• Share on Pinterest
• Share on Facebook
• Share on Flipboard
• Email this Page

By Monika

31 Incredible Things to Do in Porto – Your Ultimate Travel Guide.

Planning a trip to Porto? Get ready to fall in love with one of Portugal’s most charming cities. 

With its colorful streets lined with historic buildings, beautiful churches and world-famous wine cellars, Porto is packed with character and unforgettable views.

From strolling along the Douro River to sipping port wine across the famous Dom Louis I Bridge, there’s so much to take in!

This is where I come in – after my wonderful 4-day visit to this amazing city, I’m here to tell you all about the best things to do in Porto, so you can choose what to include in your itinerary.

Let’s explore Porto together!

This post contains affiliate links to trusted products and services that I use and love myself. If you make a purchase through these links, I may receive compensation at NO EXTRA COST TO YOU. I appreciate your support! Also, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. See the Disclaimer Policy and the Privacy Policy for more details.

I’ll start this guide by listing the main attractions in the historic center of Porto, then we’ll cross the stunning Dom Luís I Bridge and get to the attractions in the Vila Nova de Gaia district (most of the time just called “Gaia” and yes – that’s where the wine cellars are!)

The historic center of Porto

The historic center of Porto was declared a UNESCO Heritage Site in 1996, and it’s also a National Monument of Portugal.

We’ll start at the heart of the activity, on Rua de Santa Catarina. That’s where we rented our apartment, and it was a perfect location for exploring all the major sites.

1. Rua de Santa Catarina

This is one of the liveliest streets in Porto. Most of it is closed to traffic, and it’s for pedestrians only. It’s lined with cafés, high-end boutiques, souvenir shops and small local craft stores. You’ll even find a shopping mall!

It’s a busy cobblestone alley, bustling with life most of the day and late into the evening, that is definitely worth a stroll, especially since you can find a few gems along the way. Read more below!

2. The Majestic Café

This historic café, established in the early 1900s, was just steps from our apartment and it’s really lovely.

It is pricey and considered touristy, but it’s very pretty both inside and outside, and worth at least a quick peek.

Opening hours: 9 am – 11 pm daily, except Sundays (closed)

3. Bolhão Market (Mercado do Bolhão)

The Bolhão Market is a not-to-miss quick detour from Rua de Santa Catarina. It’s located right by the Bolhão metro station and it’s a 19^th century historic marketplace.

It has two levels, with the upper floor dedicated to cafes and restaurants and the lower level taken up by rows of stalls, where local farmers sell fresh produce, cheeses, meats and fresh fish and seafood.

You’ll also find authentic handcrafted souvenirs, chocolates and much more.

It’s an amazing place. If you want to experience true “local” flavor, this market is for you!

Opening hours: 8 am – 8 pm Monday to Friday 8 am – 6 pm Saturday, and closed on Sundays

4. The Chapel of Souls (Capela das Almas)

This 18th-century chapel is located on Rua de Santa Catarina and is just stunning!

We came upon it on our very first night in Porto, when we exited the Bolhão metro station after dropping our rental car at the airport, and there it was – right in front of us, with its striking tiled façade lit up at night.

It literally made us stop in our tracks!

It’s covered in azulejo tiles both outside and inside.   It’s gorgeous!

Opening hours: 7:30 am – 6:30 pm most days; closed midday on weekends.

Cost: Free to enter.

5. Try Pastéis de Nata

What is Pastéis de Nata?

It’s the traditional Portuguese tart pastry filled with delicious egg yolk custard.  

You can’t leave Portugal without trying one and the best place to do so is Manteigaria Fabrica de Pastéis de Nata, right on Rua de Santa Catarina. It was recommended to us by a local and it didn’t disappoint!

If you’ve been to Lisbon before, you can compare which city has better pastéis 😊 I love them all!

Opening hours: 8 am – 10 pm daily

6. Church of Saint Ildefonso (Igreja e Museu de Santo Ildefonso)

This church is located at the other end of Rua Santa Catarina, and it’s another 18^th century building with the outside walls adorned by azulejo tiles.

Inside, you’ll find the exquisite altar, very ornate and all covered in gold.

There is also a small museum inside with some art and liturgical objects on display.

