3 Day Porto Itinerary – How To Spend A Weekend In Porto

Last Updated on 9th January 2025

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The picturesque coastal town of Porto on Portugal’s northwest coast is a place that had always appealed to me after seeing family, friends and even people online visit.

The adorable colourful houses, the stunning riverside, not to mention the dozens of churches and cathedrals that decorate the city make it a truly memorable place to spend a few days.

However, one thing that I really wasn’t prepared for was just how remarkably hilly it is. Spending 3 days in Porto is sure to get you fit!

While the continuous steps might take your breath away (literally), they also provide ample spectacular views and cute little nooks and alleyways can be found all over the city which is also utterly photogenic.

After our visit at the beginning of October 2020, Porto has now cemented its place in my list of favourite cities in Europe.

I’m so excited to share my mammoth guide on how to spend 3 days in Porto; it includes 50+ of the best things to see and do in Porto that will ensure you have a truly memorable and magical time!

We also have family friends in Porto who helped us with our itinerary before we went, so this guide is a culmination of a local’s perspective and tips, as well as our own research and findings while we were there too!

Enjoy!

Please bear in mind that our 3 days in Porto in October 2020 coincided with the ongoing Covid-19 global pandemic. Our trip was scheduled so that we could enquire about moving to Portugal but Covid and Brexit had other plans in store for us (you can read more about this on my Instagram).

How to get to Porto

Porto is located in mainland Portugal, on the northwest coast. It can easily be reached by a short 3-hour car journey from Lisbon and even a five-and-a-half-hour drive from Madrid in Spain if you’re looking to drive across Europe for part of your trip.

Of course, you can also get there by plane from most European cities. We flew from Manchester Airport and our flights were just £19 each return (they were likely so cheap due to Covid-19, but it’s still worth checking to see if you can get a bargain). Ryanair typically offers the cheapest flights in Europe, but be sure to check Jet2 and EasyJet too.

Where to stay in Porto

We stayed in a beautiful loft apartment hosted by Claudia. Although we never actually met Claudia, her response to any of our queries via message were always answered very quickly and helpfully.

The apartment was on a street called Rua de Camões (I won’t give you the exact address!). It was just a 10-minute walk to the Câmara Municipal do Porto (City Hall) and a 20-minute walk to the riverside and the Luís I Bridge.

I absolutely loved where we stayed in Porto; it was such an adorable apartment and was decorated and furnished beautifully, the location was fab, it was close to two Metro stations (Trindade and Faria Guimarães) and it was a lovely walk into the city.

Find a place to stay in Porto

How to get around Porto

The city of Porto is remarkably easy to get around. Matt and I always prefer to walk pretty much everywhere we can whenever we’re in a new city as we always feel like it’s the best way to properly see a city and our time in Porto was no exception.

One thing to bear in mind with Porto however, is that it’s unbelievably hilly and steep. If you do choose to spend most of your time walking in the city, you better believe you’ll have racked up some steps by the time you’re done! We walked over 20,000 steps every day while we were there and we walked almost 100km in just one week!

Of course, you don’t have to walk absolutely everywhere; there are plenty of modes of transport for you to take advantage of too. The Metro is a very popular (and efficient) way of getting around the city and it’s pretty cheap too.

Prices of Metro tickets range depending on which Zone you’re in/travelling to (they go from Z2 to Z12). Tickets start from just €0.60 for a standard ticket within the Zone you’re currently in and then will increase in price, the further out you go. You can also choose daily or monthly passes too if you think you’ll be travelling via Metro a lot throughout the day.

You can also get around Porto via the old tram system (Eléctrico – more on that below) or by bus. We didn’t actually use the bus system but it did seem relatively simple so that might be an option if you don’t want to use the Metro.

If you’re planning an awesome road trip around Portugal, there’s also always the option to rent a car in Portugal, and drive it to/around Porto, Lisbon, Faro, Sintra and many more!

The best things to do in Porto in 3 days

1. Admire São Bento train station – 3 days in Porto

Estação de São Bento is one of the top things to see in the city and is incredibly popular amongst tourists. As soon as you see inside the magnificent train station, it’s not hard to see why.

Decked out in over twenty thousand decorative tiles, these beautiful blue and white pictorial designs depict the development of transport throughout the years.

