Last updated: October 2026
Porto is Portugal’s second city, a hilly, atmospheric place of tiled churches, riverside terraces and centuries-old port wine cellars. It feels a little grittier and more traditional than Lisbon, and many travellers end up loving it even more.
The historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is compact enough to explore on foot, though the hills are steep. This guide covers the top 10 things to do in Porto, plus tips for making the most of your stay. The official Visit Porto site is handy for opening hours and events.
Quick answer: What are the best things to do in Porto? Walk the Ribeira riverfront, cross the Dom Luís I Bridge, taste port wine in Vila Nova de Gaia, see the tiles at São Bento station and take a day trip to the Douro Valley. Two to three days is ideal.
Top 10 Things to Do in Porto at a Glance
| # | Thing to do | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wander the Ribeira District | Riverside atmosphere |
| 2 | Cross the Dom Luís I Bridge | Views |
| 3 | Taste Port Wine in Vila Nova de Gaia | Wine lovers |
| 4 | Visit Livraria Lello | Book lovers |
| 5 | Admire the Tiles at São Bento Station | Azulejo tiles |
| 6 | Climb the Clérigos Tower | Panoramic views |
| 7 | Take a Six Bridges Cruise | Relaxed sightseeing |
| 8 | Eat a Francesinha | Food lovers |
| 9 | Shop at Mercado do Bolhão | Local produce |
| 10 | Take a Day Trip to the Douro Valley | A day trip |
1. Wander the Ribeira District
Ribeira is Porto’s postcard riverfront, a row of colourful, narrow houses stacked above the Douro River. Restaurants and cafés spill onto the quayside, and traditional rabelo boats, once used to carry port wine, are moored along the river.
Explore the narrow lanes behind the waterfront, then visit the Church of São Francisco, whose interior is covered in gilded wood carvings. Ribeira is busy by day but lovely in the evening.
2. Cross the Dom Luís I Bridge
The Dom Luís I Bridge is Porto’s most famous landmark, a two-level iron arch bridge opened in 1886. It was designed by Théophile Seyrig, a former partner of Gustave Eiffel.
Walk across the upper deck, shared with the metro, for spectacular views over Ribeira and the river. The lower deck carries cars and pedestrians at river level. Go at sunset for the best light.
3. Taste Port Wine in Vila Nova de Gaia
Across the river from Ribeira, Vila Nova de Gaia is where port wine has been aged and stored for centuries. Famous houses such as Taylor’s, Graham’s, Sandeman and Cálem offer cellar tours and tastings.
Tours explain how port is made in the Douro Valley and aged in huge oak barrels. Book ahead in summer. Afterwards, ride the Gaia cable car for views over the cellar rooftops.
4. Visit Livraria Lello
Livraria Lello is one of the most beautiful bookshops in the world, famous for its red, curving staircase and stained glass ceiling.
Because it’s so popular, entry requires a ticket, which can be deducted from the price of a book. Book a timed slot online and go at opening time to avoid the biggest queues.
5. Admire the Tiles at São Bento Station
São Bento Railway Station is a working train station with an entrance hall decorated with around 20,000 blue and white azulejo tiles. They show scenes from Portuguese history, including battles and royal processions.
It’s free to enter and only takes a few minutes, but it’s one of the city’s highlights. Look out for other tiled facades nearby, including the Igreja do Carmo and the Capela das Almas.
6. Climb the Clérigos Tower
The Clérigos Tower is a baroque bell tower that rises high above the historic centre. Climbing its narrow spiral staircase of around 240 steps rewards you with panoramic views over the city’s rooftops and the river.
The ticket also includes the Clérigos Church, with its ornate interior. Go early or late in the day for fewer crowds.
7. Take a Six Bridges Cruise
A Six Bridges river cruise is a relaxing way to see Porto from the water. The boats travel up and down the Douro, passing under all of the city’s bridges in around 50 minutes.
