The best things to do in Porto

Porto is the most important city in the north of Portugal. With a small to medium size, it’s a charming and irresistible city, noted by its friendliness and warm character of its people, also known as “tripeiros”.

3 days are just enough for the best Porto sightseeing experience and to get a good understanding of the city, making it an ideal place for a short break. You'll have plenty of time to wander around the city without rushing, and you'll also have hours left over to visit the lesser-known sights and places of interest.

Discover what to see in Porto and which places you shouldn't miss.

The Ribeira: the most picturesque neighborhood to visit in Porto

 

The Ribeira district is one of Porto's most beautiful and characteristic neighborhoods. Its beautiful promenade of Cais da Ribeira, is located next to the Douro River. This charming area is a collection of cobbled streets, cafés and colorful architecture, ideal for taking the best photos. It’s definitely one of the top 10 things to do in Porto.

A must-see is the Elevador da Lada (or the Ribeira Elevator) which takes you from Rua da Lada to Barredo in less than a minute for free. Here you can see the Alminhas da Ponte with sculptures by Portuguese José Joaquim Teixeira Lopes and listen to the nostalgic notes of Portuguese traditional music by attending some of the best fado shows in Porto.

There are several places at the Ribeira where you can listen to fado in Porto. Two highly recommended options are the Ideal Clube de fado, (Rua do Ateneu Comercial 32) or attend the fado concert at Casa da Guitarra (Av. Vímara Peres 49). 

 

 

One way to enjoy the Ribeira at sunset is to take a panoramic tour with dinner and a fado show. If you prefer to wander the area on foot with the stories of an English-speaking guide, you may prefer to take the Essential Porto Free Walking Tour.

The Sé, the Cathedral of Porto

 

 

Porto Cathedral is one of the most emblematic buildings in the city. Built between the 12th and 13th centuries, it is a structure that represents the fusion of three styles: Gothic, Romanesque and Baroque.

As one of the must-see sights of Porto, it tends to be very crowded. To avoid the crowds, we recommend visiting it around midday.

You can visit the Cathedral and other monuments in Porto for free or at a discounted rate using the Porto Card.

Also, our must-see Free Tour of Porto starts at this point.

Lello Bookshop: the most beautiful bookshop in the world

 

 

Considered "the most beautiful bookshop in the world", the Lello bookshop is one of the most emblematic places in Porto. It is said to be the place that inspired J.K. Rowling to create the Harry Potter universe when she lived in the city.

You can reach the Lello Bookshop easily with the Best of Porto half day tour, with transport and English speaking guide included.

The Clérigos Tower

 

 

225 steps must be climbed to reach the top of the Clérigos Tower — well worth it for the views from its 75-meter height. You can discover more stories by taking the Free Tour Dark Porto: Mysteries & Legends.

Crossing the Dom Luis I Bridge

 

One of the things to do in Porto is to cross the Ponte Dom Luís I, the most famous of the 6 bridges in the city. A fun way to cross it is to take a tuk tuk ride in Porto.

Vila Nova da Gaia: wineries and activities in Porto with kids

 

 

On the opposite side of the bridge is Vila Nova de Gaia, known for hosting most of the Port wine cellars. One of the most prestigious is Poças, where you can experience a Port wine tasting experience. Also try the free walking tour of Vila Nova da Gaia.

Bolhão Market

 

 

Declared a “monument of public interest”, the Bolhão Market was restored to its former glory in 2022. Learn more about it in the Essential Free Tour of Porto.

Rua de Santa Catarina

 

 

The busiest and most famous street in the city: 1500 meters combining classic buildings with modern and striking premises, the best restaurants and shops.

If you're looking for a memorable evening, you have two great options: join the legendary Porto Pub Crawl for a fun night out with bars, drinks, games and VIP entry; or opt for the more laid-back Sunset Pub Crawl — 3 local bars, 6 drinks included, a traditional Bifana and a breathtaking sunset over the Douro.

São Bento Station

 

 

One of the most beautiful stations in Europe. Visit it on the Best of Porto full day tour, which includes lunch, wine tasting and a boat trip on the Douro River. Also, don't miss a fado concert at São Bento Station.

Casa da Música

 

 

Designed by Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas, the Casa da Música is a famous concert hall with an avant-garde design and intense cultural programme. Always something interesting on the bill.

Palácio da Bolsa

 

Every year, some 250,000 people visit the Palácio da Bolsa for its majestic architecture. Inside, the spectacular Arabian Hall stands out for its design and the Courtyard of the Nations with its beautiful glass dome.

Church of San Francisco

 

 

A masterpiece of Gothic architecture built between 1383 and 1410, its three large naves filled with ornate gilded carvings covered with 300 to 500 kilos of gold dust from Brazil are one of the best things to see in Porto.

Jardim do Morro

 

 

You can't leave Porto without seeing the sunset from one of its viewpoints. Join our Porto Sunset Walking Tour and enjoy the best views in the city with a Port wine tasting on an open-air terrace.

The Douro River

 

 

A unique way to see Porto is from the river. The famous six bridges boat trip will take you to see the best of the Ribeira and the bridges that cross the city.

The Douro Valley

 

 

The Douro Valley is considered one of the most beautiful places in northern Portugal. The guided tour to the Douro Valley includes walks through historic villages, a cruise on the Upper Douro and visits to two famous wineries.

Other places to visit in Porto

Be sure to visit the Crystal Palace gardens, the Soares dos Reis National Museum and Café Imperial (Praça da Liberdade 126), home to the world’s most luxurious McDonald’s. And remember to try the francesinhas — Café Santiago, on Rua de Passos Manuel, has the best ones.

Discover Porto's best English-speaking tours and experiences.