Porto itinerary: 1 to 5 days
Plans for one to five days in Porto, day by day: the Dom Luís I Bridge, the cathedral and Liberdade Square first, then the Palácio da Bolsa, Clérigos Church and the São Francisco church, Serralves and the Casa da Música, and the seafront fort at Foz as you add days. Every stop has a typical visit length.
How long do you have?
Map: 3 days
Porto in 1 day
Day 1
Dom Luís I Bridge
A double-deck iron arch bridge of 1886 over the Douro, linking Porto's Ribeira with Vila Nova de Gaia.
Ribeira
The riverside quarter of narrow lanes and colourful tall houses beside the Douro, lined with terraces facing the Dom Luís I bridge.
Funicular dos Guindais
A short funicular climbing the steep slope from the Ribeira riverside to the upper town near Batalha.
Porto Cathedral
The fortress-like Romanesque cathedral on the hilltop, with a Gothic cloister lined with blue azulejo tiles.
São Bento Station
A railway station whose entrance hall is lined with some 20,000 blue-and-white azulejo tiles depicting Portuguese history.
Liberdade Square
The grand square at the foot of Avenida dos Aliados, with an equestrian statue of King Pedro IV.
Clérigos Church
An 18th-century Baroque church whose tall tower, the Torre dos Clérigos, can be climbed for views over the city.
Porto in 2 days
Day 1
Porto Cathedral
The fortress-like Romanesque cathedral on the hilltop, with a Gothic cloister lined with blue azulejo tiles.
Casa-Museu Guerra Junqueiro
The 18th-century house of the poet Guerra Junqueiro near the cathedral, showing his collection of art and furniture.
Igreja de Santa Clara
A convent church near the cathedral with one of Porto's richest interiors of gilded carved wood.
São Bento Station
A railway station whose entrance hall is lined with some 20,000 blue-and-white azulejo tiles depicting Portuguese history.
Mercado do Bolhão
Porto's historic covered market, restored in its wrought-iron frame, selling fish, produce, flowers and cured goods under a neoclassical facade.
Day 2
Dom Luís I Bridge
A double-deck iron arch bridge of 1886 over the Douro, linking Porto's Ribeira with Vila Nova de Gaia.
Funicular dos Guindais
A short funicular climbing the steep slope from the Ribeira riverside to the upper town near Batalha.
Ribeira
The riverside quarter of narrow lanes and colourful tall houses beside the Douro, lined with terraces facing the Dom Luís I bridge.
Casa do Infante
The medieval customs house by the river, traditionally the birthplace of Prince Henry the Navigator, now a museum.
Palácio da Bolsa
The 19th-century stock exchange palace, visited on guided tours that end in the gilded Arab Room.
Clérigos Church
An 18th-century Baroque church whose tall tower, the Torre dos Clérigos, can be climbed for views over the city.
Liberdade Square
The grand square at the foot of Avenida dos Aliados, with an equestrian statue of King Pedro IV.
Porto in 3 days
Day 1
Porto Cathedral
The fortress-like Romanesque cathedral on the hilltop, with a Gothic cloister lined with blue azulejo tiles.
Casa-Museu Guerra Junqueiro
The 18th-century house of the poet Guerra Junqueiro near the cathedral, showing his collection of art and furniture.
Igreja de Santa Clara
A convent church near the cathedral with one of Porto's richest interiors of gilded carved wood.
São Bento Station
A railway station whose entrance hall is lined with some 20,000 blue-and-white azulejo tiles depicting Portuguese history.
Mercado do Bolhão
Porto's historic covered market, restored in its wrought-iron frame, selling fish, produce, flowers and cured goods under a neoclassical facade.
Day 2
Dom Luís I Bridge
A double-deck iron arch bridge of 1886 over the Douro, linking Porto's Ribeira with Vila Nova de Gaia.
Funicular dos Guindais
A short funicular climbing the steep slope from the Ribeira riverside to the upper town near Batalha.
Ribeira
The riverside quarter of narrow lanes and colourful tall houses beside the Douro, lined with terraces facing the Dom Luís I bridge.
Casa do Infante
The medieval customs house by the river, traditionally the birthplace of Prince Henry the Navigator, now a museum.
Palácio da Bolsa
The 19th-century stock exchange palace, visited on guided tours that end in the gilded Arab Room.
Clérigos Church
An 18th-century Baroque church whose tall tower, the Torre dos Clérigos, can be climbed for views over the city.
Liberdade Square
The grand square at the foot of Avenida dos Aliados, with an equestrian statue of King Pedro IV.
Day 3
Church of São Francisco
Porto's main Gothic church, its interior covered in gilded Baroque woodwork, with catacombs below.
Crystal Palace Gardens
Landscaped gardens with peacocks, box hedges and terraces overlooking the Douro, a calm green pause above the city centre.
