How To Spend One Day in Porto – Itinerary & City Guide
Looking to spend one day in Porto as part of a longer visit to Portugal? Discover the best things to do in the country’s second largest city, with this guide to spending 24 hours in Porto!
Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the historic centre of Porto is compact, meaning it’s an easy destination to explore in a day. The hilly yet walkable streets teem with Baroque, neoclassical and modernist buildings. The laid-back atmosphere and lively bars of Porto make it an ideal destination to soak up Portugese culture at its finest.
If you’re thinking of spending just one day in Porto, you’ll probably want to check out the highlights – but it’s important to factor in some time to just enjoy the city’s vibe. There are some cities where you can easily pack your day out and run yourself ragged trying to fit in all the must-see sights, but here, I felt like I just wanted to soak up the atmosphere.
This one-day itinerary ticks off the main boxes, with some time to kick back and enjoy the views!
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One Day in Porto: Itinerary
We’d arrived in Porto the previous evening, picking up my rental car for our week-long Portugal road trip, and having a haphazard drive into the city centre to a parking garage. After a quick dinner, we had an early night, so we’d be up early to make the most of spending 24 hours in Porto…
Molete Bread & Breakfast
Roll outta bed, stomach rumbling. Take a shower, put some clothes on. Breakfast time! We had a morning refuel at Molete Bread & Breakfast and ordered enough pastry to feed a small family. I kid…kind of – but we did order two pastries each. One sweet, one savoury.
An unassuming café, the basic style makes way for some pretty brilliant breakfast foods. All day foods, to be honest – because it doesn’t need to be the AM to devour a chocolate croissant.
Molete Bread & Breakfast Saint Lazarus
418, Av. de Rodrigues de Freitas 256
More great breakfast spots in Porto:
Do Norte Café: aesthetically pleasing and delicious brunch dishes.
Floresta Café: cosy and rustic lively café for breakfast and lunch.
Mercador Café: seasonal food and coffee
Bookish heaven at Livraria Lello
Yep. That bookshop you’ve seen all over your Instagram feed. Widely considered one of the world’s most beautiful book shops, Livraria Lello is a must-visit for book lovers. It’s also allegedly the place that inspired J.K.Rowling to write that little known book series, Harry Potter…
The bookshop dates back to 1881, making it one of Porgtugal’s oldest book stores. The beautiful art noveau interior makes it incredibly popular with visitors. So it’s advisable to book tickets online and arrive early! If you’re in a rush and don’t want to spend a chunk of your day in Porto queueing, you can book a Gold Ticket voucher, which includes a book and priority entry.
Opening Times: 9am-7.30pm
Entrance Fee: €8 (standard ticket, includes €8 book credit); €15.90 (gold ticket with free book & priority entry)
Igreja do Carmo & Igreja dos Carmelitas
If you’ve only got one day in Porto but want to pack in as many of its beautiful churches as possible, it’s a double whammy, as these two sit right next to each other! Both churches are well worth checking out, with contrasting architectural styles from the 17th (Carmelitas) and 18th (Carmo) centuries.
Carmo Church also has a beautifully intricate blue and white tiled side wall, designed by Silvestro Silvestri – which I couldn’t help stopping to get a photo of!
Fonte dos Leões
Swing by this octagonal fountain from the 19th century and check out the marble lions!
Jardim da Cordoria
Enjoy a sunny walk through this urban park garden, home to rare plants and fascinating sculptures. Formerly a private space occupied by the bishop’s ropery, it became a public garden in 1865.
The garden was severely damaged by a cyclone in 1941 but has since been restored and serves as a peaceful green space in Porto. Perfect for a walk with a coffee and some good old-fashioned people watching!
Clerigos Church and Tower
If you know me at all, you’ll know that if there’s something to climb up, I’ll find it. From Reykjavik’s Hallgrimska to University Tower in Leuven, I’m a girl who likes VIEWS.
