10 Things to Do in Porto on Your First Trip
The best things to do in Porto include historic landmarks, tiled churches, local markets, Port wine cellars and some of the city’s most impressive river views.
Many of the major sights are in the historic centre, while Vila Nova de Gaia is known for its wine lodges and viewpoints across the Douro. There are plenty of attractions to choose from, but you do not need to fit everything into one visit.
If you have two full days, my 2 Days in Porto itinerary puts the main sights into a practical route without unnecessary backtracking. The Porto Travel Guide covers the wider planning details, including transport, weather and day trips.
Start With These Porto Highlights
For a first visit, give priority to one or two paid interiors, time beside the Douro and at least one stop in Gaia. São Bento and Ribeira need no booking, while Livraria Lello, Clérigos, Palácio da Bolsa and Port lodge visits are easier to manage when you decide on them in advance.
With ten stops to choose from, there’s no reason to squeeze them all into one day. Check the time notes below to see which ones need planning and which can fit around the rest of your plans.
1. See the Azulejos at São Bento Station
You don’t need a train ticket to see one of Porto’s most recognisable interiors. Step into São Bento’s entrance hall and you’ll find around 20,000 azulejo tiles painted by Jorge Colaço, with scenes from Portuguese history, transport and daily life across the walls.
It doesn’t take long to visit, but give yourself time to look beyond the largest panels. This is still a working station, and mornings can be easier before more sightseeing groups arrive.
- Usually takes around 20 to 30 minutes
- Free to enter
- Located at Praça de Almeida Garrett in the historic centre
- The station operates daily, so keep ticket offices and passenger routes clear
2. Visit Porto Cathedral and Its Cloisters
Dating back to the 12th century, Porto Cathedral has changed considerably through later additions and renovations. The church is only part of the visit, as the full ticket also covers the cloisters, museum and tower.
Blue-and-white azulejos are among the highlights of the Gothic cloister, while the upper areas open up views across the surrounding rooftops. Access may change during religious services or special events, so check before visiting if the cloisters are your priority.
- Allow around 30 to 45 minutes for the full visit
- Adult ticket: €4 (about $4.70 USD)
- Open daily from 9:00 am to 6:30 pm
- Located at Terreiro da Sé
3. Spend Time Along Ribeira
Give yourself more than a few minutes beside the Douro. Praça da Ribeira, the colourful façades and the riverfront promenade are worth exploring before you move towards the Dom Luís I Bridge or the monuments around São Francisco.
Behind the waterfront, narrow streets climb back into the historic centre and offer a different look at the neighbourhood. You don’t need to book a riverfront restaurant either. A walk and some time beside the water are enough to make Ribeira worthwhile.
- Allow around 1 to 2 hours
- Free to explore
- Located along the Douro in Porto’s lower historic centre
- Expect steep streets or steps when returning to the upper centre
4. Tour Palácio da Bolsa
Unlike many historic buildings in Porto, you can’t explore Palácio da Bolsa independently. Admission is through a guided tour that takes you into the Hall of Nations, Golden Room, Arabian Room and other formal interiors.
Tours last around 30 minutes, although you may need to wait for the next departure in your preferred language. If you want an English tour, check the schedule before committing to another timed attraction nearby.
- Guided tour lasts around 30 minutes
- Adult admission: €14 (about $16.40 USD)
- Visiting hours: 9:00 am to 6:30 pm
- Tours are available in Portuguese, Spanish, French and English
5. Climb Clérigos Tower for a 360-Degree View
Ready for 225 steps? The climb to the top of Clérigos Tower leads to a 360-degree view across Porto, but some of the upper sections are narrow and can take longer when the tower is busy.
Your ticket also covers the Clérigos Museum, which you can visit before or after the climb. If you can’t manage the stairs, an accessible multisensory station provides an alternative experience of the tower view.
- Allow around 45 minutes to 1 hour
- Day ticket for Tower + Museum: €10 (about $11.70 USD)
- Standard visiting hours: 9:00 am to 7:00 pm
- Last entry is 30 minutes before closing
6. Go Inside Livraria Lello
Behind the neo-Gothic façade is the carmine staircase and stained-glass ceiling that draw much of the attention at Livraria Lello. It’s a relatively compact bookshop, which is worth remembering when you see how popular it is.
You’ll need a timed ticket to enter. The Silver Ticket-Voucher currently costs €10, and you can deduct that amount from one book purchase. Tickets remain valid for up to 60 minutes after the scheduled time if an earlier stop runs late.
