Porto, Portugal
Imagine eating Pasteis de nata and drinking some of the Douro's finest wine...well don't imagine any more! Come to Porto!
Porto’s old centre is made for walking, but be prepared for the many hills. So be smart, start the day off high, then work down towards the river. This guide brings together Porto’s classic landmarks including:
Palácio da Bolsa
Livraria Lello Bookshop
Igreja dos Clérigos & Clérigos Tower
Porto Cathedral
Cais da Ribeira
Dom Luís I Bridge
Teleférico de Gaia
Caves Cálem
Porto River Cruise
Palácio da Bolsa:
Palácio da Bolsa, the Stock Exchange Palace, is one of the grandest sights in the city, reflecting the city’s long history of trade, business and river connection. The exterior is elegant, but the real reason to visit is the interior. The highlight is the Arab Room, a richly decorated ceremonial room that feels far removed from the granite streets outside. Visits however are usually by guided tour only...
Livraria Lello Bookshop:
Livraria Lello Bookshop is one of Porto’s most photographed interiors. Its carved staircase, stained glass and dark wood make it feel more like a small theatre than a working bookshop; and that makes this place part of the inspiration for Harry Potter. Livraria Lello often uses timed entry and can be crowded, so aim for an early slot and book ahead where possible. It is still a bookshop, so take time to browse rather than only queue for a photo. The shelves and upper gallery deserve attention, and the visit feels more worthwhile when treated as more than a quick stop...
Igreja Dos Clerigos & Clerigos Tower:
The Igreja dos Clérigos and its famous bell tower: Clérigos Tower rises above the centre and can be spotted from many parts of the city. Climbing it means taking a narrow staircase, and going up 240 steps to reach the top - only for €10! What does Porto look like from the sky? At the top of the Clérigos Tower you can admire the best and unforgettable 360º view of Porto. The reward is a sweeping view over Porto; enjoy the cathedral, the river and the patched pattern of orange roofs...
(Left) Inside the Igreja Dos Clerigos Church, (Centre) The Clerigos Tower, (Right) The view from the top
Porto Cathedral:
Porto Cathedral, or Sé do Porto, is one of the best places to begin. It sits on high ground and gives a clear sense of the city’s shape with the river below. Don't miss the chance to visit one of the oldest and most beautiful buildings in Porto. Built in a prime location in the city, the cathedral offers equally breathtaking views inside and out. The building's exterior looks like an old citadel. Inside, the central nave and the cloisters offer a mystical experience that can only be rivalled by a unique collection of biblical scenes made from typical Portuguese azulejos. Book your tickets for the Cathedral, and finish your experience by climbing the tower and witnessing incredible views of the Douro river and the city of Porto. From here, the walk downhill towards Ribeira passes lanes, staircases, laundry lines and tiled façades that feel just as important as the famous sights...
Cais da Ribeira:
Cais da Ribeira is Porto's classic riverfront and it is the Porto that people imagine before they arrive: tall old houses rising from the riverbank, restaurant terraces, moored boats and the Dom Luís I Bridge taking over the view. It is popular for a reason. The riverfront is photogenic from almost every angle. Walk along the promenade, go for lunch or go for a drink. Sipping a glass of Vinho Verde by the water definitely feels special...
Dom Luís I Bridge:
The Dom Luís I Bridge is not just a crossing. It is one of Porto’s main experiences. The double-deck iron bridge links Porto with Vila Nova de Gaia, the city on the south bank of the Douro. You can cross on the lower deck from Ribeira to the Gaia riverfront, or higher up near the metro line. Both have advantages. The lower deck is practical if you are already at Cais da Ribeira and want to reach the wine lodges. The upper deck gives the bigger view, with Porto stacked above the river and the boats below. If you only do one, choose the upper deck for the panorama, then work your way down on the Gaia side. The light hits the Porto side beautifully, and the bridge becomes part of the scene rather than just the way across...
Teleférico de Gaia:
One of the many activities to do is go on the Teleférico de Gaia, it is a short cable car ride, but it gives a memorable aerial view over the river, port lodges and bridge. It runs along the Gaia side and is useful if you want to move between the upper area near the bridge and the riverfront without a steep walk. You can enjoy the high view, take the cable car down, then continue to the wine cellars or riverfront...
Caves Cálem:
Take a wine tour at Caves Calem. Porto’s identity is tied closely to wine and the Douro. Even if you are not usually drawn to wine tours, Gaia’s cellars offer an accessible way to understand why port became so central to the city. Caves Cálem is one of the well-known port wine cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia...
A tour typically covers the basics of how port is made, why it ages in Gaia, and how different styles vary in taste and colour. The cellars are cool, dim and lined with barrels, which gives the experience a sense of place. Tastings usually follow the tour, often with a chance to compare styles such as ruby and tawny. Make sure you book ahead, allow enough space in the day so the tasting does not feel squeezed between other bookings. A good time to do Caves Cálem is after crossing to Gaia and before a river cruise...
For more information, click the link here to book your tour: Cálem
Porto River Gaia Cruise:
A Porto River Gaia Cruise gives the city a different rhythm. From the water, the steepness of Porto becomes clearer. One of Porto’s most iconic experiences, offering front-row views of its historic riverbanks and bridges. Sail along the Douro River aboard a traditional Rabelo-style boat, with panoramic views of Porto, Gaia and the city’s historic 6 bridges...
A cruise here works especially well after visiting Ribeira and Gaia because it ties together the places you have already seen: the cathedral above, the bridge overhead, the wine cellars along the bank, and the river that made the city’s trade possible...
To reserve your spot on a river cruise along the Douro, book here: Riversightseeing
Porto can be enjoyed in a weekend, but two full days feel much better than one. The city is compact, yet the hills, queues and guided tour times can slow things down. For a two-day route, the trip feels more balanced. This split keeps the first day focused on the city centre and the second day focused on the Douro and Gaia...
Start at Porto Cathedral for views and orientation
Walk towards Clérigos Tower and Igreja dos Clérigos
Visit Livraria Lello if you have booked ahead
Continue to Palácio da Bolsa and the riverside
Spend time at Cais da Ribeira
Cross the Dom Luís I Bridge to Gaia
End with a wine tour or river cruise, depending on timing.
Day 1 | Day 2 |
Porto Cathedral Clérigos Tower Livraria Lello Palácio da Bolsa | Dom Luís I Bridge Teleférico de Gaia Caves Cálem River cruise |
Best for historic sights and old streets | Best for river views and wine cellars |
Porto’s charm comes from how closely everything connects. The cathedral looks down to Ribeira. Ribeira leads to the Dom Luís I Bridge. The bridge carries you to Gaia, where port cellars face the city that gave the wine its name. The river cruise then pulls the whole scene together from below. The best visit does not need to be rushed or complicated. Start high, walk down, cross the bridge, ride the Teleférico de Gaia, taste port at Caves Cálem, and let the Douro show you the city from the water. Porto does the rest...
I've always been curious, what is better, Porto or Lisbon? Now it's your time to decide...
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