Looking to spend a few days in the best city in Portugal? Yes, I said it! Well, this perfect 2 day Porto itinerary will give you all the information you need to visit Porto!
I recently spent 2 days in Porto and fell in love with the city. And what’s not to love? Wildly fresh seafood, incredibly stunning views all over the city, and proximity to a world renowned wine region all make Porto a dreamy destination.
There is lots to do, see, and eat in Porto, and this 2 day Porto itinerary will tell you how to do all of it in just 48 hours. With information on where to stay and how to get around, this is the only Porto itinerary you’ll need!
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When Is The Best Time To Visit Porto?
Because of Portugal’s mild climate, there is no bad time to visit Porto. However, there are some more ideal times to visit that can offer great weather, value, and activities.
Portugal’s summers can be quite hot, so I usually recommend people visit Portugal in the shoulder seasons. The shoulder season in Portugal is essentially right before or right after the height of summer temperatures and crowds.
One of the best times to visit Porto is in the Spring or early Summer. From the beginning of April to the end of May is a fantastic time to visit Porto. You’ll find that you aren’t battling the summer crowds and can expect cooler temperatures.
Another great time to visit is September & October. Both of these months share similar perks as Spring, however this time of year tends to have more reliable weather. Where the spring often brings more precipitation, late Summer and early Autumn remain quite warm in Porto and offer a good amount of sunshine.
The Summer in Porto isn’t a bad time to visit, but there are a few considerations I should mention. Summer brings the biggest crowds to Portugal, and while Porto doesn’t see as many visitors as Lisbon, it can still get quite busy. However, Summer in Portugal really is magical! It’s another great time to visit.
Need an eSIM to stay connected while in Portugal? I use Airalo for reliable data in countries all over the world!
How Long Do I Need To Visit Porto?
Ideally, Porto deserves as much time as you can give it! It’s a vibrant, beautiful city with so much to discover. But, if you’re visiting Porto as part of a larger Portugal itinerary, a few days will suffice.
Likely, you’ll have anywhere from 1-3 days in Porto. 1 day in Porto will feel very short, and 3 days in Porto will give you a good handle on the city. But if you only have 2 days in Porto, you can get a really good feel for the city.
If you’re visiting Porto on your way to Lisbon or another area of Portugal, 2 days in Porto is the perfect amount of time.
Read Also: Ultimate 7 Day Portugal Itinerary: Perfect First Time Guide
How To Get Around In Porto
One of the best things to do in Porto is to walk around! We loved walking around the Gaia and Ribiera areas along the river because of the unmatched views. Plus, all of the main areas of interest are pretty close to each other.
However, if walking is not a great option for you, or you’re headed to an area a little further out, Porto has great public transportation options.
There are a few options for how to get around using Porto’s public transportation: an Andante card or the Porto card. The Andante card is a rechargeable transportation card you can use for the bus and metro.
You can purchase the card and add journeys to it at any metro or train station. The card costs €0.50, and each journey costs €1.20. If you buy 10 journeys, you get 1 journey free.
The Porto Card
The Porto card is a tourist card that bundles access to the metro, bus system, and multiple attractions in the city. If you’re planning to visit a few museums and use the public transit while in Porto, this is a great option
Most likely, you’ll utilize the Metro the most if you’re using public transportation to get around Porto. You’ll see the yellow Metro trains all over town, as a lot of the Metro lines run above ground!
To use the Metro, you’ll need either an Andante card or a Porto card. The Andante card is a reusable and rechargeable Metro card that you can add as many journeys to as you need.
Check out my ‘Travel Resources’ page for all the tools and resources I use for travel like eSIMs, my favorite carry-on, must have travel items, and more!
Best Places To Stay In Porto
If you are only spending 2 days in Porto, you’ll want to stay in a central area along the river like Gaia, Ribiera, or Baixa. All three of these neighborhoods are centrally located and a quick walk to many of the main sites.
We stayed in Biaxa while in Porto and loved it! Baixa is a lively area with tons of restaurants, bars, and shopping. It’s also located really close to the Sao Bento train station.