For an affordable five euros, you can enter Clérigos Church and marvel at its intricate designs and historical exhibits. The REAL fun, though, is climbing up the narrow stairwell to the Clérigos Tower. Be warned – passing space is limited, so we often found ourselves navigating around bodies and stopping for a rest to let others pass on the stairs.
Praca da Liberdade
A vibrant square in the centre of Porto, the spot where old and new Porto meet. In the centre, there’s a 10m statue of King Pedro IV on horseback. The square is also home to the world’s best-looking McDonalds…
Sao Bento Train Station
Even if you’re not planning on leaving, you should check out Porto’s São Bento station. This 19th century building is noted for its elaborate tilework in the entrance hall.
Lunch: a Portugese specialty
For lunch, there was only one thing on our mind – francesinha.
Trying the local dishes is one of the best parts of visiting a new place, right? In Porto, it’s a francesinha – the essential local food to eat if you’ve only got one day in Porto! The best spots for francesinhas aren’t necessarily fancy restaurants, but local-favourite casual cafes, and we chose Café Santiago to devour a couple of days’ worth of calories in one meal…
A francesinha is basically a meaty sandwich (sausage, steak,ham…) covered in cheese, tomato and beer sauce. Yes, it’s as excessive as it sounds – especially when you order it with chips too. It was gloriously good, though – the sauce was a particular highlight, smooth with a really unique taste, perfect for dipping your chips in too.
Veggie & Vegan francesinhas: If you’re looking for a vegetarian francesinha option, try Lado B Café or Lupin Restaurant (which also does a vegan francesinha in the evenings); and Casa da Horta on a Friday night can make their veggie francesinha vegan.
Café Santiago
R. de Passos Manuel 226, 4000-382
If you’re not keen on the sound of franceshinas, check out some more great lunch spots in Porto:
A Sandeira do Porto (£) – sandwiches and baguettes, with a cheap lunch deal
Gazela (£) – no-frills snack bar serving hotdogs and Portugese sandwiches
Oficina dos Rissóis (£) – THE spot to try rissoles, traditional Portugese deep fried filled patties
Apuro (££) – fully vegan eatery serving open sandwiches, burgers and burritos
Miradouro da Vitória
Once you’ve finished lunch, head closer towards the Douro River to explore more of Porto’s historic centre, starting with this scenic outlook spot. Take in views of the city rooftops and get your first proper look over the Duoro River!
Porto Cathedral
One of the city’s oldest monuments, Porto Cathedral is well worth visiting on a day trip to Porto. The mixture of architectural styles here is a result of ongoing renovations since construction began in the 12th century. The most important religious building in the city, visitors can take in the fortress-like exterior before exploring the cathedral’s chapels, cloister, tower and museum.
Opening times: Apr-Oct 9am-6.30pm; Nov-Mar 9am-5.30pm
Admission price: €3 (book online to skip the queues)
Fernandine Walls of Porto
A fascinating remnant of Porto’s history, the Fernandine Walls of Porto date back as far as the 1300s. These 10m-high walls enclosed the city’s historic centre, providing a fortified defensive perimeter.
The walls were demolished in the 18th century, but some sections were preserved for cultural heritage. The best place to see the walls is next to the Funicular dos Guindais stop on the riverbank. The largest remaining section of the wall, it spans 200m and has been restored and preserved.
Ribeira
Muddling our way through a maze of bumpy, cobbled streets, getting lost in a dead end and dropping into a shop to grab a drink, we ended up reaching what I’d call one of Porto’s most picturesque areas – Ribeira. The city is known for being perched on the banks of the Douro river, and the riverside is a magnet for locals and visitors alike.
One of Portugal’s more ‘modern’ sights (compared to the churches, at least!) the Luís I Bridge spans the Douro linking Porto to Vila Nova de Gaia, a hub for Portugal’s famous port wine. The bridge has two levels, and those of you with a head for heights can take a stroll across the upper path, almost 200 feet above the river.
