Porto

A walk with the best things to see in Porto in 3 days. A very complete visit

Visiting Porto in 3 days is possible and it is also a perfect duration for a stay in the beautiful Portuguese city.

With a 3-day visit you will be able to get to know practically all the places of interest to see in Porto and you will also be able to do it in a relaxed way and without stress, being able to stop, and even repeat, in what you like the most.

Here you have our tour with the best things to see in Porto in three days.

What to see in Porto in 3 days

First day in Porto

We can start the first of our three days to see Porto in one of the busiest places in the city, São Bento Station, where you will have arrived if you go to Porto by train. And inside the station we already have the first big visit that we are going to make.

And it is that the lobby of the São Bento Station is simply spectacular thanks to its 20,000 tiles on its walls and that narrate various chapters in the history of Portugal and the city. Don’t miss the façade of the station either.

From there we can walk to the Porto Cathedral, located in the highest part of the city and of which we must highlight its main façade presided over by a large rose window that is located between two tall towers that give the Cathedral an aspect of a fortress.. Don’t miss its beautiful cloister either. Nearby we find the Church of San Lorenzo dos Grilos, of great beauty and an essential visit.

From there we can start walking towards Rua Santa Caterina, Porto ‘s main shopping street where you will find many shops and restaurants. The Café Majestic stands out, an old meeting place for various illustrious personalities that still retains its charm and elegance.

In the same street is the Capela das Animas, with its characteristic blue and white colors of its tiles that we can see so many times in Portugal. Nearby, the Bolhao Market and its special charm thanks to its air of decadence that is a sign of identity.

We finally reach the most modern part of downtown Porto, which is actually located next to our starting point. This is Avenida dos Aliados, with its neoclassical buildings, the Monument to Garrett and the beautiful Oporto City Hall. Behind it is the Church of the Holy Trinity, one of the best things to see in Porto in three days.

The Clérigos Church is the next destination. This beautiful church is famous for its great tower, a symbol of Porto and which you can climb to have the best views of the city. A totally recommended visit and of course, essential. Here you will surely have to queue because there are usually quite a few people but it is worth it. There are more than 200 steps but the corridors are wide and will not be a problem for you.

A few meters away is the Lello e Irmao Bookstore, one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world with an impressive charm and where JKRowling was inspired to write the Harry Potter novels during the time he lived in Porto. They charge a small entrance fee to visit the bookstore, which helps to preserve it and avoid crowds, but they discount it if you buy a book.

Nearby is the Iglesia do Carmo, the end point of our tour before you go down to the Ribeira neighborhood, passing by the Mirador da Vitoria, to enjoy a succulent dinner and end the day.

Second day in Porto

Porto - Stock Exchange PalaceThe first day we dedicate to getting to know the upper part of Porto but this second day we are going to dedicate it to the part closest to the river and that will not leave you indifferent. Even so, our tour will begin at the top, the São Bento Station, to begin descending Rua das Flores, a pedestrian street with a great atmosphere. You can go back to the decadent Mirador da Vitoria for great views of Porto.

The Palacio de la Bolsa is our next destination. Next to it is the Ferreira Borges Market and some very interesting gardens. The Stock Exchange Palace is one of the essential places to visit in Porto in 3 days, not only for its beautiful neoclassical façade but also for its spectacular patios and rooms, such as the Arab Room, its great jewel. The first person to book for a certain time chooses the language of the guided tour.

Porto - Ribeira SquareAttached to the palace is the Church of San Francisco, whose interior will surprise you in a way that you cannot imagine. The walls and ceiling are completely covered in gold. Such is its ostentation that for a time it was closed to the public so as not to offend.

At last we come back to the Ribeira neighborhood, with its narrow streets that are a symbol of this old fishermen’s neighborhood. The neighborhood is full of restaurants where you can taste the famous Portuguese cuisine. In this neighborhood there is also the Casa do Infante, where the Infante Enrique, one of the most famous Kings of Portugal, was born.

Ribeira Square is the nerve center of the neighborhood and the Six Bridges Cruise departs from this area, which takes you to know the bridges of Porto. After doing this cruise you can walk along the banks of the River admiring the Don Luis I Bridge, one of the symbols of the city.

Thus ends our second day in Porto.

What to see in Porto on the third day

We can start this third and last day in Porto next to the Don Luis I Bridge, in the Ribeira neighborhood, to cross it at the bottom and reach Vilanova de Gaia, the town that is located on the other bank of the Duero River. and that it is famous for being where the wineries where the famous Port wine is made are located.

And visiting one of these wineries is our goal. Choose the one you want, because they are quite similar. In them they will tell you the history of this wine, its production process and you will have a tasting. A very surprising visit.

After visiting the winery, you can take the cable car that takes you to the top of the Dom Luis I Bridge. This ride on the cable car is a unique experience since with it you will have the opportunity to see the Ribeira neighborhood in a special way that you will not you will forget Every minute of the trip will be unforgettable.

After reaching the top you can visit the Jardín do Morro and the Mosteiro da Serra do Pilar, a huge complex whose best view is from the other shore, which we will go to by crossing the Don Luis I Bridge at the top, returning to admire the buildings of the Ribeira neighborhood.

Porto - Clerigos Tower - ViewsNow it’s time to go to Foz do Douro. To do this, you can walk to the Stock Exchange Palace, where the tram that takes you to this Porto neighborhood departs from. The route that the tram makes along the river is very beautiful and is an experience in itself.

In Foz do Douro you will find the city’s beaches and its promenade. It is also the most exclusive neighborhood and where Porto ‘s main famous people live. It is also known for its nightlife, so if you still have the strength you can end the day here and enjoy the Porto nightlife.

Another option is to return to the center of Porto and visit the Mirador de Cristal Gardens, which in addition to the charm of the gardens themselves, there is also a viewpoint from which you can have one of the best views of Porto.

With this tour you will know the most important things to see in Porto in three days. If you still have more days you can make an excursion to one of the beautiful cities that are very close. Or you can delve into this city that never stops surprising.

You can find more information on the official Porto tourism page.

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