Porto Hotel Recommendations:
Luxury: Torel Palace Porto – centrally located, this 5-star hotel offers a truly luxury experience with stunning interiors and grand rooms.
Mid-range: Exmo Hotel by Olivia – just a 2-minute walk from Ribiera Squara, this hotel offers comfortable rooms in a great location
Budget: The Social Hub Porto – featuring a beautiful rooftop pool!
Hostel: Porto Spot Hostel – excellent location in Porto’s city-center
2 Day Porto Itinerary Map
On this map, you’ll find every single point of interest mentioned in this itinerary. Use it to plan out your days in Porto and refer to it when you’re in the city!
The Perfect 2 Day Porto Itinerary
Let’s get into this 2 day Porto itinerary! It’s got delicious Portuguese food, a visit to Portugal’s famous wine region, and more ✨.
Day 1 In Porto: Jardins do Palácio de Cristal – Gaia Cable Car – Porto Cathedral – Mercado do Bolhão
I’ve designed this day to flow in a way that should make the day fairly efficient. You can honestly walk between all of these locations if you’ve got your walking shoes on. However, you can also utilize public transport as well!
Day 1 of your 2 day Porto itinerary is all about getting to know the city. You’ll eat traditional Portuguese food, take in the stunning views of Porto from both sides of the river, and hit some of the best sites in town.
Breakfast at a local cafe
Begin your day at one of Porto’s many amazing breakfast & brunch spots. If you’re starting the day in Baixa, I recommend Floresta Cafe by Hungry Biker for great food and really good coffee. Another one to check out is Mercador Café.
There is an amazing coffee shop and breakfast spot closer to the next stop on the itinerary called Época. We had breakfast here one of the days we were in Porto and the coffee was incredible. The food was really good, too! It’s a good spot to hit if you want to get moving in the morning and eat somewhere near the first real stop of the day.
Porto has lots of great breakfast options, so you’re sure to find something near to where you’re staying.
And if you’re not wanting to sit down to a big breakfast, it’s always acceptable to eat a pastel de nata for breakfast!
Read Also: Ultimate Madeira Itinerary: One Week In Portugal’s Hidden Gem
Jardins do Palacio de Cristal
The first stop of the day is a real Porto hidden gem. I didn’t see these gardens recommended much when I was researching what to do in Porto. But one video inspired me to go check it out and I’m SO glad we did.
I truly think some of the best views of the city are right here in the gardens. There are also peacocks roaming everywhere, making the experience even more lively and beautiful. Plus, it’s a great entirely free activity.
Fair warning that peacocks are loud, if you didn’t know. But it’s fun to wander around the gardens looking for these fantastic birds.
A few spots I recommend you prioritize while visiting the gardens are lower in the gardens towards the water. When you first enter the gardens, you may not be incredible impressed. But, keep walking down the stairs and towards the water. Walk down to the Jardim dos Sentimentos for some of the best views in town.
Just around the corner is the amazing Torreão do Jardim do Palácio, complete with a twisting staircase and real fairytale vibes. Another great view is found at the Miradouro Socalcado da Quinta da Macieirinha.
I’ve marked all of these spots on the Google map included above. But, the beauty of gardens like this is in the wandering. Spend some time looking for your favorite corner of the garden!
Porto Cathedral
Next, head over to the Porto Cathedral. Easily the most famous and visited site in Porto, this cathedral is very special to the city. The cathedral was founded in 1108 and has since been the historical center of Porto.
You’ll often see hikers beginning their camino, or spiritual walk, at the Porto Cathedral. The Camino de Santiago walking route goes right through Porto, with the cathedral as the stopping point. Some people decide to do a shorter section of the camino starting at the Porto Cathedral!
Because it’s been renovated many times over the years, the cathedral boasts many architectural styles. If you happen to do any guided tours while in Porto, a tour of the cathedral would be the best option. If I were to book a guided tour of the Porto Cathedral, I’d book this one!
It was built in the highest part of the city, so the miradouro in front of the cathedral also has incredible views of the city. It’s free to visit the cathedral during opening hours, but if you want to see the famous blue tiles in the cloister, it will cost you €3.
