How Many Days in Porto? 1-5 Day itineraries for first-timers

How many days in Porto is something I have been asked a lot. For most first-timers, two days is the sweet spot; add a third if you want to do the Douro Valley or explore more slowly. Several highlights can be done in one day, but it’s a beautiful city with a lovely pace, a perfect place to be more relaxed.

Below you will see my detailed verdict, a comparison grid, and timed itineraries by day (with cost and description) so you can choose what best fits with your likes and travel style, whilst ensuring you don’t overload your Porto itinerary. 

I have also placed each day on a downloadable google map to make it easy to follow the trip when you are there.

Disclaimer: This article features affiliate links. If you click these links, and choose to book with that hotel or company, I will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I appreciate the support that allows me to continue providing this information

TL;DR : How long do you need?

• 1 day: Quick stop, handful of highlights, views and riverfront, light on museums.
• 2 days: Balanced days, viewpoints, one wine cellar or an evening cruise.
• 3 days: You want to add Douro Valley or appreciate Porto at a more relaxed pace.
• 4–5 days: Time for Foz do Douro, galleries, Parque de Serralves, Jardins do Palácio de Cristal, a second second cellar.

Are you planning to split your trip between Porto and Lisbon, compare your timings and do your research with my guide to how long to spend in Lisbon.

1-5 day itinerary comparison table

*excluding hotels, flights and food

Staying in the capital? I have also written about all the best places to stay when you are in Lisbon.

Downloadable Map of the routes

1 day in Porto: the essentials

Morning timeline 

My Top Tip: if you can book Lello for 09:00, do Lello first, then Clérigos, it will be quieter.

Afternoon: pick one plan (don’t do both a cruise and a cellar)

Option A 

Choose this if you want the skyline from the water and a low-effort afternoon.

Option B

Choose this if you’d rather go port and wine tasting than take the boat.

My Top tip: If time slips, go straight to Jardim do Morro and skip the Teleférico.

What you’ll see today

São Bento Train Station 

The main hall is wrapped in blue-and-white tiles that tell Portugal’s story.
Time 15–20 mins • Cost Free

Clérigos Church & Tower

Baroque church with a skinny bell tower and big views if you’re up for the stairs. They’re tight, but in my opinion, well worth it for the view!
Time 30–40 mins • Cost about €10

Livraria Lello 

Ornate bookshop with that famous staircase that is rumoured to have inspired J K Rowling. It’s a quick look rather than a long browse, so weigh up if you’re happy with the wait. You can save time by booking your slot in advance.
Time 20–30 mins • Cost typical €10–€16

Igreja do Carmo (azulejo wall)

Easy tile photos without the queues; step inside if you fancy a peek.
Time 10–15 mins • Cost Free

Ribeira 

Cobbled riverfront with arches, cafés and street views. 
Time 30–45 mins • Cost Free

Dom Luís I Bridge

Double-deck iron bridge linking Porto and Gaia. Lower deck is flatter; upper deck has the wow factor when it isn’t windy. My personal favourite view in Porto
Time 15–25 mins • Cost Free

6 Bridges Cruise

Simple loop under the Douro bridges for quick orientation. Fantastic for photos and a different perspective.
Time 50 mins • Cost typical €15–€20

Gaia Cellars (pick one)

Guided tastings that explain port styles without getting technical. Tasty and educational, what’s not to like. We enjoyed Taylor’s the most, but there are a lot to pick from. You can find a lot of options online, which often comes with a saving too.
Time 60–90 mins • Cost typical €20–€40

Teleférico de Gaia

Short cable car with big views; one-way is plenty and neatly avoids a hill. 
Time 5 mins • Cost about €7

Jardim do Morro (sunset)

Grassy park opposite the bridge with space to sit; Metro next door.
Time 30–60 mins • Cost Free

If you’re behind schedule, cut in this order

1. Teleférico de Gaia.
2. Carmo interior (keep the outside tiles).
3. Clérigos tower climb (keep the church/exterior).
4. Port Cellar (save it for Day 2).

Queue strategy cheat sheet – beat the crowds

• Lello: First hour or late afternoon; arrive 15–20 minutes early; small bags only. Book your tickets in advance.
• Clérigos: Timed ticket helps, booking in advance makes it quickest, which can be done online. We walked up and bought our ticket for a time later that day. 
• Cruise: Turn up 15–20 minutes early on weekends and there are normally savings to be had when you book online.
• Cellar Tours: The most popular cellar tours can sell out in peak seasons, make sure you book online. 

2 days in Porto: A nicer balance

Day 1

Follow your chosen 1-day plan. If you skipped the cruise, do it near sunset on day 2.

