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Before we started our Camino de Santiago (we chose the Camino Português), we spent a few days in and around Lisbon, Portugal’s capital, followed by a few days in Porto (Portus Cale in Roman times), the city that lent the country its name.
If you are in Porto for a conference or, like us, plan to walk the Portuguese Camino, you may have only one day to get to know this beautiful city. We have therefore created a one-day itinerary that packs as much in as possible while giving you an insider’s view of the city that will make you want to come back for more.
Are you planning a trip to Porto?
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Find your perfect accommodation in Porto with Booking.com. We recommend these traditional, small-scale and centrally located options near public transport:
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Explore the wonders of Porto and beyond with the best tours and activities offered by local providers:
Why Porto is worth a visit
Porto is an easy-to-love city. We already liked Lisbon. But, with its deeper and narrower Douro river valley, striking bridges, and historic (sometimes a bit scruffy) architecture, Porto is even more picturesque than the capital (in our opinion, anyway).
If you love churches, you’re in heaven here (pun intended). The number of churches, especially those with blue-coloured azulejo tiles (inside, outside, or both), is only surpassed by the number of places to enjoy a drink and/or a meal. People from Porto are not called tripeiros (tripe eaters) for no reason: they love their food (and tripe is just one, albeit unusual, delicacy you can taste here).
St Ildefonso - One of many churches in Porto that are covered in Azulejo tiles
How to get to Porto
Porto’s Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport (IATA Code: OPO) is located about 10km north of the city centre (as the crow flies), with frequent domestic and international flights to/from major cities within and outside of Europe.
If you’re travelling from Lisbon, you could also take the train or an intercity coach, which take about 3 hours and 3.5 hours, respectively.
How to get around Porto
Porto is a very walkable city. Though be aware that walking here means climbing up and down hills – a valuable last-minute training opportunity if you’re doing the Camino Portuguese.
If that’s not you, make it easier on your feet by using Porto’s excellent public transit system, which comprises several metro lines (the Purple Line connects the airport to the city centre/Trindade in about 30 minutes), buses, trains, and trams. Simply purchase a Blue Andante card (one per traveller) and load a few single journeys (Zone 4 takes you to/from Trindade) or a 24-hour pass onto it before leaving the airport (there are vending machines in the metro station at level -1). Then tap the card when you enter the metro, bus, tram or train. It’s that easy.
Note You won’t be able to get a refund for any journeys you don’t use. So, don’t load too many single journeys onto your card. Just top it up as needed (or if you’re here for just 24 hours, get the pass).
Best time to visit Porto
While Porto is a year-round destination, we recommend visiting Porto in late Spring (May/June) or early Autumn (September), when the weather is at its most pleasant. That said, if you are planning to walk the Camino, you may also want to consider March or April. Best avoided are the busy Summer months (July and August). The most rain falls between October and January.
To learn more about the weather in Porto all year round, check out Weatherspark.
Map of Accommodation, Points of Interest, Eateries and Transport
Below is a map of the recommended accommodations, points of interest, eateries, and transport terminals or stops mentioned in this article.
While Porto is very walkable, public transport options make it easy to explore even if you don't like walking
Highlights of Porto in one day
Breakfast
For a day of exploring, you need a good base. We recommend choosing one of the Hungry Biker cafes around the corner from the stunning São Bento Railway Station – Do Norte Café [Google Maps location] or Floresta Café [Google Maps location]. Both open around 08:00, giving you plenty of time to enjoy the food before the next activity on this itinerary.
Mid-Morning
After breakfast, join one of the free Porto Walking Tours. We did the Main Tour by Revolutours (the guys with the yellow umbrellas) at 10:30, and really enjoyed it. Knowledgeable and enthusiastic, your tour guide will provide an excellent overview of the city’s history as you walk past some of its main sights. No wonder Porto’s historic centre was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996.
Whichever tour you choose, expect to walk for about 2.5 hours (including stops). Don’t forget to tip your guide at the end if you enjoyed the tour.
With its Harry Potter-esque interior, Livraria Lello is gorgeous. If it's worth the EUR12+ entry fee/book voucher, only you can decide.
Lunchtime
Big breakfast or not, by the time your walking tour is finished, you’ll surely have worked up an appetite.
Why not try some local specialities? Tripe may not be on everyone’s culinary bucket list, but if it is, by all means, try Tripas à Moda do Porto. Other local delicacies include
- Bifana: a pork sandwich. Try it at Conga [Google Maps location] or Sol e Sombra Bifanas [Google Maps location].
- Francesinha (the Frenchy): a layered roast beef/ham/sausage sandwich covered in cheese, bathed in tomato sauce and (often) accompanied by fries. You may want to share one because it is as filling as it sounds. Our recommendations are Churrasqueira Lameiras [Google Maps location] or Dona Francesinha Porto [Google Maps location].