I’ve heard that the train station can get very busy with tourists in the peak seasons, but as we were there during the Covid-19 pandemic, it was remarkably quiet (we found that practically the whole city was quiet too, which was great to be able to enjoy it without swarms of tourists, but obviously devastatingly bad for the local businesses and economy).

São Bento train station is free to enter and go and look inside; you don’t need to purchase a train ticket to be able to see the grand entrance.

Find it: Praça de Almeida Garrett, 4000-069 Porto.

2. Stroll along the River Douro

This is a rather generic listing, but it’s still one of the very best things to do in the city.

A leisurely stroll along the River Douro, whether you’re on the Porto city side, or you cross over the river and head to Vila Nova de Gaia, it’s such a beautiful and peaceful activity to enjoy while you’re there.

You can also take a cruise along the river, some of which will enable you to see the 6 bridges that connect the two sides of the district of Porto.

3. Walk across the bottom of the Luís I Bridge

The Luís I Bridge is the most famous bridge in Porto and with an impressive height of 146ft, it’s clear to see why this bridge is so impressive.

There are actually two levels of the bridge that you can cross over the river via and I’d highly recommend doing both for different perspectives of the views (more info about the top level below).

Find it: Pte. Luiz I, Porto.

4. Explore Vila Nova De Gaia

The area of Vila Nova De Gaia isn’t technically part of the city of Porto; it’s actually on the other side of the River Douro.

However, it’s considered to be one of the best things to do in Porto for numerous reasons; largely because it allows you to see some of the best views of the city.

The views of the riverside of Porto are well worth the journey across the river itself, but the Vila Nova De Gaia riverside is also worth an exploration too.

Here you’ll find dozens of wonderful restaurants, bars and things to do, including several ‘Caves’ which are basically cellars where you can enjoy port and wine tastings.

I really loved Vila Nova De Gaia and I’d definitely recommend you spend some time exploring there too (I’ve also included a few more of my top activity recommendations in Vila Nova De Gaia below).

5. Go on the Eléctrico (Porto Tram City Tour)

As I mentioned above, the Porto Tram City Tour is one of the coolest ways to get around the city.

While it might not be quite as fast or efficient as the Metro, it’s still a great experience and one that I’d recommend doing.

We took the old tram along Line 1 (there’s also Line 18 and Line 22 as well), which takes you from the city centre of Porto, all along the River Douro, towards the coast and the garden of Passeio Alegre.

Single, one-way tickets cost €3.50 per person, or you can purchase a return journey for €6 each. We were originally intending to get the tram both ways, but we decided to walk back (a fab walk, but it’s well over an hour and very tiring!).

You can purchase tickets on board the tram and you can check the timetables for each route on their website.

To make full use of the Line 1 Porto Tram City Tour, I’d recommend getting on at the Infante tram stop which is situated pretty much right next to the river. The map above shows the route that Line 1 will take you along; we didn’t do either of the inner city journeys so I can’t personally recommend those, but we did see them making their way around the city and they seemed to go passed many of the top sights in Porto.

6. Appreciate Porto Cathedral – 3 days in Porto

Porto Cathedral was one of my favourite sights in the city and it’s a definite must-see during 3 days in Porto.

It’s a Roman Catholic church that dates all the way back to 1110, yet it’s still in remarkably fantastic condition.

The interior of the cathedral is just as impressive as the outside and is well worth a little mooch around.

You do have to pay an entrance fee to see inside the Cloister (€3 each or €2 with a valid student ID) and I definitely think it’s money well spent.

There’s beautiful tile work, very similar to that inside São Bento train station, as well as stunning chapels, grand stained-glass windows and spectacular courtyard areas.

It’s really hard to imagine just how old the Cathedral is; it looks as if it could have been constructed just last week! Of course, it’s been rebuilt and reconstructed many times, but the original charm can still be found throughout the entire complex.

Find it: Terreiro da Sé, 4050-573 Porto.

7. Enjoy the view from the Cathedral

Not only is the cathedral itself worth a visit, but the views of the city around it are incredible too.

On one side, you’ll see all the way out into the city, and on the other side, you can see out as far as the river and all the way across to Vila Nova de Gaia.

8. Escados do Barredo

As I’m sure you can already tell from the dozens of pictures throughout this post, Porto is absolutely teeming with quaint streets and alleys.