Day 2

• Morning: Foz do Douro or Parque de Serralves (Museum & Park). These pair well if you want coast and culture on the same side of the city.
• Lunch: Mercado do Bolhão or Cedofeita cafés.
• Afternoon: Jardins do Palácio de Cristal for views and a calm hour, then Gaia lanes; optional second cellar.
• Evening: Dinner in Cedofeita or Baixa (easier walk home, fewer crowds than the riverfront).

Are you planning on pairing Lisbon with Porto? Have a look at my guide for how many days in Lisbon.

Day 2 options

Foz do Douro

Where the river meets the Atlantic. Flat promenade, lighthouse, sea air. Easy to do it yourself, or several tour options including boat trips and bike rides.
Time 2–3 hrs • Cost Free

Parque de Serralves (Museum & Park)

Contemporary art, treetop walk and landscaped park; combine with Foz.
Time 2–3 hrs • Cost about €12 (Park) / about €20–€24 (Museum+Park)

Jardins do Palácio de Cristal

Hilltop gardens with Douro views and quiet paths; useful photo stop.
Time 45–75 mins • Cost Free

Soares dos Reis National Museum

Portuguese art in a calm setting near a garden.
Time 60–90 mins • Cost about €10

World of Discoveries

Hands-on museum about Portugal’s Age of Discovery; easy with kids or rain.
Time 60 mins • Cost about €16–€18

FC Porto Museum & Stadium Tour

Slick museum plus pitch views; tours at set times and you can often save by booking online.
Time 90–120 mins • Cost about €25

Mercado do Bolhão

Restored food market that’s ideal for a simple lunch and a wander.
Time 30–45 mins • Cost Free

Family/mobility tips

• Use Funicular dos Guindais from Ribeira to Batalha to skip the steepest climb.
• Stick to stations with lifts: Trindade, São Bento, Jardim do Morro.

3 days in Porto: add a day trip or slow the pace

The Douro Valley

• Guided tour: No driving, handy if you are wine tasing; viewpoints and cellars; often a short boat segment.
• DIY by train: Scenic line from São Bento or Campanhã; better for views, lighter on tastings.
• Good for: Wine and landscape fans; not ideal with prams.
  My take: if you only choose one day trip, pick Douro; go Braga & Guimarães if wine isn’t your thing.

Day trips to choose from

• Douro Valley (guided) – Views, tastings and often a short boat ride, without juggling trains or driving.
  Time 9–10 hrs • Cost typical €90–€130
• Douro Valley (DIY by train) – Scenic railway to Régua or Pinhão with vineyard views from your seat.
  Time 8–10 hrs • Cost about €20–€22
• Braga & Guimarães – Two compact historic centres: Bom Jesus in Braga, medieval lanes in Guimarães.
  Time 6–9 hrs • Cost about €3.50
• Paiva Walkways – Timber boardwalk through a river gorge; book a slot and wear decent shoes.
  Time 4–6 hrs • Cost typical €2–€12

If you have some more time in Portugal, I highly recommend you plan for some time in Lisbon.

Slow-city alternative

Stay in Porto: add galleries in Cedofeita, a second viewpoint, and a longer lunch.

4–5 days in Porto: the best extras

City extras

• Porto Cathedral — Romanesque fortress-style cathedral with a terrace over the old town; optional cloister.
  Time 20–30 mins • Cost Free–about €3
• Palácio da Bolsa (guided tour) — Historic Stock Exchange Palace; 30-minute guided visit including the Arab Room.
  Time 30 mins • Cost about €14
• Igreja de São Francisco — Gothic church with a Baroque gold-leaf interior; museum and catacombs included.
  Time 30–45 mins • Cost about €10
• Portuguese Centre of Photography — Free museum in a former prison; quick, weather-proof stop near Clérigos.
  Time 30–45 mins • Cost Free

Other neighbourhoods to see

• Cedofeita: Local cafés, galleries, quieter evenings.
• Miragaia: Pretty lanes near the river.
• It goes without saying, you should have Lisbon on your Portugal agenda

Nearby beaches to consider

• Praia de Matosinhos — Wide sandy city beach with surf schools and cafés.
  Getting there: Metro Line A from Trindade to Matosinhos Sul in about 27 mins, or Bus 500 coastal route in about 40 mins.
• Foz do Douro (Praia dos Ingleses, Praia do Carneiro) — Compact beaches along a flat promenade with cafés and sunset views.
  Getting there: Heritage Tram 1 from Infante to Passeio Alegre in about 20–25 mins; frequent buses run similar times.

Getting around & costs in Porto

Airport to the centre in three steps

1. Buy an Andante card at the airport machine (contactless accepted).
2. Take Metro Line E (purple) towards the centre.
3. For Baixa, change at Trindade if needed; for Jardim do Morro/Gaia, stay on to the bridge area.
   My take: Line E every time—cheaper than a taxi and about half an hour door to door.

