A complete itinerary for 3 days in Porto as part of a stopover or city break!
If you’re looking for a charming city break, look no further than Porto, Portugal!
Porto is a coastal city renowned for its port wine, stunning architecture, and vibrant culture, offers something for everyone. It may not have the glistening beaches of the Algarve or Lisbon’s nightlife, but Porto is sure to captivate with its own unique charm.
Why spend 3 days in Porto, Portugal
Porto remains affordable compared to other western European destinations. Porto is also generally cheaper than other cities in Portugal such as Lisbon or the Algarve region. Dining out in Porto is a fraction of the price of other European cities yet the food is of equal quality making it a great place to indulge!
The mild climate means that you can visit Porto at any time of year. I’d recommend visiting Porto in Autumn or Spring for the best weather and fewer crowds.
Is 3 days in Porto enough?
While 3 days in Porto is not enough to cover everything, it is a good amount of time to get a feel for the place and tick off some of the highlights.
Spending 3 days in Porto allows enough time to explore the historic highlights of the city, indulge in the food and wine scene and take a day trip to the Duoro Valley wine region. With this 3 day Porto itinerary, you are sure to fall in love with the city and want to come back!
Stopover in Porto
We spent 3 days in Porto as a stopover on a TAP Air Portugal flight from Rio de Janeiro to London. TAP Air Portugal has a great stopover program where you can spend 1-10 days in Portugal when transitting through Porto or Lisbon.
Porto is the perfect city for a stopover visit. It’s relatively small size make it suitable to explore in a few days. Porto’s location is perfect for day trips to other parts of Portugal such as the Duoro Valley or Guimarães.
Learn more about TAP Air Portugal’s stopover program here.
Getting around in Porto
Porto is a very walkable city and you can easily get to most destinations on foot.
There is also a very convenient and efficient metro system for slightly longer distances. The best way to get to/from Porto Airport is by taking the metro.
To use the metro in Porto, you will need to purchase the Andante card. An Andante card is a rechargeable ticket that allows transport on Porto’s metro, buses and local trains.
Purchase the card at vending machines inside any metro station. The card is for individual use only so each passenger needs to purchase their own card.
There are two types of Andante card. The blue card which is charged per fare and the Andante Tour card which is a set rate per day. I recommend getting the normal blue Andante card. For this 3 day Porto itinerary, you will not be using the metro enough to get value out of the tour card.
Learn more about the different Andante cards here.
Three days in Porto
This 3 days in Porto itinerary is action-packed! While it is possible to do all of these activities in 3 days, Porto is best enjoyed at a slow pace.
This guide is designed so you can pick and choose the activities that appeal to you, not rush through everything on the list. Stopping for a coffee and a pastel de nata or leisurely enjoying that extra glass of wine with lunch is what Porto is all about. Take your time and soak in the ambience!
Day one: Exploring the historic centre
Start your first day in Porto with a stroll through the picturesque Ribeira district. This UNESCO World Heritage site is known for its narrow streets, colourful houses, and lively atmosphere.
Grab a coffee and a pastel de nata (a delicious Portuguese custard tart) at one of the many cafés along the Douro River and prepare for a big day of sightseeing!
Take a free walking tour
The first thing I always recommend in a new city is to take a free walking tour. Free walking tours are a great way to get an overview of the city you are visiting. They also give you the chance to ask a local any questions you might have about the city. I always ask for restaurant recommendations!
There are loads of free walking tours available in Porto. Choose one that suits you on Guruwalk.
Visit Livraria Lello
Livraria Lello is one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world. It was long rumoured that the neo-Gothic architecture and intricate wooden staircase inspired J.K. Rowling while she was writing the Harry Potter series. This has since been found to be untrue, but it is easy to see why the rumour started.
Livraria Lello gets incredibly crowded during the busy summer months with long queues to go inside. If you want to visit inside, make sure you allow time for the queue. Consider arriving before the store opens at 9am to beat the crowds.
