Porto 10-day itinerary

1. Stop 1

   Palácio da Bolsa

   It was built in the 19th century on the grounds of the destroyed old cloisters of the adjacent São Francisco church. It also contains the most impressive Arab room in the country. There is also a Port wine tasting room.

2. Stop 2 · 5 min walk

   Sé do Porto

   This Romanesque cathedral was built in the 13th century. Later on Baroque alterations were made in the 17th and 18th century. The cathedral is on top of a hill from where you also have great views over the city and the river.

3. Stop 3 · 5 min walk

   Port Wine Institute

   A small exhibition about Port wine and its certification process. Samples of a small variety of Port wines can be bought. Guided tastings and tours to the laboratories can be arranged.

Eat · Café Piolho / Âncora d'Ouro: The third oldest cafe in Porto, it is commonly known as "O Piolho" (the Louse). The cafe looks out on the street facing a faculty of the Universidade do Porto, and had been a meeting place for students since the 19th century.

1. Stop 1

   City Hall

   City Hall is a listed stop in this neighborhood.

2. Stop 2 · 14 min walk

   Igreja de São Francisco

   A Gothic church with later alterations of the interior decorations in Baroque style.

3. Stop 3 · 16 min walk

   Mercado do Bolhão

   A traditional market of fruits, vegetables, fish and meat. As of 2022 the entire market is now open after major refurbishment.

Eat · Taberna Folias de Baco: A small cozy Portuguese restaurant with a nice ambiance. You can sip on amazing wine while eating delicious authentic food. The manager is very friendly and helpful.

1. Stop 1

   Livraria Lello

   It's an old bookshop with an amazing interior and spiral staircase. Voted as one of the most beautiful bookshops in Europe. Be warned that it can get incredibly crowded and claustrophobic.

2. Stop 2 · 4 min walk

   Torre dos Clérigos

   Panoramic views from this baroque tower. 226 steps to the top. It is best to get there early since there is not a lot of space on the viewing platform. You might even have to wait for some time before you are allowed to climb up the stairs.

3. Stop 3 · 8 min walk

   National Museum Soares dos Reis

   Soares dos Reis National Museum is a museum, currently housed in the Carrancas Palace situated in the civil parish of Cedofeita, Santo Ildefonso, Sé, Miragaia, São Nicolau e Vitória, in the northern Portuguese city of Porto.

Eat · Laurear: Authentic fabulous Portuguese food. Small and cozy place with very friendly service. It's rather small, you have to be lucky to get a table in the evening.

1. Stop 1

   Centro Português de Fotografia

   Housed in a beautiful building in the centre of the city.

2. Stop 2 · 7 min walk

   Ribeira

   The part of the city near the river, which is also a good place to start visiting the World Heritage area; to the other side of the river you will see the Ribeira de Gaia, a similar area from the city of Vila Nova de Gaia (the two are only separated by the river) and where you could find the Port Wine Cellars.

3. Stop 3 · 4 min walk

   Museum of Sacred Art and Archaeology of The Higher Seminary of Porto

   Museum of Sacred Art and Archaeology of The Higher Seminary of Porto is a listed stop in this neighborhood.

Eat · Trinkas Petisqueira Lounge: Very good cuisine, simple, homemade and careful. Lovely little restaurant, great for sitting by the side of the road and watching the world go by.

1. Stop 1

   Museu do Vinho do Porto

   Museu do Vinho do Porto is a listed stop in this neighborhood.

2. Stop 2 · 4 min walk

   Pavilhão Rosa Mota

   A multi purpose pavilion with nice gardens to rest, also known as "Palácio de Cristal".

3. Stop 3 · 4 min walk

   Museu Romântico

   A house where the King of Italy stayed while in exile.

Eat · Taxca: A typical Portuguese tavern, with excellent quality gastronomy products, the atmosphere is fantastic, typical of a tavern, without table service, the hanging hams immediately whet your appetite. One of the best places to snack on Portuguese dishes.

1. Stop 1

   Casa da Música

   Designed by Rem Koolhaas and OMA. Guided tour available in English from 1 June - 30 September at 10:00, 11:00, 16:00 and 17:00 for €10/person (free for children under 12) which take about 1 hour. The rest of the year the guided tour is at 11:00 and 16:00.

2. Stop 2 · 32 min walk

   Fundação de Serralves

   A contemporary museum designed by the famous architect Álvaro Siza, with a huge garden/park and an Art Deco Villa. When visiting this foundation you can visit the exhibitions, relax at the park, have lunch at the restaurant, bar or tea house and explore the shops or the library. There is also a farm at the southern end of the park.

3. Stop 3 · 37 min walk

   Castelo Do Queijo

   Castelo Do Queijo is a listed stop in this neighborhood.

Eat · Churrasqueira Brasil: Don’t let the outside appearance fool you. This place is a hidden gem. Great homemade food and attention. Very nice place to eat the dish of the day.

1. Stop 1

   She Changes

   She Changes, known locally as anémona, is a sculpture designed by artist Janet Echelman for the cities of Porto and Matosinhos, Northern Portugal. The installation consists of three steel poles, cables, a 20-ton steel ring and a net structure of varying densities and colors. The sculpture is Echelman's first permanent public art installation.

Eat · Casa Das Tortas: Great authentic Portuguese food homemade with bakery pastries. A very good place to eat typical food. Best Francesinha in Porto.

1. Stop 1

   Vila Nova de Gaia

   Listed as a next stop from Porto. Check the regional train or bus the night before.

2. Stop 2

   Matosinhos

   Listed as a next stop from Porto. Check the regional train or bus the night before.

3. Stop 3

   Espinho

   Listed as a next stop from Porto. Check the regional train or bus the night before.

Eat · Pack snacks from town. Do not count on a full menu at a small station.

1. Stop 1

   Matosinhos

   Listed as a next stop from Porto. Book the earliest practical train or bus.

2. Stop 2

   Espinho

   Listed as a next stop from Porto. Book the earliest practical train or bus.

3. Stop 3

   Aveiro

   Listed as a next stop from Porto. Book the earliest practical train or bus.

Eat · Eat near the station before you leave. Plan dinner back in Porto.

1. Stop 1

   Douro river cruise

   Take a cruise upriver (the cost starts at €15 (although they can be slightly cheaper if paired with a different activity) and takes about 50 minutes. Cruises run from 10:00 to 18:30, with sailings every 30 minutes for most operators. There are multiple river cruise operators and you can purchase a ticket from every tourist service and office in the Sao Bento area, or potentially from the wharf itself. Many of the cruises are themed around seeing the various bridges and river-adjacent facilities.

2. Stop 2

   Fado Bars

   Fado is a music genre originating in Lisbon and considered an integral part of Portuguese music. It is traditionally sung by a woman in a black dress, accompanied by guitar players. A handful of Fado bars stand in Porto, primarily in the Sao Bento area, offering one or two shows per day. The cost is generally €15 (as of June 2022) and tickets for different shows are sold by tourist offices throughout the Sao Bento area. Some shows may include a glass of Port Wine within the cost of the ticket.

3. Stop 3

   Teatro Nacional São João (TNSJ)

   Porto's main theatre and opera production company and venue. There are also guided tours (€5/person) for access to the stage, rehearsal room, dressing rooms and the technical area (if they are not used during the time of the tour).

4. Stop 4

   FC Porto

   They play in Primeira Liga, Portugal's top tier. Their home ground Estádio do Dragão (capacity 50,000) is 1 km north of the centre with its own metro station.

Eat · Go back to a place that already worked.