

Day 3: Baixa & Sé Historic District

For day 3, continue your tour checking off the other must-see sights in Porto. Luckily, everything in this area is within easy reach on foot!

View of Porto's Baixa neighborhood

Start your day with breakfast or brunch at either the Floresta Café on Rua das Flores (500-yr old street) or the Do Norte Cafe near Liberty Square. Both are owned by the same brand, Hungry Biker, and have similar menus: giant avocado toasts, salty salmon waffles, strawberry fields pancakes… all super delicious, all nutritious!

From either one of those points, make your way down the buzzing Avenida dos Aliados and eventually to the São Bento Railway Station for a peep inside at its gorgeous tiled interior.

Next, walk over to the imposing Sé Porto Cathedral — you can’t miss it! This area, known as the cathedral quarter, is the oldest part of Porto. Its tiled houses, with the day’s laundry drying out the window, and narrow streets like Rua Santa Ana remind us of its medieval history and modern-day charm.

Sign on Porto Cathedral plaza
Rua Santa Ana, charming street in Porto Portugal
Porto's skyline with the Torro dos Clérigos in the distance

🌟 Walk down toward Igreja dos Grilos barroque church for a beautiful little viewpoint overlooking the historic center. It’s called Miradouro da Rua das Aldas.

Day 4: Douro Day Trip or More Porto Tours

With 5 days in Porto, you have plenty of time to take a full-day trip to the Douro Valley or spend more time wandering around discovering more hidden corners of the city.

Here are more Porto activities to do with spare time:

  • Tour the World of Discoveries themed museum
  • Visit the Crystal Gardens
  • Tour the ornate Arab Room inside the beautiful Palaçio de Bolsa (30-minute guided tour)
  • Porto Legends — audiovisual immersion into Porto’s history with The Underground Experience
  • Tour The Chocolate Story museum
View of Porto tiled houses and rooftop from Mirador das Aldas in Porto Sé neighborhood

Day 5: Bolhão & Bonfim

For your last day in Porto, I recommend visiting the neighborhoods of Bolhao and Bonfim.

Bolhao is mostly known for the Mercado de Bolhão (which, unfortunately, was still under construction when I visited). It was high on my list. If it’s open, go and enjoy the fresh food market for me.

If it’s still closed, not all is lost. In this area is also the famous Rua de Santa Catarina — also known as the ultimate shopping street in Porto. Here, you can waltz down the bustling avenue lined with shops and restaurants. Step inside the Fábrica de Nata shop for a one last pastéis de nata (or just buy a bunch). They are made fresh here and only cost €1/piece!

Nearby is also the ViaCatarina shopping mall. A cool thing to see is its food court on the top floor decorated with Portuguese-style houses. It’s super cute! (Thanks to my sweet friend Ana who clued me in on this spot! Check out her destination guides for more.)

Chapel of Souls, Capela das Almas in Porto Portugal
Ildefonso Church with blue-tiled facade in Porto

As you head south on this popular street, take note of the adorable blue-tiled chapel, Capela das Almas.

Keep going, and then stop in for overpriced tea service or coffee inside Majestic Café where JK Rowling is said to have written her first words of the Harry Potter books.

The end of this street will lead you to the tiled church of Igreja de Santo Ildefonso. From here, go explore Bonfim! Bonfim is an up-and-coming, non-touristy neighborhood! Think art galleries, pop-up concept stores, gastropubs, and hipster cafés.

Ultimately, use this day to see and do everything you didn’t get to check off your Porto bucket list!

Final Thoughts

Viewpoint of Vítoria in Porto Portugal with rooftops and church in distance
Yellow, blue, and red façade houses in Porto Portugal
Colorful cafes and houses in Porto

As you can see, even though Porto is relatively small in size, it’s bubbling over with things to do! If you think this Porto itinerary needs adjusting, feel free to swap and replace activities as you go; making room for a little flexibility goes a long way when traveling!

Finally, if you have any questions or want my advice on how to plan your days in Porto, please let me know in the comments below.

Save this Porto Itinerary to Pinterest!

View of Clérigos Tower, photo with text overlay "5 Day Itinerary Porto Portugal"
View of Porto Cathedral from Rua do Ferraz, photo with text overlay "The Perfect Itinerary Porto Portugal"

By: Bri · In: Portugal

you’ll also love

View of Lisbon, Portugal with red rooftops and city centerHow to Spend the Perfect 2 Days in Lisbon
Vegan avocado toast with brunch plates at Fauna and Flora in LisbonWhere to Find THE Best Brunch in Lisbon – Top 11 Brunch Spots
Digital nomad walking the streets of Lisbon PortugalLiving in Lisbon as a Digital Nomad (The Ultimate Guide)

Join the List

Stay up to date with the latest adventures and travel guides.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Next Post >

Top 10 Things to Do on Grande-Terre Island

Primary Sidebar

hello!