Visit Igreja dos Clérigos and climb the Clérigos Bell Tower
Igreja dos Clerigos is an iconic Baroque church known for its bell tower that can be seen from all over the city. Built in the 18th century by architect Nicolau Nasoni, it’s a must-visit during your 3 days in Porto.
Climbing the 240 steps to the top is hard work, but worth it for panoramic views of Porto’s red-tiled rooftops.
Have lunch at Mercado do Bolhão
During your 3 days in Porto you have to visit the historic Mercado do Bolhão. Occupying a whole block and set over 5 floors, this bustling market is the heart of Porto’s culinary scene.
Grab a bite at one of the food stalls or enjoy a sit-down meal at a nearby restaurant.
Go searching for ‘azulejo’ blue tiled buildings
Spend the afternoon searching for the best examples of azulejo blue tiled buildings. Porto is famous for this beautiful tile work found adorning many of the churches in the city.
The Capela das Almas is just around the corner from Mercado do Bolhao so is a great place to stop next.
Then head to Igreja do Carmo and Igreja dos Carmelitas, the twin churches on the corner of Praça de Carlos Alberto and Rua do Carmo. The facades of these churches are some of the most beautiful azulejo in Porto.
Other noteable examples of azulejo can be found at Porto Cathedral and Sao Bento train station, but we will see them on day 2 of our 3 days in Porto itinerary.
Have dinner and enjoy the nightlife on Rua Galeria de Paris
End your first day with dinner in the lively Rua Galeria de Paris area. This street is packed with trendy restaurants, bars and night clubs. Indulge in some Portuguese cuisine and a glass of wine. Party the night away if that’s your thing, or go get an early night because we have another big day tomorrow!
3 days in Porto: Day two
Food, wine and views
Marvel at São Bento railway station
If you arrived in Porto by train from a neighbouring city, there is a good chance you have seen São Bento railway station alrready. If not, you have to stop by and admire the stunning blue tile work that depicts significant moments in Portuguese history.
São Bento is often called the most beautiful train station in the world. While this is a big claim, I will agree that it has to be in the top ten! It is definitely worth going out of your way to admire the artistry of this beautiful building during your 3 days in Porto.
Visit Sé do Porto
Porto Cathedral, also known as Sé do Porto, is one of Porto’s oldest and most significant religious buildings. It dates back to the 12th century and is a mix of Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque architecture.
Its location on a hill provides panoramic views of Porto, making it a key landmark for both its historical and architectural value. Its also a great place to sit with a morning coffee and enjoy the view!
The cathedral is free to visit but costs €3 to enter the cloisters. The cloisters are decorated with more azulejo tile work portraying scenes from the Bible. I thought visiting the cloisters was worth the small entry fee.
Take a food tour with a local
Porto is a foodie destination and no 3 day Porto itinerary would be complete without over-indulging in some of the local delicacies.
Instead of lunch, why not take a food tour and sample over 10 tastings of high quality local products.
Even if you’re not a big foodie, it is amazing how much you can learn about the culture of a city and its history through learning about the local food scene. And if you are a foodie, oh my! You are in for a treat.
Check availability for this excellent food tour here.
Have lunch at Matosinhos
If a food tour isn’t for you, head to Matosinhos for lunch. Matosinhos is a coastal area popular for its seafood restaurants. Enjoy a leisurely meal of fresh fish and seafood and take a post-lunch walk along the promenade.
Cross the Dom Luís I Bridge
In the afternoon, make your way to the Dom Luís I Bridge. This double-deck iron bridge, designed by a disciple of Gustave Eiffel, offers stunning views of the city and the Duoro river. Walk across the top deck to Vila Nova de Gaia on the other side for a different perspective of Porto.
Enjoy a port tasting in Vila Nova de Gaia
Although day 3 of this Porto itinerary will include some port tasting, it would be a shame to come to Vila Nova de Gaia and not visit one of its famous port wine cellars.