While in Porto, try Bifana - at Conga or Sol e Sombra Bifanas | Photo on Wikimedia Commons
Afternoon
After a morning of insightful discoveries and with renewed energy after a delicious meal, we recommend joining one (or two) of these fun activities the city has to offer:
- Taste some port – after all, that’s what the city is famous for;
- Love to see more of the city (without yet more walking)? Join a Douro river cruise;
- Still got room for dessert? Learn how to make Pasteles de Nata;
- Want to bring home a unique souvenir? Make your very own azulejo tile.
Evening
You haven’t been to Portugal if you haven’t experienced Fado, the country’s melancholic musical style, full of emotional intensity and themes of longing, love, loss, and everyday life. So, to conclude your beautiful day in Porto, we recommend joining a Fado performance:
Casa da Guitarra [Google Maps location] offers Fado as 6 (Fado at 6), though there are also shows at 19:30 (and sometimes even 21:15). We attended the one at 18:00 and really enjoyed it. Or head to Clube Real do Fado [Google Maps location], a cosy and well-known yet authentic Fado venue – their shows start at 17:30 and 19:00.
If you’d like to experience Fado in one of Portugal’s most beautiful monasteries, Casa da Guitarra offers the opportunity to do so at the Mosteiro de São Bento da Vitória [Google Maps location], with shows starting at 18:30. And if you find yourself on the south side of the river (in the Vila Nova de Gaia neighbourhood) after your afternoon activities, join Cais do Fado [Google Maps location] for a memorable evening. Shows here start at 17:30, 19:00 and 20:30.
Discover the beauty of traditional Portuguese music with a Fado performance
Before or after the show (pending the time of year and which show you chose), head across the Dom Luís I Bridge to watch the sunset – from the Miradouro da Serra do Pilar [Google Maps location] or nearby Jardim do Morro [Google Maps location]. These are among the best spots (if not THE best) to watch the sunset in Porto. Check the sunset time based on your visit time here.
Enjoy an incredible sunset from the Miradouro da Serra do Pilar | Image courtesy of Everaldo Coelho on Unsplash
Your guide from this morning’s walking tour will have shared some dinner recommendations with you (if not, just ask). So, before or after sunset, indulge in more authentic Porto cuisine. You could even prepare a typical Portuguese dinner (with assistance from chef Jorge) at Cook in Ribeira [Google Maps location] and enjoy it with your fellow travel buddies.
Then finish your fun-packed day with a stroll along the Ribeira or Vila Nova de Gaia waterfront and maybe some (more) port wine for dessert.
Stroll along the Vila Nova de Gaia waterfront after dinner for views like this
What to do in Porto if you’ve got more than one day?
If you’ve got an extra day, we recommend skipping the Douro river cruise on day one and instead spending your second day exploring the Douro river valley on an organised tour. Here are a few handpicked recommendations:
Where to stay in Porto
To follow this itinerary, we recommend booking (at least) 2 nights (for a full day of exploration). Our recommendations are well-located (within walking distance to major sights and/or public transport), quiet and comfortable, and won’t break the bank:
| Name | Property Features | Book Now |
|---|---|---|
| Frei Yellow Studio | 7-minute walk from Campanhã Station. Air-conditioned one-bedroom apartment with a king bed, equipped kitchen, Wi-Fi, washing machine and free street parking. Best for travellers who want a practical, self-catering base with good public transport access, rather than a stay in the historic centre. | Book Now |
| Good View Studio | Air-conditioned one-bedroom apartment near Casa da Música and Boavista, with a balcony, city views, free Wi-Fi and an equipped kitchenette. A good fit for travellers who want a comfortable base with strong public transport access, rather than staying in Porto’s historic centre. | Book Now |
| Cais De Gaia Apartments | Air-conditioned apartments in Vila Nova de Gaia, a short walk from the Douro riverfront, with free Wi-Fi, a kitchenette and dining area. A good fit for travellers who want to stay near the wine cellars and within walking distance of Ribeira, rather than in Porto’s historic centre itself. | Book Now |
| Mezzanine With Courtyard | Air-conditioned one-bedroom apartment in Bonfim with a private courtyard or terrace, free Wi-Fi and a fully equipped kitchen. A good fit for travellers who want a quieter residential base with self-catering facilities and reasonable access to Campanhã and central Porto. | Book Now |
| Get Cozy | Cosy bed and breakfast in Massarelos with air-conditioned rooms, free Wi-Fi and breakfast, within walking distance of Boavista and central Porto sights. A good fit for travellers who want a simple guesthouse stay with hotel-style comfort, rather than a full self-catering apartment. | Book Now |
Have you been to Porto?
What stood out for you? I’d love to hear about your favourite experiences. And what other tips would you add? Your insights can help others make the most of their visit to this beautiful city.
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