Andante & metro basics

Load single trips or 24-72 hours of credit. Tap in at gates and on buses. Machines guide you on zones; follow the on-screen prompt by destination.

Taxi vs walking

Porto is compact but steep. If you are fit and enjoy walking, you can cover most of the city on foot, I tend to do this on my visits and for me it’s one of the charms. If you are feeling tired, or are in more of a rush, Uber is excellent in Lisbon. It works through your normal app and is very cheap compared to lots of Europe.

Where to stay in Porto: the right choice for first time visitors

This is my quick guide on neighbourhoods to consider when planning your trip. I have also written a much more detailed guide, including hotel reservations and pros and cons of all the best areas.

• Ribeira: River views and atmosphere; hilly lanes, more noise.
• Baixa/Aliados: Central, good transport, flatter streets, easy first stay.
• Cedofeita: Local vibe, cafés and galleries; still walkable.
• Foz do Douro: Sea air and calm; rely on tram or bus to reach the centre.

My Top Tip: for a first stay I personally rate and recommend Baixa/Aliados. It is flatter, central, has a good range of well priced accomodation and is simple for early starts if you’re squeezing the most into your days.

I have also written about the best areas to stay in Lisbon, which will help with your trip to the capital.

Best time to visit Porto: Weather & rainy-day swaps for your plan

• Winter (Dec–Feb): Cool, wetter, quiet streets, soft midday light. Shorter days; do viewpoints earlier.
• Spring (Mar–May): Mild, flowers, rising crowds; long golden hours. Book Lello and Clérigos ahead on weekends.
• Summer (Jun–Aug): Warm to hot, busiest; harsh midday light, great evenings. Start early, cruise later.
• Autumn (Sep–Nov): Warm days, softer light, vintage season in Douro; occasional showers.

Rainy-day alternates for your Porto Itinerary

• Day 1: Swap upper-deck views for World of Discoveries and famous churches and their intricate tile work near Lello and Carmo.
• Day 2: Try Soares dos Reis, Parque de Serralves (Museum & Park) or a Gaia cellar instead of the coast.
• Day 3 (Douro): Consider Braga/Guimarães by train (more covered time) or a guided Douro tour with indoor tastings. Or maybe another cellar stop if you really enjoyed your first one!

Best viewpoints & sunset spots in Porto

• Jardim do Morro – easy access, picnic-friendly
• Upper deck of Dom Luís I Bridge – My personal favourite view in Port, take care in windy conditions
• Miradouro da Vitória – classic skyline views on the city
• Jardins do Palácio de Cristal – a beautiful park with broad river views, and a lot quieter than the bridge. The park also has peacocks which pleasantly surprised us
• Porto Cathedral – views over the old town from 3 angles, very close to the bridge, so you can try both. We did this!
• Musa das Virtudes – combine your views with a drink or some nice snacks at this bar. They brew their own beer and have good choice. The road has excellent views and people line the street in the evening to enjoy sunset in particular

My Top Tip: If you want views with a drink but are also looking to save some money, there are small shops that sell cold drinks right near Musa.

FAQs about Porto

How many days in Porto do you need?

Two days suit most first-time visitors, it’s enough time to see the historic core of the city at a comfortable pace. One day works for a quick overview, while three days gives you room for a day trip or a slower pace overall.

Should I spend more time in Lisbon or Porto?

If you like big-city museums, nightlife and varied neighbourhoods, put more days in Lisbon.

If you prefer a compact centre with river views and a more relaxed pace, then Porto will be more for you.

Personally, I think on a week-long trip, a good split is roughly 60/40 in favour of Lisbon.

What is the best time of year to visit Porto?

April to June and September to October bring mild weather, longer light and manageable crowds. July and August are warmest and busiest, so start early and book timed entries; November to March is cooler and wetter but quieter and good value.

Is Porto walkable?

Yes. Distances are short between key sights and areas, though the hills are to be considered for sure! Walk the core and use the funicular or metro to handle steep sections if you struggle. Uber is also good value in the city.

What are the best Porto day trips?

The Douro Valley is the headline choice for vineyard scenery and tastings, Braga and Guimarães pair two historic centres in one easy rail day, and the Paiva Walkways offer a scenic boardwalk in nature; Aveiro and Costa Nova add a gentle coastal alternative if you want canals and beach time.

Why is port so special in Porto?

Port is a fortified wine made from Douro Valley grapes. Fermentation is stopped with grape spirit, preserving natural sweetness and depth. Traditionally the barrels were aged in the cooler cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia across the river from Porto, and that mix of terroir, technique and ageing conditions gives port its distinct character.