Urban Abroad

Urban Planning and Travel Blog

  • Start Here
    • About
  • Destinations
    • Europe
    • United Kingdom
    • USA/Canada
    • Latin America
  • Living Abroad
  • Sustainability
  • Resources
    • Travel Gear
    • Urban Farming
Home / Travel Blog

How many days in Porto?

Travel Blog Published on · Dec 15th, 2022

how many days in porto portugal

Welcome to this guide that explores exactly how many days in Porto to spend.

Porto is the second-largest city in Portugal, after the capital city Lisbon.

Located in the north of the country, on the banks of the Douro River, Porto is crisscrossed with artistic trams and narrow pedestrian streets.

The city of Porto is as romantic as it is melancholic. Breathe in all the ‘saudade’ (a form of profound nostalgia typical of places like Lisbon and Porto) whilst exploring the historic center and indulging in the unique experiences it has to offer.

Table of Contents

  • How many days in Porto?
    • Is Porto worth visiting?
  • How Many days in Porto are Enough?
    • Is one day enough for Porto?
    • Is 2 Days in Porto enough?
    • Is a week in Porto too long?
    • Our recommended amount of days in Porto
  • Where to stay in Porto?
  • Best Guided Tours in Porto
    • Doing tours in Porto
    • Porto: Palácio da Bolsa Guided Tour
    • Douro Valley + Boat Tour, Wine Tasting & Lunch
    • 6 Bridges Douro River Cruise
    • Fado Show with Port Wine
  • How Many days in Porto

How many days in Porto?

In this post, we are going to take a closer look at Porto with the first-time visitor in mind to show you how to make the most of your time on a visit here!

If you’re not sure how long you should spend here, keep reading to find out how many days in Porto are enough so you can get a real taste of its authentic side.

Is Porto worth visiting?

If you are undecided on whether Porto could be your next travel destination, check out some of our reasons why you should absolutely book a visit!

The Clérigos Tower and Viewpoint from afar

Below are our top 3 reasons to visit Porto:

  • We believe Porto is worth visiting because it’s a low-cost destination. You can find fantastic flight deals from many different cities, making of this city one of the best connected in Europe. On top of that, food is also affordable whether you decide to go grocery shopping or eat out as well as accommodation if booked in advance. We recommend the Pestana Vintage Porto Hotel for a beautiful hotel room view looking over the river.
  • The beauty of its historic city center. The Ribeira is the heart of the city and faces the Douro River. This part of the city has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it’s just stunning! By walking around it, you’ll find plenty of bars and restaurants where you can have a meal and a glass of Porto wine. But wait for the sunset! You can admire from the Luís I Bridge to really fall in love with this city (if you still haven’t before)!
  • Porto is the perfect base for discovering the north of Portugal. Whether you decide to travel by car or by train, there are many places to explore, in particular, the ones located in the Douro Valley but also Guimarães and Braga to the north and Aveiro and Coimbra to the south.

How Many days in Porto are Enough?

Now that you know a bit more about Porto, let’s understand how many days in Porto are enough based on the main things you can see and do.

Is one day enough for Porto?

In our opinion one day in Porto is not quite enough. Even if the city is much smaller than Lisbon and other major European cities, there’s quite a lot to see and you’d need more than 24 hours to see the main ones.

one day in porto portugal

If for some reason, you only have one day to spend in Porto, then we recommend starting from the Ribeira neighborhood and then moving towards the Luís I Bridge, crossing it and visiting the other side of the river bank.

Here’s where you can find many Porto wineries and sample wine with nibbles. If you’re interested in the local wine production, then you can also join this walking wine tour with which you will be accompanied by a local expert guide.

You can then visit the iconic São Bento railway station, internally decorated by beautiful azulejos tiles.

Similarly to the station, the Igreja de Santo Ildefonso and the Porto’s Cathedral are worth visiting for their unique architecture. Finally, we suggest attending an evening Fado show to get a sense of this country and the ‘saudade’ feeling.

Is 2 Days in Porto enough?

Two days in Porto is still not enough, even though it will allow you to see more and include a few off-the-beaten sights.

On top of the landmarks we suggested visiting on day one, during your second day you can explore the authentic streets of Bolhão. Here you can get a glimpse into what Porto looked like in the past with its historic cafés and theatres.

mercado do bolhao porto

If you didn’t have time during your first day here, take time to see the Vila Nova de Gaia district where all Porto wineries are based and learn more about Porto’s product of excellence. At this point, you could get on a river cruise and see Porto from a different point of view!

The most popular one is the 6 Bridges Bout Tour, during which you’ll admire Porto’s historic center, Vila Nova de Gaia and the mouth of the Douro River from a traditional boat used to transport Porto wine barrels.

Another place to add to your itinerary is Livraria Lello, for many it is considered the most beautiful bookstore in the world! Apparently, the bookshop inspired scenes for Harry Potter’s Hogwarts movie and for this reason, it became famous.

Is a week in Porto too long?

A week in Porto may be too long. If you have more than a couple of days, you’ll have enough time to visit not just all its top sights but also many hidden gems.

31 de janeiro street porto

If you have a week to spend here, then you can take your time and slowly visit each neighborhood and street of the city with no rush.

On your list add places like: the Ribeira, Bolhão, Vila Nova de Gaia, Rua Santa Catarina and Praça da Liberdade, Cedofeita and Baixa.

Indulge in the traditional Porto’s cuisine during your long stay in the city, making sure to try the francesinha, a popular sandwich made with bread, cured ham and an egg on top of it, often served with French fries!

