Having visited Porto thrice, we clearly love this lovely metropolis in Portugal. It really is one among 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. Because this metropolis is so compact, Porto is a really walkable metropolis, and it’s straightforward to see a lot of its high points of interest in simply someday.
While we advocate at the very least a number of days in Porto, it’s attainable to see lots, as all the principle points of interest are positioned near the town heart. So, we’ve 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 but it surely nonetheless feels small. The historic heart is walkable and with straightforward and inexpensive public transport, Ubers and an organized strolling route, you may see lots in a short while.
If you solely have someday in Porto, we advise utilizing Uber to get round. We discovered them to be very dependable and inexpensive. Also, in case you plan on going into a variety of Porto points of interest and utilizing public transport you might think about the Porto Card. We didn’t use the Porto Card for someday, however you may take a look at what’s included right here.
A variety of our strategies are simply walkable when you get to the realm that we advise. We have a map on the backside of this submit which you could observe. And we are going to recommend 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 begin your one-day itinerary. Call an Uber out of your lodge and make your method to R. das Carmelitas for the primary entry into this world’s most lovely bookstore. It is rumored that Hogwarts’ winding staircases had been modeled after Livraria Lello’s lovely baroque staircases, however JK Rowling denies that. Either manner, 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 lovely bookstore on the earth on their record throughout their Porto itinerary, however many individuals additionally miss out as a result of an absence of planning. Make positive to ebook your timed entry upfront. The bookstore opens at 9:00 am, and it would be best to ebook a golden ticket that permits you to skip the road and provides you a free ebook of your selection. Even in case you booked the golden ticket and may skip the road, present up at 8:00 to be on the entrance. We let you know precisely what to do right here.
You must ebook properly upfront on the LIvrario Lello Website, and we’ve a whole weblog submit telling you precisely the best way to ebook that golden ticket and the best way to ensure you are the primary one to enter the bookstore proper right here. Ultimate Guide for Visiting Livraria Lello
Igrega do Carmo
Once you’ve completed at Livraria Lello, stroll towards the close by sq. to see the long-lasting 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. Yes, we’re responsible of taking that actual shot. The sq. itself is gorgeous however busy. Tours cease right here to speak concerning the church, which has a stunning fountain standing at its heart.
When you go to Porto, you can be in awe. The historic heart was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996, and for good motive. Its winding streets, historic church buildings adorned with Azuelos (Portuguese tiles), and delightful buildings are one thing you’ll always remember.
Cafe Majestic
If you didn’t have breakfast at your lodge, which we extremely advocate 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. Start your stroll uphill, and in case you don’t need to eat at Cafe Majestic, there are some nice breakfast locations simply up from Igrega do Carmo. We loved a implausible breakfast, Zenith Brunch and Cocktails, and Restaurant Carlos Alberto, each positioned on Praça de Carlos Alberto, at a extra affordable worth.
However, you’re solely going to be in Porto for someday, so we predict you’ll need to eat at one among its hottest cafes. Cafe Majestic was as soon as touted as essentially the most lovely cafe on the earth. It, too, has Harry Potter connections, as JK Rowling frequented his cafe throughout her time in Porto, and it’s stated that she wrote the primary Harry Potter ebook there.
Majestic Cafe is a historic restaurant positioned on the pedestrian-only purchasing avenue Rua de Santa Catarina. Once you’ve gotten overpaid on your Pasteis de Nata and occasional, take a brief stroll alongside the road to browse its distinctive outlets and costly boutiques. There are chocolate outlets, 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, due to its location and the 11,000 Azulejos (conventional Portuguese ceramic tiles) overlaying 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. If you do go inside, you’ll see a Nineteenth-century pipe organ, oil work, and, in fact, the same old spiritual statues.
São Bento Train Station
There’s a variety of magnificence in Porto, and the Sao Bento practice station isn’t any exception. If you haven’t seen sufficient of these blue tiles, and even when you’ve got, you don’t need to miss The São Bento Train Station. It is touted as one among Europe’s most lovely practice stations due to its 20,000 azulejos. Each tile tells a narrative of Portuguese historical past.