Opening hours: the church opens at 9 am daily except on Mondays (when it opens at 3 pm), but closing hours vary, so always check before you visit.

Cost: €1, you buy tickets inside the church.

7. São Bento Railway Station

This is both a fully functioning railway station and a major tourist attraction.

Built in 1917, it is considered “one of the most beautiful train stations in the world” due to its entrance hall decorated with azulejo tile mosaic art pieces showing scenes from Portuguese life and history.

It really is beautiful and unique.

When we visited, it was undergoing renovations outside, but inside was as stunning as expected!

Bonus: Time Out Market Porto

A great place for a bite to eat, especially if you’re in the mood for some international food. It’s very conveniently located right next to the São Bento station.

8. Livraria Lello

Livraria Lello is a historic bookstore dating back to 1906.

It is referred to as “the most beutiful bookstore in the world”; however, its biggest claim to fame is that the beautiful, ornate interior inspired at least some of the design of the iconic Hogwarts in J.K. Rowling’s equally iconic “Harry Potter” series.

It is also known for its signature red staircase – the ultimate photo spot!

You do have to buy a ticket to enter, and the cost varies depending on what your ticket includes – just the entry, or a book, or also a priority entry line.

Make sure you purchase well in advance as the most popular dates and time slots (it is a timed entry ticket) sell out quickly!

Learn more and buy your tickets on the official website.

Opening hours: 9 am to 7:30 pm daily

Cost: depends on the type of tickets purchased

My full guide to Livraria Lello is COMING SOON – sign up for updates!

9.  Igreja do Carmo & Igreja dos Carmelitas (+ the Fountain of Lions and “the narrowest house”)

These two churches are right next to each other, separated (and sharing walls) only by a very narrow house.

When you’re facing the building, Igreja dos Carmelitas is on the left side and Igreja do Carmo is on the right of the narrow house.

Igreja dos Carmelitas

It was built in the 17^th century for the nuns of the Carmelite order. It is free to enter, and inside you can admire a beautiful altar and also visit a small museum.

Opening hours: 8 am – 5 pm on weekdays with a break from 12-2 pm. Saturdays 8 am – noon and closed on Sunday.

Cost: free

Igreja do Carmo

It was built in the 18^th century for the Carmo monks. It has a beautiful gold-covered altar inside and an entire outside wall facing the street is covered in azulejo tiles.

The church is free to enter but you have to buy a ticket to visit the house. It also gives you access to the catacombs and the church’s rooftop.

Opening hours: 9:30 – 5 daily

Cost: the church is free to enter

The Narrowest House (Casa Escondida)

This house, also known as the hidden house, is sandwiched between the two churches described above.

It is only 1 meter (about 3 feet) wide and 3 stories high.

There are different theories as to why it was built between the  churches – the most common one that it was to prevent the nuns and the monks from interacting.

It was actually inhabited until the 20^th century, when it was turned into the museum.

We didn’t vist the house as there was some waiting for the tour and we had a packed day.

Opening hours: 9:30 am – 6 pm in the summer (5 pm in the winter), daily

Cost: €7 (in 2025) for the tour of the house, catacombs, sacristy, library, rooftop panoramic viewpoint and more

The Fountain of the Lions (Fonte dos Leões)

The fountain is located in a large square between Livraria Lello and the church complex. You can also see the University of Porto building right in front of it.

It has four sitting lions at the base, with water coming out of their mouths.

It was built in the 19^th century to bring drinking water to this part of Porto. Today, it’s the center of a lively square and a meeting point for Porto University students.

10. Torre dos Clérigos (Clérigos Tower)

This 18th-century tower is the most famous landmark of Porto.

Designed by Nicolau Nasoni (one of the most outstanding architects of Porto) for the Brotherhood of Clerics it is just shy of 76 meters tall, it is home to the church, the bell tower, and the Clérigos Museum.

The complex gained the status on a National Monument in 1910.

The bell tower is said to offer the best 360° for views of Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia (the area on the other side of the Dom Luís I Bridge).

You can buy tickets to just the tower or a combo ticket for the museum and the tower. We got the combo pass and visited the museum, learning about the Brotherhood and Nicolau Nasoni, before climbing 240 narrow stone steps to the top viewpoint.