I’m Bri, an adventurous digital nomad living abroad full-time since 2015. It is my hope to inspire you to live a life of adventure, seek out meaningful experiences, and travel slowly and mindfully!

About Me

Connect

join the list

Featured Posts

a kaqchikel maya women from santa catarina palopó using the backstrap loom

What Is Slow Travel & 7 Reasons Why You Should Do It

Reading in my ecological treehouse @ Aldea Bamboo in San Pancho Mexico | Bucketlist Bri

25 Eco-Friendly Travel Tips for the Eco-Conscious Traveler

scuba diving in tulum mexico

The Complete Guide to Scuba Diving in Tulum, Mexico

QUICK LINKS

  • HOME
  • ABOUT
  • WORK
  • CONTACT
  • COURSE
  • DESTINATIONS

Search

Let’s Connect!

@bucketlistbri

Tips from a long-time nomad ⬇️✨ 💻 WORKIN Tips from a long-time nomad ⬇️✨

💻 WORKING ONLINE
While not all nomads/remote workers have online-specific jobs, it’s the easiest way to sustain an income for full-time or long-term travel. Here are some jobs you can do as a digital nomad!

• Blogging (This is what I do full-time!)
• Content Creation / Brand Sponsorship
• Virtual Assisting
• Social Media Management
• YouTube or Podcasting
• Graphic / Web Design
• Coding / Development
• Photography / Videography
• Freelance Writing (How I started)
• Marketing / Amazon FBA / Ecommerce

📍PICKING YOUR DIGITAL NOMAD DESTINATION
There are many countries out there offering digital nomad visas, but you don’t even need one to just travel as a tourist and stay in-country for 30, 60, 90, or 180 days. Nomads go everywhere as long as there’s a Wi-Fi connection, some countries you may consider are Portugal, Mexico, Costa Rica, Thailand, Vietnam, Croatia, Canada, Colombia, Indonesia, Brazil, and beyond! Even lesser-known places such as Namibia are starting to offer nomad visas to entice long-term travelers to visit.

🏡 FINDING HOUSING ABROAD
Read my blog post for the full guide on this, but basically, check local Facebook groups for renting local housing for extended stays and then use Airbnbs for shorter stays or to negotiate longer contracts with the owner. There are even more “nomad rental websites” these days to make finding accommodation even easier. Don’t overlook co-living/working spaces too like Selina where the digital nomad community tends to congregate.

💛 EXPLORING LOCALLY/RESPONSIBLY
As always, be mindful and respectful when you visit these communities. Many small towns are struggling with rapid growth and overdevelopment so be mindful of your choices of where you stay, how you spend your money, and who you support.

My best advice + detailed guides are all on the blog, free for you to use! Let me know if you have any questions about digital nomad life! 

Lastly, don’t overthink it. Moving countries isn’t as intimidating as you may think! It’s become second nature for us now after several years! 🐈‍⬛💃🌎✨
I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to discover t I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to discover this incredible country beyond the resorts and beaches, having lived temporarily in 5 out of the 32 Mexican states (Nayarit, Quintana Roo, Chiapas, Oaxaca, and now Baja California Sur) as a digital nomad who’s been slow traveling/living in and out of Mexico since 2018. 

There is so, so much cultural and natural beauty in Mexico — I wish more people could experience this country for themselves and not through the eyes of the media.

***Please visit Mexico as a digital nomad (or tourist in general) responsibly and mindfully. Stay local, eat local, drink local, shop local, support local. Leave No Trace and be conscious of your choices and impact!*** 

Here are the cities/towns we’ve slow traveled/lived in for extended stays.

• Oaxaca City — a colorful, historic open museum rich in indigenous culture and gastronomy 
• San Cristóbal de las Casas — an endearing pueblo mágico in the Chiapas Highlands
• La Paz — the capital city of BCS teeming with marine life, diving, fish tacos, and desert vibes
• San Pancho — an eco-conscious town in Nayarit famous for its sunsets and community
• Tulum — no introduction needed (and I wouldn’t go back here as a nomad due to overdevelopment)

Other great cities/towns/destinations for digital nomads are:

• Guadalajara (state of Jalisco)
• Santiago de Querétaro (state of Querétaro)
• San Miguel de Allende or Guanajuato City (state of Guanajuato)
• Playa del Carmen (state of Quintana Roo)
• Valladolid or Mérida (state of Yucatán)
• México City/CDMX (state of México)
• Sayulita (state of Nayarit)
• Puerto Vallarta (state of Jalisco)
• Puerto Escondido (state of Oaxaca)

I’d love to know what you think about Mexico and where you’ve been in the comments! 🇲🇽💛

And for the detailed guide of 13 places to live/visit, read my blog @bucketlistbri .com (just type in “places to live mexico” in the quick search bar if you can’t find the post under my “Mexico” category).

