Porto is the second-largest city in Portugal and also one of the most colorful, with its vibrant buildings, laid-back vibes, and lines and lines of awesome restaurants, wine shops, and bistros waiting for you to explore. So much so, in fact, that the city is considered to be the culinary capital of the country.
Within this guide, you will find all the information you need to plan a trip to Porto, from a 2-day itinerary to a complete list of the best things to do, and so much more. Without further ado, here is the ultimate 2-day itinerary for Porto for solo travelers.
- Porto Things to Do Map
- Where to Stay in Porto?
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13 Best Things to Do in Porto for 2 days
- Have Portuguese Pastries for Breakfast
- Check out Livraria Lello
- Visit the Clérigos Church
- Admire the Portuguese Craftsmanship at Porto Sao Bento Train Station
- Try Francesinhas at Café Santiago F
- Enjoy the View of Porto from Miradouro da Vitoria
- Visit the Bolsa Palace
- Stroll along the River at Ribeira do Porto
- Visit the Porto Cathedral
- Walk Across the Luís I Bridge
- Try Port Wine at Marginal de Gaia
- Eat Fresh Seafood at Matosinhos
- Enjoy local cuisine at O Buraco Restaurant
- More Porto Activities
- When to Visit Porto?
- How to Get to Porto?
- How to Get Around Porto?
- What to Pack for Porto, Portugal?
- Further Reading for Portugal and its Neighbors
Porto Things to Do Map
Tips: Get the Porto Card if you wish to visit all the tourist attractions I mentioned here and save money on entrance fees, public transportation, and more.
13 Best Things to Do in Porto for 2 days
1. Have Portuguese Pastries for Breakfast
Portugal is famous for its amazing variety of pastries, and Porto is an amazing place to try them out with a ton of options from salty to sweet, and more. There are a bunch of great pastry places you can check out in Porto, but my favorite is A Loja dos Pastéis de Chaves.
Their famous puff pastries come in both salty and sweet flavors. I would recommend trying the original veal flavor or chocolate if you are into sweet pastries.
If you are into egg tarts more, you should also check out Nata Lisboa, a small bakery known for their sweet custard tarts. With a good cup of coffee and delicious pastries for breakfast, you are now ready to explore Porto!
- Gallery Hostel Porto (Budget)
- ibis Porto Centro Mercado Bolhao (Mid-Range) 👍 Top Pick
- Porto River (High-End)
- Complete Douro Valley Wine Tour with Lunch, Wine Tastings and River Cruise (10 hours)
- Authentic Douro Wine Tour Including Lunch and River Cruise (9 to 10 hours)
- Wine Venture and Boat Trip in Douro Valley (10 hours)
Where to Stay in Porto?
2. Check out Livraria Lello
Livraria Lello is probably one of the most iconic and historic bookstores in the world. The place is known not only for its extensive collection of books but also for its impressive architecture and beauty, which has attracted people from all over the world.
Even J.K. Rowling, the author of Harry Potter, was so inspired by the place that she envisioned and created the library in Hogwarts based on the design of this bookstore.
From its beautiful wooden structure and furniture to the curvy design of the staircases that are not so easy to find nowadays, you can clearly see why it inspired her.
The place does get pretty crowded during the day, so I highly recommend you check it out in the morning after breakfast. The place is open from 9 AM to 7:30 PM every day, and the entrance fee is 5 EUR per person. If you love Harry Potter as much as I do, you might want to join a Harry Potter walking tour as well.
3. Visit the Clérigos Church
Located not too far from Livraria Lello, you will find Clérigos Church, another great tourist attraction to check out. The church is known for its impressive Baroque architectural style and a 75-meter high bell tower that has become the symbol of Porto.
You can climb up the tower to get an incredible panoramic view of the city from above. The church is open from 9 AM to 11 PM every day, and the entrance fee is 6 EUR. There is also a light show taking place every day at the church that you can check out as well. It will cost about 10 EUR, and you can buy the ticket here.
Tours & Tickets You Might Like
If you are looking for more activities to do here, be sure to check out some of the available tours and day trips:
4. Admire the Portuguese Craftsmanship at Porto Sao Bento Train Station
Probably one of the prettiest train stations out there, the Porto Sao Bento train station is a 19th-century main train station of the city, and it is best known for its elaborate azulejo tilework located in the main vestibule.
The walls around the arrival hall are decorated with approximately 20,000 azulejo tiles, dating back to 1905. All of these tiles form beautiful murals on three sides of the building's walls, showcasing the rich history and incredible craftsmanship of the Portuguese.
If you like this kind of tilework, you should also check out Igreja do Carmo, a beautiful Catholic church adorned with azulejo tilework on its exterior.
Café Santiago F is a family-run café in Porto that has become one of the most popular places to try out the famous sandwich in Porto, francesinhas.
