The Best 3 Day Porto Itinerary: Culture, Wine and River Cruising

ByAngela Price
24 Comments

Porto is one of Portugal's most popular destinations, and this 3-day Porto itinerary will help you find all the best attractions in this Unesco World Heritage Site.

Being able to visit Porto in three days easily makes it one of Europe's best city break destinations. If you are coming from the UK, it's a quick 2-hour flight, meaning a short mid-week break or weekend in Porto is perfectly doable.

In this Porto itinerary, I will tell you what you can expect to experience during a three-day Porto visit. I have included sightseeing historic landmarks, river cruising, and wine tasting in the Port wine cellars lining the Douro riverbank.

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Why Visit Porto, Portugal?

Built on the banks of the Douro River in Northern Portugal, Porto is the second-largest city after Lisbon and the world's leading centre for Port wine production. The historic port wine cellars of the region line the banks of Vila Nova de Gaia and are among Porto's most visited tourist attractions.

In addition to wine, the historic centre of Porto has many beautiful buildings to explore and, of course, an agreeable climate in which to do so. One of the unique things about Porto is the ornate blue-and-white azulejo tilework that adorns many of the city's walls and buildings, including the Sao Bento railway station. It's fun to wander around the city and find the most famous ones.

Getting Around Porto

Porto is a walkable city; every turn will show you something new and exciting. That said, one of the main ways of getting around Porto is by tram.

The familiar yellow trams that also run in Lisbon will make walking up some of Porto's hills a little easier. Yes, Porto is a hilly city, so make sure you have comfortable footwear to navigate the steep inclines and cobbled streets.

There is also a city sightseeing Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus, perfect for navigating the city and planning where to revisit during your 3 days in Porto. Using the bus, a tuk-tuk (yes, you read correctly) or joining a Porto walking tour on day one is an excellent way to familiarise yourself with the city.

Best City Tours In Porto

Private Sightseeing Tour by Electric Tuk Tuk.
Walking Tour, Lello Bookshop, Boat and Cable Car.
City Highlights 3-Hour Guided Electric Bike Tour.

What to do in Porto in 3 Days

First Day - Avenue de Aliados, Livraria Lello, Wine and Tapas.

Second Day - Igreja de São Francisco, Ribeira District, Porto Cathedral, River Cruise.

Third Day - Visit Aveiro, Wine Tour in Vila Nova de Gaia.

Porto Itinerary Day One 

Visit the historic Avenida de Aliados

After stopping in Porto's main shopping street, Rua Santa Catarina, for coffee and pastel de nata, one of the best Portuguese pastries you could wish to taste, stroll to Porto’s central boulevard, “Avenue de Aliados”.

Flanked by ornate buildings housing mainly hotels and banks, it translates as “Avenue of the Allies”, referring to the 14th-century treaty between Portugal and the United Kingdom.

The oldest alliance in the world is the Anglo-Portuguese Treaty, which is still in force.

The Avenue is also home to an unusual claim to fame. The ex-Cafe Imperial, once an iconic Portuguese coffee shop in the 1930s, is now a McDonald’s branch dubbed “the most beautiful McDonald's in the world”.

It features decadent period chandeliers and Art Deco stained glass and feels entirely out of place for its current occupier. Regardless, it is worth visiting if you are curious.

A majestic looking white stone building with a central column in Porto.
Stone statue of soldier on the back of a horse in Porto.

Step inside the beautiful Livraria Lello - Porto's famous book shop

Every perfect Porto itinerary has to include a visit to Livraria Lello, Porto's famous bookstore.

JK Rowling is said to have gained inspiration for the Harry Potter novels after living in the city and spending long hours in this beautiful bookstore. Once you've been here, it's not hard to see why!

It is a magnet to Harry Potter Fans and one of the most photographed places in Porto due to its elaborate interior and spellbinding red staircase.

red staircase leading to an ornate upstairs level inside a bookshop in Porto.
An ornate, neo-gothic wooden spiral staircase inside the Livraria Lello bookstore. The underside of the stairs features intricate gold leaf floral carvings set against a pale blue background. The dark wood railings and structural pillars are highly detailed with Gothic arches and gold accents, leading up toward a decorative ceiling and a vintage lantern. Rows of books are visible in the background on the left.

You must buy a ticket from the shop near the entrance (on the corner of the road) to gain admission, and queues during the day can be lengthy. The best time to visit Livraria Lello is 30 minutes before closing. We arrived at that time and walked straight in.