First you’ll get to the “main level” of the tower and then you can climb a little more to the very top, which is a narrow balcony with a metal floor.

Climb down the same way you came up – just be mindful when passing  – it’s tight!

You also have a chance to peek into the church as you climb.

At night, the church holds immersive light shows.

Opening hours: they vary depending on the experience you choose and the time of year.

Cost: also depends on the ticket purchased (discounts for students available)

Check the schedules and tickets on the Clérigos official website.

We visited in April and did not purchase our tickets in advance, as they are timed, and we weren’t quite sure how our day would shape up. We had no trouble just getting them on-site; there were no crowds. It may be different in peak season.

Helpful hint: there is a tram stop right in front of Clérigos Tower.

11. Ride the Porto Tram

We did not ride the tram as we walked everywhere but we saw the historic cars and it seems like a fun ride.

There are two tram lines (#1 and #18), connecting different parts of Porto. It costs 6 for a single ride or 8 for a round-trip ticket.

For more details on fares, routes and schedules, visit the tram’s official website.

12. Miradouro da Vitória

This spot is easy to miss as it honestly doesn’t look very picturesque – just a short wall at the end of a street. We just stumbled upon it on our way from Clérigos Tower to the Church of St. Francis.

HOWEVER – the view it offers is amazing – you can see the bridge, the Porto Cathedral, the Douro River and Villa Nova the Gaia.

Helpful hint: it’s better to visit Miradouro da Vitória in the direction we did (coming FROM the Clérigos Tower, not TOWARDS the Tower) – that way you go down the stairs to reach St. Francis Church and other sites on the same level. You’d have to climb those stairs in the other direction.

13. Church of St. Francis (Igreja do Convento de São Francisco) 

This church is called “The Gold Church” for a reason – what started out as a plain Gothic Church was renovated in the 17^th and 18^th centuries, and its altar was decorated with 250 kg of gold. It’s magnificent!

You have to buy a ticket to enter and it gives you access to the entire complex, consisting of St. Francis Church, the Church of the Third Order, the museum and the Catacombs.

We visited St. Francis Church first and at some point just sat there, taking in its grandeur… Unfortunately, taking photos inside is not allowed, so I can’t show you what it’s like!

Visit the other areas as well, and definitely go to see the Catacombs!

There is a small square of the floor covered with a glass pane, through which you can see some bones…

Fun fact: there is a very nice-looking McDonald’s, blending well with the historic neighborhood’s architecture, just across the street from the church!

14. Bolsa Palace (Palácio da Bolsa) 

You’ll see the palace before you get to St. Francis Church. It is also called the Stock Exchange Palace, as until the 20^th century, it was a meeting place for traders and brokers.

Its most famous rooms inside are the Hall of Nations and the Arabian room.

You can only visit the palace with a 30-minute guided tour, which you can book here.

Opening hours: 9:30 am – 1 pm and 2 pm – 5:30 pm daily

Cost: €14 tour fee (discounts available for students/seniors)

We didn’t visit the palace – we did not book a tour in advance and the line outside was VERY LONG! So book ahead!

15. Porto Cathedral (Sé do Porto)

Porto Cathedral is one of the oldest churches in the city, dating back to the 12^th century. Over the years it was remodeled and decorated. Today, the religious complex includes the main church and the 15th-century cloister.

You pay a fee to enter and that also gives you access to the tower, the museum and the treasure room.

Before you even enter the cathedral, you’ll find yourself on a large terrace with a statue. Take a moment to enjoy the views of the area, with Torre dos Clérigos standing tall above the city skyline.

When we came in, the main church door was roped off and we had to go in through the side door. You pay your fee and just continue through the gift shop.

You’ll get to the cloister, which is beautiful. It resembles a mini version of Jerónimos Monastery in Lisbon, with the arches, azulejo tiled walls, and the courtyard with its stone cross centerpiece.

Don’t miss the giant azulejo mural on the upper level of the cloister.

Then climb the narrow stone staircase to the top of the tower for more fabulous views.

Before you leave, make sure to check out the inside of the church – it’s a bit plain compared to some other ones we’ve seen in Porto but the cloister and the views from the tower make up for it.