#mexicomagico #digitalnomad #visitmexico #livingabroad #fulltimetravel #mexicotravel #mexicodestinations #nomadadigital #nomada #mexicomaravilloso #slowtravelling #mindfultravel
PSA: Your anxiety, problems or (bad) habits will f PSA: Your anxiety, problems or (bad) habits will follow you around the world until you face them no matter how much you travel or move countries 🙃 

I know I’m not the only one that feels restless at times and idolizes moving to a new region/country/continent to shake my feelings of anxiety or self-doubt or fear! (Also, I tend to think about moving to another country even when I just moved to a new one 😅)

I know because I have lived abroad for 8+ years. I used to try to drown out my icky feelings and past traumas with lots of alcohol but now I carry them with me like I do my mismatched socks — they add to the quirkiness and remind me I don’t have to be, and am not, perfect. 

And that life is more interesting that way, anyway. 

Anddd that most importantly, whenever I get lost, I can and will be found again — I just may look and think differently after new adventures but I am still loved and never lost forever 🧦 ✨💛 

In sum, whether you travel full-time or not, take care of yourself ✨💛

#nomadness #nomadlife #lifeofadventure #livingabroad #fulltimetravel #offbeattravel #remoteworklife #homeawayfromhome #slowtravelstories #mentalhealthawarness
The 4 core ingredients to a recharged Bri: 💛 P The 4 core ingredients to a recharged Bri:

💛 Paul
😻 Yoda
🌍 Traveling & adventuring
👩🏼‍💻 Blogging & writing

Among other things like nature, photography, reading, animals, journaling, art, playing Zelda/games, dancing/music, culture/languages, enjoying rly good food and drinks! 😋 

What about you? What recharges you?? 

#rechargemysoul #blogging #adventures #writing #soulfulliving #mindfulliving #mindfultravel #nomadcouple #creativeliving
1 WEEK COSTA RICA ITINERARY👇🦋✨ 🌋 ARENA 1 WEEK COSTA RICA ITINERARY👇🦋✨

🌋 ARENAL // LA FORTUNA (2 days)
- Hike in the Arenal Volcano National Park
- Indulge in a local chocolate/coffee tour (s/o to @northfieldscafe)
- Go on a wildlife safari float (s/o to Raúl for pura vida vibes!)
- Lounge in natural hot springs (highly recommend the budget-friendly Relax Termalitas in Fortuna)
- Visit La Fortuna waterfall
- Check out the Butterfly Conservatory

🦥 QUEPOS // MANUEL ANTONIO (2-3 days)
- Take a guided or DIY tour of Manuel Antonio National Park
- Chill out on the Espadilla beach
- Explore the cute towns
- Watch for wildlife in the trees!

🌿 MONTEVERDE // SANTA ELENA (2 days)
- Visit/hike in the Monteverde Cloud Forest
- Go ziplining
- Birdwatching on a canopy tour
- Monteverde coffee tour
- Do a nature night walk

My sister and I surprised our mom with this bucket list trip on her birthday, and we had a blast! 🥹

Send this itinerary to someone you know who has always wanted to go to Costa Rica 🦋💛✨🌿🦜🐒

#costarica #bucketlisttrip #puravida #costaricaitinerary #lafortuna #manuelantonio #monteverde #ecotourism
Swimming with the biggest fish in the world is a q Swimming with the biggest fish in the world is a quite a humbling experience, and one that’s been at the top of my bucket list for ages! 🥺

Right now is prime whale shark season in La Paz in Baja California Sur, Mexico, so Paul and I made sure to go before we jetted off to see family for the holidays! I’m still in awe of these gentle giants and the fact that we got to swim alongside them!

Read all about the best whale shake tours in La Paz + ethical whale shark tourism in my latest blog post! Link in bio 💛

Send this to a friend who loves whale sharks! 🐳🦈

#whalesharks #lapaz #bajacaliforniasur #ethicaltravel #responsibletravel #ecotourism #golapaz #mexicotravel #bucketlist #seaofcortez
Follow My Adventures

Footer

On the Blog

  • Start Here
  • Destinations
  • Digital Nomad
  • Responsible Travel
  • Slow Travel
  • Van Life

Info

  • Work With Me
  • Blog Course
  • Shop
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy

adventures await x

Copyright © 2023 · Bucketlist Bri | All Rights Reserved

22 shares