The entrance ticket is redeemable against any purchase you make in the store.

On entering the bookstore, you first notice the ornate sweeping stairway, albeit traffic-clogged with people trying to get that perfect photograph on the stairs (me included!).

The stained ceiling glass and lamps are breathtaking, as is the private room at the back stating "No Entry - Rare Books" I wonder what priceless items lie behind the facade.

The store is smaller than expected; still, there is no time limit to how long you can spend there. After the obligatory photos have been taken, browse the bookshelves and admire the interior's small, beautiful details.

Angie sitting on the red stairs inside the famous Harry Potter bookshop.
Angie standing at the top of the stairs in the book shop, Livraria Lello in Porto.

Head to a wine bar in a historic chapel

That evening, we ate the best tapas in Porto at Tapas and Friends; it was so good, we returned on our third evening in Porto. 

We also discovered an extraordinary wine bar in Porto tucked down one of its cobbled streets. It was called Cappella Incomum and was housed in a tiny converted chapel, complete with an altar. It was an unusual place to drink wine in Porto, but a charming setting.

An elaborate, floor-to-ceiling dark wood altar or reredos stands against deep red walls in a dimly lit room. The structure features four tall, spiraled Corinthian columns flanking a central arched niche that contains a bouquet of white flowers in a golden vase. A brass chandelier hangs in the foreground, and the base of the altar is decorated with candles, small white floral arrangements, and a framed relief carving. Bright spotlights illuminate the architectural details from the sides.

Porto Itinerary Day Two 

Check out the catacombs in Igreja de São Francisco

Heading towards the Port, you will come to Igreja de São Francisco, the Church of St Francis, one of Porto's most prominent monuments and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Established in 1245 by the Franciscan Order as a small convent church, it was later extensively expanded. A ticket gives you entry to the Church and a museum housing the Monument church, catacombs and artworks.

Go down to the Catacombs, and you will find the resting places of the Franciscan monks and members of Porto's wealthiest families. If you like the macabre, look through the glass floor; thousands of human bones lie beneath it, originally from overcrowded nearby cemeteries.

In the adjoining main church, it is estimated that over 300 kilos of gold dust were used to decorate the interior. The luxury was too extravagant for many, given the area's poverty, leading to the church's closure for several years.

You can't take photos inside, so a visit is necessary to see the grandeur on offer for yourself.

ornate interior of Igreja de São Francisco.
Exterior of Igreja de São Francisco.
Church exterior with a large round stained glass window in Porto.
If you are interested in catacombs and ossuaries, you might like to read about Faro's Bone Church.

Hang out in the Ribeira District of Porto's old town

The Ribeira district is the oldest part of the city, where pastel-coloured buildings and narrow cobbled streets share the best spot in Porto, gradually leading down to the banks of the Douro.

Ribeira is a vibrant neighbourhood with busy bars, cafes, restaurants, and shops jostling for space along the portside.

Street entertainers are everywhere, competing for your attention and your tips! Ribeira is the best place in Porto to people-watch, enjoy a traditional Portuguese meal, and have a glass of local port wine.

A local resident of Ribeira hanging washing on her balcony for it to dry in Porto.
Pastel coloured houses lining the riverbank in Porto.
A map of Porto is lay open on a table with a coffee with cream and coffee beans and a white metal jug with a red flower on top of it.
Colourful houses built on top of the stone arches in Ribeiria Port.
A wide shot of the Ribeira district waterfront in Porto, Portugal, taken from the Douro River. The scene features a row of colorful, multi-story historical buildings with red-tiled roofs nestled along a stone embankment. Several traditional Rabelo boats are moored in the foreground on the deep blue water under a clear, bright blue sky. Pedestrians are visible walking along the riverside promenade.

Walk across Dom Luís I Bridge, Porto or sail under it

The Dom Luís I Bridge dominates the historic centre of Porto. A student of Gustave Eiffel built it, and it is an imposing image as it spans the River Douro.

A view from the bow of a wooden boat on the Douro River, looking toward the Dom Luís I Bridge in Porto. The double-deck metal arch bridge spans the river, with a train visible on the upper level and the city's hilly coastline on the right. A small blue and white flag flutters from a pole on the boat in the foreground under a clear blue sky.

Also known as the Gustave Eiffel Porto Bridge, it is one of Europe's most famous bridges. The bridge connects Porto to Vila Nova de Gaia, where the best port wine cellars are based.