Mercado do Bolhão
For lunch, head over to Mercado do Bolhão to get a real taste of Porto. It’s a large open market that hosts vendors from all over the city on the lower level. On the upper level, there are full service restaurants serving up traditional Portuguese fare.
You’ll find fresh seafood, locally made meats and spices, wine tastings, and the famous codfish croquettes, ‘bolinhos do bacalhau’.
The reason I love visiting a market like this for lunch is because you get a chance to try tons of local dishes. Plus, it can be a faster lunch than sitting down for a full meal. However, the restaurants upstairs are another great option for lunch, as well.
While you’re at Mercado do Bolhão, be sure to try a few things. Definitely get some bolinhos de bacalhau, fresh seafood (like polvo, which is octopus), local cheeses, and you can try some Portuguese wine too.
The best thing about a market like this is wandering around and just grabbing whatever speaks to your tastebuds!
Gaia
For the afternoon, head over to the neighborhood of Gaia just across the river. To get there, you can hop on the metro D line at Alidados, a short walk from the market. Get off at the Jardim do Morro stop just after going over the bridge! Or, walk to Gaia on the Pont Luís I bridge.
Once you’re in Gaia, you’ll find this is a fun neighborhood to explore. I recommend walking up to the Monastery of Serra do Pilar that’s just a few minutes from the metro stop. You can’t miss the Monastery of Serra do Pilar– it towers over the city. It has some of the best views in the city of the river and the Pont Luís I bridge.
Then, wander down into Gaia. It’s also fun to walk beneath the Pont Luís I bridge if you’re curious. There is a road and sidewalk on the lower part of the bridge that connects Gaia and the Ribiera.
Of course, Porto is most well known for its Port wine. In Gaia, you’ll find lots of port cellars (there are over 60!). Large brands like Sandeman offer port cellars that are open to the public. If you’re in the mood to try some of Porto’s famous Port wine, this is the place to do it!
Essentially, explore this area as you make your way to the lower Gaia cable car station. You can also take the cable car from the Jardim do Morro station up top, if you prefer. But, to me it made more sense to take the cable car up to save us walking up some serious hills.
Gaia Cable Car
For me, the Gaia cable car is a must do while in Porto. And it isn’t because the cable car itself is anything special. It’s for the views! The Gaia cable car follows along the river and for a few minutes you get the best seat in town.
We chose to do a one-way ticket from the bottom to the top after walking across the bottom of the Pont Luís I bridge. One-way costs €7 per person, but there is also a €10 round trip option. If you don’t plan on exploring the neighborhood of Gaia too much, the round trip is a good option. Totally up to you!
You can buy your ticket at the counter or ahead of time online.
Read Also: How To Spend 3 Days in Lisbon: The Perfect First Time Itinerary
Dinner in Gaia or Ribiera
If you want to stay in Gaia for an upscale dinner and views, head over to Enoteca 17.56 for a nice meal. It’s quite a popular spot because of it’s amazing views, so definitely make a reservation in advance. If you’re looking for something a bit more casual, head back to the other side of the river to find a lot more options.
Some of my favorites are The Door, Bota & Bira, or A Bolina. Encaixada is another great one, but we’re saving that for tomorrow night!
A fair warning here – I recommend you steer clear of most of the restaurants right on the river. You’ll find high prices and less satisfactory food and service. I recommend heading a little ways into town from the river for the best food options.
Porto Restaurant Recommendations
Breakfast:
– Época
– Floresta Cafe by Hungry Biker
– Nata Lisboa
– Do Norte Café by Hungry Biker
Lunch:
– Mercado do Bolhão
– Cafe Santiago (to try Francesinha)
Dinner:
– The Door
– Encaixada
– Bota & Bira
– A Bolina
Pastel de Nata:
– Manteigaria*
– Castro
– Nata Lisboa
Sunset at Jardim do Morro
Head back over to the Jardim do Morro, just next to the upper Gaia cable car station. Anywhere in the park, or even along the Pont Luís I bridge is the perfect spot to watch the sunset in Porto.
