30 Things to Do in Porto, Portugal (+ Map)

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Here are 30 things to do in Porto, a charming city in northern Portugal. With colourful buildings, intricate azulejo tiles, little balconies everywhere, plenty of port wine, and an amazing viewpoint never far away, it’s a city that’s very easy to love. These suggestions are all based on our own time there (so no, this isn’t an AI post from someone who’s never been!), and I’ve packed in plenty of information we found genuinely useful to help you make the most of your visit.

I’ve also pulled together a free map covering all sights and attractions mentioned, plus we have a video version of this guide over on our YouTube channel.

Porto Tourist Map

>>> Grab our free map of things to do in Porto <<<

You can also watch our Porto video guide on YouTube

Where to Stay in Porto

Accommodation

Tripas-Coração (Where We Stayed) // A clean apartment with facilities like air-conditioning, a kitchenette and a washing machine. We loved the spacious terrace and seating area. The location was fantastic too, just a short walk from the busy centre, which made it really convenient for getting around but still quiet at night. Rated Superb (9.4/10) on booking.com.

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Things To Do in Porto

1. Walking Tour of Porto

One of the best ways to get your bearings in Porto, and learn far more than you would by wandering around alone, is to join a walking tour.

We did a free tour with Porto Walkers and really enjoyed it. Over two and a half hours our guide shared interesting stories and amusing facts about the city, including what went wrong when building São Bento station and why Porto has such a beautiful McDonald’s (yes, really!).

They also gave us some general tips for visiting Porto and a few of those oh-so-important food recommendations, which are always appreciated!

2. São Bento Station

Even if you’re not catching a train, you should pop into São Bento, which is said to be one of the prettiest train stations in the world. It’s basically an art gallery as well as a station. Once inside, you’ll be surrounded by more than 20,000 blue-and-white azulejo tiles, each one hand-painted and pieced together to tell stories from Portuguese history.

I’d suggest going as early as you can, because it gets very crowded. We went at 8:30 am, and it was really quiet, but when we visited again mid-morning, it was much busier.

3. Clérigos Tower

Climb over 200 steps to the top of Torre dos Clérigos for a full 360º view of the city. The day ticket includes access to the museum, but if you just want to climb the tower, the Clérigos at Night ticket is half the price.

Tip // Depending on the time of year, you can still catch the city in daylight if that’s your preference. For example, we booked the 7pm slot in early September, so we went up before it got dark, and paid half price!

There are two levels with views. They’re pretty similar, but the top level is very tight. So if busy, cramped spaces sound too stressful, you can always stop at the first viewpoint without missing much.

Luckily, Porto is so hilly that there are plenty of other viewpoints that don’t cost anything or feel squished, so personally, I’d say this is one you could skip if you’re not fussed.

4. Spiritus Multimedia Show

Even if you don’t go up the tower, you can get tickets to Spiritus – the Clérigos church multimedia show.

For 30 minutes, the baroque interior is lit up with projections and music. That said, it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. If light shows synced to dramatic music doesn’t sound like your thing, you might find it a bit gimmicky. But we thought it was a fun way to see the church in a different light (literally!).

5. View the Amazing Churches

There are so many beautiful churches in Porto, and even if you’re not planning to go inside, they’re worth admiring from the outside. Aside from Clérigos with its massive tower, a couple of the ones that really stood out to me were the amazing Chapel of the Souls with its striking blue-and-white tiled façade, and the Carmelite Church and the Church of Carmo, which have Porto’s narrowest building sandwiched between them.

6. Porto Cathedral

If you only visit one church during your trip, I’d suggest making it the Porto Cathedral. Perched on one of Porto’s highest hills, this 12th-century beauty is one of the oldest and grandest churches in the city. Admire the silver altarpiece and explore the cloisters, adorned with intricate tiles. You can also climb the tower for panoramic views of Porto. 

We arrived just before they opened at 9 am and realised they were letting people in a little early. It was so quiet that there were points when we had the cloisters all to ourselves. By the time we left around 10 am, the queue was already out the door, so we thought it was worth doing it first thing.

7. Palácio da Bolsa (The Stock Exchange Palace)

Palácio da Bolsa was originally built in the 1800s as Porto’s stock exchange, and is now a national monument. This neoclassical palace is home to some lavish rooms, particularly the Arab Room, which was inspired by the Alhambra in Spain.