The place is always packed with people at all hours, but if you get there right when they open at 12 PM, you should not have to wait very long to get seats and try out their delicious sandwiches.
The Francesinhas here are amazing and definitely worth the wait. With their multi-layered meats and sausages combined with the secret orange sauce (one might call it the "Moist Maker" 😉), with just one bite, you will know why the place is always packed with people. The cafe is open from 12 PM to 10:45 PM every day except Mondays.
6. Enjoy the View of Porto from Miradouro da Vitoria
After lunch, you can make your way to Miradouro da Vitoria, an incredible scenic overlook offering picturesque views of the city's iconic orange roofs, bridges, and the Duoro river below.
The viewpoint is located not too far from the Clérigos Church. You can stroll down the small alleyway of the city until you approach an opening with a view of the Port below and all the Wine Cellar hillside signs across the river. Definitely worth a visit as we make our way across Porto.
7. Visit the Bolsa Palace
If you have time to spare, I would recommend that you take a 40-minute tour around Bolsa Palace, a former stock exchange building located inside a huge 19th-century building with lavishly decorated rooms waiting for you to explore.
To be honest, it felt more like I was walking in a palace or something than a stock exchange building. The palace is open from 9 AM to 6:30 PM every day, and the entrance fee is 12 EUR. You can book a guided tour here.
8. Stroll along the River at Ribeira do Porto
After Bolsa Palace, you can make your way down to Ribeira do Porto, a beautiful riverside promenade where you can admire the beauty of the river and the colorful buildings of Porto.
There are also many restaurants and cafes along the river where you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the view with a glass of wine. Definitely, it is a great place to take a break before we continue on our journey across Porto.
That said, if you are looking for restaurants to try some local seafood dishes, I would recommend skipping this area and going to Matosinhos instead. It will be cheaper and fresher up there.
9. Visit the Porto Cathedral
Porto Cathedral is a Roman Catholic church located in the historical center of Porto, and it is one of the oldest and most well-known churches in the city.
With its fortress-like exterior, stunning Romanesque facade, and nave with a little touch of Gothic style on the inside, the church is a great place to stop by before we make our way across the river. Its location on top of a hill also offers another great spot for a panoramic view of the city.
The cathedral is open from 9 AM to 6 PM every day, and there is no entrance fee to enter. Definitely, one of the best things to do in Porto, so be sure to check it out while you are here.
10. Walk Across the Luís I Bridge
Now that we are done with the northern side of the river, it is time for us to cross to the other side and explore what it has to offer. You can cross the river via Luís I Bridge and enjoy the view as you make your way across.
You can walk on either the top level or the bottom level of the bridge. You can walk on both levels (one way up, one way down), but I found the view from the top to be way more interesting. You will have a panoramic view of both sides of the river, as well as the beautiful details of the city from above that you might have missed if you go to the lower level.
11. Try Port Wine at Marginal de Gaia
Porto is famous for its fortified wine, and along the Douro River, at Marginal de Gaia, located on the southern side of the city, you will find plenty of wine shops and wine cellars to choose from.
You can simply find nice bistros around the area, sit, and enjoy the unique texture of sweet Porto wine. At night, you can also join a tour of the cellar, enjoy live Fado shows, and indulge in wine-tasting for the rest of the night.
12. Eat Fresh Seafood at Matosinhos
For the second day in Porto, I highly recommend that you take the train north and visit Matosinhos, a small port city known for its fresh seafood dishes and an abundance of affordable seafood restaurants where you can indulge yourself.
The city is only about a 30-minute metro ride away from Porto. You can take the metro to Brito Capelo metro station and walk towards the coast, where you will find plenty of seafood places to eat (even on Sundays).
A particular place I like is the Marisqueira dos Pobres restaurant located near the coast in the Matosinhos district. For 9 EUR, you can choose what kind of seafood you want, and they will prepare it fresh for you. The dish will come with the seafood you ordered, plus delicious seasoning, colorful toppings, potatoes, and salads. It was delicious and definitely worth the price. Highly recommended!
13. Enjoy local cuisine at O Buraco Restaurant
After spending a day in Matosinhos, you can come back to Porto and relax for the rest of the day until dinnertime. There, you can check out O Buraco Restaurant, a local restaurant where you can try authentic local cuisine.
The restaurant serves all kinds of traditional Portuguese food and is popular among both locals and tourists alike. The place is very small and almost always full, so be prepared to wait or get there as early as you can. The place opens from 12:00 - 15:00 and 19:00 - 22:00 on weekdays, 12:00 - 15:00 on Saturday, and is closed on Sunday.
When to Visit Porto?
June to August is the best time to go, with warm weather, longer days, and a lot more happening outside than during other periods. However, it also comes with more tourists, expensive accommodation, and warm weather.
September to October is the best time if you prefer to avoid the crowds and would like to save costs while still enjoying the city at its best.
How to Get to Porto?
