Best Things to Do in Porto, Portugal: A Complete First-Timer’s Guide

Porto is Portugal’s second-largest city known for its world-famous port wine along with plenty of historic charm and vibrant culture. Whether you’re a foodie or just looking for breathtaking views, there are some amazing things to do in Porto. Check out our favorite things to do in Porto for your first visit!

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1. São Bento Railway Station

One of the most famous buildings in Porto, this railway station is well known for its blue and white azulejo tile murals depicting Porto’s history.

2. Livraria Lello

One of the most beautiful bookstores in the world. Built in 1906 and rumored to have inspired J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series, this bookstore has a stunning wooden staircase and stained glass ceiling. Beware, the lines to get in here tend to be very long. Try to get there right when they open.

3. Clérigos Tower (Torre dos Clérigos)

Built in the 18th Century, the Clergios Tower is well known as a historic monument in Porto. Climb 225 steps for one of the best views of Porto.

4. Porto Cathedral (Sé do Porto)

One of Porto’s oldest monuments this cathedral is a stunning building offering beautiful views of the city from the terrace.

5. Cross Dom Luís I Bridge

Walk across the double decker Dom Luis I Bridge and take in the beautiful scenery of both sides of the river. Built in the 1800s this bridge connects the Ribiera neighborhood of Porto to its neighbor across the river, Vila Nova de Gaia. Be sure to walk across both decks for different views. Bonus points for visiting at sunset when the lighting is perfect.

6. Explore Vila Nova de Gaia

Vila Nova de Gaia, often just called Gaia, is located across the Douro River from the Ribeira neighborhood. It’s famous for its historic wine cellars and stunning river views. Walk along the riverside and through the neighborhood to see the beautiful buildings and street art.

7. Climb the Porto Bridge – My Favorite of the Top Things to Do in Porto

Bridge Climb Overview

• Bridge: Ponte da Arrábida (not Dom Luís I)
• Height: 65 meters (213 feet) above the river
• Duration: Approximately 30–45 minutes
• Difficulty: Easy (mostly climbing steps and you’ll wear a harness)
• Age: Suitable for most ages

Climbing the bridge in Porto is a unique and thrilling experience. As you climb, you’re rewarded with stunning views of the Douro River, Porto, and Gaia. The Ponte de Arrábida is the only bridge climb in Europe open to the public so it’s definitely a special experience that you won’t come across often.

8. Explore Port Wine Cellars

Visiting port wine cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia is a must and definitely one of the top things to do in Porto! There are countless options available and all will provide a great selection of classic, aged, white, ruby, vintage, and tawny ports. For most cellars, reservations are highly recommended. Our favorite cellars were Graham’s Port Lodge, Churchill’s Lodge, and Taylor’s Port.

9. See Porto from the River

After seeing all the city has to offer on foot, get a different point of view by hopping on a boat to see the city from the water. Bonus points for getting out during sunset!

10. Take the Porto Cable Car

Save yourself the climb from riverside to bridge and get a view of Porto from above. Take the cable car from the riverside Vila Nova de Gaia to the upper deck of the Dom Luís I Bridge. The ride only takes about 5 minutes but it offers beautiful panoramic views of the historic district of Gaia and the wine cellars below. Adult tickets cost 7€ one way and can be purchased ahead of time or onsite.

11. Day Trip to Douro Valley

If you have enough time, take a day trip out of Porto to really experience the Douro Valley. Only 1.5 hours from Porto, this will give you an opportunity to take a cruise on the Douro River, take a scenic train ride on the Linha do Douro or visit famous wine estates for tastings and tours. If you have more days in Portugal, consider adding a few days (instead of a day trip) further north in the Douro Valley before or after your time in Porto.

Where to Eat in Porto

À Bolina

The perfect Portuguese tapas bar at the edge of the river with amazing views of the Dom Luis Bridge. Grab some wine and a bite and experience a quieter meal than eating in Ribeira.

Tip: Walk off your meal by taking Escadas do Codeçal back to the city center. It’s a lot of stairs but you’ll be rewarded with great views, street art and local culture as you see the city from a different perspective. Start beside the Funicular dos Guindais (across from the Luis I Bridge on the Porto side).

Wine Quay Bar

An intimate wine bar located in Ribeira overlooking the Douro Valley. Go early to snag one of the four balcony seats for outstanding views while you enjoy a glass of wine.

O Paparico

This is a foodie’s paradise. We were so overjoyed by our experience at O Paparico and were shocked they have not earned a Michelin star yet. If you like fine dining, this is THE spot for a dinner during your time in Porto. Of all the fine dining we’ve done around the world, this still tops our list of favorite dinners by far.

Tapabento S. Bento

A fun, laid back restaurant serving tapas and international cuisine. Located in Porto São Bento, this makes for a unique dinner or lunch stop.

Restaurante Terra Nova

A charming lunch spot right on the Douro River. Stop in to sit on the terrace and enjoy a seafood plate with a crisp glass of wine.

When to Visit

When to plan your Porto itinerary depends on your flexibility and your preferences:

• Spring (March-May) will bring you mild weather with fewer crowds. This is a very pleasant time to visit for sightseeing and wine tours
• Summer (June-August) will bring warm, sunny weather with festivals like São João in June. This will be peak tourist season so higher prices and crowds are to be expected.
• Autumn (September-November) will still have warmer weather during the day with fewer tourists as Porto enters shoulder season. This is a great time to visit for anyone interested in wine harvest experiences in the Douro Valley.
• Winter (December-February) will be much cooler and rainy. However, this can still be a charming time to visit proving cozy indoor experiences with lower prices.

If you want good weather without the crowds, consider visiting in May, September or early October.

How to Get There

• By Air: Fly into the Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport (OPO) in Porto. Take the E Line Metro (Purple Line) approximately 30 minutes to connect to the city center.
• By Train: Take the train from Lisbon to Porto. The high-speed train will take around 2 hours 45 minutes and the inter city train will take around 3 hours and 15 minutes. There is also a direct train from Vigo, Spain that takes approximately 2 hours.
• By Car: Getting to Porto by car will take approximately 3 hours from Lisbon or 5-6 hours from Madrid, Spain. However, parking in the city center can be tricky so be sure to plan accordingly.
• By Boat: The Port of Leixões is the main cruise terminal in Porto. If you are arriving via cruise, this is where you will disembark.

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