Fun fact: the Cathedral also marks the starting point of one of the routes of Camino the Santiago – the iconic walking trail to the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral in Spain.

Opening hours: 9 am – 6 pm April to October, 9 am – 5 pm the rest of the year

Cost: €3 to access the cathedral and all the spaces described above or €6 to add the Bishop’s Palace (Paço do Bispo), located right next to the cathedral.

16. St. Lawrence Church (Igreja de São Lourenço) & Miradouro da Rua das Aldas

If you stand in front of the cathedral, step down from the main terrace and you’ll see a viewpoint in front of you, called Miradouro da Rua das Aldas, from which you’ll see St. Lawrence Church.

Take the stairs down and the church will be on your left.

The church is gorgeous inside with a lot of gold covering all the carvings; however, taking photos was not allowed, so I can’t show you its beauty.

There is a small archeological museum, and then you’ll climb the stairs to the top of the bell tower. They are wide at first, then get narrow and spiral.

At the top, you have yet another opportunity to get some amazing views of the area, the river, and the iconic Porto bridge.

There is a small metal walkway there as well, going from one bell tower to the other, which adds to the amazing experience.

Opening hours: 10 am – 5 pm (Monday – Friday) and 10 am – 6 pm on Saturdays with a one-hour break at 12:30 pm. Closed on Sundays.

Cost: free

Helpful hint: if you’re hungry, there is a small café right in front of the church, called Conte D’Rei, serving some delicious Portuguese food.

17. Church of Santa Clara (Igreja de Santa Clara)

This is by far the most ornamental and gold church we’ve seen in Porto. Even the ceiling is covered in gold!

It was founded in the 15^th century as a closed female convent, and all the decorations were added in the 18^th century.

Because of its history as a closed convent, it also has some unique features – like a turning tray to purchase sweets from the nuns without contact, a special door for speaking with them, and spikes on the gate to prevent physical contact.

We would never have found all these interesting things and facts if it weren’t for an amazing guide who was happy to show us around. So if you see them during your visit, ask your questions!

On the second floor, you can watch a movie about the renovations, and then you enter a room where the nuns prayed and watched the mass.

Opening hours: daily 9 am – 1 pm and 2 pm – 6 pm.

Cost: €4 per adult

18. The Guindais Funicular (Funicular dos Guindais)

If you don’t feel like climbing the stairs from the waterfront to the upper level of the bridge, take this funicular!

The lower station is located across the street from the lower level of the Dom Luís I Bridge (Riberia station) and the upper station is across the street from the  Church of Santa Clara (Batalha station).

Learn more and check prices here.

19. Take a guided tour of Porto

If you don’t feel like navigating the streets of Porto on your own, there are many tours available. You can take a free or paid walking tour or a fun tuk-tuk tour.

20. Visit the Prometeu tile store

You may be thinking: “Why would I go to a tile store?”

Well, it’s not just a tile store. I was a little skeptical myself when our daughter found it, but we went for it, and it was such a great place to visit!

There are SO MANY tiles there, all handcrafted, beautifully painted and displayed. You have other ceramic crafts, magnets, and so much more!

You can also sign up for a tile-making workshop, which I’ve heard (from a family who actually took it) is wonderful.

21.  Try Porto’s signature sandwich – the Francesinha      

Francesinha is a traditional Porto sandwich, made with bread, steak, ham and cheese, served in a special beer and tomato sauce.

It is delicious and just the right thing to have after a long day of sightseeing.

I tried one at one of the restaurants in Gaia, but later read that THE place to try it is Café Santiago. They have several locations, the most convenient one to stop by when walking around Porto is probably the one on Rua de Passos Manuel (not far from Rua de Santa Catarina)

Ribeira Promenade and Dom Luís I Bridge

22. Cais da Ribeira (Riberia Promenade)

This is the area along the Douro River on the Porto side.

Just walk around, grab some food and go souvenir shopping in the stalls lined up by the riverbank.

Check out the traditional Rabelo boats, which were used in the past to transport port wine from the vineyards of the Douro Valley to the wine cellars in Porto, and book a ride on one to get a different perspective of the historic Porto and Gaia.

