The Ideal One Day in Porto Itinerary: Your Complete Guide to The City
Having visited Porto 3 times, we clearly love this stunning metropolis in Portugal. It actually is certainly one 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 suggest at the very least a couple of days in Porto, it’s attainable to see lots, as all the primary points of interest are positioned near town middle. So, now we have created the proper one-day in Porto Itinerary to take advantage of your brief 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 lots in a short while.
Should 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, should you plan on going into lots of Porto points of interest and utilizing public transport it’s possible you’ll 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 solutions are simply walkable when you get to the world that we advise. We now have a map on the backside of this publish that you could observe. And we’ll 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 start out your one-day itinerary. Name an Uber out of your lodge and make your method 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 means, there’s a whole part devoted to the beloved sequence, and you’ll really feel as when you’ve got entered a magical bookshop.
Many individuals have essentially 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. Ensure 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 offers you a free e book of your selection. Even should you booked the golden ticket and may skip the road, present up at 8:00 to be on the entrance. We tell you exactly what to do here.
It is advisable to e book properly upfront on the LIvrario Lello Web site, and now we have 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. Ultimate Guide for Visiting Livraria Lello
Igrega do Carmo
When you’ve completed at Livraria Lello, stroll towards the close by sq. to see the enduring tiles of Igrega do Carmo. It is likely one of 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.
If you go to Porto, you’ll be in awe. The historic middle was named a UNESCO World Heritage Website in 1996, and for good motive. Its winding streets, historic church buildings adorned with Azuelos (Portuguese tiles), and exquisite buildings are one thing you’ll always remember.
Cafe Majestic
Should you didn’t have breakfast at your lodge, which we extremely suggest doing as a result of reserving a lodge that features breakfast saves you a ton of time and money, make your method to the Majestic Cafe for Breakfast. Begin your stroll uphill, and should 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 affordable value.
Nonetheless, you might be solely going to be in Porto for sooner or later, so we predict you’ll need to eat at certainly one of its hottest cafes. Cafe Majestic was as soon as touted as essentially 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 mentioned that she wrote the primary Harry Potter e book there.
Majestic Cafe is a historic restaurant positioned on the pedestrian-only purchasing road Rua de Santa Catarina. After getting overpaid to your Pasteis de Nata and occasional, take a brief stroll alongside the road to browse its distinctive retailers and costly boutiques. There are chocolate retailers, 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, because of its location and the 11,000 Azulejos (conventional Portuguese ceramic tiles) masking the açade and sides of the church.
We by no means went inside as a result of we predict church buildings get sufficient cash and aren’t followers of paying to see inside, however we did benefit from the view from the steps. Should you do go inside, you’ll see a Nineteenth-century pipe organ, oil work, and, after all, the standard non secular statues.
São Bento Prepare Station
There’s lots of magnificence in Porto, and the Sao Bento practice station is not any exception. Should you haven’t seen sufficient of these blue tiles, and even when you’ve got, you don’t need to miss The São Bento Prepare Station. It’s touted as certainly one of Europe’s most stunning practice stations because of its 20,000 azulejos. Every tile tells a narrative of Portuguese historical past.
This practice 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 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 certainly one of its markets. For lunch, you’ve 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 suggest, or begin making your method to the waterfront. However let’s discuss in regards to the Bolhao Market. That is certainly one 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 coated market is cool and an ideal escape from the warmth. Inside, you possibly can pattern recent seafood, cheese, sausages, and pastries. The store homeowners are pleasant and captivated with their native specialties.
Wander by way of stalls providing quite a lot of cheeses, meats, and recent 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 could take with you to sip on it as you wander by way of 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 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 big within the morning, however later within the morning, it slows down a bit.
Porto Metropolis Corridor
Should 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 method 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 outside cafes line the waterfront with road performers entertaining company 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.
Take pleasure in winding your stroll down by way of the slender streets of Porto (it’s all downhill from the Bolhao Market and São Bento Station should you take the primary street), or you possibly can take an Uber to get there sooner.
When you get to the waterfront, it would be best to benefit from the power of this vigorous a part of town. There are outside markets, eating places, boat excursions, and exquisite views of colourful buildings lining the Douro River. It is a excellent spot to tug up a chair and luxuriate in some lunch (should you skipped the fort and market) or to get pleasure from an Aperol Spritz.
Porto Cathedral
Should you select to go to the market, you can too 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 it’s possible you’ll need to rent a automotive to save lots of time. It’s price visiting for the views of town and river. The Porto Cathedral is likely one of the metropolis’s oldest monuments, and it has been a non secular website for the reason that twelfth century.
That is one cathedral it’s possible you’ll 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 town of Novo de Gaia throughout the river. We cherished 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. Be aware that you simply’ll be sharing the street with automobiles.
Should you had lunch down by the water, you would stroll throughout the decrease portion to get to Gaia, or should you went to the Porto Cathedral (which we extremely suggest 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 automobiles driving on the higher bridge, however there are trams going backwards and forwards, so preserve a watch 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 gorgeous riverside surroundings. We took the 6 Bridges Cruise, which takes you from one finish of town to the opposite. The 50-minute cruise provides you with a singular 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 properly, however they’re fairly busy. We booked on Gaia as a substitute. You’ll be able to e book your cruise upfront as properly which is able to assure your time slot. It’s price seeing your complete aspect from a bot.
Port Wine Tasting at Vila Nova De Gaia
The waterfront of Gaia is legendary 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 have to take a tour, however it’s enjoyable to go to one of many cellars. We now have toured and purchased wines from Taylor’s, Calem, and Foncesco, and the port wines are divine.
Calem is the simplest to go to as it’s positioned instantly on the waterfront, they usually supply port-tasting flights. If you wish to see the WoW District (World of Wine) Fonseco and Taylor’s are positioned only a brief 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 an excellent expertise; you’re feeling as when you’ve got stepped again in time and loved a wine tour by way of 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’ll e book a tour of Porto within the Douro Valley when you’ve got 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 far much less busy than Porto and two of our favourite shops are positioned on the waterfront of Gaia.
Great World of Portuguese Sardines
You will need to cease by to see the fantastic world of Portuguese Sardines. This circus-like retailer is a vacation spot unto itself. Related in type 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 carry house 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 strive the nation’s well-known Cod Truffles 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 to your sundown views. When you’ve got the funds, we suggest having appetizers and a cocktail on the Esplanada do Teleferico. It’s a improbable restaurant providing improbable views of Porto from its outside terrace.
Chill out with a refreshing drink and take within the breathtaking skyline because the solar units over town.
Jardim Do Morro
Should 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 pushing 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 an attractive reside efficiency of singers accompanied by guitars. We booked this tour by way of 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 necessary 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 positioned (or if you’re prepared 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 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 it would be best 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 can assist to absorb 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 method 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.
The right way to 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 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 town middle through the metro (the Violet E line instantly connects the airport to the Trindade metro station within the metropolis middle), bus, taxi, or ride-sharing companies.
By Prepare: For vacationers coming from different components of Portugal or from Spain, trains are a handy choice. Porto’s primary practice station, Sao Bento Station, is positioned within the coronary heart of town and is well-connected to the Portuguese rail community. One other key station is Campanhã, which is on the east aspect of town and serves as the primary hub for trains arriving from Lisbon, the Algarve, and worldwide locations resembling Spain. From Campanhã, passengers can take a neighborhood practice 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 how you can take advantage of your day on this stunning metropolis.