One of my personal favourites to stroll down is Escados do Barredo which you can access on your way down from the Cathedral.

There are intermittent views out to the river at various points, and the ancient staircases provide ample opportunities for gorgeous pictures.

Of course, it’s no easy feat to walk up or down these steps, so just be prepared to be pretty exhausted by the time you’ve finished!

9. Visit Igreja dos Carmelitas and Igreja do Carmo

Porto is famed for its many churches and cathedrals that decorate the city and once you’ve seen them all, it’ll be difficult to choose your favourite.

One church (or should I say churches) in particular that I really loved was the Igreja dos Carmelitas and Igreja do Carmo. These are actually twin churches that stand side by side, making it appear as one giant establishment.

The two churches are actually separated by a 1m wide house that was originally created so that the nuns of Igreja dos Carmelitas and the monks of Igreja do Carmo would not share any relations!

It’s free to go inside and take a look at the beautifully ornate sculptures, paintings and altar, and of course, be sure to check out the stunning blue tiles and artwork that don the exterior of Igreja do Carmo.

Find it: R. do Carmo 1, 4050-064 Porto.

10. Enjoy the city’s street art – 3 days in Porto

Another thing that I didn’t realise about Porto until we arrived and began exploring the city is that it’s home to an abundance of cool and quirky street art.

Some of it is absolutely stunning, and some of it is pretty funny (see the picture of a certain American president above!) 👀

My personal favourite piece of street art is the one above that’s right next to Trindade station. This street art is a collaboration between two artists, who combined their ideas and artwork to create a truly stunning work of art.

You’ll find street art all over the city, and the street of Rua das Flores is home to plenty of small pieces of street art that are decorated on bins and electric boxes.

Unfortunately, I don’t have exact addresses for the pieces above, but a wander around the city will soon see you spotting various giant artworks.

11. Climb to the top of Mosteiro da Serra do Pilar viewpoint

Heading back over to the Vila Nova de Gaia side of the river now, you’ll find the Mosteiro da Serra do Pilar which is a former monastery that sits atop a substantial hill that offers unparalleled views of the river and across to Porto city.

We headed up there at sunset (just after we’d walked across the top of the bridge – more on that below), and the views of the river and city were absolutely divine.

It’s a short, steep walk to get to the top of Mosteiro da Serra do Pilar, but once you’re there, it’s more than worth it for the tremendous views.

Find it: Largo Aviz, 4430-329 Vila Nova de Gaia.

12. See Igreja de Santo Ildefonso

The Church of Santo Ildefonso is another church in Porto that you need to add to your list of places to visit.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t open when we were in the city and there are gates closing it off, meaning that you can’t get up very close, but it’s still lovely to see from outside nevertheless.

Find it: R. de Santo Ildefonso 11, 4000-542 Porto.

13. Take pictures at Steak ‘n Shake

An Instagrammer’s dream; the walls outside Steak ‘n Shake are decorated in vibrant street art, making them the perfect backdrop for your latest Instagram shot.

Of course, you can always go inside and eat yummy burgers and fries as well, but it’s worth stopping for a second to take in the impressive colours and patterns of the wall as well!

Find it: Praça de Guilherme Gomes Fernandes 67, 4050-159 Porto.

14. Enjoy the view from Miradouro da Vitoria

This little viewpoint of the city is known to be a very popular scenic viewpoint in/of Porto, however, when we were there, there was no one apart from us taking in the view!

Perched high up in the city, the Miradouro da Vitoria viewpoint offers exclusive, wonderful views of the city and beyond.

It’s just a couple of minutes walk from the Igreja Monumento de São Francisco and it’s worth adding to your Porto itinerary while in the city.

The viewpoint is also situated right next to an old abandoned building which actually provides a pretty cool and edgy photo backdrop too.

Find it: R. de São Bento da Vitória 11, 4050-292 Porto.

15. Enjoy the sunset from the top of Luís I Bridge

As I mentioned above, walking along the top level of the Luís I Bridge is an absolute must-do in Porto and it was actually one of my very favourite things to do in the city.

Bonus points if you head up there for sunset when the golden hour glow casts a gorgeous light over the city and river!

While the bottom of the bridge accommodates both vehicles and pedestrians, the top level is for pedestrians and trams.