Rather than get our heads dizzied, we decided to grab some sangria and soak up the riverside’s energy instead. Drinks here are double the price of inner Porto bars; but for the view and atmosphere, it’s worth treating yourself.
Dinner in Porto
Still full from our francesinha, we skipped having a formal restaurant dinner in favour of pub grub at Bar Pherrugem, an indie bar in Portugal that also serves food. The bell pepper rings, which have well and truly knocked onion rings off the top spot when it comes to circular, deep fried savoury things.
Bar Pherrugem
R. Das Oliveiras 83, 4050-448 Porto
Another option for a casual and cheap dinner in Portugal is Food Corner, which we visited on our arrival night. Across four floors, you can choose between five separate restaurants, serving up sushi, pizza, burgers, pasta, and tacos.
I was craving comfort food – so Maza Pasta Bar won the fight. After a visit to an ATM (it’s cash only, FYI), we were back and ordering up big, tasty pasta bowls. The pasta was perfect, served in creamy sauces, and hit the spot perfectly. Our meal cost less than €20 for two, including a drink each.
Food Corner
Dr. Antonio Emilio de Magalhães 4, 4000-050
More great places to enjoy dinner in Porto:
Curb (££) – great value loaded burgers and fries
O Buraco (££) – a popular spot for homestyle Portugese dishes (tip – get there as close to opening time as possible as it gets BUSY!)
Farinha (££) – pizza with a variety of topping options (including vegan pizza)
Taberna Santo Antonio (££) – authentic dishes a short walk from the river
Brasão Coliseu (££-£££) – classic and creative dishes in an atmospheric space
Antiqvvm (££££) – intimate 2 Michelin star restaurant with river views
What to do at night in Porto
If you’re staying overnight after your day trip to Porto, you’ll experience the city’s thriving night life. Whether you’re looking for a buzzing bar or a night time walking tour, here’s what you can get up to on an evening in Porto.
Attend a concert at Casa da Música
Following Porto’s designation as European Capital of Culture in 2001, the Casa da Musica was opened as a space exclusively dedicated to music. Performances span genres, from classical to pop rock, with artists from Portugal and beyond.
Go to a Fado show
Experience a traditional style of Portugese music known as ‘fado’. It’s melodic and emotional folk music usually sung by one voice, and accompanied by the Portugese guitar (and sometimes the viola). Experience it at Ideal Clube de Fado, A Caso do Fado, or Casa da Guitarra.
Take a Haunted Porto tour…
Uncover the more grisly side of the charming Porto streets, with a spooky Haunted Porto tour.
…or a less scary option
If you’re more interested than sipping wine at sunset than hearing ghost stories, try a sunset walking tour instead!
See a light show in a church
The Spiritus multimedia show lights up the domed Baroque ceiling of the Clerigos Church in spectacular colours and patterns.
Bars in Porto
After a quick Google search for ‘rock bars Porto’, we went for the first option that came up, Bar Pherrugem. Okay, yes, it sounds like a noise you make when you’ve got a cold, but this is a pretty cool bar – more indie than out-and-out rock, but the ambiance is lovely, and the bare brickwork and intimate lighting make it a welcoming little evening spot.
Bar Pherrugem
R. Das Oliveiras 83, 4050-448 Porto
More bars in Porto:
Base – a lively spot with outside seating close to the Clerigos Church
Miradouro Ignez – terrace bar with views over the city and river
HD Bar to Be Wild – rock and roll bar with an old-school jukebox
Pipa Velha – old-school vibes with lots of wood and cheap drinks
Is one day in Porto enough?
Spending one day in Porto is a good compromise if you’ve got limited time and want to see more of Portugal. One day in Porto is enough time to hit the key highlights and soak up the atmosphere.