Dom Luis I's double-decked bridge allows pedestrians to cross on the upper deck and regular traffic to pass on the lower deck. From high above the water, you will get some amazing panoramic views. The bottom floor also has narrow footpaths on either side for pedestrians. You can hop aboard a boat that will take you on a 45-minute cruise of the six Porto bridges, giving a brief insight into each one.

Have your camera ready to capture scenic images as you sail along the Douro River. And if you want to see even more beautiful scenery, book a river cruise that will take you to the nearby Douro Valley.

Angie dressed in jeans a white t-shirt and pink scarf sitting on a wall in the harbour with the Dom Luis 1 bridge and a passenger ferry in the background
A seagull standing on the harbour wall with Dom Luis 1 bridge in the background
A traditional fishing boat on the Duoro River with the Dom Luis 1 bridge in the background
A scenic view of the Porto hillside rising from the Douro River. The landscape is densely packed with colorful, traditional buildings in shades of white, yellow, and red, leading up to the large, white Episcopal Palace at the summit. The Ribeira waterfront is lined with white café umbrellas and several Rabelo boats docked along the river's edge. Green tree leaves frame the top of the image against a clear blue sky.

Best Porto River Cruises

Six Bridges Cruise.
Porto: Douro River Boat Cruise with Port Wine Tasting.
Porto: Luxury 6 Bridges Yacht Cruise with Wine & Snacks.

 Marvel at the architecture in the Porto Cathedral

After wandering along the river, head up the steep cobbled streets to the highest point in Porto and visit Porto Cathedral.

Also known as Sé do Porto Catedral, it is the most famous and oldest landmark in Porto's cultural city and has far-reaching views over the city and the Douro River.

Outside the Cathedral is a column where criminals of Porto were hanged. At least their last view was a good one.

The interior of the Cathedral is very commanding, predominantly Baroque.

The exterior facade of the Porto Cathedral (Sé do Porto) under a clear blue sky. The fortress-like Romanesque structure is built from large stone blocks and features two square bell towers flanking a central section with a large rose window. The main entrance is adorned with a highly decorative Baroque portal featuring white marble columns, intricate sculptures, and a small balcony.
The interior of the Porto Cathedral looking toward the high altar. The space is dominated by a massive, gilded Baroque retable with intricate gold leaf carvings, twisted columns, and religious statues. A red-carpeted staircase leads up to the altar, which is covered with an embroidered white cloth. Dark wooden choir stalls line the sides, and the vaulted ceiling is decorated with gold ornaments.

The cloister entrance is inside the Cathedral and is decorated with the stunning blue-and-white tiles for which Porto is famous.

The blue and white tiles represent Porto culture and heritage and depict biblical scenes dating back to the 14th century.

The Cathedral is one of the best places to spot azulejo tiles in Porto. I enjoyed the serenity and beauty of its architecture, which is unique to the city.

A close-up photograph of Angie in front of a blue tiled wall depicting a scene from Porto's history
Angie sitting on a wall in the cloisters of Porto Cathedral with a backdrop of blue traditional Portuguese azulejo tiles
Angie standing in front of a wall covered in traditional blue azulejo tiles depicting a scene from Portuguese history
A close-up view through the stone Gothic arches of the Porto Cathedral cloisters. The arches frame large, intricate "azulejo" tile murals in classic blue and white, depicting religious or historical scenes with elaborate Baroque borders. The weathered stone columns in the foreground show significant texture and historical character.
The Gothic cloister courtyard of the Porto Cathedral. In the center of the stone-paved square stands a tall, weathered stone cross (pelourinho) on a tiered base. The surrounding two-story structure features pointed arches and circular stone windows. The upper level is decorated with a long horizontal band of blue and white tilework behind a dark metal railing.

From November to March, the Porto Cathedral's opening hours are 9:00 am to 12:30 pm (the cloister closes at 12:15). In the afternoon, it opens at 2:30 pm and closes at 6:00 pm (the cloister closes at 5:30).

From April to October, it opens from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm and again from 2:30 pm to 7 pm (The cloister closes at 6:30 pm)

The Porto Cathedral mass times are:

  • Mass at Porto Cathedral during the weekdays is at 11:00 am
  • Mass on Sunday is at 11:00 am

Porto Itinerary Day Three

A day trip to Aveiro to see the colourful boats

I had read that you could visit Aveiro on a day trip from Porto, as it was only an hour away by train and was dubbed the "Venice of Portugal". This was good enough for me, so we journeyed from Porto's São Bento Station to Aveiro by train.