This practice station was opened in 1916 on the positioning of a former Benedictine monastery of Saint Benedict (São Bento). Tours 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 one among its markets. For lunch, you’ve gotten a number of choices: you may flip round and stroll again the hill somewhat bit to go to Mercado do Bolhão, which we extremely advocate, or begin making your method to the waterfront. But let’s discuss concerning the Bolhao Market. This is one among our favourite markets in Europe, and Bolhão Market is likely one of the most genuine and conventional markets in Porto.
Although the unique construction has undergone renovations, the neoclassical facade stays. The coated market is cool and an awesome escape from the warmth. Inside, you may pattern contemporary seafood, cheese, sausages, and pastries. The store homeowners are pleasant and captivated with their native specialties.
Wander via stalls providing a wide range of cheeses, meats, and contemporary produce, and savor some genuine Portuguese delicacies that pair completely with wine! You can order a glass of wine, Gin and Tonic, or a Porto and Tonic which you could take with you to sip on it as you wander via the aisles.
Pastel de Nata
If you need 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 plenty of say it has the most effective Pasteis de Nata within the metropolis. The line is large within the morning, however later within the morning, it slows down a bit.
Porto City Hall
If you’re keen on getting these images of metropolis indicators, Porto City Hall is only a brief stroll from the Bolhaor
Cais da Ribeira
If you need to make your method to the river as a substitute of going to the market, you may have lunch within the Ribeira district. Several eating places and out of doors cafes line the waterfront with avenue performers entertaining visitors 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.
Enjoy winding your stroll down via the slim streets of Porto (it’s all downhill from the Bolhao Market and São Bento Station in case you take the principle street), or you may take an Uber to get there quicker.
Once you get to the waterfront, it would be best to benefit from the vitality of this full of life a part of the town. There are out of doors markets, eating places, boat excursions, and delightful views of colourful buildings lining the Douro River. This is a superb place to tug up a chair and luxuriate in some lunch (in case you skipped the fortress and market) or to get pleasure from an Aperol Spritz.
Porto Cathedral
If 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 is an uphill stroll to the cathedral, so you might need to rent a automotive to avoid wasting time. It is price visiting for the views of the 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.
This is one cathedral you might need to go to. Its cloisters are lovely, and inside, the cathedral is adorned with azulejos (blue and white ceramic tiles) that narrate spiritual tales.
Afternoon
Walk Across the Ponte Luis I Bridge
It’s time to go to the town of Novo de Gaia throughout the river. We beloved this district, and it’s the excellent place to spend the remainder of the afternoon. To get to Novo de Gaia from Porto, you may stroll throughout the well-known Ponte Luis I Bridge. You can stroll on the decrease or higher portion of the bridge. Note that you just’ll be sharing the street with vehicles.
If you had lunch down by the water, you might stroll throughout the decrease portion to get to Gaia, or in case you went to the Porto Cathedral (which we extremely advocate as a result of you may eat dinner on the Ribeira), you might stroll alongside the higher portion. We beloved the views from the higher portion. The Ponte Luis I Bridge is 45 meters excessive, and the views of each cities are lovely from up right here. There are not any vehicles driving on the higher bridge, however there are trams going backwards and forwards, so preserve an eye fixed out.
River Cruise on the Douro River
Once you get to Gaia, you may 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 the town to the opposite. The 50-minute cruise provides you with a novel 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 can ebook river cruises on the Ribeira facet as properly, however they’re fairly busy. We booked on Gaia as a substitute. You can ebook your cruise upfront as properly which is able to assure your time slot. It is price seeing the whole facet from a bot.
Port Wine Tasting at Vila Nova De Gaia
The waterfront of Gaia is known for its port wine cellars, and now’s 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 must take a tour, however it’s enjoyable to go to one of many cellars. We have toured and purchased wines from Taylor’s, Calem, and Foncesco, and the port wines are divine.
