Despite being Portugal’s second-largest city, I feel like Porto doesn’t get as much love as Lisbon. Many tourists only spend a day or two here before rushing south. And while you can tick off the highlights in 24 hours, as you’ll see in this Porto travel guide, there’s so much to experience that you could easily spend 3 days or more and not regret it.
From the moment we arrived, I fell in love with the city’s atmosphere. Porto has a bit of everything – world-class wine, cosy local eateries, stunning architecture, cultural experiences, and even beautiful nature. It feels like Lisbon’s walkable, more authentic (and thankfully, less hilly!) sister.
Below, I’ve put together everything you need to know before visiting Porto. You’ll find tips on getting around, where to stay, what to do, and the local dishes you shouldn’t miss. Hopefully, it inspires you to spend at least a couple of days exploring this incredible city!
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How to get around Porto
Porto has a well-developed public transport system, with buses, metro, trams, funiculars, and even a cable car.
If you’re arriving by train, São Bento Station is right in the city centre, so you probably won’t need public transport straight away. If you’re flying into Porto or arriving by bus, the metro is the easiest way to reach the centre.
For historic trams, the Funicular dos Guindais, and the Teleférico de Gaia (cable car), you’ll need to buy tickets separately – either on board from the driver or at the station. For everything else, you’ll need an Andante card.
Andante cards
To use Porto’s metro, buses, and most trains, you’ll need an Andante Azul (blue) card. Here’s what you need to know:
- The card itself costs €0.60 and you can recharge it by tapping it on the card reader at the station.
- Each person must have their own Andante card.
- You can load it with single tickets or a 24-hour pass for specific zones.
- You can’t mix ticket types. So, for example, if you have Z2 tickets on your card, you must use them all up before loading Z3 tickets (or buy a second card for Z3).
- Zone 2 (Z2) tickets are usually enough for getting around Porto, but if you’re coming from the airport, you’ll need Zone 4 (Z4) tickets.
- You can transfer between metro, buses, and trains for up to 1 hour on a single ticket (as long as you stay within your zones).
If you want unlimited travel for 24 or 72 hours across all zones, get an Andante Tour card instead. Once you activate it, a pass works for exactly 24 or 72 hours, not just for the calendar day. And even though passes have a flat rate, you still need to tap your card on a reader before every journey – but you don’t need to tap out when you leave.
As for bus tickets, you can buy them directly from the driver, but they cost twice as much as using an Andante card. You’ll also need to pay in cash and have exact change. So, unless you have no other option, it’s much cheaper and easier to stick with an Andante card.
Where to stay in Porto
Most tourists stay in Ribeira, the district by the river. The downside is that it’s the most touristy part of Porto (I couldn’t help but laugh when my friend’s hotel advertised it as a hidden gem – it’s the polar opposite 🫠). No matter the time of day, it’s always packed with people.
Another popular area is Bolhão, which is closer to the centre. But there’s more to Porto than just these two districts, and where you stay can really shape your experience, especially when it comes to walking up and down Porto’s famous hills.
If you’re staying right behind Dom Luís I Bridge, be prepared – you’re either taking the funicular up or tackling some killer stairs. Even though Porto is generally flatter than Lisbon, this climb is no joke, even if you’re in good shape. So, unless you’re happy to get a daily leg workout, you’ll either need to budget for the funicular (€4 per ride) or find a longer but flatter route around.
We stayed in a beautiful flat on Rua da Boavista*, a bit further out but in a quiet, residential area with fewer tourists and a more relaxed vibe.
Our mornings were made extra special by a friendly rooster waking us up, and we had a spacious garden where we could enjoy breakfast, supper, or even a barbecue in summer. We paid €428 for 4 nights, plus €16 in city tax.
Despite being a little further from the centre, getting around was easy – it’s just a short metro or bus ride away, or a 20–30 minute walk if you don’t mind stretching your legs. We’re definitely rebooking this place next time we’re in Porto!
Check prices and availability for your dates below:
Best things to do in Porto
Dom Luís I Bridge
You couldn’t miss the Dom Luís I Bridge even if you tried – it’s the landmark of Porto. Still, I had to include it in this guide because, let’s be honest, you’ll definitely want to experience it properly.
