Things to Do in Porto: Our Honest Guide for 2026
Updated - April 2026
We woke up every morning at our rental apartment to a view of the Convento dos Grilos (see photo below) that still stops us in our tracks when we look at the photos. That pretty much set the tone for our whole time in Porto.
Porto is older than Lisbon. Much of Lisbon was leveled in the 1755 earthquake, so what you're walking through here has centuries of history still intact. The city has a rougher, more lived-in feel than its southern neighbor. Honestly, that's part of the charm.
We wandered back streets that felt completely untouched by tourism and never felt anything but comfortable doing it.
The azulejo-covered buildings, the Port wine, the food, and the views from the bridge. Porto delivers on all of it. It's one of our favorite cities in Europe.
This was the view from our Porto accommodations, the Convento dos Grilos. Looking at a view like this every morning never got old.
| Country | Portugal |
| Best Time to Visit | May–June and September–October We visited in winter — fewer crowds and very manageable prices |
| How Many Days | 2–3 days minimum to cover the highlights |
| Currency | Euro (€) |
| Language | Portuguese — English widely spoken in tourist areas |
| Getting There | Direct flights from many US and European cities to Porto Airport (OPO). Metro Line E connects the airport to downtown in about 30 minutes. |
| Getting Around | Porto is very walkable but very hilly. The metro, funicular, and cable car help. Comfortable shoes are essential. We used the Funicular dos Guindais after a long afternoon in Gaia — well worth it |
| From Lisbon | About 3 hours by train (Alfa Pendular). One of the easiest day trips or add-ons in Portugal. |
Our favorite things to do in Porto
Experience the fantastic city views
The first thing Debbie and I did when we arrived in Porto was head for the Dom Luís I Bridge. It was the right call.
This is one functional bridge. Cars and pedestrians use the lower level. The Porto Metro and pedestrians use the upper level. We walked both and loved both, but they really do feel like two completely different experiences.
The Dom Luís I Bridge at night.
The lower level connects the Ribeira waterfront directly to Vila Nova de Gaia and all its Port wine cellars. It puts you right at river level with the colorful buildings of Ribeira on one side and the winery signs of Gaia on the other.
The upper level is something else entirely. It sits so high above the river that the views stretch across the whole city. We crossed it at night, and looking down at the glittering water far below is genuinely hard to beat. It is one of those travel moments that stays with you.
View of Vila Nova de Gaia from Dom Luís I Bridge.
Since the hills of Porto create such a unique geography the upper and lower bridges really feel like two separate experiences.
The upper level is so high that the views are incredible while the lower connects two iconic neighborhoods.
We enjoyed both and highly recommend both experiences.
If you want to do the upper and lower together you can take the Funicular dos Guindais. It is located next to the bridge and connects the upper and lower sections of Porto (more on the Funicular below).
View of Dom Luís I Bridge from Vila Nova de Gaia.
The bridge is particularly popular at sunset, and it's easy to see why. Plan to be up there as the light fades if you can.
The upper-level entrance is convenient to São Bento station and the Porto Cathedral, so it's easy to combine several attractions in one walk. If you want to connect the upper and lower levels without the climb, the Funicular dos Guindais is right there.
Among the other excellent viewpoints in Porto worth knowing about:
Miradouro da Rua dos Aldas
Clérigos Tower
Serra do Pilar Monastery
Porto Cathedral Square
The view from Porto Cathedral.
| Season | Months | Weather | Crowds | Notes |
| Spring | March – May | Mild, some rain. 55–68°F (13–20°C) | Low–Moderate | One of the best times to visit. Good weather, manageable crowds, and lower prices than summer. |
| Summer | June – August | Warm and mostly dry. 70–82°F (21–28°C) | Busy | Peak season. Expect crowds at the bridge, wineries, and Livraria Lello. Book accommodations early. |
| Fall | September – November | Warm early, cooler by November. 55–75°F (13–24°C) | Moderate | September is a sweet spot — summer crowds thin out but the weather is still very pleasant. |
| Winter | December – February | Cool and rainy. 46–57°F (8–14°C) | Low | We were there around New Year's and loved it. Very few crowds, easy restaurant reservations, and the city has a great festive feel in late December. Pack layers and a rain jacket — you'll be glad you did |
Porto waterfront
Diners in Ribeira, along the waterfront.
Porto exists because of the Douro River, so the waterfront has been a hub of activity since the 8th century BC.
Ribeira is certainly a tourist hotspot, but it has kept its authentic charm.
Medieval streets and alleyways lead to photogenic boats docked on the waterfront.
There is no shortage of restaurants along the waterfront. We had one of the most memorable meals in Portugal at A Grade. It was on our radar from the Rick Steves guidebook, and we are so glad we made the trip. The restaurant is tiny, so we got lucky with a table. The food was wonderful, but what really stood out was the staff. They made us feel like we were eating in someone's home.