- Allow around 30 to 45 minutes
- Silver Ticket-Voucher: €10 (about $11.70 USD)
- Open daily from 9:00 am to 7:30 pm, with closures on selected public holidays
- Located at Rua das Carmelitas 144
7. Browse Mercado do Bolhão
After several churches and historic interiors, Porto’s central market makes a useful change. Fresh produce, fish, meat, flowers and speciality foods fill the stalls, with restaurants upstairs and additional shops around the exterior.
Morning is a good time to browse while the widest range of stalls is open. Don’t rely on the restaurant hours when planning your visit, as the market follows its own schedule and closes on Sundays and public holidays.
- Allow around 45 minutes to 1 hour
- Free to enter
- Market hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 8:00 pm; Saturday, 8:00 am to 6:00 pm
- Closed on Sundays and public holidays
8. Cross the Dom Luís I Bridge and Stop at Jardim do Morro
There are two very different ways to cross the Douro on Porto’s famous iron bridge. At river level, the lower deck connects Ribeira with Gaia’s waterfront. High above it, the upper deck carries pedestrians and Metro services between the two sides.
Choose the upper crossing for wider views, then continue to Jardim do Morro. The park becomes particularly busy around sunset, so an earlier arrival gives you more time before the crowds build.
- Allow around 30 to 60 minutes for the crossing and viewpoint
- Free to cross on foot
- Upper deck is shared with Metro services
- Lower deck is more convenient for Ribeira and the Gaia riverfront
9. Tour a Port Wine Lodge in Vila Nova de Gaia
Cross the Douro and you’ll see the names of historic Port houses across the Gaia riverfront and hillside. A guided lodge visit takes you inside the cellars and explains how Port is produced and aged before finishing with a tasting.
For this guide, I’ve chosen Graham’s 1890 Lodge. It sits uphill from the riverfront, and a short taxi or rideshare can save the climb. You’ll need a reservation for the guided visits, with shorter opening hours during winter.
- Allow around 1.5 to 2 hours for a standard visit and tasting
- April to October visits: 10:00 am to 5:30 pm
- November to March visits: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
- Location: Vila Nova de Gaia, uphill from the riverfront
10. Take a Six Bridges Cruise on the Douro
Not everything needs to involve another hill or historic interior. A Six Bridges cruise gives you about 50 minutes on the Douro, passing the bridges between Porto and Gaia before returning to the riverfront.
Rabelo-style boats are commonly used for these trips, with departures available from both sides of the river. Check your boarding point when you book, as tickets don’t all leave from Ribeira.
- Standard cruise duration: around 50 minutes
- Expect about €18 to €20 per adult (around $21 to $23 USD), depending on operator and departure point
- Cruises run daily, with more departures during the warmer months
- Boarding is available from Porto or Vila Nova de Gaia with selected operators
Add Western Porto When You Have Extra Time
Have another day available? Head west rather than adding more stops around the same central streets. Foz do Douro takes you towards the Atlantic, while Serralves is the stronger choice for contemporary art, architecture and gardens.
Foz do Douro
At the western end of the city, the Douro reaches the Atlantic and the scenery changes from historic streets to an open waterfront. Give Foz a few hours for a coastal walk, the beaches and lunch instead of treating it as a quick photo stop.
Serralves
Art is only one part of a visit to Serralves. The general ticket also includes the Álvaro Siza Wing, Serralves Park, Treetop Walk, Serralves Villa and House of Cinema Manoel de Oliveira.
- Allow 2–3 hours if you want to explore both the indoor spaces and grounds
- General ticket: €24 (about $28 USD)
- Best added when you have a third day or plan to spend time in western Porto
Choose What Fits Your Porto Trip
Two full days give you enough time to cover the main sights without cramming too much into each day. With longer, Foz or Serralves can extend the trip beyond the historic centre, while the Douro Valley deserves a separate day rather than a rushed afternoon outside the city.
You can compare the main neighbourhoods in my Where to Stay in Porto guide before choosing your base.
I love exploring new places and sharing the travel tips, food finds, and experiences that help you plan your next adventure.
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I love exploring new places and sharing the travel tips, food finds, and experiences that help you plan your next adventure.
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Sign up for new itineraries, travel notes, and practical guides to help you explore the places I love most.
Porto is such a beautiful city! We loved exploring the historic center, admiring the azulejos, and walking along the Douro in Ribeira. And a Port wine tasting in Gaia was definitely one of the highlights of our visit! So many great tips and ideas here for anyone planning their first trip to Porto.