Portugal · August 2023
Overview
Porto is a hilly, slightly worn and very romantic city on the Douro river. Houses covered in blue-and-white tiles stack up the hills, laundry hangs from the windows, and across the river the port wine cellars glow at sunset. It is cheaper and more relaxed than Lisbon, and the food (and the wine) is excellent. Keep in mind that it is steep everywhere, so bring comfortable shoes.
The Romans had a settlement at the mouth of the Douro called Portus Cale, and that name became "Portugal". The city grew rich from trade, and in 1415 Prince Henry the Navigator, who was born here, sailed from Porto to conquer Ceuta, starting the Age of Discoveries. In the 17th and 18th centuries the English began shipping wine from the Douro Valley, adding brandy so it would survive the journey, and port wine was born. The historic centre became a UNESCO site in 1996, and the Douro wine region in 2001.
How long to stay: 3 days. Add a day for the Douro Valley.
Last updated: October 2026
Quick Facts
Location
Northwest Portugal, where the Douro river meets the Atlantic. Lisbon is about 3 hours south by train; the Spanish border (Galicia) is about 1.5 hours north.
Budget
Per person, per day.
| Backpacker | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed | €25–40 ($28–45) | €90–150 ($102–170) | €230+ ($260+) |
| Food | €20–30 ($23–34) | €40–55 ($45–62) | €90+ ($102+) |
| Sights | €10–20 | €30–50 | €80+ |
Daily total €55–90 ($62–102) €160–255 ($181–288) €400+ ($452+) A pastel de nata costs about €1.20–1.50, a francesinha €12–16 and a glass of port €3–5.
Things to Do
Porto is Lisbon's older, moodier sibling. Walk the Ribeira riverfront at golden hour, then cross the Dom Luis I bridge on the upper deck for the best view of the port lodges lined up along the Gaia side.
Livraria Lello is worth the timed ticket for the neo-Gothic staircase alone. Combine it with the azulejo-tiled Sao Bento train station and a lunch of francesinha before you cross for a port tasting at Graham's, Taylor's, or Sandeman.
The riverside quarter of narrow lanes, colourful houses and restaurants with terraces on the Douro. It is the postcard view of Porto and the heart of the UNESCO area.
Price: free · Tip: take a Six Bridges river cruise from here (about €15–20, 50 minutes).
The double-deck iron bridge was designed by Théophile Seyrig, a former partner of Gustave Eiffel, and opened in 1886. Walk across the top deck (with the metro) for the best view, then down to Vila Nova de Gaia.
Price: free · Tip: cross the top deck at sunset, then take the Gaia cable car down (about €7).
Across the river, the big port houses (Taylor's, Graham's, Sandeman, Ferreira, Cálem) have aged their wine in Gaia for centuries. A tour explains how port is made and ends with a tasting.
Price: about €15–35 per tour and tasting · Time needed: 1 to 1.5 hours · Tip: book in advance in summer; the old rabelo boats on the river once carried the barrels down from the Douro.
A working train station with a hall covered in about 20,000 blue-and-white azulejo tiles by Jorge Colaço (1905 to 1916), showing battles and scenes from Portuguese history.
Price: free · Time needed: 15 minutes.
A neo-Gothic bookshop from 1906 with a famous red curving staircase and a stained-glass ceiling. It is often linked to Harry Potter, but J. K. Rowling has said she never visited it.
Price: about €10, deductible from a book purchase · Tip: book a time slot online and go at opening.
The 75 m baroque bell tower designed by the Italian architect Nicolau Nasoni and finished in 1763. Climb its 225 steps for a 360° view of the city.
Price: about €10 · Time needed: 45 minutes.
A fortress-like Romanesque cathedral on the highest point of the old town, started in the 12th century, with a Gothic cloister covered in azulejos.
Price: cathedral free; cloister a few euros.
The 19th-century stock exchange, built by the merchants of Porto. The guided tour ends in the Arab Room, decorated in gold in the style of the Alhambra.
Price: about €14, guided tour only.
The Chapel of Souls is completely covered in 15,947 blue-and-white tiles. Nearby, the Bolhão Market reopened in 2022 after a big restoration.
Price: free.
Take the historic tram 1 along the river from the old town to Foz, where the Douro meets the Atlantic, with a seaside promenade and lighthouses.
Price: tram ticket a few euros · Tip: watch the waves crash at the Felgueiras lighthouse.
The oldest demarcated wine region in the world (1756), with terraced vineyards along the river. Visit wineries in Pinhão and Peso da Régua.
Getting there: train from São Bento to Pinhão, about 2.5 hours, along the river; or a tour.
Transit Tips
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Airport: metro line E (violet) to Trindade in about 30 minutes, for a few euros with the Andante card; Uber or Bolt about €15–25.
By train: Alfa Pendular from Lisbon in about 3 hours to Porto Campanhã, then a short train to São Bento.
Andante card: rechargeable card for metro, buses and some trains; buy at metro machines and tap in each time.
Uber and Bolt both work and are cheap for short rides, useful on the hills.
Walking: the centre is walkable, but steep.
The Guindais Funicular connects the Ribeira with Batalha at the top, which saves a steep climb.
Helpful Words
A few basics in Portuguese can make everyday conversations much easier.
Where to Stay
Plan & Book
Explore accommodation options and open hotel details directly from the map.
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