This massive metal arch connects Ribeira (Porto’s lively riverside district) with Vila Nova de Gaia, home to the city’s famous port wine cellars. If you’re heading over for a tasting, this is the way to get there.
Both levels of the bridge are pedestrian-friendly, so I’d highly recommend walking across the top for breathtaking panoramic views of the city. The top level is also just a short walk from Jardim do Morro, a botanical garden where both locals and tourists gather every evening to watch the sunset. Right near the bridge entrance, there’s also a path called Pedra dos Gatinhos that gives you this incredible view of the bridge!
Igreja do Carmo
If you’re after those Insta shots, Igreja do Carmo is one of the most Instagrammable spots in Porto. I actually liked it way better than the Chapel of Souls – the light was softer, and it was much easier to take photos without anyone in the shot, no matter the time of day.
The building itself is pretty interesting too. At first, it looks like one church, but it’s actually 2 – Igreja dos Carmelitas and Igreja do Carmo – separated by a tiny, 1.5-metre-wide house.
The reason is that Igreja dos Carmelitas was part of a convent for nuns, while Igreja do Carmo belonged to a monastery for monks. Back in the 18th century, monasteries and convents weren’t allowed to share a wall, so they stuck a tiny house in between to keep them separate.
And, believe it or not, someone actually lived in that house until the 1980s! These days, it’s part of Carmo Church and open to visitors for a small extra fee. There’s also a tower on top of the church where you can get a pretty great city view.
If you don’t want to pay, you can enter the Carmelite Church on the left for free, which I’d highly recommend – it’s absolutely stunning!
Chapel of Souls
The second church in Porto famous for its white and blue azulejo facade is the Chapel of Souls, also known as the Chapel of Santa Catarina.
It’s way more touristy than Igreja do Carmo, and we really struggled to get a good photo there. It was much more crowded, and since you have to shoot from across the street, we also had to wait for cars to pass. To make things even trickier, the light was harsh, shining directly in my face the whole time.
There were also lots of local photographers hanging around outside, waiting for the perfect shot, so it felt a lot less private. And let’s be honest – not everyone likes having random strangers taking photos of them while they pose. I wore my white and blue dress, which definitely caught some attention. It was flattering, but also a little overwhelming – not sure how celebrities deal with this on a daily basis!
You can enter the church for free, but honestly, the whole experience felt like a bit much, and we just wanted to leave as soon as possible.
Porto Cathedral
When it comes to the most Instagrammable spots in Porto, this was easily one of my favourites, right up there with Igreja do Carmo. Apparently, you can visit the cathedral for free (though everyone was queuing for the ticket office when we were there, so I can’t confirm or deny this!).
If you want to visit the cloisters and go up the tower, it costs just €3, and I honestly couldn’t recommend it enough. For that price, the value is fantastic – much better than the more expensive Clérigos Church tower, in my opinion!
The Gothic cloisters are absolutely breathtaking, with their intricate blue azulejo tile murals – one of the things Portugal is famous for. I could have easily spent over an hour just wandering around and admiring each one.
The queues might seem overwhelming at first – ours stretched all the way across the square – but they moved quickly, and there was even live music, which made the wait much more enjoyable. Once inside, the crowds were nowhere near as bad as I expected, so we could easily take photos and explore without constantly bumping into people.
Port wine tasting
If you’re a drinker, the one thing you absolutely HAVE to do in Porto is try some port wine.
You can book a guided day trip to the Douro Valley to visit the vineyards, or you can simply head to Vila Nova de Gaia, on the other side of the river, where the port cellars – where wine is stored and matured – are located.
There are loads of places offering guided tours of the cellars, but spots at the most famous port houses go super fast. So, if you can’t get one or just prefer exploring at your own pace, I’d highly recommend booking an audioguided tour at Taylor’s Port Cellars*.
Taylor’s is one of the oldest founding port houses, AND they’re an official supplier to the Royal Household. Inside, we even saw menus from royal events, proving that their wine has been served at coronations and banquets. So, if it’s good enough for Queen Elizabeth II, it’s good enough for us!
The tour cost us €20 (it’s since gone up to €25) and included a port tasting at the end, where we got to try two different types of port, plus a port and tonic cocktail.
We paid extra for some pastéis de nata, but totally worth it!
Oh, and they have resident peacocks roaming around the gardens, which was so much fun!
