2 Day Itinerary in Porto

2 Day Itinerary in Porto

Traveling to Porto is exciting, as this city is easy to fall in love with its stunning views, wine cellars and its charm. There are many activities and sights to choose from, but we decided to highlight our preferred two day itinerary of Porto in order to help fellow travelers make the difficult decisions of what to do. Do keep in mind that this itinerary involves a lot of walking in order to explore Porto, but public transportation could be utilized in order to reduce the intensity of walking.

Day 1

Hopefully you had a the chance to arrive in Porto last night and get a good night's sleep. Today, you're going to start by exploring the beautiful city of Porto. If it's open, consider checking out the market for some fresh eats to fuel up for the day.

Start by visiting the train station to take in its beauty in the details of this magnificent building. Once you're done, head across the street to see the Monument a Dom Pedro IV. Here you can catch various themed free walking tours starting throughout the day - just make sure to sign up ahead of time, especially if you're visiting during busy tourist times, as they do fill up days ahead.

Want to see more of what Portugal has to offer?
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If you choose to continue on your own, head down to the Clerigos Tower and then make your way to R das Flores from where you'll hop onto R de Mouzinha da Silveira in order to head towards the waterfront. Down there you can visit the Palacio da Bolsa before heading down for a casual stroll by the waterfront where you can embrace the relaxed feeling of this part of the city.

Once you get near the Ponte Luis I (bridge), head up so you can take in the castle and it's cathedral prior to going down Av Vimara Peres which will bring you to the top bridge in order to cross the river towards the multitude of wonderful wine cellars. Don't let the excitment of the nearby delicious wine experience distract you from the breathtaking views of Porto on your way over!

Once you reach the other side of the bridge, you can take a side detour and go up the hill to Garden of Morro for more gorgeous views of Porto before making your way towards the wine cellars. Over the new few hours, enjoy some tours, tastings and make sure to stop for a late lunch to balance out the busy day and all the drinking!

First time visiting Portugal? Check out these 10 Things You Must Know Before Visiting Portugal!

If you have a few hours left to the daytime once you've fully enjoyed the wine cellars, consider heading for a nap or walk back to Porto for a casual stroll wandering down it's adorable cobblestone winding roads.

In the evening, head towards the place to be known as the 'Galleries of Paris', which includes 3 streets (R. da Galeria de Paris, R. de Candidodos Reis and R. Conde de Vizela). These streets come to life at night with booming restaurants, bars and music. Finish off the night here before heading back to your bed for some much deserved sleep.

Day 2

It's nice to start off a vacation day with a relaxed, calm tea or coffee (or simply water) while observing the locals going about their daily lives. Head out to a nearby coffee shop, or go to our favorite spot called Base. Here you can enjoy a coffee or opt for an alcoholic drink while having a seat on their relaxed terrace. (Hint: This space turns into a lovely bar at night with light and great music, well worth a visit if you have the chance!)

Once you're done here, head across the street to the Lello Library  (Livrario Lello) renowned for being frequented by J.K. Rowling when she lived in Porto and is said to have inspired the Hogwarts Library in the popular Harry Potter series. Take in the detailed architecture and the interesting books available at this location, but be warned that admission does cost 4 Euros/person (which taken off the cost of a book should you purchase one while visiting). This spot also attracts quite a crowd, so wait times can quickly escalate, sometimes making it best to return in the evening prior to closing.

When you're ready to get going again, head down to the waterfront to the beginning of the tram #1. Enjoy the ride along the Douro River or sit on the other side of the tram to take in the scenery of buildings and locals going about their day. It takes approximately 25 minutes to reach the end of the line, where you must exit the tram. Walk 5 more minutes in that same direction along the waterfront and you will reach the 1st fort which is located at the beginning of the beach area.

You can opt to walk along the water or bring your swimming suit and towel for a relaxed day of laying on the beach. The beach is also lined with various cafes and restaurants for refueling with food, or cooling off with gelato or a cold drink. Once you're done, head back to the city with the same tram line.

Prior to the sunset, make sure to head to the top part of the bridge for a not-to-be-missed view of Port as the sun sets behind the city. Once the sun is down, you can take in some of the night life by heading down to the waterfront on either side of the river to walk around, take in some live music and perhaps indulge in a meal and some delicious Port wine. (Keep in mind that Fado is a local specialty, however it might take a toll on your budget so be mindful of your finances!)

*If you don't have any interest in seeing the beach, a great backup option would be to start off your stay with one of the free walking tours offered in the city (which can take up to 3 hours, and should be booked ahead of time especially during busy tourist times of the year) and then taking in the remaining attractions on the second day. 

Don't limit your Portugal vacation to Porto! Have a look at
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Please keep in mind that this city boasts a long list of great activities and sights for all budgets and interests which would require much more than 2 days to embrace, so this is simply a budget friendly way to explore the area if your travels only allow you two quick days to sample what the city is all about.

Recommended Readings:
-https://www.thedimetravelers.com/blogs/6-tips-and-tricks-for-visiting-sintra-stress-free-while-saving-money
-https://www.thedimetravelers.com/blogs/budget-friendly-travel-guide-to-sao-miguel-azores
-https://www.thedimetravelers.com/blogs/12-things-you-should-know-before-renting-a-car-in-portugal
-https://www.thedimetravelers.com/blogs/6-amazing-not-to-be-missed-beaches-around-lagos-budget-friendly-travel-tips-for-portugal
-https://www.thedimetravelers.com/blogs/sete-cidades-everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-azores-most-popular-attraction