Trams are pretty infrequent over the top of the bridge and you can always hear them coming well in advance, so you’ll often find people walking all over the bridge, and then simply moving out of the way when a tram is coming.

16. Spend time in Jardim do Morro

While you’re in Vila Nova de Gaia (once you’ve headed across the top of the bridge), you’ll be able to head straight to Jardim do Morro; a truly wondrous area of greenery that’s adjacent to Mosteiro da Serra do Pilar.

The park is an incredibly popular place amongst locals and tourists and you’ll find that it’s teeming with people during sunset as it offers awesome views out to the river and city.

It’s also a great place to enjoy a picnic, or simply just mooch around and if you’ve made your way across the top of the Luís I Bridge, then you’ll certainly want to spend some time in Jardim do Morro.

Find it: Av. da República, 4430-148 Vila Nova de Gaia.

17. Relish the decor (and food) at Casa Portuguesa do Pastel de Bacalhau

Next up on my Porto travel guide is Casa Portuguesa do Pastel de Bacalhau, a Portuguese eatery with some of the finest decor you’ll have ever seen.

This place isn’t like a typical restaurant, however, as there isn’t actually anywhere to sit. Instead, you’ll find just one dish; the traditional Portuguese ‘cod pastry’.

This seafood pastry is a delight in Portugal, and you’ll actually find several branches of Casa Portuguesa do Pastel de Bacalhau across the country, including in Porto and Lisbon.

However, it’s really the decor inside Vila Nova de Gaia’s establishment that sways a visit for me, although it definitely is worth trying this Portuguese delicacy while you’re there too!

Find it: Av. de Diogo Leite 122, 4400-111 Vila Nova de Gaia.

18. Stroll along Avenida dos Aliados

Avenida dos Aliados is a beautiful, you guessed it, avenue right in the city centre.

It’s home to numerous stunning buildings, statues and important buildings, including City Hall.

As we were there at the start of autumn, the trees lining parts of the avenue were donned with stunning autumnal leaves, and against that crisp blue sky, it looked so beautiful and magical.

Find it: Av. dos Aliados, Porto.

19. Do a wine-tasting experience

I’ve wanted to do a wine-tasting experience for so many years now, but as my favourite brand of wine is a Tesco or Sainsbury’s £4.50 finest, I didn’t really feel like I had the ‘palate’ to do a wine tasting.

However, the morning after we arrived in Porto, we were aimlessly wandering around without a proper agenda for the day and we came across Vini Portugal, Wines of Portugal Tasting Room, so we spontaneously decided to take part in one of their wine-tasting sessions.

For just €10 per person, we were given the choice of white, rose or red wine, or a combination of all three. As we’d never done anything like this before, we went for all three to get a proper taste of some of Portugal’s finest wines.

I won’t go into too much detail about what the experience entailed as I don’t want to ruin it for you, but I will say that it was a tremendously enjoyable experience.

The lady who took us through our wine tasting was so knowledgeable and provided us with great amounts of detail for each wine we sampled. My personal favourite was the Muros de Melgaço; it was absolutely divine and I could have quite happily drank the whole bottle (or two!).

Find it: Rua das Flores 8-12, 4050-262 Porto.

20. Saunter down (or up!) Escada Dos Guindais

Another street that you need to find in Porto is Escada Dos Guindais. Again, this one is very steep and winding and is sure to tire you out, but it’s still an awesome thing to do in the city.

It’s actually the street that Guindalense FC is located on (more on that below), so you can kill two birds with one stone and visit both in one go!

The views of the Luís I Bridge from Escada Dos Guindais are also incredible, so make sure you’ve got your camera with you to shoot some epic shots!

21. Spend time at Base – 3 days in Porto

Base is an outdoor seating and bar area, directly adjacent to the Clérigos Church.

Unfortunately, it was raining when we visited Base so we didn’t stay for too long, but I reckon it’s a great place to hang out in the warmer months.

Find it: Quisque Jardim, Passeio dos Clerigos, R. das Carmelitas 151, 4050-163 Porto.

22. Visit Câmara Municipal do Porto (City Hall)

As I mentioned above, Câmara Municipal do Porto, or City Hall as it’s often referred to, is situated along Avenida dos Aliados and takes pride of place.

