Porto is without a doubt one of Europe’s most underrated cities. Portugal’s second-largest city is a UNESCO Heritage site. Walking through it’s streets is like walking through an outdoor museum. A city known for its colourful and almost topsy turvy terracotta roofed buildings that look like they might collapse (don’t worry, they won’t) lining the Douro River. Home of the delicious Port wine, 6 impressive bridges, many historical streets and sights, blue and white azulejos, along with impressive regional food like the Francesinha. With just 48 hours you can see the best parts with this 2 day Porto itinerary.
If you’ve been to Lisbon or the Algarve, Porto is very different. Located on the northern coast, it doesn’t have the cosmopolitan vibe that Lisbon is known for, instead it’s more gritty, and has an air of authenticity and rawness. It’s not looking to show off, no elegant squares or grand polished statues can be found here. Instead are narrow medieval alleyways, shops nestled into centuries old squares, family run restaurants and trendy galleries in restored townhouses.
Spending 2 days in Porto feels like you are exploring a place the guidebooks missed out.
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Porto Quick Tips
- Consider the 2 Day Porto Card, to save money on museums, tours. and transport
- Restaurants generally open late, locals eat dinner after 8 PM
- Ask for the house wine, it’s usually great and much more affordable
- Wear comfy shoes, Porto is a hilly city with cobblestoned paths
2 Day Porto Itinerary
Day 1: 2 Day Porto Itinerary
Morning: Self Guided Walking Tour (2 hr 30 mins)
Kicking off this 2 day Porto itinerary is a self guided walking tour around the historical district. Meander around the narrow at at times steep cobbled streets, lined with colourful azulejo tiled buildings and impressive vistas.
If you prefer a guide, consider booking a walking tour with a local expert to find out interesting facts about Porto.
1. Chapel Of Souls (10 mins)
First stop on this walking tour is at the stunning Capela de Santa Catarina, which translates to the chapel of souls. Built in the 18th century, the church is covered in vivid blue and white azulejo tiles which depict religious scenes. The church is free to enter, however its interior is rather subdued compared to the exterior, it features paintings of Saint Francis of Assisi and Saint Catherine of Alexandria.
2. Church of Saint Ildefonso (20 mins)
Located on a hill close to Batalha Square, Igreja de Santo Ildefonso is a must-visit during your 2 days in Porto itinerary. The exterior is similar to Chapel Of Souls with more azulejo tiles on its facade. Entrance is an incredibly reasonable fee of €1, I recommend having a look inside, especially for the alter, there’s also a small museum, and shop.
3. Sao Bento Station (20 mins)
This is one of the most beautiful train stations I’ve visited and one of the best things to see on this 2 day Porto itinerary. The 20,000 azulejo tiles are not just for decoration, they are a storyboard depicting key historical events in Portuguese history, stories of battles, monarchs, and everyday life. Built in 1916, the station looks more like a palace than a place to catch a train. I can’t believe some people get to see this station everyday on their commute. And the best part? It’s totally free to explore, even if you’re not catching a train.
4. Torres Del Clerigo (30 mins)
Next up, we’re leaving the azelejo tiles behind, just for now, it is Porto after all! Stretch those calves, we’re climbing Torre dos Clérigos. Built in the 18th century, climbing this towers 225 narrow steps feels like a mini pilgrimage. Like every great climb, it is totally worth all the huffing and puffing to get to the top, with a panorama of Porto’s terracotta rooftops, winding streets, and the Douro River snaking through the city.
5. Livraria Lello (20 mins)
Rumoured to have inspired J.K. Rowling during her time in Porto (she denies it though), this bookshop feels more like a museum. It’s not hard to understand why this is considered the most beautiful library in the world. A red staircase twists through the center to charming balconies all under a colourful stained glass ceiling.
You must purchase a ticket to enter, but the value of the ticket can be used as store credit. The Platinum ticket (€50) provides priority entry, and private collection tour, the Gold ticket (€16) allows you standard entry with a reserved time slot while the Silver ticket (€10) only allows you to access the library. If you plan on purchasing books the Platinum ticket will work out the best value.
Although it’s certainly the prettiest bookshop I have visited, it’s also the most crowded. Lots of people are trying to get a selfie which can take away from the overall experience. Despite this, it’s still one of the coolest places to visit when you have 48 hours in Porto.