Calem is the best to go to as it’s positioned instantly on the waterfront, they usually provide port-tasting flights. If you need to see the WoW District (World of Wine) Fonseco and Taylor’s are positioned only a brief stroll up. They are each much less busy, however the wines are finer. We beloved our port tasting expertise Taylor’s is the official provider of the Royal Family, and it was the primary port of wine in area! Try 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 via these historic cellars.
Portuguese wine is as scrumptious as it’s distinctive, with varieties similar to Vino Verde and Port Wine. The Douro Valley is Portugal’s well-known wine area, and you’ll ebook a tour of Porto within the Douro Valley when you’ve got a number of days.
Stroll the Gaia Waterfront
We loved the Gaia waterfront greater than the Ribeira as a result of, for one, it has the most effective views of Porto (together with the gorgeous Riviera). You can 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.
Wonderful World of Portuguese Sardines
You should cease by to see the great world of Portuguese Sardines. This circus-like retailer is a vacation spot unto itself. Similar in fashion to Livraria Lello, this retailer has baroque staircases and partitions stuffed with 1000’s of colourful cans of sardines. There is a multimedia show showcasing the historical past of Portuguese Sardines, and it’s merely a spectacle. Plus, you should purchase a sardine from a 12 months that’s particular to you. Why not carry residence a Portuguese can together with your birthdate or anniversary on it?
The Bacalau House
The Balacau House is one other must-stop. This is the place you may strive the nation’s well-known Cod Cakes whereas having fun with one other lovely store. The retailer is a component store, museum arcade, and gallery. This store has two winding staircases, and the Bacalau home even has stay 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.
Evening
Sunset Apperitivo
From the waterfront, you may hop on the Teleferico (cable automotive), which is able to take you again as much as the highest of Gaia on your sundown views. If you’ve gotten the finances, we advocate having appetizers and a cocktail on the Esplanada do Teleferico. It’s a implausible restaurant providing implausible views of Porto from its out of doors terrace.
Relax with a refreshing drink and take within the breathtaking skyline because the solar units over the town.
Jardim Do Morro
If you don’t need to pay €15 to €20 for a cocktail, you may 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
Since you’ve had Bacalau, appetizers, and port wine, we advise laying aside dinner till later. Besides, why not embrace the Portuguese tradition and eat late? So earlier than dinner, ebook a Fado Show in a wine cellar. Fado is a wonderful stay efficiency of singers accompanied by guitars. We booked this tour via Get Your Guide and beloved 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 is thought for its expressive and profoundly melancholic character, sometimes conveying themes of longing, unhappiness, 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.
Night time
Dinner
Depending on the place your lodge is positioned (or in case you are prepared to take a taxi or uber that are very inexpensive) 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 decisions.
There are so many scrumptious and genuine eating places in Porto that it’s straightforward 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’ll assist to take in the alcohol. So what’s it? This is a hearty sandwich fabricated from sausage, cheese, ham, extra meat, and bread served with a tomato beer sauce.
Nightlife at Galerias de Paris Street
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. This is the place the locals hang around into the wee hours of the morning.
How to Get to Porto
By Air: The major gateway by air is thru Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport (often known as Porto Airport), positioned roughly 11 kilometers from the town heart. The airport hosts a wide range of worldwide and home flights, connecting Porto with main cities throughout Europe and past. From the airport, vacationers can attain the town heart through the metro (the Violet E line instantly connects the airport to the Trindade metro station within the metropolis heart), bus, taxi, or ride-sharing companies.
By Train: For vacationers coming from different elements 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 the town and is well-connected to the Portuguese rail community. Another key station is Campanhã, which is on the east facet of the town and serves as the principle hub for trains arriving from Lisbon, the Algarve, and worldwide locations similar to 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 the best way to take advantage of your day on this lovely metropolis.