If you are coming from outside of Europe, you can find a cheap flight to Porto via Skyscanner or Expedia.
If you are already in Europe and are on a budget, you can also take a bus from anywhere with Flixbus for only a few euros.
How to Get Around Porto?
Metros are the best way to travel around the city. They are well connected and relatively cheap.
Right from the airport, you can get an Adante card at one of the machines near the entrance. The cost per trip will depend on the zone you are traveling to, but if you want to go to the city center from the airport, you will have to pick Zone 4, and each trip will cost you 2.5 EUR.
With one trip purchased, you can travel to any station within one hour of your validating the ticket. You must validate the ticket every time you enter the metro station, as there will be people waiting to check in case you have not validated the card.
The Adante card can also be used on city buses, as well as for navigating the city with both types of transport.
That said, if you are planning to visit all the tourist attractions I mentioned here, I highly recommend that you get the Porto Card instead and choose how long you are planning to stay in the city. With the Porto Card, you will get free access to all public transportation in the city, as well as discounts and free access to several museums, and more. This way, you will get your money's worth.
Daily Budget
This location leans a little towards the expensive side, where I find myself spending approximately $40 - $60 USD per day per person. Despite this, it remains fairly affordable.
Please keep in mind that these are suggested daily budgets based on my own style of travel, which leans more towards the budget side of things. If you aim to stick to this budget, anticipate sleeping in dormitories, dining out only occasionally, and being comfortable with the cheapest and most convenient modes of transportation, which often involve a considerable amount of walking.
What to Pack for Porto, Portugal?
As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Porto, Portugal:
- Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
- Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
- Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi's jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
- Fleece Jacket: For colder weather, layering is the key, and a fleece jacket makes an excellent insulating layer. I recommend the Columbia Steens Mountain Fleece (for women).
- Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
- Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker's towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.
- Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
- Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
- Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It's a total game-changer.
- Universal Adapter: You'll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.
- Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.
- Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
- Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with Osprey.
For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.
Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:
Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.
Further Reading for Portugal and its Neighbors
I hope you found this Portugal travel guide useful. If you want to read more about Portugal and its neighbors, here are a selection of articles you might like:
- Spain is an obvious option when it comes to the next destination after Portugal. If you are heading that way, here is a complete 10-day itinerary for Spain.
- Are you traveling to Portugal as part of a bigger Europe trip? Be sure to check out my 3-month itinerary for Europe from Portugal all the way to Sweden.
- Packing for a trip to visit a region as big as Europe can be extremely daunting. Here's a packing guide to help you: What to Pack for Europe - The Essential Packing List.
- Want to visit Europe in winter? Better prepare for the cold. Here's a winter packing guide to help you: What to Pack for Europe in Winter - The Essential Packing List.
- Not convinced by my words? Here are 125 photos that will inspire you to visit Europe.
- To see all the articles about Portugal, visit the Portugal Travel Guide page.
- Traveling in Europe can be cheap, really cheap. These are the 12 Cheap European Countries to Visit.
- Looking for more travel guides for Europe? You can find more on my Europe Travel Guide page.
- Or, if you want something more specific to the region, visit our Southern Europe Travel Guide page.
- For more of my travel guides like this, visit my Destinations page.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links.
8 Comments
This is great, Thank you :) :)
I'm going to Porto for 2.5 days and this provided some great insight.
I'm still looking for Recco's on a good Port Winery tour where you get Port not sold anywhere else
Hey Prits,
Glad you found the post useful! There are so many selections on the wine tour that it does get overwhelming at times for me as well. I didn't have time to do it though so I just sat somewhere by the river, and enjoy the wine and the vibe of the city. :)
Hello Pete,
A good place to eat seafood is near the beach in Matosinhos, you can catch the bus 500 that goes from the city center directly to there. You can enjoy fresh fish such as seafood and shellfish! This was recommended by locals through Living Tours. Portugal is a perfect choice because of its flavors, good quality and low prices. Can't wait to visit again!
Thank you for your post.
Looking forward to see your next article.
Hey Karen, yes that's exactly what we recommended here too. :) It was definitely cheaper and fresh near Matosinhos and a lot more options than in the city. Highly recommend for anyone to go there and try instead of staying in Porto city center.
Hi!
I've visited the north of Portugal several times over the last ten years and had the opportunity to have several experiences in Porto.
If you are a wine lover - like me - I would totally recommend a trip to the Douro Valley, where you can learn more about wine and even taste some of the famous ones in the region!
The last time I've visited Portugal I booked a tour and I don't regret it! The tour expert was great and was always talking about hidden gems and more secret places most people don't know.
Thank you for this great post!
David
Hey David, thank you for the suggestion! I've only been to Portugal once. Maybe, it's time to start exploring the country properly :) Thanks for the inspiration!
Hi Pete,
Any plans to visit Lisbon?
Not any the moment, but maybe next time when I am in Europe! :) Hopefully soon!