23. Dom Luís I Bridge

No trip to Porto is complete without crossing this iconic bridge at least once. Designed by a student of Gustave Eiffel and completed in the 19^th century, it’s what comes to mind when you hear “Porto”.

It connects the historic district of Porto with Vila Nova de Gaia, which is considered a district of Porto, but in fact, is a separate municipality. It is often called just Gaia.

The bridge has two levels, and you can cross it on either one.

The lower deck is for pedestrians and cars only and you can access it from the Riberia promenade on either side of the river. There is a set of low stairs to climb on the Porto side.

The upper deck is where the Porto metro runs but it also has sidewalks for pedestrians.

You access this level either by taking the Guindais Funicular from the lower station and walking from the upper stop near the Santa Clara Church to the bridge or you can climb the stairs, which will bring you right next to the bridge entrance.

Bonus – you can get amazing views from the stairs as well!

Vila Nova de Gaia

Once you cross the bridge, you’ll find yourself in the Gaia district, most famous for being home to many wine cellars.

24. Walk along the Gaia riverfront (Cais de Gaia)

It’s the first thing you’ll do once you cross the bridge – just follow the river and enjoy the views of Porto, the Rabelo boats, the craft and souvenir stalls, and the wine cellars lining the promenade.

25. Visit the wine cellars 

You have so many choices here! As you walk along the river, you’ll see various wine cellar signs on your left. They all offer different tours and wine tasting, and of course, you can purchase the wine as well.

We chose to visit Niepoort and took their Niepoort Temple tour as the idea of visiting a frozen in time, authentic wine cellar, complete with cobwebs and dusty old wine barrels really appealed to us and it didn’t disappoint!

We learned about the wine, the history of the region and of course tasted some delicious port! They even have port flavored tea, which of course I bought too!

There are many other tours and tastings at Niepoort to choose from.

Helpful hint: Niepoort is not on the main promenade; it’s located on one of the hilly side streets and doesn’t have a big sign either. You’ll come to a gate that someone from the cellar will open for you when it’s time for your tour.

Other wine cellars offering tours in Gaia: Sandeman, Taylor, Fonseca.

Don’t miss Kopke – the oldest wine cellar in Porto! While they don’t seem to offer tours, stop by the store and check out the wines!

26.  WOW – The World of Wine

WOW is Gaia’s Cultural District and consists of the main building with museums, shops and restaurants, and some adjacent buildings in the area.

Inside WOW, you’ll find 6 interactive museums:

• The Wine Experience
• Planet Cork
• Porto Region Across the Ages
• The Bridge Collection
• The Chocolate Story
• Pink Palace

We visited the Wine Experience and it was a great review of the history of wine making, how different types of wine are made and it ended in a wine tasting.

We felt well prepared for our Niepoort wine cellar tour (we did WOW before the cellar visit).

Allow a couple of hours for this experience.

Opening hours: 10 am – 7 pm daily for museums, stores and restaurants are open longer.

Cost: €20 per adult for each museum. There are discounts for children, family tickets and multi-ticket packs that will also bring the visit cost down.

Learn more about WOW on the official website.

27. Try the Porto Tonic

This is the traditional Porto cocktail made with dry white port wine and tonic water, served with an orange slice.

We got a voucher to try one after our Wine Experience at WOW, at one of the restaurants there, so if you’d like to try one, the Golden Catch and Root & Wine definitely serve it.

It’s delicious!

28. Ride the Gaia Cable Car

You can see the aerial lift cars over your head as you’re walking around Gaia.

The lower station is near the Sancho Panza restaurant (which by the way is a great place to eat if you want delicious food, quick service and affordable prices with excellent views as a bonus!).

You can find it by typing “Gaia cable car – Cais de Gaia station”.

The upper station is by the upper deck of Dom Luís I Bridge and Jardim do Morro metro station.

For opening hours, schedule and fares, visit the official website.

29. Try “chestnut with port wine” ice cream

This was recommended by a local and I’m so glad we tried it! This is a unique and delicious flavor and very specific to Porto.

You can get it at Gelados de Portugal right by the Gaia cable car lower station.

30. Miradouro da Serra do Pilar

This is one viewpoint we skipped due to lack of time. We’ve also, by the time of our visit to Gaia, climbed every possible tower and got our fill of the views so we just didn’t go there.