Most cruises leave from Ribeira or Gaia. They’re especially pleasant in the late afternoon. For a longer journey, river cruises run up into the Douro Valley.
8. Eat a Francesinha
The francesinha is Porto’s signature dish, a huge sandwich of ham, sausage and steak covered in melted cheese and a rich beer and tomato sauce, often topped with a fried egg and served with chips.
It’s a heavy meal, so go hungry. Cafés across the city claim to make the best one. Other local dishes to try include tripas à moda do Porto (tripe stew), which gave Porto locals their nickname “tripeiros”, and fresh grilled fish.
9. Shop at Mercado do Bolhão
Mercado do Bolhão is Porto’s historic food market, reopened in 2022 after a major restoration. Stalls sell fresh fish, fruit, flowers, cheese, cured meats and pastries.
It’s a great place to try local products and pick up gifts, from tinned fish to port. Small restaurants inside serve simple Portuguese dishes.
10. Take a Day Trip to the Douro Valley
The Douro Valley is the world’s oldest demarcated wine region and a UNESCO-listed landscape of terraced vineyards along the river. It’s where the grapes for port wine are grown.
Join a day tour from Porto that includes wine tastings at quintas (wine estates) and a short boat trip. Alternatively, take the scenic train along the river to Pinhão, one of the most beautiful rail journeys in Europe.
More Things to Do in Porto
Foz do Douro is where the river meets the Atlantic, with a seaside promenade, beaches and lighthouses. Take vintage tram line 1 along the river to get there.
Serralves is a contemporary art museum set in beautiful gardens and an Art Deco villa.
Jardins do Palácio de Cristal offer peacocks, shady paths and great views over the river.
What Should You Know Before Visiting Porto?
Wear comfortable shoes. Porto’s hills are steep and the cobbles can be slippery when wet.
Use the metro and funicular. The Funicular dos Guindais connects Ribeira with the upper town.
Pack for rain. Porto is wetter than Lisbon, especially from November to March.
Visit from May to October for the best weather. June is especially lively during the Festa de São João on the night of 23 June, when the whole city parties until dawn.
Where Should You Stay in Porto?
Ribeira puts you right on the riverfront, surrounded by restaurants and views of the bridge. It’s beautiful but busy and hilly, so it suits travellers who don’t mind stairs.
Baixa, the downtown area around Avenida dos Aliados, is the most central and convenient. It’s close to São Bento station, Livraria Lello and the Clérigos Tower, with plenty of hotels and apartments at different prices.
Cedofeita is a creative neighbourhood with independent shops, galleries and cafés, a little calmer than the centre. Vila Nova de Gaia, across the river, offers some of the best views of the city skyline and is right next to the port cellars, though you’ll need to cross the bridge to reach most sights.
Foz do Douro suits travellers who want a seaside atmosphere and don’t mind a tram or bus ride into the centre. It’s especially pleasant in summer, with beaches and a long promenade.
Tip: Porto has good value accommodation compared with Lisbon, but prices rise during the São João festival in June and summer weekends, so book early.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do you need in Porto?
Two to three days covers the city’s main sights. Add a day for the Douro Valley.
Is Porto better than Lisbon?
They’re different. Porto is smaller and more traditional, while Lisbon is bigger and sunnier. Many visitors see both, connected by a three-hour train ride.
Is Porto walkable?
Yes, the centre is compact, but it’s very hilly.
Discover Porto
Porto combines history, food, wine and riverside views in one compact city. Take your time, try the port and enjoy a sunset on the Dom Luís I Bridge.
Continuing your trip through Portugal? Lisbon is three hours south by train, so add the best things to do in Lisbon to your route, then finish on the Algarve’s most beautiful beaches. Love historic cities? Edinburgh shares Porto’s hilly old town and UNESCO status, and our guide to Edinburgh’s best sights is a good next step.
Featured image: Photo by Nick Karvounis on Unsplash