The grand building is an impressive sight to behold, with a beautiful clock tower and a sweeping black-marble entrance hall. It’s definitely one of my favourite buildings in Porto.

Its address isn’t technically part of Avenida dos Aliados, but it’s situated right in the main square of the avenue, so it’s pretty hard to miss it!

Find it: R. Clube dos Fenianos 5, 4000-407 Porto.

23. See Capela das Almas – 3 days in Porto

Another spectacular church in Porto that’s also ornately decorated in thousands of beautiful blue and white tiles is Capela das Almas, or ‘Chapel of Souls’.

The Chapel is arguably one of the most beautiful buildings in the city and it’s a place you’ll certainly want to visit in order to admire its elaborate design.

Find it: Rua de Santa Catarina 428, 4000-124 Porto.

24. Lust over Livraria Lello

Oftentimes, when I hear about the most coveted things to see in a certain town or city, I’m usually a little sceptic, especially after my time in Bali where multiple “Instagrammable” places turned out to be very over-hyped and not really worth the attention they receive.

However, after hearing nothing but raving reviews about Livraria Lello, I was determined to pay it a visit and see for myself.

And as I’m sure you can tell from the plentiful photos, it certainly didn’t disappoint.

Regarded as one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world and renowned as being inspiration for numerous libraries featured in multiple films, the Harry Potter franchise included, it’s hard to ignore the divine beauty of Livraria Lello.

Featuring impossibly beautiful stained-glass windows, including in the ceiling, as well as a lavish spiral staircase, Livraria Lello is both a book-lover’s and a photographer’s dream.

The store is home to myriad books, including old classics such as ‘Peter Pan’, ‘Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland’ and ‘The Wizard of Oz’.

You’ll also find children’s books, both new and old, as well as huge sections on travel, cooking, finance, self-help and many more.

With regards to entrance tickets and fees, it’s €5 per person which you purchase as a “voucher” online or in the queue outside, which is then removed from the total if you purchase any book in store. Of course, you don’t have to buy anything, but you will still need to pay the entrance fee!

During Covid-19, you’re allowed to spend up to 30 minutes inside the store to help with social distancing, but I think this is more than enough time to wander around, browse the plethora of books and take pictures.

Find it: R. das Carmelitas 144, 4050-161 Porto.

25. Dine in the Mercado Beira-Rio – 3 days in Porto itinerary

Located in Vila Nova de Gaia, Mercado Beira-Rio is a wonderful indoor market with local vendors and food stalls of all varieties.

We ate at an Italian place inside the market (a full review of this can be found in my food guide to Porto), but there are plenty of other places to eat and drink to sate your needs too.

There are also free public bathrooms inside and plenty of tables and chairs so it’s a great place to spend a little while sampling the local produce and indulging in a scrumptious glass of wine!

Find it: Av. De Ramos Pinto 148, 4400-261 Vila Nova de Gaia.

26. Visit the most beautiful McDonald’s in the world

A bit of an odd activity to list as one of the best things to do in Porto, but here we are nonetheless.

We were originally told about this McDonald’s by our friends who said it’s renowned for being the most beautiful McDonald’s in the world! Intrigued by this claim, we just knew we had to take a look at it for ourselves…

While I wouldn’t necessarily usually call McDonald’s “beautiful” (although their fries are pretty heavenly!), Porto’s version just down the street from City Hall is indeed remarkably beautiful and undoubtedly the most stunning Maccies I’ve ever seen!

We didn’t eat here, but if you can sneak a peek inside, it’s worth stopping by while you’re in town.

Find it: Praça da Liberdade 126, 4000-322 Porto.

27. Ride the cable car in Vila Nova De Gaia – 3 days in Porto itinerary

Another popular thing to do in Vila Nova De Gaia is to ride the Gaia Cable Car between the Dom Luís I Bridge and Porto Wine Cellars.

This is one activity we didn’t actually do ourselves because we felt we’d already enjoyed the best views from Mosteiro da Serra do Pilar, the top of the bridge and Jardim do Morro. However, it was recommended to us by numerous people, so it’s definitely worth considering adding to your Porto itinerary.

You can get a one-way ticket for €6 per person, or a return ticket for €9.

Find it: Telef SA, Calçada da Serra, 143, 4430-236 Vila Nova de Gaia.