We learned everything about how port wine is made, from grape to glass, as well as the different varieties of port and storage methods. (Hint: the best wine apparently comes from grapes crushed by foot!). You could even take a piece of rock from their vineyard with you, or buy wine and accessories from their shop.
I honestly loved every minute of it, and their wine tastes absolutely amazing!
Clérigos Church and Tower
On our first evening, we decided to head up Clérigos Tower for sunset, since it offers 360º views of Porto. We also stumbled upon a light show at Clérigos Church. Since we’d never done a church light show before, we decided to spontaneously get a combined ticket.
Because the Clérigos Museum (normally included in the ticket) was closed at that hour, we got a small discount, so it came to just €13 each. Considering separate tickets for the tower and the light show cost €10 each, I’d say it was a pretty good deal.
The light show was absolutely spectacular, even though there didn’t seem to be any coherent storytelling. I’m not sure if it was even meant to tell a story, but I was mesmerised for the entire 30 minutes either way.
The tower part was… less enjoyable. We had to wait around 30 minutes for our time slot and weren’t allowed to enter earlier, since they limit visitor numbers at the top. The stairs are also super narrow, so you’re basically stuck in single file traffic all the way up.
In theory, this sounds great – except for the fact that nobody actually checks this. A bunch of people from previous time slots just stayed for sunset, which turned the already tiny viewing deck into an absolute nightmare.
You had to squeeze your way around the tower because there were way too many people for such a small space, and I was genuinely scared I’d get pushed around and drop my phone. The views were absolutely stunning, but not worth the stress.
If you’re thinking of going, I’d either visit at a quieter time or just head to a different viewpoint instead.
Livraria Lello
Livraria Lello is one of the oldest bookshops in Portugal and is often called one of the most beautiful in the world.
It became wildly popular with tourists thanks to a rumour that its interior inspired J.K. Rowling when she started writing Harry Potter while living in Porto. Rowling herself debunked this, saying she’s never even been to the shop or heard of it, but that hasn’t stopped the huge crowds from coming to see it in person.
If you want to visit, you’ll need to buy a ticket for a specific time slot. A regular ticket costs €10 (we paid €8 in October) and can be redeemed against a book of your choice. There’s also a gold ticket for €15.95, which comes with a book from the Edição Livraria Lello collection.
I wanted to ask if you could redeem it for something smaller, like a notebook, but honestly? The crowds were so wild, it was a struggle to even make it to a salesperson.
We walked past the bookshop several times, and the line outside was always crazy – yes, you have to wait your turn even if you have a ticket. The only way to skip the queue is by getting a platinum entry ticket for €50, which also gives you access to a room with rare book editions and manuscripts.
Overall, I’m glad we went because the bookshop really is the most stunning one I’ve ever seen, but the crowds are something else. If you just want to look around, it’s fine. But if you’re hoping to take pictures or even browse in peace, it’s not exactly a relaxing experience.
Largo da Pena Ventosa
Largo da Pena Ventosa is a small square lined with colourful houses. During the day, it fills up with tables and chairs from local cafés. So, if you’re hoping to take a photo while it’s still empty, I’d recommend heading there early in the morning before the cafés open.
When we visited, there was construction going on, so the time of day didn’t really make much difference. Still, it’s a lovely spot to walk around. If you have some time, I’d definitely recommend stopping by for a coffee and soaking up the atmosphere.
Passeio das Fontainhas
Another great spot for a photo with a view of the Luís I Bridge is Passeio das Fontainhas. The exact location isn’t marked on Google Maps, but you can set your directions to Escolas Primárias da Sé. If you’re using Apple Maps, you’ll find it under “Porto view”.
As you walk down the street, you’ll spot a small gate on the right. You can open it, and just beyond, there are a couple of concrete steps leading down. It’s not a touristy place at all, so you can take your photos in peace, and the view is absolutely stunning!
São Bento railway station
Even if you don’t have a train to catch, I’d highly recommend stopping by São Bento railway station – it’s genuinely one of the most beautiful train stations I’ve ever seen.
Inside, you’ll find around 20,000 azulejo tiles, each telling a story. The larger panels depict key moments from Portugal’s history, while the smaller ones capture everyday life across different time periods.
