Weekend: visit Porto in three days
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On the banks of the Douro, Porto wins you over with its gentle pace of life and generous spirit. Three days are just enough to get a feel of the place: admire the facades covered in azulejos, sip barrel-aged port, and sense the presence of the Atlantic wherever you go.
Day 1: Historic districts and fado in Old Porto
- Morning
Begin your day at the top of the Torre dos Clérigos, one of Porto’s At a height of 76 meters, the view encompasses the orange-toned roofs, the winding Douro and the bridges connecting the city to its neighbor, Vila Nova de Gaia. Visit the Centro Português de Fotografia just nearby, set up in the former 18th-century prison. The vaulted rooms present a rich collection dedicated to the history of Portuguese photography.
Heading down toward the Douro, you reach the Ribeira district and its tightly packed facades along the river. Then enter the Church of São Francisco, a Portuguese Baroque masterpiece, whose interior entirely covered in gilded wood bears witness to the city’s trading riches. Nearby, end the morning at Palácio da Bolsa, the former site of the stock exchange, and admire its Arab Room decorated with stucco and Oriental-inspired motifs. - Lunch
On Rua das Flores, the former goldsmiths’ street, you can easily find a great place to eat among the cafes and restaurants set up in 18th-century houses. Then browse the craft shops, workshops, and art galleries that make this street one of the liveliest in the city center. - Afternoon
Climbing up to São Lourenço dos Grilos Church offers a beautiful panoramic view of the center. Step into its adjoining museum, the Museu de Arte Sacra e Arqueologia, to admire altarpieces, sculptures, and religious gold and silverware. Just higher up, Sé do Porto, the huge fortified Romanesque cathedral, overlooks the city. From its forecourt, contemplate the tiled roofs, bell towers, and the ribbon of the Douro River below. Going along the Fernandina Wall, a vestige still standing from medieval times, you reach Santa Clara Church. Its understated facade offers no hint of the profusion of gilding inside. - Evening
The evening begins at Casa da Guitarra, where a fado concert celebrates Portuguese saudade in an intimate, unpretentious setting. Then go for dinner at dop, chef Rui Paula’s restaurant established a stone’s throw from Ferreira Borges Market. Local cuisine with a twist, precise service, and Douro wines introduce you to Porto’s culinary heritage.
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Day 2: Museums, azulejos, and city strolls
- Morning
On the morning of the second day, visit the Museu Nacional Soares dos Reis, established in a 19th-century neoclassical palace. Sculptures, ceramics, and decorative arts look back at centuries of Portuguese artistic creation, from religious works to modernist movements. Arriving in Praça da Liberdade, a vast square lined with majestic buildings, you find yourself in Porto’s bourgeois heart, dominated by the town hall. Nearby São Bento railway station displays over 20,000 painted azulejo tiles recounting Portugal’s history in its concourse. Continue toward Rua Santa Catarina, a major shopping street where Art Deco facades alternate with historic cafes.
Enjoy a warm pastel de nata or a slice of pão de ló in one of the confeitarias (traditional bakery) on Rua Santa Catarina, or at Café Majestic, an Art Nouveau gem previously frequented by Porto’s writers and musicians.
- Lunch
Opposite the market, take a seat at Confeitaria do Bolhão, an institution since 1896. The menu combines popular recipes with fresh market produce: grilled sardines, pastries, the dish of the day and, above all, francesinha, a typical sandwich filled with meat, cheese, and a spicy sauce. - Afternoon
Devote the afternoon to the Fundação de Serralves, one of Portugal’s finest cultural complexes. In the contemporary art museum, the works dialog with Álvaro Siza Vieira’s minimalist architecture. The grounds around it span 18 hectares of tree-lined avenues and monumental sculptures. Wander along the Tree Top Walk, an elevated walkway above the gardens, from where you can make out the tops of oaks and maple trees. At the end of the day, head to Foz do Douro: where the river joins the Atlantic, you find a cobblestone seafront promenade and a lighthouse from 1886 facing the sea. - Evening
In Foz de Douro, Vila Foz, chef Arnaldo Azevedo’s Michelin-starred restaurant, welcomes you in a Belle Époque residence looking toward the Atlantic. The day’s fish and seafood are beautifully enhanced by elegant, precise cooking.
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Day 3: On the banks of the Douro: the estuary and maritime traditions
- Morning
Cross Dom Luís I Bridge to reach Vila Nova de Gaia and ride a bike along the cycle path running the length of the Douro. The route leads to the estuary’s nature reserve, where the wetlands are home to herons and cormorants. Further on, the light sand and pebble beaches of Lavadores and Sereia unfurl along the Atlantic coast. On the way back, stop in Afurada, a small fishing village featuring colorful houses with nets drying outside the doors. - Lunch
In Afurada, the terrace restaurants serve freshly caught grilled fish and seafood. Enjoy sardines or calamari, washed down — in moderation — with a glass of vinho verde. - Afternoon
In the port, the Centro Interpretativo do Património da Afurada recounts the life of Douro’s fishermen. Admire the boat models, photographs, and everyday objects. Then head back to Vila Nova de Gaia and visit a port cellar. Between the rows of oak barrels, the guided tour lets you into the secrets of this legendary wine, from its fermentation to its aging.
Between Afurada and Gaia, Porto Bridge Climb’s team takes you for a spectacular climb on the Arrábida Bridge. Equipped with a harness, you climb the arch’s maintenance steps to a height of 65 meters above the river. Enjoy a fabulous view for relatively little effort: the banks of the Douro on one side and the red roofs of the historic center on the other.
- Evening
Your weekend comes to a close at the restaurant The Yeatman, which has earned two Michelin stars, perched on the heights of Gaia. The menu showcases produce from Douro, accompanied by an exceptional wine list. You leave the table with the feeling of having grasped the essence of Porto, its flavors and nuances.
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Staying an extra day?
50 kilometers to the north, Guimarães makes a perfect excursion. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the city has kept its unspoiled medieval center, lined with arcades and corbeled houses. Stroll along Rua de Santa Maria, before visiting its 10th-century castle and Paço dos Duques, a vast 15th-century residence with remarkable Flemish tapestries.
Feel like getting away from it all?
See our suggestions for novel trips and must-see places to visit near your home or holiday destination.