6. Miradouro da Vitória (10 mins)
The first of many miradouros on this 2 days in Porto itinerary. Although the miradouro itself is pretty run down, the view you get from it is phenomenal. From here you have amazing views of Luis I Bridge and all of Porto’s colourful buildings lining the Riberia.
Afternoon
Lunch Francesinha
For lunch there’s only one acceptable meal, Porto’s famous Francesinha sandwich of course! It is said that the city downs 2 million francesinhas annually! Comprised of steak, sausages, and ham that is all sandwiched between two slices of thick fresh bread (and optionally topped with an egg). If all that isn’t enough it is then covered in gooey cheese and drenched in a rich gravy made from tomato and beer. Its one meal you’ll try to create at home once you are finished this 2 day Porto itinerary.
Palácio da Bolsa (1 hour)
Let’s burn off some of that mighty francesinha ! Built in the 19th century on the site of a former monastery, Palacio da Bolsa was the city’s stock exchange. The exterior is unassuming but don’t be fooled, the interior is spectacular. You can only go inside with a guided tour which lasts for 30 mins.
The highlight of tour was the Arab room which featuring elaborate Moorish style gold decorations and Portraits Room displaying historical paintings and important personalities from Portugal’s past. The tour can’t be booked in advance, so you need to queue,
Surprisingly, one of the best pasteis de nata I had was here!
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Church of Saint Francis (20 mins)
You’ve been to a few churches today, this is the final church on this 48 hour Porto itinerary. Church of Saint Francis is known as the “golden church” due to its 400kg of gold leaf that covers intricate wooden carvings from floor to ceiling. The Tree of Jesse, a stunning family tree of Christ carved in wood, is particularly spectacular.
Don’t miss the equally spooky but cool catacombs underneath, they were used as a burial place for wealthy Porto merchants.
Evening: Ribeira
Praça da Ribeira or Ribeira Square is a historical square, it is thought to be one of the oldest places in Porto. The atmosphere here is incredible, with local musicians playing against the backdrop of Ponte Dom Louis I. It was my favourite part of Porto, I’d often just come down here and look out at the view.
I recommend taking a stroll along the Douro and visiting a riverfront cafe or bar for a pitstop with amazing views. I recommend Café do Cais for good views and tasty cocktails.
6 Bridge Cruise
After having a rest and an afternoon cocktail, we’re walking to other side of the Ribeira and taking a scenic boat ride. Hop onboard a traditional Rabelo boat and see the 6 bridges of Porto; Luís I, Arrábida, Infante, Maria Pia, São João and Freixo. You can book this cruise online if you would like to reserve a specific time slot.
Sunset Dom Luis Bridge I
The last activity of day 1 of this 2 day Porto itinerary. Dom Luis Bridge I was designed by Gustave Eiffel, the guy who designed the Eiffel Tower! Once you know it is kind of easy to see the resemblance.
Come here to watch a beautiful sunset, it tends to be busy with both locals and tourists. Nearby is Miradouro da Ribeira, which attracts large crowds it’s a nice spot to bring your own drink/snack and chill out for a while.
Crossing the bridge back to the other side of the Ribeira again, walk along Escadas do Codeçal for a dinner along the Douro.
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Dinner
Porto has no shortage of top notch restaurants, I recommend for the first night to dine along the Ribeira, it’s lively and picturesque. If you are lookig for where to eat in Porto, check a few of my favourites below.
- Taberna Dona Antonia: cosy restaurant that’s tucked in a quieter area around the corner from the busy riberia. The menu is packed with traditional Portuguese dishes such as tripe and cod.
- Ora Viva: small and popular family run restaurant, expect to queue for 20 – 30 minutes. Dishes are all authentic Portuguese fare and includes arroz de marisco and grilled octopus.
- Escondidinho do Barredo: Real Portuguese meals cooked by two local grandmas. Queues can get very long so try to get her before opening to minimise the wait time.
Day 2: 2 Day Porto Itinerary
Morning: Miradouro das Fontainhas (2 hours)
This was the most breathtaking miradouro I visited in all of Portugal. You can see 4 of Porto’s 6 bridges (Ponte Luís I, Ponte do Infante, Ponte Maria Pia and Ponte de São João) along with the Douro, Vila Nova de Gaia and some of the city of Porto. The area has benches, making it a perfect ace to visit with a morning pasteis nata and coffee.
The miradouro is located on a steep slope called Rua da Corticeira, years also local ladies would carry bales of carqueja up this hill, thankfully for you, a pasteis de nata is much lighter to carry. After wards the path along the Douro is beautiful. Although this is a bit outside the histoicr centnre of Porto it is more than with the slight effort to get here.