You can only visit on a guided tour, which lasts around 30 minutes and is available in several languages. Some visitors think the €14 entry fee is a bit steep for a short tour, while others feel it’s worth it just to see the interiors. I’m probably in the “that’s a bit much” camp, but I still enjoyed seeing inside.

Even if you book online, you don’t get a set time slot. You still need to go to the ticket office to find out the next available tour time. We didn’t book ahead, went within an hour of opening, and didn’t have to wait long for the next English tour.

8. Livraria Lello

Livraria Lello is a stunning old bookshop in Porto that’s often called one of the most beautiful in the world. It has a grand staircase, a stained-glass ceiling, and shelves stacked high with books. 

The shop is hugely popular with tourists, partly because it is genuinely stunning, and partly because of the rumour that its design inspired Hogwarts and Flourish and Blotts in Harry Potter, even though J. K. Rowling has said she never actually visited. So make of that what you will… 

There is no denying it is gorgeous inside, but be aware that it is quite small and gets very busy. If you only want to buy a book, then you might be better off heading to another bookshop. On the other hand, if you think the entry fee is worth it to see the architecture, and you go in expecting it to be packed, then you might love it. We booked the first slot of the day, and it filled up quickly, but because we knew what we were getting ourselves into, we weren’t disappointed.

If you do want to visit Livraria Lello, then make sure you book your timeslot in advance.

Tip // You can put your euro entry fee towards a book in the shop. It only works for books, not merchandise (a shame because they had some nice notebooks!).

Wondering what to prioritise on a three-day trip?
Check out our Porto three-day itinerary

9. Mercado do Bolhão

Eat your way around Mercado do Bolhão. At this recently renovated market, you’ll find fresh produce, cheese, fish, meat, and even potential souvenirs. The done thing seemed to be to grab a glass of wine, browse the stalls, and sample all kinds of food. You can buy small portions from different stalls, so it’s a fun option for lunch. 

Tip //  If you drink alcohol, try the Portuguese Vinho Verde (green wine!). It’s “fresh, fruity and floral”, and slightly fizzy!

10. Mercado Bom Successo

Another market you can visit is the modern Mercado Bom Sucesso, which is more like a gourmet food court than a traditional market. There’s a good mix of different cuisines, whether you’re after a full meal, a quick snack, or something sweet.

We enjoyed both the seafood stall and a charcuterie board. While we personally preferred the atmosphere at Mercado do Bolhão, Mercado Bom Sucesso is a convenient place to grab a bite before heading to the next spot on our list.

11. Casa da Música

Just a 5-minute walk from Mercado Bom Sucesso is Casa da Música, Porto’s striking geometric concert hall.

Its bold, angular design really stands out from the surrounding streets, and it’s become one of Porto’s most recognisable landmarks. Inside, the acoustics are considered some of the best in the world, and the venue hosts everything from classical concerts and jazz to electronic music and local performances.

If you’re not planning to see a show, it’s still worth visiting. You can take a guided tour to learn more about the building and its unusual design, or just stop to view it from the outside. 

12. Ribeira Waterfront

Take a stroll along the Ribeira waterfront and you’ll find lively street performers, tall colourful buildings, and boats bobbing along the Douro. It’s one of the prettiest parts of the city for a wander.

13. Six Bridges Cruise

See Porto from the water on a relaxing Six Bridges Cruise down the river. Enjoy views of the city’s colourful waterfront and the hills beyond while listening to an audioguide with some light commentary.

Cruises can start from either the Porto or Gaia side of the river. There are also small group options on different boats, some with wine tasting or at sunset. They’re more expensive and often start further down the river, but they did look like a really nice alternative.

14. The Porto Sign

Lots of people like to get a photo with the blue Porto sign. When we visited, it was set up in front of City Hall, but from what I gather it does get moved around from time to time, so it might be somewhere else when you visit. If it’s not there when you go, just ask around and hopefully you’ll find it!

15. Jardins do Palácio de Cristal (Crystal Palace Gardens)

Crystal Palace Gardens is a lovely spot to wander, relax, and take in some of the best views over Porto. There’s a lookout tower with sweeping views of the river and city. Birds like cockerels, geese, and peacocks roam freely around the park, which is pretty fun! There’s plenty of space for a picnic or just sitting with a book. Sometimes there are concerts or events, and when we visited, there happened to be a book fair.