The area is fun to visit anytime, but evening really reveals the area’s charm with the lights of the restaurants, the Dom Luís I Bridge looming over the skyline, and the color of the Vila Nova de Gaia across the river.
Colorful buildings along the Porto waterfront.
You can also take a river cruise right from the Ribeira waterfront.
The most popular option is the Six Bridges cruise, a relaxed one-hour trip along the Douro that takes you under all six of Porto's bridges. It's a great way to see both sides of the city from the water and give your feet a rest after a morning of walking.
Here are links to two well-reviewed tours:
Porto: Charming Sailboat Cruise with Port Wine, Sunset Option
A quick note: some links here are affiliate links. That means if you book or buy something through them, we earn a small commission. You pay nothing extra, and it helps keep this blog going. We only recommend things we actually believe in.
Looking across the river to Vila Nova de Gaia
Places to stay in central Porto
Below is an interactive map showing places to stay in central Porto.
Visiting the wineries of Vila Nova de Gaia
Some of the many barrels of port wine at Sandeman.
Vila Nova de Gaia, or just Gaia, is located directly across the river from Porto.
There is one reason to visit - Port wine. The wine harvested in the nearby Douro Valley is brought downriver to age in Gaia.
You’ll see the examples of the boats docked along the riverfront promenade.
There are many options if you want to tour a wine cellar.
Some tours are for wine novices, but there are also tours for connoisseurs, tours with wine tasting, and tours with meals.
The Sandeman tours are very organized with a flair for the dramatic. The guides are dressed in the iconic hat and cape featured on the Sandeman label.
We gathered in the lobby museum loaded with company artifacts.
Our guide then led us on a very informative tour through the atmospheric cellars stacked with giant barrels. The tour concluded with a wine tasting.
Other wineries offering tours include Graham’s Port Lodge, Taylor’s, Fonseca, Kopke, and Cálem.
If you are interested in Port wine check out our blog post: Visiting the Douro Valley, what to see and where to stay
Gaia Cable Car
Gaia Cable Car high above Gaia at sunset.
You can’t visit the Gaia waterfront without noticing the cable cars overhead.
Not only do they offer an epic view for around €7.00 one-way (€10 round-trip), but it’s a practical way to go from the river level up to the hilltop Jardim do Morro metro station.
From there, you can take the metro or walk over the bridge back to Porto.
Of course, you could do it the opposite way, too.
Looking for a great day trip from Porto? Check out our posts on Visiting Aveiro and Taking a Day Trip to the Douro Valley.
Mercado do Bolhão
Rows of covered stalls at Mercado do Bolhão.
Bolhão Market dates back to 1839 but underwent a major four-year renovation and reopened in 2022. The result is a market that feels amazingly clean and modern while still holding onto its character.
Debbie had read about Serra da Estrela cheese before the trip. It's a creamy, almost gooey Portuguese cheese, and she tracked some down at one of the market stalls. We took it back to our apartment with jam and crackers for a late afternoon snack. A simple, perfect treat.
The market is easy to reach with the Bolhão metro station right at the entrance. Inside, you'll find booth after booth of fish, cheese, coffee, flowers, spices, and vegetables. There are also nine sit-down restaurants if you want to stay a while.
| Category | Resource | Link |
| Hotels | Booking.com Lots of search options. The customer reviews are very helpful. | Link ↗ |
| Activities | Viator A wide variety of tours, food experiences and historical guides. | Link ↗ |
| Airfare | FareDrop Alerts for cheap flights customized by your home airport. | Link ↗ |
| Phone | Airalo Easy to use eSIM for data and calls in every country. | Link ↗ |
| Train Travel | Trainline We book all our trains here. Easy to use and comprehensive listings. | Link ↗ |
A quick note: some links here are affiliate links. That means if you book or buy something through them, we earn a small commission. You pay nothing extra, and it helps keep this blog going. We only recommend things we actually believe in.
Admire Porto’s stunning azulejos (blue tiles)
The blue tiled exterior of Capela das Almas.
Porto's azulejo tiles are everywhere, and they never get old.
São Bento train station is one of the best examples. The entire interior is covered with more than twenty thousand hand-painted tiles depicting scenes from Portuguese history. Debbie and I passed through multiple times during our stay and stopped to look every single time.
We come from the New York area, where Penn Station is considered one of the ugliest buildings in the country. Walking into São Bento felt like a completely different universe. I still think about those tiles every time I trudge through Penn Station.
The best part? São Bento is a working train station. There is no admission fee. You can just walk in.
Right across from Mercado do Bolhão is Capela das Almas, the Chapel of Souls. They did not skimp on the tiles here. The entire exterior is covered in blue and white azulejos depicting the lives of Saint Francis of Assisi and Saint Catherine. It stops you in your tracks the first time you see it.