28. Make your way to the Felgueiras Lighthouse

The Felgueiras Lighthouse is actually pretty far out of the city centre, all the way next to the west coast, pretty much exactly where the ocean meets the Douro River.

It’s a lengthy walk to get there and it’ll take you well over an hour, but it’s worth seeing in my opinion.

We actually visited the Felgueiras Lighthouse when we’d taken the Porto City Tram Tour all the way along Line 1 to Passeio Alegre. We then walked the short distance from the tram stop to the lighthouse (you can see the route in the map above in the section about the Porto Tram).

The Felgueiras Lighthouse is a great place to see as even though the lighthouse itself is pretty nondescript, seeing the waves crash against it and admiring all the local fishermen catching their supper is a great thing to witness.

Find it: Jardim do Passeio Alegre, Porto.

29. See the Muralha Fernandina – 3 days in Porto itinerary

The Muralha Fernandina, or Fernandina Walls, are medieval fortifications that were built hundreds of years ago.

Remnants of the walls, staircases and watch towers can be seen throughout multiple locations around the city, but arguably the best view of them, and the walls that have withstood the test of time the best, are from the Porto side of the River Douro, right next to the top of the Luís I Bridge.

They run pretty much adjacent to the funicular as well, so it’s easy to spot them. I’ve included a satellite map screenshot below for reference.

They also remind me somewhat of the bar walls in my hometown of York.

Find it: 4000-173 Porto.

30. Enjoy the view from Passeio das Virtudes

Passeio das Virtudes is a street high up in the city where you can enjoy a local art gallery, an adorable restaurant, complete with yummy food and refreshing glasses of wine and delicious coffee, as well as amazing views out across the river.

The multi-level Virtudes Garden just next door is also lovely to walk around, but the real winner is definitely the views that you get from Passeio das Virtudes.

Find it: Passeio das Virtudes 53-3, 4050-366 Porto.

31. Stroll through Jardim da Cordoaria

Another lush green area in the city is Jardim da Cordoaria, a beautiful urban park that’s home to towering trees, various sculptures and many species of plants.

The walkway of trees in the park is beautiful all year round, and as we visited during autumn, we were blessed with the trees changing colours to fit the season.

Jardim da Cordoaria is a lovely, quiet place to hang out in Porto if you feel like you need a minute away from the bustling streets of the city.

Find it: Campo dos Mártires da Pátria, 4050-366 Porto.

32. See the imposing Tribunal da Relação do Porto

Tribunal da Relação do Porto is a courthouse in the city centre that does exactly what it says on the tin.

While I don’t think tourists or visitors are permitted inside for a casual wander around, I’d still recommend going to see the exterior of the building as it’s pretty spectacular. It’s also located pretty much right next to Jardim da Cordoaria so you don’t even have to venture too far to see it.

Find it: Campo dos Mártires da Pátria 4099, 4050-366 Porto.

33. Visit Igreja dos Clérigos – 3 days in Porto

Another one of the most notable churches in Porto is the Igreja dos Clérigos.

It’s an incredibly tall and monumental structure of architecture and it can be seen from various points all around the city.

You can actually go up the tower and into the Clérigos museum for €6 per person during the day, or €5 if you go between 7 pm and 9 pm. We didn’t actually go up the tower, but I’ve heard that it offers wonderful views of the city.

Find it: R. de São Filipe de Nery, 4050-546 Porto.

34. Get lost amongst the winding streets – 3 days in Porto itinerary

While I’ve already mentioned the names of some specific streets that I think you need to see in Porto, I wanted to add a small section advising you to look out for other adorable winding streets across the city too.

Porto is absolutely teeming with cute little alleyways, as well as bustling streets and it’s worth keeping an eye out for them as you walk around.

The picture of the street on the right above is of Rua de Santa Catarina and it’s a great sight to see from Batalha Square in order to see as far down the street as possible.

Unfortunately, I don’t have the addresses for the other streets mentioned, but there are dozens of adorable walkways all over Porto that are just waiting to be discovered!

35. Pick up local produce from Mercado do Bolhão

The actual Bolhāo Market was temporarily closed (and I think it will be for some time) when we were there, but there’s a whole setup for a temporary market that’s not too far away.