Many renowned brands like Sandeman, Graham’s, and Taylor’s offer guided tours and tastings. Learn about the history and production of port wine and enjoy sampling different varieties.
We visited Caves Calem for a tour and tasting and I would recommend the experience. They had a variety of tasting packages to choose from. We did the standard tour and tasting package for €19.
Watch the sunset from Jardim do Morro
In the afternoon, grab a bottle of wine and head to Jardim do Morro. From Jardim do Morro you get a fantastic view over the Duoro river and La Ribeira. It is a popular spot for sunset for both locals and tourists and it is easy to see why!
Groups of friends drink wine on picnic blankets while buskers and seagulls provide entertainment as the sky turns a pastel pink. It is the perfect end to day two of this Porto itinerary!
3 days in Porto: Day three
Day Trip to the Douro Valley
Taking a day trip to the Douro Valley was one of my favourite parts of our 3 days in Porto. While you could tick off a lot of the sites of the city in a weekend, having 3 days in Porto means you can escape to the countryside and see what makes this area of Portugal so unique.
And what I am talking about, is the port wine!
Port is a fortified wine which takes its name from this area. Wine has been produced in the area for centuries. In 1756, the Duoro Valley was given status as a protected wine region, making it the third oldest in the world after Chianti and Tokaj.
No trip to Porto is complete without a visit to the beautiful Duoro Valley!
An independent day trip to the Duoro Valley
To visit the Duoro Valley independently you need to catch a morning train from Porto to Pinhão. This scenic journey offers breathtaking views of the terraced vineyards and the Douro River.
When you arrive in Pinhão, visit one of the local quintas for a tour and tasting. Learn about the traditional winemaking methods and taste some local ports. Many vineyards offer guided tours that include a walk through the vineyards and cellars.
Have lunch at one of the restaurants in Pinhão before taking a boat cruise on the Douro River. These traditional rabelo boats offer stunning views of the valley, allowing you to relax and take in the scenery.
Some cruises also include wine tastings and commentary about the region’s history and culture. Our boat had a bar which was cash only so bring a little change with you.
Take the train back to Porto in the afternoon.
An organised tour to the Duoro Valley from Porto
The easiest and most convenient way to visit the Duoro Valley is as part of an organised tour. This takes all the stress out of the day and makes sure you are getting the most out of your 3 days in Porto.
Usually we would try to do day trips like this independently but having only 3 days in Porto, we opted for the convenience of being taken door to door. Given that many of the quintas are located outside of the town of Pinhão, I would recommend taking a day tour to visit the Duoro Valley.
The tour includes transport, a guide, lunch, wine tastings at two traditional vineyards and an hour long boat ride along the Duoro River. For a great day out in the Duoro Valley, this tour was worth every penny!
Check availability of Duoro Valley day tours here.
Where to stay in Porto
There is no shortage of great places to stay in Porto. Here are some of our top choices!
Budget – Change the World Hostel offers comfortable and clean dorms in a great location close to a metro station. It’s one of the best budget accommodation options in Porto.
Mid-range – Casinhas no Carolina is a step above any other option at this price range. This is where we stayed for our 3 days in Porto and I was blown away by the level of detail and care.
The rooms are incredibly comfortable and cosy. The breakfast is varied and delicious. Everything from the vintage decor to the pastel de nata on arrival makes Casinhas no Carolina exceptional!
Luxury – Torel 1884 Suites and Apartments is an award winning hotel that is the ultimate in style and luxury. It’s in a convenient location near Ribeira Square, walking distance to most of the city’s sites.
The hotel is located in a stunning historic building and the furnishings are tasteful and elegant. Staying at Torel 1884 Suites and Apartments will make your 3 days in Porto an absolute dream!
Boutique – Armazem Luxury Housing Architectural and Design Hotel is the best place to stay if you’re looking for something more unique from your 3 days in Porto.
Located in a 19th Century iron warehouse, Armazem is sure to exceed your expectations!
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