Lunch (1 hour)
Lunch Ideas Porto
- Bifana (hearty pork sandwich) from Casa Beira Douro
- Francesinha from Taberninha do Manel
- Bacalhoeiro for delicious cod dishes
Afternoon: Wine Cellar (2 hours)
Porto is famous for its delicious Port wine, it’s made exclusively in the Douro Valley and then aged in cellars along the river. The city has many wine cellars that you can tour and scenic boat trips that take you to the Douro Valley wineries!
For 2 days in Porto I recommend the Cálem Cellar Tour or Taylor’s Port Cellars. Both include twine tastings and a guide tour. You must book at least 2 weeks in advance to secure a place on the tours, spaces fill up fast, especially during the weekend.
A fun alternative to a wine cellar is PIANO Douro Valley, a small backstreet wine bar. Their tasting menu is extensive and affordable. For example a set menu of 3 Porto wines costs just €10. Piano Douro Valley is an excellent option for those who left it too late to book a wine cellar or valley tour and for travellers on a budget who want to try the local wines. You can also order a cheeseboard which ended up being much larger than expected.
Gaia Cable Car (30 mins)
Gaia cable car travels 562m between Cais de Gaia station and Jardim do Morro station. It is a short journey lasting about 5 minutes but the views are amazing. From the cable car, you will see the Ribeira, Dom Luis I Bridge and the colourful rooftops that fill up the city.
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Evening: Fado Show (3 hours)
Ending this 2 day Porto itinerary on a memorable note and immersing yourself in authentic Portugal culture at a fado restaurant. Fado is a soulful and melancholic music genre that originated in Portugal. It expresses deep emotions and tells stories of love, loss, and longing, often accompanied by the haunting sound of a Portuguese guitar.
I had a fabulous evening at Taberna Real do Fado where I was treated to 3 hours of Fado, a 4-course meal and a bottle of wine in an intimate venue. It was a highlight of my time in Porto, the musicians were incredible as was the food. It cost €40 which I thought was amazing value, you can book this experience via their website.
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Good To Know Before You Go
Where To Stay In Porto
Porto is a walkable city with buses and an underground making it easy to get to all the main sights no matter where you are staying. The main tourist districts are Ribeira, Baixa, and Bolhão, any hotel here will allow you to walk to all the main sights.
Budget | Seculo Hotel is centrally located on Rua de Santa Catarina – Porto’s most popular shopping street. Facilities include a bar and a rooftop sun terrace. Rooms are large with a seating area and some have a jacuzzi bath.
Mid-range | Grande Hotel do Porto is a romantic hotel in a 1880s building, don’t worry though it has been renovated! It is in the centre of Porto, only a 5-minute stroll to the Sao Bento train station. The hotel features a 360 rooftop terrace, a restaurant in an old ballroom, a gym and a spa. Rooms are cosy and elegant with a large marble bathroom and satellite TV.
Luxury | Torel Palace Porto is an ultra-luxurious 5-star hotel. This pink palace has an outdoor swimming pool, a restaurant and a bar. Rooms are large with a glamorous design, they feature chandeliers, large marble bathroom, and coffee machines and some rooms have a balcony.
How To Get Around Porto
The metro system in Porto provides the most efficient means of transportation throughout the city. To use the metro, you will need to purchase an Adante rechargeable card for 60 cents. You can then load passes onto the card, each pass costs €1.20. Alternatively, you can purchase the Adante tour pass, which offers unlimited travel for 24 to 72 hours, costing between €7 and €15.
Additionally, Porto has an excellent public bus network with 75 lines. You can use your Adande metro card on the buses. For those without a pass, single tickets can be purchased onboard at an additional cost of 60 cents.
Getting to the city from Porto Airport
The best way to get from the airport to Porto is either public transport or private transfer.
Public Transport
The metro line E (violet line) runs from the airport terminal into the city centre. This train goes every 20 – 30 minutes from 05:55am until 00:40am.
The line runs to Trindade station in the centre of Porto. You can transfer to another metro line here but you will likely be able to walk to your hotel from this station due to its central location.
Private Transfer
If you are arriving late or just feel like a super easy journey to your hotel then a private airport transfer is a great alternative. This will cost between €20 and €30.
Thank you for reading this 2 day Porto itinerary. Have a great trip! You might like the below related posts.
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