We visited late in the evening, so the lighting wasn’t great, but you can still appreciate the sheer scale and beauty of it!
The churches of Porto
If you’re into church-hopping, you could easily spend a whole day in Porto just wandering around and admiring its stunning churches. A lot of them have facades covered in traditional blue and white azulejo tiles, which (at least for me) never gets old.
I absolutely loved seeing them everywhere and how the city is preserving its traditional architecture. So many modern buildings seem to ignore aesthetics altogether, so getting to admire beautiful, historic facades around every corner was such a treat.
One of the most famous churches in Porto is the Church of Saint Ildefonso, but there’s also Igreja de São António dos Congregados, and plenty of smaller ones you’ll likely stumble upon just by walking around the city.
Go to an FC Porto game
Finally, since my boyfriend is a huge football fan, we try to catch a game whenever we travel. We were lucky enough to see an FC Porto match, and it happened to be shortly after the devastating wildfires in Portugal. It was really touching to see the tribute to firefighters, who were even brought out onto the pitch.
One thing I really appreciated is that anyone can buy tickets – you don’t need a membership to do so (looking at you, Benfica 👀).
In true Dominika fashion, I was mostly obsessed with the mascots, Draco and Viena – watching them interact with fans was the cutest thing! There’s also a museum and a huge club shop where you can buy everything from jerseys to baking supplies. It’s definitely worth checking out!
Best restaurants to visit in Porto
Restaurants for breakfast
Zenith
Zenith is a super popular brunch spot, with locations in Porto, Lisbon, Barcelona, and Madrid. We stopped by on our first morning, and even though it was packed, we were pleasantly surprised by how quickly we got our food.
They’ve got all the brunch classics – toast, açaí bowls, sweet and savoury pancakes (including Francesinha ones!), bagels, and eggs. But they also serve tapiocas, which I’d never seen on a breakfast menu before.
Mac went for the Brazilian açaí, while I had a bacon and egg bagel with extra avocado. We absolutely loved both choices and would definitely go back.
The only thing I’d warn against? The pastéis de nata. Our waiter asked if we wanted some to start, and even though we didn’t see them on the menu, we figured they couldn’t be that expensive – so we said yes.
Well… they turned out to be €3 each! We’ve tried a lot of pastéis de nata (including at some of the best bakeries in Portugal) and never paid more than €2. They were good, but honestly? You can get equally good, if not better, ones basically anywhere else for cheaper.
Lazy Breakfast Club
The second place we tried for breakfast was Lazy Breakfast Club. Their menu is a bit more limited than Zenith’s, but there are still plenty of classics – different styles of eggs, croissants, bagels, and waffles. They even offer breakfast platters that include coffee for €10 or less, which is a great deal.
I went for the Lazy waffles with bacon, egg, cheddar cheese, and maple syrup, while Mac chose the platter version, which came with a poached egg, sausage, cheddar cheese, beetroot bacon, papaya, and bread. Again, we both thought it was a solid choice.
The only drawback is that the restaurant is pretty small. We popped in right after it opened and had no trouble getting a table, but I can imagine it gets packed later in the day.
Other spots we had on our list but didn’t get around to visiting were Floresta Café by Hungry Biker and Época.
Bakeries and coffee shops
Confeitaria do Bolhão
Right opposite the entrance to Mercado do Bolhão, you’ll find Confeitaria do Bolhão, a traditional bakery that’s been around since 1896. Back in the day, it was where the wealthy came for breakfast before heading to the market. Now, it’s a go-to spot for both locals and tourists looking for their pastry fix.
Inside, the bakery has kept its original Art Nouveau style and fixtures, which gives it a lovely old-school charm. You can either sit inside or grab pastries to take away, like we did. There’s one counter for ordering on the right and another for paying on the left.
One of their specialties is tigelinhas do Bolhão, little almond tarts. Since almond croissants are one of my all-time favourite pastries, I didn’t need much convincing to get some – along with my beloved red velvet cake.
It might have looked like a stale cupcake, but it was actually so fresh and chewy, with little crunchy bits for texture. Plus, it wasn’t as sweet as some almond fillings, which was a huge bonus when we wanted to try a bunch of different pastries!
Honestly, I wish I had room for more because everything behind that counter looked incredible -and tasted just as good!