The traditional blue-and-white "azulejo" picture tiles depicting battles and rural life adorn the walls of São Bento Railway Station. So, even if you aren't planning to catch a train, make sure you still visit one of the world's most beautiful train stations during your time in Porto.

Blue and White tiles depicting a scene from Porto history showing a king on his throne holding audience.
The entrance of sao bento train station showing the blue and white traditional tiles adorning the walls.
Blue and white porto tiles depicting a battle scene with one soldier standing high above those fallen.

When we arrived in Aveiro, we headed along the main promenade to reach the canals and explore things to do in Aveiro. I want to say I was excited, but the sad fact is, for a first-time visitor, it was pretty underwhelming.

Traditional painted boats lining the canal were offering 45-minute trips. They looked beautiful, but we learnt from disembarking passengers that there was nothing very picturesque to see on the river journey, just industrial and urban landscapes.

After recharging with coffee at one of the Aveiro hotels along the canalside, we opted for a 30-minute tuk-tuk ride instead of the boat ride. As we had made an effort to get here, we felt we should look around at Aveiro's monuments. Sadly, after being shown a couple of churches, the salt flats, and the local college, we had seen everything Aveiro had to offer.

All the research I had done sold Aveiro as a destination that must be visited, but I'm afraid I must disagree.

Unless you desire a train journey and a canal boat ride, which is most definitely not like Venice, I would say stay in Porto. It is, however, your trip, and you may personally find Aveiro delightful.

A colourful "moliceiro" boat is docked along a stone canal in Aveiro, Portugal. The boat features a high, curved prow decorated with hand-painted folk art and vibrant red, yellow, and blue trim. The calm water of the canal reflects the boat and the white historical buildings with red-tiled roofs that line the opposite bank. Fluffy white clouds fill the blue sky above the urban landscape.

Book a Porto Wine Tour

One of the best things to do in Porto is a port-tasting tour of the cellars, ranging from well-known Taylor Port to local cellars.

The tour we booked took us to 3 port houses with seven tastings. Headed up by Alex, a Porto local guide, our group consisted of around 20 people from different countries.

Alex was full of information on the origins of port wine and had a cheeky sense of humour. We discovered that wine could only be labelled as a port when produced in the Douro Valley. It is around an hour's drive away; therefore, this is the only place in the world that produces port wine.

Vila Nova de Gaia

The port-wine houses are in Vila Nova de Gaia, on the opposite banks of the river to Porto. Alex told us the history of this side of the city and introduced us to some of Porto's street art, which is becoming more popular.

The first port wine stop was at a traditional small producer, where we sampled a tasting. Our second stop was at a historic wine cellar, where we sampled two wines.

The final stop was at my favourite, Porto Cruz, where we sampled four tastings in a professional wine tasting room. We discovered different types of port wine, from a red port, pink port and even a white port - who would have guessed!

We finished off at their rooftop bar, which had fabulous views across the river to Porto. After learning so much during the tour, I now feel justified to drink port at any time of the year, not just at Christmas, which was my usual British tradition, and I have discovered a bottle of pink port, which goes particularly well in a cocktail or two!

Angie standing in port cellars during a wine tour in Porto.
A wide-angle, elevated view of the Douro River in Porto, featuring the iconic Dom Luís I Bridge spanning across to the Ribeira district. In the foreground, several traditional dark-wood Rabelo boats are moored along the Vila Nova de Gaia side, some carrying wooden wine barrels. A striped pedestrian promenade runs along the riverbank with people walking, while the opposite hillside is covered in colorful historical buildings under an overcast sky.

Best Porto Wine Tours

Porto: Graham's Port Lodge Tour with Premium Wine Tastings.
Port Wine class with 3 or 5 Port tasting and pairings.
Porto: Cálem Cellar Tour, Interactive Museum & Wine Tasting.
Vila Nova de Gaia: Port Wine Tasting with Cheese Pairing.

Porto Restaurants

The beauty of travel lies in the people you encounter along the way, and after meeting new acquaintances at the tastings, we decided to join them for a meal. We headed towards the restaurant, O Afonso, which our tour guide recommended.

We all opted for the local traditional Portuguese dish of a Francesinha sandwich made with bread, meats, melted cheese, tomato, and beer sauce. Francesinha could probably induce a heart attack, but it is a Porto dish that must be tried.

