A Perfect One Day in Porto Itinerary You’ll Want to Steal
Last Updated on 25th August 2024 by Sophie Nadeau
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As one of Portugal’s most-loved destinations, there’s so much on offer in Porto. However, it’s worth noting that, even though it’s only a small city, there’s still plenty to see and do even if you’re only spending a day there. Here’s a one day in Porto itinerary that’s perfect if you’re visiting the northern Portuguese city!
Porto is sometimes also referred to as Oporto.
Contents
Introducing Porto
Whether you’re into history, culture, nature, gastronomy or delicious beverages, Porto has something for everybody. It’s worth noting that Porto is particularly well-known for its port wine, amazing foodie scene, and for being the second largest city in Portugal.
Porto is on the Portuguese Way path of the Camino de Santiago and the city has been inhabited for many millennia. Though it’s preferable to spend a few days in the city if possible, 24 hours should be enough to see most of what Porto has to offer.
Porto lies alongside the River Douro and the historical city centre has been classed as a UNESCO world heritage site since 1996. If you’re looking to discover more of the Norte region (where Porto is located), then be sure to check out our guide to the best places to visit in Northern Portugal.
If you’re planning to visit Porto as a longer Spain and Portugal itinerary, then be sure to read our suggestion for how to spend one week in Northern Spain and Northern Portugal. And for more off the beaten path inspiration, be sure to check out our guide to the best-kept secrets of Portugal.
Is one day enough time to visit Porto?
Porto is a large city with plenty of attractions and even more to see. As such, you won’t be able to cover everything that there is to do in Porto over the course of 24 hours.
With that being said, if one day is all the time you can allocate to visiting Porto, then it’s better to go and get a taste for the city than forgo it altogether. The ideal amount of time to explore Porto is two or three days.
If you’re planning a larger Portugal trip, check
Suggested itinerary for one day in Porto
Breakfast at 100 Culpa
100 Culpa (address: Rua da Alegria 145) is a popular breakfast spot, with tonnes of options for people of all dietary requirements, including vegan options. Enjoy pancakes, eggs your favourite way and of course, fresh coffee!
If you don’t fancy a big breakfast, you can also grab coffee and a Pastel de nata from any bakery. These typical egg custard Portuguese tarts are as tiny as they are delicious. Bakeries are dotted all over Porto and some of the best include Confeitaria do Bolhão, Manteigaria, and Nata Lisboa.
More Cafés in Porto
- Garden Porto- a cosy brunch restaurant serving up plates like waffles, bowls, and egg-focused dishes.
- Do Norte Café by Hungry Biker- This coffee shop serves up classics like pancakes, French toast, and fried breakfasts.
- A Padoca- This vegetarian restaurant has all kinds of delicious vegan and vegetarian treats, including local pastries, vegan ricotta toast, and Shakshuka.
Chapel of Souls
Potentially the most famous spot in all of Porto, the Chapel of Souls has blown up on Instagram over the past couple of years. And for good reason. Known as Chapelle de las Almas in Portuguese, it’s a small church that dates back to the 18th century.
The real draw of the chapel is the typical blue and white tiling which covers the walls. You can enter the church and explore the interior for free, but with its white slabs and blue illustrations, the outside of the ecclesiastical building is even more scenic and photogenic.
Igreja de Santo Ildefonso
You’ll notice the same neoclassical architecture as the Chapel of Souls at the Igreja de Santo Ildefonso (also known as Santo Alifon), which dates back to the 18th century. This beautiful exterior is incredibly instagrammable, but it’s also worth entering inside to see the stained glass windows and historic organ. Entrance to the interior is a 2 euro donation.
Livraria Lello
If you’re into books (or Harry Potter!), one of the places you must visit in Porto is Livraria Lello, which has become quite the attraction over the past decade or so. Right in the historic centre of the city, Livraria Lello is the oldest bookstore in the country, dating back to 1894.
It has Harry Potter connections as well – there have been rumours that it was the inspiration for the library of Hogwarts, but JK Rowling has since vehemently denied this. Still, the bookstore feels like you’re entering a magical kingdom when you visit!
It costs €6 for on the door tickets, or €5 if you buy them online. It lay feel steep to have to pay to visit a bookshop, the bookstore had to introduce the fee because too many people were visiting the European bookstore and not enough were actually buying books.
Another option for tickets is this ticket (priced between €15,90 and €17,90), which means you’ll be able to skip the queue altogether. As you might imagine from the name ‘ticket-voucher book,’ included in the price of the ticket is a book that’s redeemable once inside, which makes for a great souvenir from your time in Portugal.
Lunch at Cantina 32
If you fancy a bite to eat, head to Cantina 32 (address: R. das Flores 32). This restaurant serves delicious and modern Portuguese fare, with fresh seafood and world-class croquettes! There are also vegetarian options on the menu. Plus, it’s just a short walk from your next stop.
Miradouro da Vitoria
Potentially the most famous viewpoint in the city, Miradouro da Vitoria is undoubtedly the place to go if you’re looking to orientate yourself in Porto! From this viewpoint, you can see landmarks like Porto Cathedral, Bishop’s Palace and the Dom Luis Bridge.
São Francisco
The history of the Igreja de São Francisco dates back all the way to 1245, although the building that you see today has been renovated and revamped over the years, notably after part of it was destroyed by a fire.
When you walk inside, you’ll see that the church is covered in more than 300 kilograms of gold dust. When it was built, the church was actually considered too grand for the surroundings, so it was closed for a period of time. There are also catacombs underground, which you can see through a glass floor. Entrance to the church costs €7.50 for an adult.