The Market is home to tonnes of fresh local produce, including fish, meat, cheeses, flowers and much more. To say that it’s a “temporary” market, it’s a pretty impressive feat and I can only imagine what the actual market must be like!

Find it: Bolhāo Market: Rua Formosa, 4000-214 Porto.

Bolhāo Temporary Market: La Vie Porto Baixa Shopping Center, Rua de Fernandes Tomás, 506/508 4000-211 Porto.

36. Dine at Café Majestic – 3 days in Porto

Café Majestic was listed on every single guide that I read before visiting Porto and it was also recommended to us by our friends who are from Porto as well.

It’s cited as one of the most beautiful cafes in Porto, if not in the whole of Portugal, and after a quick glimpse inside, it would be hard to argue with that point.

We decided not to eat here, however, as the prices of everything from coffee to food are vastly inflated compared to many other cafes and restaurants in the city.

However, it’s still worth a little nosey instead and perhaps even a cup of coffee if you can justify the expense to dine somewhere so beautiful!

Find it: Rua Santa Catarina 112, 4000-442 Porto.

37. See/climb the Arrábida Bridge

While the Luís I Bridge might be more famous, the Arrábida Bridge comes in at a close second.

The Arrábida Bridge is a good 45-minute walk from the Luís I Bridge and you’ll go underneath it if you take the Line 1 City Tram to Passeio Alegre.

As I mentioned above, we walked back from Passeio Alegre and the Lighthouse, so we walked back passed the bridge and it’s certainly an impressive feat to behold.

You can actually climb the arch of the bridge on an official climb tour. Tickets cost €17.50 per person and the climb will see you hike 65 metres above the River Douro, as well as a descent of 262 steps!

Find it: Via de Cintura Interna, Porto.

38. Ride the Funicular dos Guindais – 3 days in Porto

If you feel like you’ve just about depleted all your energy levels and you think you can’t possibly hike up another steep hill in Porto, then the Funicular dos Guindais is on hand to provide you with a much easier means of transport!

The Funicular dos Guindais takes you up (or down) the incredibly steep hill connecting the Ribeira area next to the river, up to the Batalha neighbourhood at the top of the city. It also runs just next to the Fernandine Walls and offers great views of the bridge and river.

Tickets cost €2.50 and while we didn’t actually go on it (gotta get those steps in!), there were times when walking up the unbelievably steep hills that I wished we’d just taken the plunge and done it!

Find it: R. da Ribeira Negra 314, 4000-509 Porto.

39. Enjoy the Igreja de Santo António dos Congregados

I think it’s clear to see by now just how many awesome churches and cathedrals that Porto has and the Igreja de Santo António dos Congregados is yet another one that you need to add to your list.

This beautiful Catholic church isn’t quite as highly decorated as some of the others featured on this list, but it’s still worth a visit nonetheless.

Find it: R. de Sá da Bandeira 11, 4000-433 Porto.

40. Appreciate the wonderful tiled buildings

I’ve mentioned numerous tiled buildings and churches throughout this Porto travel guide already, but I thought I’d include a few more in their own section as well.

All over the city, you’ll find delicate and intricately tiled designs on restaurant buildings, churches and even houses. These marvellous architectural designs provide Porto with ample colour and charm, so make sure you keep your eyes peeled as you’re wandering around.

41. Enjoy a beer and the view from Guindalense FC

One of my favourite places in the city for both drinks and views is Guindalense FC.

Despite its misleading name making you think it’s a football club, Guindalense FC is actually a bar that offers wonderful views of the Luís I Bridge and river.

However, it’s important to bear in mind that the address given on Google Maps isn’t actually where Guindalense FC is. I’ve included a satellite map above showing the supposed address on Google (marked by the cocktail glass sign and the name Guindalense Football Club) and where it actually is which I’ve marked with the yellow cross on the right-hand side.

I don’t know why the address is so far away from the actual establishment but trust my directions and don’t follow Google’s map! It’s actually located along Escada Dos Guindais (one of the beautiful streets mentioned above) which should make it a little easier to find!

42. Ride the Magic Train – 3 days in Porto

The Porto Magic Train offers several different tour options that take you around some of the top sights in the city.

While I can’t personally vouch for the experience myself, we did see this charming little train chugging around multiple times and it seems like a great activity if you’re visiting with kids.