Gelataria Neveiros
A bit further down the street, you’ll find this ice cream shop. Apparently, it’s one of those classic spots locals remember from their childhood, though it closed down for a while before making a comeback in this location.
I’ll always pick pastries over ice cream, but I have to admit – this might have been the best ice cream I’ve ever had. Totally worth making some room for!
They also serve port wine and traditional ginja liqueur (made from sour cherries) in little chocolate cups for just €1. Once you get to Lisbon, this will cost at least twice as much, so I’d definitely recommend trying it here while you can!
You’ve also got A Pérola do Bolhão right next door – a grocery shop where you can pick up some traditional Portuguese products.
Leitaria da Quinta do Paço
I know, I know – this might be a lot of sweets to go through on one street, but hear me out…
At first, a place dedicated solely to éclairs didn’t seem all that groundbreaking, especially since you can find them pretty much anywhere in the world. But if they’ve been doing just that (well, aside from being a dairy producer and distributor) since 1920, they must be doing something right… right?
The thing is, most éclairs you’ll find are the classic kind – chocolate on top, nothing too special. There’s actually a bakery where I live that sells fancy, artisan éclairs, but they’re priced like a full-on cake slice. So, seeing this no-frills place where most mini éclairs are under €2 (and they even have larger ones) was a refreshing change.
Across different sizes and flavours, they offer a whopping 42 varieties! We picked four different types to share, but the most unique was definitely the Fios de Ovos (Egg Strands) éclair. It’s a traditional Portuguese sweet made from egg yolks drawn into thin strands and boiled in sugar syrup. Definitely not something you’ll find just anywhere!
Neta 3
We stumbled upon this bakery completely by accident while wandering around Porto. The baked goodies on display were impossible to resist, so we grabbed a few pastéis de nata and pão de deus (literally “God’s bread” – a soft brioche with coconut flakes on top) to go.
Once we tried them at home, we had to go back for seconds the next day!
Honestly, I’d go so far as to say they had my favourite pastéis de nata in Porto – specifically, the chocolate ones. Maybe it was just a welcome change from all the classic versions, but if I could only have one pastel de nata from our entire Portugal trip, I’d probably pick this chocolate one first!
Combi Coffee Roasters
If you’re after specialty coffee in Porto, this place is a great choice – and the cool interior is a bonus. They work with ethical coffee producers from around the world and even roast their beans in-house.
There were only two things I wasn’t a fan of. First, the Americanised tipping system, where I was asked if I wanted to tip after ordering just a coffee. And second, the limited selection of cakes and pastries, though they do have toast and açaí bowls.
But let’s be real – after all the options I just gave you, who’s going to mind? 😉 I promise, it’s worth stopping by for the coffee alone.
7g Roaster
Another great spot for high-quality specialty coffee is 7g Roaster. They also serve all-day brunch with plenty of vegetarian and vegan options, and if you’re curious to learn more, they even offer coffee tastings.
One thing I loved about this place was being able to watch the roasters at work while sipping my coffee. I also made a new friend outside, though… he wasn’t exactly the lively type. 😉
Plus, the location is super central, just a short walk from the Douro River. If you’re into art, I’d definitely recommend checking out the Half Rabbit mural nearby.
It’s also right next to the WOW Cultural District, where you’ll find museums dedicated to wine, chocolate, cork, and more (I wish we’d had time for this!). And, of course, there are the super Instagrammable azulejo-tiled stairs – definitely worth a stop!
BUuh!
I wouldn’t go out of my way to visit this place, but if you’re staying near Praça da República, it’s definitely worth knowing about.
We stumbled upon it by accident while waiting for check-in and instantly loved its cosy vibe. It’s far enough from the centre to feel untouristy, and it’s the kind of place where you could chill with a book for hours or even do some remote work – they’ve even got a mini courtyard.
The homemade cakes looked amazing (that carrot cake!), but we decided to start our trip off right with some pastéis de nata, and they were so fresh and delicious.
The coffee here isn’t the specialty kind – more like a latte with lots of cocoa on top – but if you’re looking for a sweet treat and a cosy place to relax, this café hits the spot.
Restaurants for lunch and dinner
Mercado do Bolhão
If you want to get a real feel for Porto, Mercado do Bolhão is the place to be. This market has been around since the 19th century, though the building you see today dates back to 1914.
