Porto, Portugal: While its history began as a pre-Roman settlement named Portus Cale (which is where the name Porto originates from) it quickly grew to a major trading port in the 15th century and most recently for its wine commerce.  This bustling historic town is known for its immense contribution to Portugal’s history but also for being the second largest city in Portugal. Welcome to our Porto travel guide, a city of endless postcards views, decorative buildings, hidden alleys, a little something for everyone and Porto made wine.

How to get to Porto

There are several ways to reach Porto, most being directly from Lisbon. So how to get from Lisbon to Porto? You can get to Porto from Lisbon by bus, train, or plane. And in the end, all three options will take somewhere around 3 hours of total travel time. It really comes down to your budget and convenience.

Both bus and train departures from Lisbon are from the Lisboa Oriente station, which is 20 minutes out of downtown. Buses to Porto arrive at the Campo 24 de Agosto Station only a 5-minute drive to the Ribeira. You can purchase bus tickets on Omio here. Trains into Porto arrive at Porto Campanha, which is only 10 minutes from Porto’s city center. You can purchase train tickets directly on RailEurope. If you decide to fly, you’ll land at the Francisco Sa Carneiro Airport or Porto’s International Airport (OPO). The airport is 20 minutes from downtown Porto. You can opt to share a ride to downtown by purchasing this shuttle ticket here.

Where to stay in Porto

There are plenty of hidden streets and districts in Porto, but for first time visitors, we found the following to be the best areas to stay in Porto. Firstly, Baixa and Sé. Right above the Ribeira area are the Baixa and Sé neighborhoods. This was the ideal location for us as it  was close to the Ribeira but also walking distance from many popular attractions and most importantly a few minutes away from Ponte Luís.

Secondly, the actual Ribeira, which hugs the Douro River. It’s undoubtedly Porto’s most historic district, and above all, you get unbelievable riverfront views, restaurants and nightlife. This is an ideal area to plant your stay although it may get a little noisy at night. Here are recommendations for booking a place in the city.

Location, Location, Location? Our number one recommendation for a place in the center of the action and accessible to everything is the Porto by the River apartments here. Prefer an airbnb with unbelievable views? This gem overlooking the Se do Porto is everything. More of a hotel person? Check out Hotel Carris in the middle of the Ribeira or for a more luxurious stay, Flores Village Hotel & Spa. Looking for a place to meet new people and not break the bank? Maybe a private room in a hostel or shared dormitory? The boutique Selina Hotel is a great option although a bit further into town. The takeaway here is that Porto is a massive city with plenty of lodging options, but that can be overwhelming for a first time visitor. Try to stay around the Ribeira and follow our recommendations and you can’t go wrong! Make sure to head over to our post on favorite miradouros and viewpoints in porto!

Now that you’re settled in, here’s what to do in Porto

If you’re in Porto for 2 days or less, consider booking a tour bus, it’s by the far the easiest way to see everything this city has to offer. City Sightseeing offers a great tour that isn’t too steep price wise and you truly get to see all of Porto and beyond. If you’ve got more time or willing to trek as much as you can during your stay in Porto, here’s what you should plan on visiting.

Straight and center is Avenida dos Aliados, which serves as the central point in Porto. A boulevard lined with grandiose buildings, statues, hotels and shops.

There’s also the Câmara Municipal do Porto or the city hall building with its beaming clock tower. But really, many flock to take a photo with the blue Porto sign near its entrance.

Only a ten-minute walk away is the Clérigos Tower peeking through the renovated shopping street Passeio dos Clérigos.

The famed Azulejo Structures in Porto

Porto is known for its unique architecture, specifically the use of azulejo tiles or polished stone which is found on and in many of the historic buildings. The most notorious is the Carmo and Carmelitas Churches, built separately to divide monks and nuns. There’s a small, and we mean small, 1-meter wide Hidden House in between. The house functioned as an administrative building and can be toured for as little as 5 euros.

Nearby, you can visit The Livraria Lello Bookstore, said to have inspired J.K. Rowling to create Hogwart’s intricate stairs while she lived in Porto. At the end of the day, it’s just a library and yes it’s stunning but the wait is killer. You have to wait in line for quite a bit to get a ticket, and most times the ticket is timed for the next day. You can save time by purchasing entry tickets online here ahead of time – but you still have to wait to get inside.

There’s also the popular Church of Saint Ildefonso. Located near Batalha Square this 18th century church has been through quite a lot – it has survived a severe storm in 1819 and damage from artillery fire during the Siege of Porto in 1833.. What a trooper!

Igreja de Santo António dos Congregados is yet another emblematic blue tiled church in the heart of the city.  Can you peek the train station on the right?

You can’t miss the magnificent São Bento Railway Station right next door. Also decked out in azulejo tiles retelling stories of the history of Portugal, major battles such as the Battle of Valdevez in 1140 and the Conquest of Ceuta in 1415.