Prices for tours seem to start from €12 per adult and €7 for kids, depending on the type of experience you’re looking for. Be sure to check out the Magic Train website to see the different tour options.

Find it: R. de Saraiva de Carvalho, 4000-520 Porto.

43. Spot your favourite colourful house

We’ve already discussed Porto’s stunning churches, intricately tiled buildings and awesome streets and viewpoints, but we haven’t discussed just how many alluring and colourful houses there are around the city.

The houses seem to be largely yellow or red, with a few additional colours of the rainbow thrown in for good measure.

As you’re wandering around, you’re sure to spot cute rooftops of gorgeous, colourful houses, so make sure you’re equipped with your camera at all times to snap a pic or two!

44. Visit the Tramcar Museum (STCP) – 3 days in Porto

The STCP Porto Tramcar Museum is another place that should be on your Porto travel itinerary.

Inside the museum you’ll find historic details and stories depicting the development of trams over 100 years in Porto. It’s a pretty cool experience to enjoy while in the city and if you have a particular penchant for history and engineering, then this is sure to be right up your street!

If not, the outside of the STCP building is still pretty cool and worth a visit if you’re nearby. It’s actually not too far from the Ponte da Arrábida Bridge.

Tickets cost €8 for adults and €4 for kids and young adults up to 25 years of age.

Find it: Alameda de Basílio Teles 51, 4050-127 Porto.

45. Do some shopping at Via Catarina – 3 days in Porto

While I’m not really one for shopping when I’m on holiday (unless I’m in New York!), I know that a lot of people are so I thought I’d include Via Catarina as one of the best things to do in Porto.

Via Catarina is a huge shopping mall in the city that’s home to dozens of stores and restaurants. It’s probably a great activity to save for a rainy day if your outdoor plans get rained off while in Porto.

Find it: Rua de Santa Catarina 312 a 350, 4000-443 Porto.

46. View the Igreja da Santíssima Trindade

Igreja da Santíssima Trindade was just 10 minutes from our Airbnb apartment in Porto and it’s just a 3 minute walk from Trindade Metro station.

It’s yet another glorious Catholic church in the city and while it might not be as colourful or vibrant as most other churches in Porto, it’s still pretty cool to see and worth a quick visit if you’re nearby.

Find it: Rua da Trindade 115, 4000-220 Porto.

47. Take a tour of the Palácio da Bolsa

Those interested in all things finance and economics will likely enjoy a visit to the Palácio da Bolsa, AKA the Stock Exchange Building.

You can take a tour of the building for €10 per adult, but we weren’t particularly interested in doing so, so we skipped this activity.

It’s still a magnificent building to see, even if you don’t want to take a tour inside.

Find it: R. de Ferreira Borges, 4050-253 Porto.

48. Get your culture on at São João National Theater

The São João National Theater is a theatre and concert hall known for its myriad performances and shows.

Even if you don’t want to actually watch a show, or there isn’t a performance scheduled for your dates in Porto, it’s still great to see the building itself as it’s pretty beautiful.

Find it: Praça da Batalha, 4000-102 Porto.

49. Spend some time in Foz – 3 days in Porto

Foz is another area of the city that we discovered as we were walking back from the Felgueiras Lighthouse after we’d taken the tram there.

It’s home to beautiful beaches, rocky shores and an abundance of delicious eateries.

The palm trees that decorate some of the landscape in Foz really make you feel like you’re on holiday, weird, huh?! 😂

There’s not really an exact address I can give you for finding Foz so I’ve pinned it on the map above to hopefully give you some idea of where it is!

And that’s a wrap! I honestly can’t believe how long this guide is, but I really hope you’ve found plenty of useful tips and travel inspiration for your trip to Porto!

I absolutely adored our time there and while I’m sad that we could no longer move there, I know it’s a place that I’ll definitely want to return to one day!

Related posts:

• Best Places To Eat In Porto – Ultimate Porto Food & Drink Guide
• Five Reasons You Need To Visit Majorca
• A Week In Palma de Mallorca

Pin for later – 3 days in Porto

Have you ever been to Porto? Do you have any other things you’d add to this list of the best things to do in 3 days in Porto? Let me know in the comments or on Instagram at @imjustagirl_16.