The vibe up here while watching the sunset is so fun. There are usually lots of people – just embrace it! It’s one of those places where if feels like the entire city comes together to watch the sunset. It’s really pretty magical!
Watching the sun set behind Porto’s incredible hills and bridges reminds you why this is the most beautiful city in Portugal.
Day 2 In Porto: Douro Valley Trip OR Pastel de Nata Cooking Class, Dinner at Encaixada
The second day of your 2 day Porto itinerary is about the city’s food & wine. And you have two choices of how to spend the day.
Option 1: head to the nearby Douro Valley for a wine tour, then back into the city for an incredible dinner.
Option 2: stay in the city, take a free walking tour, explore a bit more, and take a pastel de nata cooking class.
Douro Valley Train & Boat Trip
When we visited Porto, we did a day trip to the Douro Valley. Not only is the Douro Valley known as the birthplace of Port wine, it’s also a beautiful and vibrant river valley with views for days.
This Douro Valley tour was one of our very favorite things we did while in Portugal! And in my opinion, a trip to the Douro Valley really is a must for any 2 day Porto itinerary. The Douro Valley’s Port wine gets it’s very name from the city of Porto, anyways!
The exact tour we booked included a winery tour, river boat ride, train ride, and lunch! We loved seeing how Port wine is made in the valley, and seeing the beauty of the region by both train and boat was a real treat. Plus, eating traditional Portuguese food at a family owned restaurant in the valley was a huge plus.
I’ve recommended this exact tour over 100 times and everyone has loved it. It’s a great way to see the wine region Porto is so famous for!
The tour is 7 hours, so I recommend booking the earliest possible time. That way, when you get back to Porto at the end of the tour, you’ll have extra time to explore and sit down for a nice dinner!
Pastel de Nata Cooking Class
If you’re not into wineries or would prefer to stay in Porto for the day, plan to take a pastel de nata cooking class!
While pastel de nata technically originated in Lisbon, the custard pastry is famous all over Portugal. And learning how to make this Portuguese treat will surely impress all of your friends and family back home.
There are lots of great pastel de nata cooking classes in Porto, but I think this one is the best.
São Bento Train Station
If you decide to stay in Porto for the day, you’ll have some extra time before or after your pastel de nata cooking class. Head over to the São Bento train station to check out it’s beautiful tile work.
The train station is located within the Historic Centre of Porto, which itself is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. If you’re arriving or departing Porto by train, you’re more than likely doing so at the São Bento station.
Inside the station, the main interior is covered in more than 20,000 hand painted blue Portuguese tiles. This is what draws so many visitors to check out the amazing tile work. The tile features images of Portuguese historical figures and events. It’s a quick stop you can make while walking around town!
Dinner at EncaixadOS
The best dinner we had in Portugal was at Encaixados, and we can’t stop talking about it! Not only is the atmosphere cozy and intimate, the food was fantastic.
I had a duck entree and some port wine mushrooms that I still dream about. If they’re still on the menu when you go, order the duck magret in a Port wine reduction and the Port wine mushrooms!
I recommend you make a reservation ahead of time at Encaixados, as it’s known to be one of the best restaurants in town. You’ll experience elevated traditional Portuguese cuisine with dishes like a codfish filet, octopus, multiple types of croquettes, and more.
Options To Extend Your 2 Day Porto Itinerary: Day Trips
If you have more than 2 days to enjoy Porto and the surrounding areas, here are a few recommendations for things to do. And if you have a rental car, you can head to Braga, Aveiro, or spend a few more days in the Douro Valley!
Porto is a great first stop on a longer Portugal itinerary, so don’t forget to check out my other Portugal blog posts to help you plan your trip!
Recommended Porto Day Trips
– Braga and Guimarães Full Day Trip (4.6 ⭐️)
– Hike & Swim in Gerês National Park (4.8 ⭐️)
– Santiago de Compostela Full Day Trip (4.6 ⭐️)
I hope this 2 day Porto itinerary is helpful in the planning of your visit to this stunning Portuguese city. Porto stood out as one of the highlights of my Portugal trip, and I know you’ll love it too.
Be sure to check out my other Portugal blog posts to help plan your entire Portugal trip!
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