It’s been a go-to spot for fresh produce, seafood, cheese, cured meats, and traditional Portuguese sweets for decades. After a long-awaited renovation, it finally reopened in September 2022, looking fresher but still keeping its old charm.
Inside, you’ll find 79 market stalls on the ground floor, 10 restaurants upstairs, and 38 shops along the outside. Even if you’re not shopping for anything, it’s worth wandering through just to soak up the atmosphere.
The market is packed with seasonal fruit and veggies, local treats, and piles of fresh spices, with peppers hanging overhead and bunches of flowers decorating the stalls. Some vendors even have freshly squeezed juices. And if you need a break, you can grab a glass of wine and some tapas from one of the little eateries inside – it honestly looked like such a fun way to take it all in!
And if you’re after a foodie souvenir, this is a great place to pick up local products to take home. But here’s a tip: right across from the market, at Rua de Sá da Bandeira 385, there’s a Pingo Doce supermarket with an amazing selection of wine sets at much lower prices than the souvenir shops. If you want to save some money, definitely check it out!
Hamburgueria DeGema
You may know by now that burgers are one of my go-to comfort foods, so when I saw a few burger spots in Porto getting rave reviews, I knew we had to check at least one out.
We had Real Hamburgueria Portuguesa and Hamburgueria DeGema on our list, and we eventually went with DeGema – mostly because of the location and opening hours.
It’s definitely a locals-only spot, with a great selection of burgers, and I love that they actually ask how you’d like your meat cooked (always a good sign!). The food came out super quickly, so if you’re after a quick bite and a break from the traditional Portuguese dishes, this place is a solid choice.
Cervejaria Gazela
Now, back to the more traditional options… One of Porto’s most famous snacks is the cachorrinho. It’s basicaly their take on a small hot dog – and its name literally translates to “puppy”!
They’re made by stuffing a long bread roll with sausage and melted cheese, then grilling it until the outside is crispy. It’s then cut into small pieces and served, usually alongside a cold beer. In Porto, you’ll often see a small beer listed as a fino, whereas in Lisbon, it’s called an imperial.
The best place to try cachorrinhos in Porto is definitely Cervejaria Gazela. The queues outside can be overwhelming, but don’t let them put you off. They move pretty quickly, though once inside, you might need to call a waiter to place your order – it can take a little longer otherwise.
Since cachorrinhos are more of a snack than a full meal, we also tried caldo verde – a traditional Portuguese soup made with potatoes and thinly sliced cabbage or kale. To be honest… it wasn’t really our thing, but I absolutely loved the cachorrinhos as a beer snack!
Café Santiago
If there’s one thing you HAVE to try in Porto, it’s a francesinha. This sandwich is a local favourite, and honestly, I totally get why.
It’s made with layers of bread and different meats like ham, sausage, and steak, then covered in melted cheese. The whole thing is drenched in a rich, spicy tomato and beer sauce and often served with a fried egg on top and a side of chips.
You won’t have any trouble finding francesinhas in Porto – loads of places serve them, and some even offer vegetarian or vegan versions.
That said, the best places to try one are apparently Café Santiago and O Afonso. We went to Café Santiago, and I can confirm it was genuinely amazing.
But, as delicious as it was, it’s definitely not something I could eat every day – it’s pretty heavy, and I don’t usually go for meals with this much meat. I’d love to try a vegan version next, because it sounds really intriguing!
Sandeman
At first, we planned to do a port tasting at Sandeman, but by the time we tried to book, all the spots had gone. It all worked out in the end with our visit to Taylor’s, but we still wanted to stop by and try their wine.
They’ve got a cocktail bar with a stunning view of the Douro River, where you can sip on different varieties of port, wine-based cocktails, and snacks. I’d highly recommend going for a drink or two – we went just before sunset, and it was absolutely magical.
And the best part is that the wine prices start at just €4.50, which is pretty reasonable for such a legendary winery!
As for other places we had on our list but didn’t get around to trying, there was Casa Guedes and Brasão for traditional Portuguese food. We also considered Cruel Restaurant, where you pick from three levels of experience – fearful, cautious, or cruel. It’s definitely a one-of-a-kind concept – the dishes remain a surprise, but from the little snippets we’ve seen online, we just weren’t feeling brave enough!