However, if you’re looking to extend your stay in Porto, you’ll have the time to explore some of Porto’s museums and travel at a more laid-back pace. Discover some ideas for great things to do in Porto:
Visit an art museum: Porto is a delight for art lovers, and popular museums include the Soares dos Reis National Museum (€8), Museu de Arte Contemporânea de Serralves (€24), Casa Sao Roque Centro de Arte (€8) and Museu da Misericordia do Porto (€5).
Take a river cruise and learn about Porto’s iconic six bridges and the Douro River. You could incorporate wine tasting in the Douro Valley for a full day trip from Porto.
Go underground for an immersive audiovisual experience sharing stories and secrets from the city’s history at Porto Legends.
Climb the Arrábida Bridge for views across Porto and the Douro Valley.
Spending more than one day in Porto, or taking a road trip around Portugal? Spend some time in ‘the Venice of Portugal’, with a day trip to Aveiro.
Porto City Guide
How to get to Porto
Most international airlines fly from European destinations to Porto’s Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport. We booked flights from Stansted to Porto with Ryanair, and the flight took 2 and a half hours.
The metro runs from the airport to the city centre around every 15 minutes from 6am until the last train at 12.42am, and costs €2.60. A taxi will cost around €20-30, depending on traffic.
Getting around Porto
Porto is a pretty walkable city, but there’s also a Metro. A single journey within Z2 costs €1.40, and you can get a 24-hour Z2 pass for €5.15. Find maps and timetables on their website.
Porto also has a tram system, running from the historic centre along the northern side of the river – great for checking out the view across the Duoro. A ticket for one adult trip costs €6, and you can buy this when you get on the tram.
Where to stay in Porto
We stayed at LivingPorto Apartments, which was a pretty cute studio with one of the BEST SHOWERS I’ve ever been in and a little balcony space. On the downside, it was rather noisy – the bed made a big ol’ creak every time I turned over. Otherwise, it was a decent find for £129 for two nights.
There are loads of similar, affordable apartments around Porto for a one day stay – it seems to be a popular type of accommodation for travellers. If you want some space and to feel more at home than in a hotel, this is what I’d recommend going for!
Apartments in Porto
Great & Cosy (££) – very central location with noise insulation for a quiet night’s sleep
Oporto Cool (££) – studio and one bedroom apartments in a central location
Panorama (££-£££) – studio apartments with river views
Hostels in Porto
So Cool Hostel (£) – modern and airy dorms in a restored 19th century building
EasyHost Porto (£) – basic, clean dorms in a great central location
Change The World Hostel (£) – comfortable, clean hostel within walking distance of Porto’s main sights.
Hotels in Porto
Alegria Rooms (££) – cheap double rooms with shared bathrooms
Moov Hotel (££) – great value rooms with private parking
ZeroBox (££) – cosy ‘box style’ accommodations for those just looking for a cheap place to lay their head
Eurostars Das Artes (£££) – design-conscious hotel in a historic palace
Torel Avantgarde (££££) – five star hotel with panoramic city views
GA Palace Hotel & Spa (£££££) – five star luxury in the centre of Porto
What to eat in Porto
Portugese cuisine has a great variety of delicious traditional dishes, and you’ll find plenty of opportunities to try them in Porto . These are a few must-trys…
Francesinha – a Porto specialty, a massive sandwich covered in cheese, topped with a tomato and beer sauce.
Cachorrinho – aka a Portugese hot dog – bread stuffed with sausage and covered in a tangy sauce!
Tripas à moda do Porto – traditional tripe stew with sausage, beans, onions and carrots.
Bolinhos de bacalhau – codfish croquettes.
Bacalhau à lagareiro – rustic cod dish served with potatoes
Pastel de nata – Portugese egg custard tart (Lisbon is the official home of this sweet treat, but you can get some great ones in Porto too!)
Porto Useful Information
- Language: Portuguese, but English is widely spoken
- Currency: Euro. Most places accept card payment, and ATMs are easy to come by
- Weather: Mild across the year, hot summer days and rain in the winter
- Time Zone: GMT
- Emergency number: 112