Remember, you can find all the sights mentioned in this guide on our free Porto map!

16. Miradouro do Passeio das Virtudes

Close to Crystal Palace Gardens is Passeio das Virtudes, another fantastic viewpoint that looks in the opposite direction up the river. It’s a popular spot to bring some drinks or snacks and watch the sun go down.

17. Jardim do Morro

My favourite viewpoint, though, was across the river in Gaia, at Jardim do Morro.

The views over both Porto and Gaia are amazing, and the atmosphere is really fun. There’s often live music, lots of people having a good time, and even people with coolers selling drinks or snacks if you forgot to bring your own.

Tip // If the crowds are too much for you at sunset, it’s still a relaxing spot during the day. You can also head up to the neighbouring Serra do Pilar Monastery for an even higher (and less busy!) viewpoint.

18. Luís I Bridge

Cross the famous Luís I Bridge, which links Porto to Vila Nova de Gaia. If you’ve been searching for photos of Porto, you’ve definitely seen this bridge before. You can walk across the top level for views of the Douro River and both sides of the city, or take the lower level closer to the water.

Just watch out for the metro!

19. Gaia Wine lodge tours and tastings

As I mentioned, crossing the bridge takes you from Porto to Gaia, known for the working cellars where Port wine is aged. While you can find fortified wine elsewhere, true Port comes from the Douro Valley, just a short distance from Porto.

A popular thing to do here is visit the wine lodges and, of course, try the local Port. There are loads of well-reviewed lodges to choose from, so here are just a few:

We booked a combination ticket that included a tour of Taylor’s Port Lodge with a tasting, plus entry to one of the World of Wine museums of our choice (more on that in a moment). Taylor’s was self-guided, and we were given an audio guide so we could go at our own pace. The tour took about an hour and a half, though we skipped a few parts that didn’t interest us (a handy bonus of using an audio guide)!

Afterwards, we sat in the beautiful garden for the tasting, trying three Port wines: an extra-dry white, a tawny, and a vintage.

20. Gaia Waterfront

While strolling along the Ribeira promenade is something you should definitely do in Porto, I actually preferred the Gaia riverfront. It was still lively, with stalls and street musicians, without being quite as busy as the Porto side. Plus, it has gorgeous views back across the river to Porto’s colourful waterfront.

21. World of Wine

The World of Wine complex features seven museums covering different topics like wine, chocolate, cork, and more.

There are various ticket combinations for the different museums. Like I said before, we bought the ticket that covers Taylor’s Port Lodge and wine tasting, plus entry to one museum of our choice. The staff recommended either the Wine Experience or the Cork Museum, so we went for the Wine Experience.

The Wine Experience walks you through the full winemaking process and showcases Portugal’s impressively varied wine regions. It’s all presented in a way that’s easy to follow without feeling too heavy, with a nice mix of informative displays and fun interactive exhibits. For example, there’s a bit where you test your sense of taste by eating a jellybean while holding your nose and guessing the flavour — it’s harder than you’d think! They even gave a short demo on how to properly taste wine, which was a nice touch.

22. Gaia Cable Car

If you spend time on the Gaia side of the river, there’s a cable car that runs along the waterfront between the riverside and the upper level near the monastery. It’s a fun way to avoid slogging up the hill, but it’s only around five minutes long, so some visitors don’t think it’s worth the cost. To be honest, I’m probably one of those visitors.

23. Douro Valley Day Trip

One of the most popular day trips from Porto is to the Douro Valley, Portugal’s most famous wine region. There are a number of similar tours, but we were really happy with the one we picked.

The day was relaxed and well-paced, with a very friendly guide, beautiful drives through the valley, a one-hour private river cruise on a small boat, visits to two family-run wineries (one with a pool and some adorable dogs!), and a generous farm-style lunch, where you were encouraged to have as many helpings as you liked.

There were 11 types of wines to try, and you could refill as much or as little as you wanted—or skip tastings entirely if you’d had enough. Basically, you just did what felt right for you.

It was informative without being overwhelming, with plenty of time to enjoy the scenery at your own pace. Overall, it focused as much on soaking up the setting as on tasting wine, and it ended up being one of our favourite days of the trip.