A few steps away is the Sé do Porto or the Porto Cathedral. A national monument, the Sé is one of the city’s oldest structures, its construction began in 1110 and it took its final and current form in 1737. Keep reading and you’ll know why this was one of our favorite gems.

Just around the Cathedral, is a hidden stairway leading to the Cais da Ribeira, or the bank of the Douro River leading up to the Ribeira. This is the lowest point in Porto, and if you can’t make it down the steep steps take the Funicular dos Guindais down to the “boardwalk” for just €2.50.

It came as no surprise that Ribeira District is a UNESCO World Heritage site, after all it’s the oldest region of Porto. The Riberia makes it so easy for visitors to fall in love with Porto. The heart is called Praça da Ribeira or really the square with colorfully decked buildings, Douro front restaurants and cafes, the dynamic nightlife, unique street performances and more. Stop by Cafe do Cais in the evening to get a feel for what we’re talking about.

As you walk further away from the Ribeira and the bridge, you’ll come by the São Francisco Church and the Bolsa Palace. Both marvelous buildings worth touring.

If you’re inclined to test out some shopping, visit the busy pedestrian street Run Santa Catarina. It’s a long stretch of commercial shops and cafes starting from Praça da Batalha and going up 1.5 kilometers which is around 1 mile.

Now that we’ve covered the Ribeira and downtown Porto, let’s cross over to the other side. You’ll easily spot the glorious Ponte Luís. The bridge has two decks – a lower level for cars and pedestrian sidewalks, and an upper level for the train and another pedestrian walkway. Both decks are quite the experience, make sure to switch up which deck you take going into and out of the Ribeira.

Discover the Gaia Side

You’ve crossed the massive Ponte Luís and have landed in the Gaia district: a bustling town in its own way. Our first suggestion is to enjoy a classic river cruise in an old Rabello boat. Otherwise, here’s what to do in Gaia.

Vila Nova de Gaia’s waterfront or Cais de Gaia is known for being home to many of Porto’s famous wine cellars, open air market and shops, river cruise docks and most importantly the cable car. Teleferico de Gaia is only a few minutes ride up the steep hillside and offers some of the best views of the Ribeira and the Douro.

It doesn’t really take you up that far, so you’ll need to hike upwards towards Igreja da Serra do Pilar and Jardim do Morro to get a fuller view of the other side.

Discover a bit of Gaia by walking the narrow streets behind the waterfront. For a quick snack or a dose of coffee, stop by our friends at 7 Grams Café. The staff is incredibly friendly, will give you plenty of local recommendations and will properly welcome you to their city. Close by is the famous “Half Rabbit” mural by Portuguese artist Bordalo II.

Take a break and enjoy a cruise down the river. This is especially relaxing around sunset, although it can get a bit windy so make sure to grab a sweater. Book ahead of time as time slots are limited especially if you’re running on a tight schedule, easily reserve your spot here!

Where to Eat in Porto

Oh for the love of Portuguese food and fresh seafood in particular. Here’s a list of our favorite restaurants in Porto.

On the Ribeira, you can’t miss Taberna Rio and Terra Nova both beatifically decorated with stonewalls mimicking a culinary adventure in caves. Further beyond the square, stop by Tapas 65 or their newly opened sister restaurant PORTOgues, both offer mouthwatering Portuguese tapas and seafood dishes. Further in downtown, there are some delicious hot spots for brunch and healthy meals. We loved the atmosphere at Noshi Coffee & Garden and Nicolau Porto. Of course you can’t visit Portugal without indulging in Pastel de Nata – grab the freshest baked goods at Manteigaria – Fábrica de Pasteis de Nata. Love pasteis so much, take a cooking class at The Cookery and learn how to make them from scratch or shop for Portuguese made souvenirs all at the same time.

Want to get out of the city? Visit Foz do Douro

Make your way over to the Foz and enjoy a beach day. Although most of the beaches in the area are rocky, Praia do Ourigo is easily accessible due to its flat sandy beach.Just a few steps away is the Pergola of Foz essentially a covered walkway along the beach and quite the romantic stroll.

Up the coast you’ll see the Felgueiras Lighthouse rising amid the water, connecting the boardwalk to the lighthouse via a pedestrian pier.

Among other things to enjoy, is yet another historic fort: the Fortaleza de São João da Foz.

How to get to Foz?

We got to experience this unique side of Porto by hopping off Porto’s City Sightseeing tour bus. But you can easily get to Foz by tram. Here’s a more detailed guide on how to get to Foz by tram.

Now that’s a wrap for Porto, but we’re just scratching the surface. Portugal is a beautiful destination for any visitor. Make sure to visit the Algarve’s Lagos for the best beach views, here’s our full Lagos travel guide. And if you do start your trip in Lisbon, then head over to our Lisboa travel tips post.

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