Porto in 1 Day - Itinerary & Things to Do
🤩 My reflection
When we first arrived in Porto at the train station, I didn’t like the city much. It felt very hilly, there was construction everywhere I turned, and I just couldn’t see the charm. However, as we moved uphill and started seeing the sea in the distance, and then made our way down to the riverside, I changed my mind. It actually has its own vibe and gives you the full Portuguese experience. And we need to accept that having water nearby (whether it's the sea, a lake, or a river) makes every city more charming. One thing to note: just like Lisbon, Porto is also quite a hilly city, so expect a lot of ups and downs if you’re planning to explore on foot. We did it as a day trip from Lisbon by train and then flew back home from Porto. We could have stayed longer, explored at a more relaxed pace, and spent more time in cafés, but I didn’t feel like we missed much in terms of sightseeing.
✍🏻 Itinerary
Day 1
São Bento Station - Historic train station famous for its blue azulejo tile panels depicting history
Batalha Square - Busy historic square connecting central Porto with shopping and old neighborhoods
McDonald’s Imperial - One of the most beautiful McDonald’s in the world, located inside a historic building
Praça da Liberdade - Main central square of Porto connecting the old town with Avenida dos Aliados
Torre dos Clérigos - Baroque bell tower offering one of the best panoramic views over Porto
Livraria Lello - Iconic neo-Gothic bookstore often considered one of the most beautiful in the world
Igreja do Carmo - Baroque church known for its striking blue tile façade on the side wall
Rua de Santa Catarina - Main shopping street filled with shops, cafés, and street life
Avenida dos Aliados - Grand boulevard and the civic heart of Porto lined with monumental architecture
Break at Café Santiago - Famous local restaurant known for serving one of the best francesinha sandwiches
Porto Cathedral (Sé do Porto) - Oldest cathedral in the city with fortress-like Romanesque architecture
Miradouro da Vitória - Scenic viewpoint overlooking the Ribeira district and Douro River
Palácio da Bolsa - 19th-century neoclassical stock exchange building famous for its ornate Arab Room
Igreja de São Francisco - Gothic church with rich Baroque interior covered in gold leaf
Ribeira do Porto - Colorful riverside area full of restaurants, cafés, and lively atmosphere
Dom Luís I Bridge (view from seaside) - Iconic double-deck iron bridge offering views over the Douro River
If you have more time (we couldn't see)
Gaia (Sandeman Wine Cellars) - Famous traditional Port wine cellars on the Gaia riverside
Historic Wine Cellars (Port Wine Caves) - Traditional ageing cellars along Gaia’s riverfront where Port wine is stored and matured in barrels
Douro River Cruise - Scenic boat tour along the Douro River
Boavista District - Modern business and cultural area of Porto
Casa da Música (Boavista) - Iconic modern concert hall
Foz do Douro - Elegant coastal neighborhood where the Douro River meets the Atlantic Ocean, known for promenades and beaches
Bairro do Avillez - A popular food complex by chef José Avillez featuring multiple restaurants and Portuguese dishes in a modern setting
What to Eat
Francesinha - Porto’s iconic sandwich made with layers of meat, melted cheese, and a rich beer-based tomato sauce, usually served with fries
Green Wine (Vinho Verde) - A light, slightly sparkling Portuguese wine from northern Portugal, known for its fresh, crisp, and fruity taste
Bacalhau à Brás - A traditional Portuguese dish made with shredded salted cod, eggs, thin fried potatoes, onions, and parsley
Seafood Rice (Arroz de Marisco) - A rich Portuguese rice dish cooked with a mix of seafood like shrimp, clams, and crab in a flavorful tomato-based broth
📢 Essential tips
What's the best time to visit Porto?
As winter can be a bit chilly and summer can get quite hot for walking around, I’d say April to June and September to October are the best times to visit.
How to go from Lisbon to Porto?
There is a frequent train between two cities and it takes 3 hours. We took 8am train and arrived to Porto at 11am, visited the city whole day and had a return flight in the late evening.
How to enter Livraria Lello?
You need to buy tickets online in advance (link below), and entries are timed; so make sure to select a slot that fits your plan. The bookstore is often linked to Harry Potter because of its interior, although J. K. Rowling never actually confirmed it as a direct inspiration. Still, it’s one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world and definitely worth a visit.
🔗 All travel links
Iconic Portuguese dishes and where to try them - Click here to check
Livraria Lello tickets - Click here to buy
Train from Lisbon to Porto - Click here to buy
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