24. Amazing Street Art

There’s some amazing street art dotted around Porto and Gaia, so keep your eyes peeled. I’ve added a few pieces we found to the map (and you can see some in our Porto video), but I’ll leave the rest for you to find for yourself.

25. Portuguese Centre of Photography (Inside a former Prison!)

Porto is home to a pretty unusual photography museum, housed inside a former prison.

Temporary and permanent exhibitions are spread across several floors, from the first floor, where people with the lowest social status and most severe crimes were held, to the upper floor for wealthier inmates. Our favourite part was the incredible collection of old cameras.

You check the website in advance to see what exhibitions will be on during your visit. And the best part is, it’s free.

26. Historic Trams

Spot Porto’s well-preserved old trams as they rumble through the cobbled streets. They used to be a popular way to get around, but these days they’re more of a fun activity than a practical form of transport. However, there are still three lines running in Porto if you fancy the experience.

We took Line 1, which follows the river between Ribeira and Foz.

We caught the tram at 9:20, and it was fairly empty. Later in the day it can get packed, so if you don’t want to feel like a sardine, it’s best to go early.

27.  Foz do Douro

If you stay on Line 1 until the final stop, you can explore Foz do Douro. Walk along the seafront, relax on the sand or at a café, and wander around the small (free!) fort.

28.  Serralves

Serralves mixes contemporary art, sculptures, gardens, and an amazing 1930s French art déco villa. You can visit the contemporary art museum, explore the vast gardens and forest, and get some unique views of the park from the treetop walk.

The highlight for us was the pink art deco villa, which looked like something straight out of a Wes Anderson film. Inside, it was fairly sparse apart from a temporary art exhibition, but from the outside it looked amazing. You’ll also find sculptures dotted around the gardens, along with exhibitions in the main art museum. You can check what exhibitions will be on during your visit on the museum website. 

You can purchase the all-access pass, or the park-only pass if you just want to visit the gardens.

29.  Fado Shows

Go to a traditional Fado show. We went to a performance in a small, intimate venue where we listened to two distinct types of fado performed by different musicians. Even if you don’t understand the words, the atmosphere and emotion are unforgettable. They also offered us a complimentary glass of port to enjoy with the show.

30.  Try The Local Food

You’ll find loads of great food in Porto, but I wanted to quickly highlight a few local dishes we enjoyed trying while we were there.

• Francesinha
  Porto’s most famous dish is an absolute beast of a sandwich. It’s stacked with steak, sausage and ham, covered in melted cheese, and finished with a rich, spicy beer-based sauce. Sometimes they even add an egg on top. It’s a good thing you’ll be walking a lot in Porto!

• Bifana
  This is a simple sandwich made with thinly sliced pork, marinated in garlic and spices, and served in a soft roll.

• Cachorrinhos
  Porto’s take on hot dogs. They’re small(ish!), crispy and usually served sliced with cheese and spicy sauce.

• Bolinho de bacalhau
  Codfish fritters made with cod, potatoes, eggs and parsley. Crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and perfect as a snack or starter.

• Pastéis de nata
  Originally from Belém rather than Porto, but you’ll see them everywhere. These flaky custard tarts are best eaten warm, ideally with a sprinkle of cinnamon. De-licious!

How Many Days Should You Spend in Porto?

For a first-time visit, 2 to 3 full days in Porto is an ideal amount of time. This gives you enough time to see the main sights without rushing. If you prefer a more relaxed pace, 4 days in Porto works well, while 5 to 7 days allows you to use the city as a base for day trips around northern Portugal.

• 2 days in Porto: Enough time to cover the major sights, such as the Ribeira district, Porto Cathedral and the Port wine cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia.
• 3 days in Porto: Gives you time to see the top attractions, explore a few different neighbourhoods, or perhaps take a day trip to the Douro Valley.
• 4 to 5+ days in Porto: Best if you enjoy exploring at a slower pace and spending longer getting to know a city. Porto also makes a great base for exploring other parts of northern Portugal, including nearby towns like Braga or Guimarães.

If you’re planning your itinerary, our 3-day Porto itinerary shows how to make the most of your time in the city.

Love Portugal? You Might Want To Read some of Our Other Portugal Travel Guides

• How to Spend 3 days in Porto: A handy first-timer’s guide
• How to spend 7 days in Madeira without a car
• 20 things to do in Funchal