Luis-I Bridge
Crossing the River Duoro, the Luis-I Bridge is an icon for Porto. The bridge links the city’s downtown with the wine houses of Vila Nova de Gaia. Dating back to 1881, the bridge is made of iron and is the subject of many people’s Porto holiday snaps!
Take a walk down to the bridge and spend some time admiring it. Then, walk over the River Duoro to Vila Nova de Gaia, the other side of Porto city and an entirely new district to discover!
Port tasting
It’s fairly easy to guess which drink comes from Porto! Port is a sweet and fortified dessert wine that’s best enjoyed after dinner in small servings. But on a port tour, you’ll probably sample quite a few tasters – this is why we’ve left it so late in the day!
However, if you’re a fan of tipples, port tasting is a must-do while you’re in the city. There are over 60 wine houses in the area, and most of the favourites offer port tasting sessions. You’ll pay a set fee for a tasting platter of the dessert wine, with the option to purchase extra drinks.
Popular wine houses include Sandeman, Taylor’s and Cálem, all of which you can walk into and request port tasting courses. If you’d like to learn more about port tasting, you could do this Cockburn’s Cellar Tour with Tasting & Pairing Option.
Do a Douro River cruise
Once you’ve sampled some port, you can enjoy walking along the river for a while and then undertake a Douro River cruise! The Douro River is the second-longest in Portugal, with its source in Spain and spanning the width of Portugal, with the mouth in Porto.
You can take a Douro River cruise (either bookable online or at the port) which will traverse the six bridges around the city. These tours generally last between 50 minutes to two hours long, and some even include (more) port, wine and dinner!
Restaurante Casario
Just over the river is Restaurante Casario (address: R. de Cima do Muro 61). This eatery serves up seasonal and contemporary food with dishes like pumpkin ravioli, delightful sea bass and bacalhau casserole. Plus, there’s plenty of wine and spirits to enjoy while you’re here as well!
If you have two or three days in Porto…
Of course, one day is a fairly short amount of time to explore any city. And so if you have two or three days in Porto, then here are the activities that you absolutely must add to your itinerary…
Porto Cathedral
Known as the Sé do Porto in Portuguese, the city’s most important ecclesiastical building is located in the historical city centre and was constructed in the Romanesque, Gothic, and Baroque architectural styles between the 12th and 18th-centuries.
Palácio da Bolsa
Constructed in the 19th-century, the Stock Exchange Palace houses the Portuguese Chamber of Commerce. Today, visitors can explore the grandeur of the interior of the Palace via guided tour in Portuguese, Spanish, French, or English. Please note that the only way to visit the Bolsa Palace is via guided tour. Purchase your tickets in advance here.
Climb the Clerigos Tower
For one of the best views of Porto, you need to head up the Clerigos Tower, which is part of a church known as Iglesia de los Clérigos. The church tower is 75 metres in height and can be climbed for a free. The church itself is free to visit. You can book your tickets in advance here.
Avenida dos Aliados
One of the central streets of Porto is Avenida dos Aliados, which connects the Praça da Liberdade to the Praça do General Humberto Delgado (which is the location of the city hall). The long avenue is lined with bars and cafés where visitors can grab a drink and watch the world go by.
Relax at the Gardens of Palácio de Cristal
Hands down, one of the most popular things to do in Porto is to visit the Jardins do Palácio de Cristal. The landscaped gardens were designed in the 19th-century and are now free to visit and wander around. Especially beautiful during the summer time, they offer views of the Douro River below.
Sao Bento Train Station
The famous blue and white tiles around the city are known as Azulejos, and they can even be found adorning the central train station. The Sao Bento Train Station was built in 1916 and is classed as part of the Historic Centre of Porto UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Where to stay in Porto
Urban Garden Porto Central Hostel: This hostel is a sustainable property with delightful dorms and excellent facilities. Check prices and availability here.
YOTEL Porto: This is a mid-range hotel with great facilities. The rooms are smaller and comfortable, with mod-con facilities. There’s also a gym to enjoy here! Check prices and availability here.
Torel Avantgarde: This luxury hotel has a gorgeous pool with gorgeous rooms, huge beds and stunning furnishings. Each room also has a balcony looking out over the beautiful gardens! Check prices and availability here.
There are also lots of apartments to rent in Porto which are perfect for a city break trip, such as this incredible modern duplex with parking. With lots of bedrooms, it’s great for groups or families!
Porto’s only a small city, but it has so much to offer. The city is full of gorgeous architecture that’s made for Instagram, and there’s a lot of history to admire here. Plus, it’s a fantastic city for foodies, with some of Portugal’s best restaurants. Whatever your tastes, I’m sure you’ll love Porto!
What to wear when exploring Europe
In the summer, you can’t go wrong by pairing a cute midi dress with classic white tennis shoes for a laid-back smart casual look that’s just as chic for walking around a city’s cobbled lanes as it is for wandering coastal paths. I love this dress and have it in several colour ways. In terms of tennis shoes, this is my go-to shoe.
When it comes to winter in Europe, most places (with the exception of a few islands) can get pretty cold and so warm layers is a must. I find that cute ankle boots like these ones are the perfect mix of practical meets cute.
Shoulder seasons (spring and summer) in Europe tend to come with a mix of rainy and sunny days and so, again, layers are a must. Trench coats and sneakers are the best uniform to explore the continent in.
Finally, a cross-body bag like these ones is a must. I personally use a crossbody bag by this brand and love its shape, size, and versatility. As well as being convenient and compact, it’s one of the safest ways to transport your valuables, all the while looking chic. I also recommend bringing along a travel adapter like this one so you can charge all of your electronics during your stay!
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