By staying in the city for a week, you should have enough time to plan a couple of day trips. We suggest visiting towns such as Guimarães and Braga to the north or Aveiro and Coimbra to the south.

You can also get on a scenic cruise and explore the Douro Valley, where you’ll have the chance to admire beautiful landscapes and learn where the famous Porto wine comes from.

Our recommended amount of days in Porto

If you ask us how many days in this city are enough, then we suggest spending 3 days in Porto. This Portuguese destination is in fact a great city escape if you’re looking for a short weekend to spend somewhere new in Europe.

With 72 hours to spend in Porto you’ll have the chance to see all the attractions mentioned above, add a couple of lesser-known sights of the city center and include a day trip of your preference.

While in Porto, do you like the idea of visiting other towns in the north of Portugal? Places such as Coimbra and Aveiro are well-connected by public transport, or, if you decide to rent a car in Portugal, it is not a long drive away from Porto.

coimbra portugal

Do you prefer exploring its countryside and taste the famous local wines? From Porto, you’ll find many tours you can join at any time during your stay here.

There’s no need to say that the longer you spend here, the more you’ll connect with its local culture, learning its history, where are the best places to eat and how to move around.

Where to stay in Porto?

Some of the best areas to stay in Porto are: Ribeira, Baixa and Codofeita.

Below is a selection of some hotels we recommend:

  • Porto Domus Hotel – for a stay on a budget in Porto, check out this 3 stars hotel with bright rooms, simple furnishings and a 24-hour reception. Great position to explore the Bolhão district.
  • Canto de Luz – Luxury Maison – located in the heart of the city, this stunning property is a great place for your stay in Porto, close to the main attractions. Its highlights are the terrace with a garden, some units with a fully equipped kitchen and the bar with a lounge.
  • Jardins do Porto Boutique Guest House – based in the vibrant Baixa district, this guest house features splendid and spacious guest rooms, a restaurant, a bar, a shared lounge and garden.

If you are on a budget or want to save money and connect with like minded travelers, check out some of these hostels in Porto for a unique experience.

Best Guided Tours in Porto

Joining a tour in Porto is a good way to make the most of your precious time. You’ll save time whilst getting to know the city accompanied by a local expert.

Doing tours in Porto

If you decide to book a guided tour in Porto, you’ll support a local guide that knows everything about the city or the attraction you decide to visit accompanied.

The São Bento Station on a normal day

If you don’t have time (or simply don’t want to) to find information about the city by doing your own research, why don’t book a tour with a guide that will show you around and share all their knowledge with you?

A guide can also tell you how to navigate the city, suggest places where you can go out for authentic meals and discover unmissable off-the-beaten-path gems.

See some guided tours in Porto you can join during your time in the city.

Porto: Palácio da Bolsa Guided Tour

One of the most important historic places of Porto is the Palácio da Bolsa, the former Stock Exchange Palace back in the 19th century.

You can book your Palácio da Bolsa ticket and guided tour in advance and learn all about this iconic landmark. During the tour you’ll have the chance to see its beautiful rooms and understand what was the role of this building in the city.

grapes in a vineyard at duoro valley - the region where Porto wine is produced

Douro Valley + Boat Tour, Wine Tasting & Lunch

If you’re looking for a day trip from Porto, then this Douro Valley with a boat tour (and wine tasting and lunch) which offers the perfect getaway.

You won’t have to think about how to get to the famous valley and just get on the boat from a selected point in Porto. During your tour you’ll admire the beautiful Douro landscapes, stop at a vineyard and taste some delicious local Porto wine and then have a traditional lunch.

douro portugal

6 Bridges Douro River Cruise

Did you know that Porto is the only European city with 6 bridges in its historic city center? During this 6 bridges Douro River cruise you’ll have the chance to visit all of them, navigating the river on a traditional boat that used to transport Porto wine barrels from the valley to the city.

You’ll also get the chance to see the city from a different point of view, the Ribeiro and Vila Nova de Gaia districts till the mouth of the river.

Fado Show with Port Wine

You can’t visit Porto without attending a fado show! So, check out this admission ticket to a Fado show (with Porto wine) to enjoy an acoustic performance of the traditional Fado whilst tasting some local Porto wine.

It’s an hour-long concert during which you’ll come in contact with unique Portuguese cultural elements like the Fado and the wine.

How Many days in Porto

Now you should have a better idea on how many days in Porto are enough to really get into the local culture, try its traditional cuisine, get lost around the historic city center and the best neighborhoods that are worth discovering.

If you’re looking for more inspiration for your Porto escape, try reading this 3 days in Porto travel itinerary which gives you step by step instuctions.


Dear responsible traveler: This post may contain affiliate links, which means, if you click through and make a purchase, book a tour or a hotel, we may earn a small commission. This is at no additional cost to you. Your support means a lot and helps us to maintain the quality of this site.

Sharing is caring!

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Filed Under: Travel Blog Tagged With: Europe

🔒 Unfortunately, things can and do go wrong when you travel. World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.

🌍 Search sustainable adventures:

Thank you for reading our lifestyle blog about travel and sustainable urban living.

Recent Posts

  • Positano vs Amalfi
  • How many days in Seville?
  • Is Sorrento worth visiting?
  • is Cádiz worth visiting?

Topics

  • Living Abroad
  • Sustainability
  • Travel Blog
  • Urban Farming

Copyright© 2023 · Urban Abroad · Private Policy
Urban Abroad is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca, amazon.de. Other affiliate programs linking to other recommended products and services are also used. World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers in over 100 countries. As an affiliate, we receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using this link. We do not represent World Nomads. This is information only and not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
Cookie SettingsAccept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT