If you’re dreaming of a destination that blends stunning river views, centuries of history, world-class wine, and some of the most photogenic streets in Europe, Porto is it. Portugal’s second city punches well above its weight, and once you arrive, you’ll understand why travelers keep coming back. Whether you’re visiting with family, as a couple, or flying solo, Porto has something special waiting around every corner.
This post is part of our Portugal series. We explored two great cities in Portugal, Porto and Lisbon on this trip. We also used IHG Rewards points to stay at the InterContinental Porto and the InterContinental Lisbon – more reviews are coming soon, so stay tuned!
Here are 10 unforgettable things to do in Porto, plus some bonus gems, to make your visit truly remarkable:
Wander Through the Ribeira District
The Ribeira is Porto’s soul. This UNESCO World Heritage riverside neighborhood is the kind of place you wander into and suddenly realize two hours have passed. Narrow alleyways wind between colorful tiled buildings draped with laundry, and the whole area hums with the kind of energy that only centuries of life can create.
The best thing to do here is simply walk. Follow the stone streets down to the Douro River waterfront and take in the sweeping views across to Vila Nova de Gaia. At sunset, bring your camera, because every shot looks like a postcard.
There are plenty of cafés and restaurants along the waterfront serving fresh seafood and local wine. Pull up a chair, order a glass of Vinho Verde, and soak it all in. This is Porto at its finest.
Cross the Dom Luís I Bridge
If there’s one image that defines Porto, it’s the double-deck iron Dom Luís I Bridge arching dramatically over the Douro River. Designed by a student of Gustave Eiffel in the 1880s, it connects Porto to Vila Nova de Gaia and offers some of the most breathtaking views in the city.
Walking across the upper deck is a must. It’s a little windy, occasionally a little vertiginous, and completely worth it. Look back toward Porto on one side and out toward the rolling hills on the other, and it’s one of those views that stops you mid-step.
If you’re traveling with kids, they’ll love pointing out the trams and boats below. The whole experience takes about 20 minutes at a leisurely pace, and you’ll end up on the other side ready to explore the famous wine cellars of Gaia.
Tour the Port Wine Cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia
Porto gave its name to Port wine, and visiting at least one wine cellar is non-negotiable on any Porto trip.
Most lodges offer guided tours that walk you through the aging barrels, explain the winemaking process, and finish with a tasting. Graham’s, Sandeman, and Taylor’s are all well-regarded options. Each has its own personality, so if you have time, consider visiting two.
Even if you’re not a big wine drinker, the atmosphere inside these cool. And if you are a wine lover? Prepare yourself, this might be the best afternoon of your entire trip.
Visit the São Bento Train Station
It sounds almost too mundane – a train station as a tourist attraction? São Bento will immediately change your mind the moment you step inside. The grand entrance hall is covered floor to ceiling in over 20,000 hand-painted azulejo (blue and white) tiles depicting scenes of Portuguese history.
It’s completely free to enter, you don’t need to be catching a train, and the whole visit takes about 20 to 30 minutes. The level of artistry is staggering, and it makes you stop and think about how different the relationship between art and public space used to be.
Go first thing in the morning before the crowds build up. The light is lovely and you’ll have a much better chance of getting photos.
Explore the Livraria Lello Bookshop
Livraria Lello is one of the most beautiful bookshops in the world, and yes, it lives up to the hype. The neo-Gothic facade gives way to an interior of carved wooden balconies, a sweeping red staircase, and a stained glass ceiling that filters light in the most magical way. It has inspired countless writers, and rumor has it J.K. Rowling drew inspiration here during her time in Porto.
Fair warning: it’s extremely popular, and you’ll need to buy a small entry ticket in advance (which can be redeemed against a book purchase). Go early or late in the day to avoid the biggest crowds. Even with the hustle, it’s absolutely worth it.
Pick up a Portuguese book as a souvenir. Even if you can’t read it, it makes for a beautiful keepsake from one of the most spectacular rooms you’ll ever stand in.
Ride Tram Line 1 Along the River
Porto’s vintage yellow trams are iconic, and Tram Line 1 (Linha 1) runs along the Douro River between Infante and Passeio Alegre, a scenic 25-minute ride that’s equal parts transport and experience. The old wooden trams rattle and creak in the most charming way, and the riverside route means you’ll have gorgeous views the whole journey.
This is a particularly good option if you’re traveling with kids or anyone who’d rather take a scenic detour than hoof it on foot. It’s not the fastest way to get anywhere, but that’s entirely the point. Sit back, enjoy the view, and let Porto drift past your window.
Buy your ticket on board and hold onto it, as inspectors do come around occasionally.
Day Trip to the Douro Valley
About an hour east of Porto, the Douro Valley is one of the most breathtaking landscapes in all of Europe. The ancient river winds between terraced vineyards that climb impossibly steep hillsides, all of it designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
You can visit on a half-day or full-day tour from Porto, or rent a car and explore at your own pace. Either way, the drive alone is worth it. Stop at a quintas (wine estate) for a tasting, pack a picnic to enjoy overlooking the valley, or take a short boat cruise on the river for a completely different perspective.
If you can only do one day trip from Porto, make it this one. The Douro Valley is the kind of place that leaves you speechless, and hungry for more wine.
Climb the Clérigos Tower, and Don’t Skip the Church
The Clérigos Tower (Torre dos Clérigos) is Porto’s most recognizable landmark and the highest point in the city center. Before you start the climb, step inside the Igreja dos Clérigos at its base. It’s a stunning example of Portuguese Baroque architecture, with an ornate interior that genuinely stops you in your tracks. Admission covers both the church and the tower, so take your time here before heading up.
Then comes the main event: 225 steps in a tight spiral staircase. Kids will love it, adults will feel it in their legs the next day. At the top, a 360-degree panoramic view over Porto’s terracotta rooftops, the winding Douro River, and on a clear day, all the way to the Atlantic Ocean. It’s one of the best vantage points in the entire city, and no photo quite does it justice.
Go at golden hour before sunset if you can swing the timing. The warm light over the city from up top is one of those moments you’ll talk about for years. This is one of those classic Porto experiences that’s genuinely worth the crowds and the calf workout. Don’t skip it.
Savor Portuguese Cuisine, and Yes, Even McDonald’s
No trip to Porto is complete without eating your way through the local specialties, and this city will not disappoint. Porto’s culinary scene is hearty, honest, and deeply satisfying. Let’s start with a surprising detour before we get to the serious local spots.
The Imperial McDonald’s on Avenida dos Aliados is one of the most ornate fast food restaurants in the world, with crystal chandeliers, stained glass windows, mahogany panels, and a grand staircase that belongs in a palace, not a burger joint. It’s worth popping in just to see it, even if you grab a coffee and nothing else. The kids will get a kick out of it, and you’ll be taking photos within ten seconds of walking through the door.
Now, for the real food.
Right there on Avenida dos Aliados, Brasão Aliados is a local institution beloved for its francesinha, Porto’s legendary signature dish: a layered sandwich of cured meats and melted cheese, drowned in a rich spiced beer-and-tomato sauce, often crowned with a fried egg. It sounds indulgent because it absolutely is. This is the dish you came for. Nearby, Conga is another Porto classic, famous for its bifanas, juicy pork sandwiches in a spiced sauce that locals have been lining up for since 1969. Don’t let the no-frills setting fool you — this is some of the best street food in the city.
For something different, Casa Guedes Tradicional is renowned for its slow-roasted pork sandwiches with sheep’s cheese. Simple, incredible, and deeply Porto. And if you need a coffee break (you will), seek out the Delta Coffee House Experience, a beautifully designed café celebrating Portugal’s iconic Delta brand. It’s equal parts café and museum, and the coffee is excellent.
Beyond the classics, don’t miss bacalhau (salt cod prepared dozens of different ways), pastéis de nata (custard tarts, best eaten warm from the oven), and a glass of Porto tónico to wash it all down. The Mercado Ferreira Borges, a spectacular 19th-century iron market hall, is worth visiting as much for the architecture as the food scene inside.
Porto rewards the curious eater. Follow your nose, duck into the places that look busy with locals, and save room for one more pastel de nata before you leave.
Watch the Sunset from Jardim do Morro
For the best sunset view in Porto, make your way to Jardim do Morro, the garden on the Gaia side of the Dom Luís I Bridge. This hillside park fills up with locals and travelers alike in the early evening, all gathered to watch the sun set over Porto’s skyline in a blaze of orange and pink.
Bring a bottle of wine (there’s a small shop nearby), find a spot on the grass, and settle in. It costs nothing, it’s completely magical, and it’s the kind of spontaneous city moment that becomes a favorite travel memory.
If you’re traveling with kids, they’ll be happy running around the open space while the grown-ups take in the view. It’s the perfect way to end a day of exploring.
Bonus: A Historic Walking Trail Worth Every Step
If you love history and architecture, Porto will feel like an endless treasure hunt.
Once you’ve ticked off the headline attractions, carve out a half-day to wander through the city’s remarkable concentration of historic landmarks, most of them clustered within walking distance of each other.
Start at the Porto Cathedral (Sé do Porto)
It’s one of the oldest buildings in the city, with origins dating to the 12th century. It’s a powerful, fortress-like structure that has watched over Porto for nearly a thousand years. Right outside stands the Pillory of Porto, a beautifully preserved medieval column that once served as the symbol of municipal authority, and makes for a striking photo.
From there, make your way to the Palácio da Bolsa
(Stock Exchange Palace), a 19th-century neoclassical masterpiece whose highlight is the breathtaking Arab Room, a Moorish-inspired interior so lavishly decorated it’s hard to believe you’re inside a former trading house. Guided tours run regularly and are absolutely worth the time.
Right next door, the Church of Saint Francis (Igreja de São Francisco) looks relatively plain from the outside. Step inside and your jaw will drop. The interior is literally covered in baroque gilded woodwork, one of the most extraordinary religious interiors in all of Portugal. It’s spectacular in a way that’s genuinely hard to put into words.
Nearby, the Igreja de Santa Clara is another hidden gem of ornate gilded interior that most visitors walk past without realizing what’s inside. And history buffs will want to seek out the Muralhas Fernandinas, the 14th-century medieval walls that once encircled the city. Several substantial sections survive and give you a visceral sense of Porto’s ancient past.
Wind up your walk at the Rotunda da Boavista (also known as Praça de Mouzinho de Albuquerque), a grand circular plaza anchored by a tall column commemorating the Peninsular War. It’s one of Porto’s great public spaces and a lovely spot to rest tired feet.
Finally, don’t leave without stepping inside the Chapel of Souls (Capela das Almas) on Rua de Santa Catarina. Its entire exterior facade is covered in thousands of blue-and-white azulejo tiles depicting the lives of saints. It’s one of the most photographed spots in Porto, and rightly so. Best of all, it’s free to enter.
Tips for Visiting Porto
- Wear comfortable shoes: Porto is famously hilly, and the cobblestone streets are beautiful but unforgiving on feet. Good walking shoes are essential.
- Book wine cellar tours in advance: The most popular lodges fill up, especially in summer. Reserve your spot ahead of time to avoid disappointment.
- Visit Livraria Lello early: Buy your entry ticket online before you go and arrive when it opens to beat the biggest tour groups.
- Get a Porto Card: The Porto Card gives you free or discounted access to many museums and attractions, plus unlimited public transport. It’s great value if you plan to pack a lot in.
- Try the food markets: Both Mercado do Bolhão and Time Out Market Porto are fantastic for sampling a wide range of local foods in one spot.
Our Take: Porto Will Steal Your Heart
Porto is one of those cities that gets under your skin in the best possible way. It’s real, layered, and full of character. People are very friendly, things are reasonably priced for Europe, and the food is good. From the tiled facades of the Ribeira to the incredible wine cellars of Gaia, from the creak of a vintage tram to the first sip of a cold Vinho Verde at a waterfront café, everything about Porto feels genuine.
Whether you’re visiting for a long weekend or using it as the launchpad for a wider Portugal adventure, Porto deserves a proper exploration. So book those flights, lace up your walking shoes, and get ready to fall in love.
#Porto #Portugal #PortugalTravel #VisitPorto #EuropeTravel #TravelTips #DouroValley #PortWine #EuropeanCities