These are just two examples. You will see the beautiful tiles all over Porto. Keep your eyes up as you walk; they are everywhere.
Time Out Market
Porto’s Time Out Market is smaller than in most cities and considerably smaller than Lisbon’s Time Out. This is actually a good thing; it’s easier to find an open seat.
While it’s technically a food hall, the 11 restaurants are top-notch. We had two fantastic meals there during our recent stay.
We visited in winter, so we ate inside, but there were plenty of spots to eat outside too.
It is conveniently located next to São Bento station and is open from 10 am to midnight.
Ride the Funicular dos Guindais
Riding the Funicular dos Guindais with a view of Dom Luís I Bridge.
Funicular dos Guindais is both a fun ride and a practical way to get from the riverside area to the highest area in Porto.
After an afternoon in Gaia, we took the Funicular dos Guindais up to the highest area in Porto. The current one-way fare is around €2.50, a small price for saving your legs on that hill.
The cars are very modern and a fun, scenic ride.
Funicular dos Guindais bringing passengers up to the top of Porto.
Porto Cathedral
Porto Cathedral sits on a hill overlooking much of the city. Founded in the 12th century, it was rebuilt and renovated many times over the centuries, which explains the mix of Romanesque, Gothic, and Baroque styles you see today.
Debbie and I didn't go inside on our visit. Our strongest memory is standing in the square looking up at it against a grey, cloudy winter sky. It looked exactly like what it is, an ancient fortress of a building that has watched over this city for nearly a thousand years.
Come back at dusk. The cathedral is beautifully lit at night, and the view from the square is completely different after dark.
If you want to go inside, the nave is free. For €3.00, you can add the cloisters, the Sacred Art museum, and the tower. The tower views over the Douro are supposed to be worth the climb. Check the official site for current hours, as the cathedral closes for a midday break.
Porto Cathedral.
Food
One of the reasons to visit Portugal is the food and Porto didn’t disappoint.
Cachorrinhos (Portuguese Hot Dog)
The cachorrinho is somewhat of an institution in Porto. It is thin, toasted bread stuffed with linguiça sausages, paired with melted cheese, and brushed with a spicy sauce.
It is then chopped into bite-sized pieces.
We had cachorrinho at Gazela Snack Bar, a bare-bones Porto institution serving them for 50 years.
Francesinha
Francesinha is one of Portugal’s unique dishes. It is made with sliced bread layered with cured meats, sausage, and steak, topped with melted cheese and usually a fried egg.
You can read more about Porto food on our post: What to eat when visiting Portugal
View of winery boats and the Porto waterfront.
Our thoughts on Livraria Lello
Debbie and I have developed a dislike for attractions that are only famous because of internet fame or have a fake connection to Harry Potter.
The Livraria Lello bookshop in Porto fits both reasons. You only have so many hours on vacation and there is no reason to stand in a long line to visit an attraction that you wouldn’t visit if you weren’t told to visit it.
The bookshop has a beautiful staircase but it has no connection to Harry Potter. Bookshops are wonderful but you would be better off visiting a local independent bookshop when you get home.
If you don’t mind standing in a long line and really want to visit Livraria Lello here is the 2026 pricing:
Livraria Lello: 2026 Pricing
To enter "The World's Most Beautiful Bookstore," you must purchase a Ticket-Voucher in advance. Here are the current rates:
- 🏷️ Silver Voucher (€10.00): Standard entry. The full €10 is deductible if you purchase a book.
- ✨ Gold Voucher (€15.90): Includes priority boarding (shorter line) and an exclusive edition book of your choice from their collection.
- 👶 Children (Under 4): Free entry, but a reservation is still required.
Pro Tip: Book the 9:00 AM slot and arrive at 8:45 AM. It is the only time you'll have a chance at a photo without 100 other people on the red staircase!
We had a wonderful time visiting Porto. It’s not as modern as Lisbon or cities in neighboring Spain, but it has a unique charm.
There is a lot of construction happening. A new metro station was under construction right outside our accommodations.
Of course, we hope to visit again soon and can’t wait to see how the city has changed.
This post was researched and written by John O'Boyle of The Empty Nest Explorers.
John is a professional photographer whose work has been published by the New York Times, NBC News, and Getty Images. He has been part of a Pulitzer Prize-winning team and nominated for New York Emmy Awards. You can learn more about John and the Empty Nest Explorers here.
Some well-reviewed Porto activities:
Other Portugal blog posts:
We had a great time visiting Portugal during Christmas week and for the New Year.
Visiting the big cities of Lisbon and Porto in December and January, with the mild weather and festive atmosphere, creates a special kind of liveliness during the holiday season.
A range of Christmas fairs & markets, festive lights, decorations and holiday celebrations make for a memorable visit.