Serralves
A contemporary art museum by Álvaro Siza set in an Art Deco villa's large park and gardens.
Casa da Música
Rem Koolhaas's angular concert hall, opened in 2005, home of Porto's orchestras, with guided tours of the building.
Rotunda da Boavista
A large roundabout and garden, officially Praça de Mouzinho de Albuquerque, with a tall Peninsular War monument.
Porto in 4 days
Day 1
Porto Cathedral
The fortress-like Romanesque cathedral on the hilltop, with a Gothic cloister lined with blue azulejo tiles.
Casa-Museu Guerra Junqueiro
The 18th-century house of the poet Guerra Junqueiro near the cathedral, showing his collection of art and furniture.
São Bento Station
A railway station whose entrance hall is lined with some 20,000 blue-and-white azulejo tiles depicting Portuguese history.
Mercado do Bolhão
Porto's historic covered market, restored in its wrought-iron frame, selling fish, produce, flowers and cured goods under a neoclassical facade.
Capela das Almas
A small chapel whose outer walls are covered in blue-and-white azulejo panels showing scenes from the lives of saints.
Museu Militar do Porto
The army's military museum in a 19th-century mansion, known for its large collection of miniature soldiers.
Day 2
Dom Luís I Bridge
A double-deck iron arch bridge of 1886 over the Douro, linking Porto's Ribeira with Vila Nova de Gaia.
Funicular dos Guindais
A short funicular climbing the steep slope from the Ribeira riverside to the upper town near Batalha.
Ribeira
The riverside quarter of narrow lanes and colourful tall houses beside the Douro, lined with terraces facing the Dom Luís I bridge.
Casa do Infante
The medieval customs house by the river, traditionally the birthplace of Prince Henry the Navigator, now a museum.
Palácio da Bolsa
The 19th-century stock exchange palace, visited on guided tours that end in the gilded Arab Room.
Clérigos Church
An 18th-century Baroque church whose tall tower, the Torre dos Clérigos, can be climbed for views over the city.
Liberdade Square
The grand square at the foot of Avenida dos Aliados, with an equestrian statue of King Pedro IV.
Day 3
Church of São Francisco
Porto's main Gothic church, its interior covered in gilded Baroque woodwork, with catacombs below.
Crystal Palace Gardens
Landscaped gardens with peacocks, box hedges and terraces overlooking the Douro, a calm green pause above the city centre.
Foz do Douro
Where the Douro river meets the Atlantic, with a seafront promenade, small beaches, an old fort and fish restaurants at the western edge of Porto.
Fort of São Francisco do Queijo
A small 17th-century fort on the rocky shore at Foz do Douro, where the river meets the Atlantic.
Casa da Música
Rem Koolhaas's angular concert hall, opened in 2005, home of Porto's orchestras, with guided tours of the building.
Rotunda da Boavista
A large roundabout and garden, officially Praça de Mouzinho de Albuquerque, with a tall Peninsular War monument.
Day 4
Igreja de Santa Clara
A convent church near the cathedral with one of Porto's richest interiors of gilded carved wood.
Sea Life Porto
An aquarium near the sea at Matosinhos, with tanks of local and tropical marine life.
Serralves
A contemporary art museum by Álvaro Siza set in an Art Deco villa's large park and gardens.
Porto in 5 days
Day 1
Porto Cathedral
The fortress-like Romanesque cathedral on the hilltop, with a Gothic cloister lined with blue azulejo tiles.
Casa-Museu Guerra Junqueiro
The 18th-century house of the poet Guerra Junqueiro near the cathedral, showing his collection of art and furniture.
São Bento Station
A railway station whose entrance hall is lined with some 20,000 blue-and-white azulejo tiles depicting Portuguese history.
Mercado do Bolhão
Porto's historic covered market, restored in its wrought-iron frame, selling fish, produce, flowers and cured goods under a neoclassical facade.
Capela das Almas
A small chapel whose outer walls are covered in blue-and-white azulejo panels showing scenes from the lives of saints.
Museu Militar do Porto
The army's military museum in a 19th-century mansion, known for its large collection of miniature soldiers.
Day 2
Dom Luís I Bridge
A double-deck iron arch bridge of 1886 over the Douro, linking Porto's Ribeira with Vila Nova de Gaia.
Funicular dos Guindais
A short funicular climbing the steep slope from the Ribeira riverside to the upper town near Batalha.
Ribeira
The riverside quarter of narrow lanes and colourful tall houses beside the Douro, lined with terraces facing the Dom Luís I bridge.
Casa do Infante
The medieval customs house by the river, traditionally the birthplace of Prince Henry the Navigator, now a museum.
Palácio da Bolsa
The 19th-century stock exchange palace, visited on guided tours that end in the gilded Arab Room.
Clérigos Church
An 18th-century Baroque church whose tall tower, the Torre dos Clérigos, can be climbed for views over the city.