But if you take the cable car, this viewpoint is a one-minute walk from the upper station. If you have time and energy, definitely visit – it’s on my list for our next visit to Porto!

There is a monastery there as well, however, as of April of 2024 it’s closed for renovations.

31. Take a day trip from Porto

There are many day trips you can take from Porto. You can drive yourself, take the train or join a guided tour.

Consider visiting the vineyards of Douro Valley, Braga and Guimarães, and for those looking for an adventure, visit the famous Arouca 516 bridge and/or hike the Paiva Walkways.

Map of Porto attractions

Below is an interactive map of the main Porto attractions mentioned in this article. Just click on the icon and it will show you what it is, with a link to Google Maps for directions.

I marked things to do in the historic center of Porto in blue and things to do in Vila Nova de Gaia in red.

Enjoy!

How to get around Porto

The best way is to just walk, especially if you’re staying in a central part of the historic center.

You can take the metro to cut down on some walking or grab a tuk tuk for a fun ride.

Bolt and Uber are also good options to move around the city.

After spending a few days in the city, I feel Porto is less hilly and more walkable than Lisbon.

🛜 Stay connected during your trip with an eSIM like Airalo, Saily or Sim Local!

Where to stay in Porto

I recommend staying near Rua de Santa Catarina – I found this location the most convenient for exploring Porto on foot, plus it was great having shops, restaurants, a metro station and even some beautiful churches literally right outside the apartment.

We stayed at The Porto Way apartment and loved it, but for more options, check the handy map below:

Porto Card vs Andante transportation card

If you’re planning to visit museums and use a lot of public transportation the Porto Card may be a good option for you. You can purchase it for 24 hours or a multi-day one.

Important: The Porto Card does not include trams and cable car access.

You can also buy a version without public transportation.

If museums are not on your Porto itinerary, you can just get the Andante occasional transportation card and add metro trips to it as needed at the ticket vending machines.

That’s what we did, as we only took the metro from the airport to our apartment and from our apartment to Porto Campanha train station. It’s very easy, just pay attention to the ticket zones assigned to each station (posted on the machine) so that you buy the right ticket for your ride.

Driving from Lisbon to Porto? Read my guide to the best places to visit between Lisbon and Porto and plan an amazing road trip!

---

👉 Don’t forget TRAVEL INSURANCE! I don’t travel without it. Get a quote from my personal #1 choice – Travel Guard – or check more options here!

---

Is Porto Worth visiting?

Porto is a beautiful city and is absolutely worth visiting. It’s full of charm, history, good food and of course wine!

Don’t get discouraged by the number of churches on this list – they are like nothing I’ve seen before, so even if visiting churches isn’t “your thing” see the ones in Porto and you won’t be disappointed!

It’s also a home base for some amazing day trips.

How many days do you need in Porto?

If you only want to see the city, 2 days should be enough to see the highlights. If you want to add some day trips, you’ll need more time.

Are you wondering how to put all those incredible things into a manageable itinerary? Get some inspiration here: How to Plan a 2-4 Day Perfect Porto Itinerary

What if you only have one day to spend in Porto? No worries! You can still see a lot – just follow this one-day Porto itinerary and learn how to see the best of Porto in a short time.

👉 To learn about my trusted travel planning resources that help me (and will help you too!) plan my trips easily and save money, read this guide: How to Plan a Trip to Europe: My Favorite Travel Resources Revealed.

• Share on Facebook
• Save to Pinterest
• Share on Flipboard

---

---

You may also like:

• How to Plan a Trip to Portugal in 7 Easy Steps.
• Lisbon and Algarve Itinerary You’ll Love: 7 Days in Portugal.
• 15 Important Things to Know Before Visiting Lisbon.
• Best Things to See in Lisbon: Your Ultimate Guide.
• First Timer’s Guide to Castelo de São Jorge in Lisbon.
• How to Plan a Perfect Day Trip to Sintra from Lisbon (Itinerary + Tips)
• How to Hike the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail in Portugal: Guide + Tips.
• Why Algar Seco Should Be on Your Portugal Itinerary (and How to Plan Your Visit)
• How to Visit Benagil Cave, Portugal – Tips, Tours and the Best Ways to See It.