Of course, there are many other Portuguese foods - from soups, seafood, and meats to delicious sweet Portuguese desserts.

Best Porto Food Tours

Porto 3-Hour Food Tour.
Porto: Delicious Food And Wine Walking Tour.
Porto: Pastel de Nata Pastry-Making Workshop with cocktails.

Is Three Days In Porto Enough?

I travelled in March, and the weather was pleasant, with a mix of sun and clouds. I stayed at PortoBay Teatro Hotel.

I would recommend spending 3 days in Porto, as I enjoyed the port cellars' uniqueness, which I feel is the main reason to visit Porto. It wasn't one of my favourite European cities, but that is because I have visited amazing places like Prague, Venice, and Oslo, so I found Porto lacked something I couldn't quite put my finger on. That said, it might be somewhere you fall in love with, so give it a go!

I would, however, recommend visiting Porto as part of a perfect 2-week itinerary in Portugal to experience other beautiful Portuguese cities such as Lisbon and Faro.

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24 Comments

  1. Hi!

    Congrats on this amazing post!

    I'm a flight attendant and it gave me the opportunity to explore the city in more in depth. In Oporto city, there are a lot of (incredible) hidden gems that a lot of people don't know about.

    If you are a fan of wine - like me - and want to learn about the art of winemaking in the north of Portugal, I would recommend booking a wine tour. And if you ever consider going to the Douro Valley between September and October, this is an awesome opportunity to partake in a traditional grape stomp!

    Reply

  2. Bookmarking this for later this year when I'm in Portugal. I already can't wait and your post only got me more excited! I love visiting unique libraries so the Livraria Lello will be fun.

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    1. You will love it. Be sure to pre-book a tour of the port cellars and try the local food especially the pastel de nata (egg custard tarts) delicious!

      Reply

  3. very informative & useful itinerary shared for Portugal, gonna be helpful for travel lovers
    have saved this for my reference
    cheers, siennylovesdrawing

    Reply

  4. I've never been to Europe, Portugal and Spain are where I would like to start. Thanks for the great recommendations!

    Reply

    1. I hope you get to Europe one day. You will love it. Make sure you put England on your list, we have an amazing history and fantastic sights to visit.

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  5. I really like your honesty in your approach to Porto. It looks like a nice place to visit but I would certainly not head to the "Venice". It's really annoying when things get overhyped & are a "Must-do" when actually they are just disappointing when you make the effort to go. I have also had some excellent experiences on the Hop On Hop Off buses but some are not worth the time or money, Buenos Aires springs to mind - so many amazing things to do but this is not one of them! 😉

    Reply

    1. I’m glad you enjoyed my review. Not everywhere can be amazing and I just wanted share my opinion about that. If I ever get to Buenos Aires I will head your advice.

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  6. I haven't been to Porto. If I get the chance to travel to Europe, Porto will definitely be one of the places I'll visit

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  7. We are talking of visiting Portugal in early 2021. I'm assuming the weather will be decent in the spring? If so, we will add Porto to our list with all the great information you provided!

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    1. I travelled in early March and had sun all day. Temperatures are still moderate so evenings turn chilly. I hope you get to Porto 😃

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  8. I love the honest review about your stay in Porto, it really helps with planning a trip here. Harry Potter would definitely be the first place I would tour.

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    1. If you get there don't forget that your entry ticket will get you money off any book you buy in there or a free booklet all about the connection between Harry Potter and the bookstore.

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  9. Interesting to hear Porto didn't wow you, I've only heard great things, so thanks for the honest opinion. The bookshop does look incredible though.

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    1. The bookstore was lovely but so small and crowded. I guess when you have travelled a lot destinations really have to offer something unique to give you that wow feeling.

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  10. Too many global brands have homogenized areas of historical significance. When I travel it really disappoints me when I stumble across fast food chains. Hopefully the McDonalds exterior hasn't brought done the tone or beauty of the area.

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    1. I’m glad to say the interior is original but when we saw it our hearts fell. I like you find it upsetting when historical monuments have a fast food outlet within close proximity such as Berlin Wall, Egypt’s Pyramids etc. I loved visiting Venice where no brands had been allowed to infiltrate 😃

      Reply

  11. It sounds as if there was plenty to see even tho you wouldn't put it at the top of your list. I get what you mean about the churches and historic buildings being like most European cities. Still that bookstore does look amazing! Thanks for the tip about not bothering with Aveiro.

    Reply

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