Monastery of Serra do Pilar
A circular-cloistered monastery on the hill above Vila Nova de Gaia; its terrace gives a sweeping view across the river to Porto's old town.
Day 3
Church of São Francisco
Porto's main Gothic church, its interior covered in gilded Baroque woodwork, with catacombs below.
Crystal Palace Gardens
Landscaped gardens with peacocks, box hedges and terraces overlooking the Douro, a calm green pause above the city centre.
Foz do Douro
Where the Douro river meets the Atlantic, with a seafront promenade, small beaches, an old fort and fish restaurants at the western edge of Porto.
Fort of São Francisco do Queijo
A small 17th-century fort on the rocky shore at Foz do Douro, where the river meets the Atlantic.
Casa da Música
Rem Koolhaas's angular concert hall, opened in 2005, home of Porto's orchestras, with guided tours of the building.
Rotunda da Boavista
A large roundabout and garden, officially Praça de Mouzinho de Albuquerque, with a tall Peninsular War monument.
Day 4
Igreja de Santa Clara
A convent church near the cathedral with one of Porto's richest interiors of gilded carved wood.
Rua das Flores
A pedestrian street of old shopfronts, cafes and goldsmiths' shops in the historic centre, running up to the Misericórdia church.
Liberdade Square
The grand square at the foot of Avenida dos Aliados, with an equestrian statue of King Pedro IV.
Igreja do Carmo
An 18th-century baroque church, its side wall entirely covered in blue-and-white azulejos, standing beside the Carmelitas church.
Serralves
A contemporary art museum by Álvaro Siza set in an Art Deco villa's large park and gardens.
Day 5
Sea Life Porto
An aquarium near the sea at Matosinhos, with tanks of local and tropical marine life.
Parque da Cidade do Porto
Porto's largest green space, running down to the Atlantic with lakes, lawns, cycle paths and a walk to the beach at the end.
Watch: Porto in 3 days
A one-minute look at the plan: every stop, day by day, with the map.
When to go to Porto
May to September is the driest and warmest time in Porto, though the Atlantic keeps the sea cold and mornings can be foggy. July and August are busiest, and the São João festival on the night of 23 June fills the streets with parties and fireworks. November to February is mild but rainy and quieter, with lower hotel prices.
Plan the rest of your trip
- Where to stay: hotels in Porto on Booking.com or Trip.com
- Skip-the-line tickets: museums and sights in Porto on Tiqets
- Tours and day trips: things to do in Porto on GetYourGuide or on Viator
- From the airport: a private transfer in Porto with Kiwitaxi
- Data on arrival: an eSIM for Portugal from Airalo
- Last day: leave your bags in Porto with Radical Storage and keep sightseeing
Some of these are affiliate links: we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Tips for Porto
- The Palácio da Bolsa is seen only on guided tours; book a time slot, especially for tours in English.
- Porto is steep: wear good shoes and use the Guindais funicular between the riverside and the upper town.
- The rechargeable Andante card works on the metro, city buses and the funicular.
- The port wine lodges are across the Dom Luís I Bridge in Vila Nova de Gaia; most offer tours with tastings, best booked ahead.
- Walk the bridge's upper deck for the classic view over the Ribeira riverfront, ideally near sunset.
Make it your own
Open the guide in Andiamo Places to see every stop on a map with walking directions, move places between days, check opening hours for your dates, and add your own finds. After the trip, your photos become a journal and, if you like, a printed photo book.
Guides are made with the help of AI and public sources such as Wikipedia, and may contain errors. Opening hours and prices change, so check before you go. Spotted a wrong photo, a pin in the wrong place, a missing stop or a better one? Write to andiamotravelapp@gmail.com: the e-mail opens with this guide filled in.
Photo credits
- Casa da Música: Filipe Fortes from United States, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Casa do Infante: Manuel de Sousa, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Casa-Museu Guerra Junqueiro: MariaCartas, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Church of São Francisco: unknown author, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Clérigos Church: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Dom Luís I Bridge: Deensel, CC BY 2.0
- Fort of São Francisco do Queijo: unknown author, Public domain
- Foz do Douro: By Rei-artur pt en Rei-artur blog, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Funicular dos Guindais: Unknown author Unknown author, Public domain
- Igreja de Santa Clara: António Amen, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Liberdade Square: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Monastery of Serra do Pilar: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Museu Militar do Porto: JotaCartas, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Palácio da Bolsa: Alvesgaspar, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Porto Cathedral: Alvesgaspar, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Ribeira: Alvesgaspar, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Rotunda da Boavista: António M.L. Cabral, CC BY 2.5
- Sea Life Porto: Joseolgon, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Serralves: Geerd-Olaf Freyer from Aachen, Deutschland, CC BY-SA 2.0
- São Bento Station: HombreDHojalata, CC BY-SA 4.0
Opening hours change; check before you go. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
