A Weekend in Porto | What to do and see

⏱5 min

By Ellen (Updated Dec 2022)

Porto is Portugal’s second-largest city and doesn’t lack in charm or things to do. Porto is one of my favorite European cities for a weekend trip. It is a perfect getaway destination as there is plenty to see and do, but it isn’t so big where it makes you feel like you didn’t have enough time to explore.

Roberto and I combined our trip to Porto with a few days in the Douro River Valley (wine region) and northern Portugal. If you’re looking to extend your trip, be sure to add the Douro River Valley and northern Portugal to your trip.

Situated at the mouth of the Douro River, Porto blends the old with the new, with picturesque views throughout. Along the streets and narrow alleys, you can find colorful buildings covered in traditional tiling (azulejo) and, new hip coffee roasters and brunch spots. This post will provide suggestions on how to spend a weekend in Porto with some of our favorite recommendations.

When to go	May – September (We visited in August)
How to get there	Fly into Porto’s international airport – Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport
Where to stay	The city center is a prime location as you can walk to everything. Many hotels/AirBnBs are found in Torre de los Clérigos and Praça da Liberdade areas. We paid $125 USD/night for a basic hotel in this area. For a little cheaper, you can stay on the outskirts of town, but you may need to take public transport or Uber to your desired destination. We did this for one night after returning from northern Portugal and paid $89 USD/night.
Don’t forget	Good walking shoes, a camera, your appetite
Cost

Explore on Foot

Easy to do and free! You can enjoy Porto even just by wandering through the cobblestone streets. Here are a few ways how.

Stroll through Ribeira

Directly situated on the riverbank of the Duoro, Ribeira is one of Porto’s oldest neighborhoods. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996 and is charming to visit day or night. Colorful 18th-century townhouses surround the main square, and restaurants, cafes, and shops line the waterfront. The waterfront area is fun to visit and enjoy the views of the river yet it can be crowded on the weekends.

Walk over the Dom Luís I Bridge

For a great view of the colorful houses on Ribeira’s riverfront, crossover the river by walking over Porto’s iconic Dom Luís I Bridge to Vila Nova de Gaia. The bridge has two decks, an upper and a lower deck which you can walk across both. From this side of the river, you have a lovely view of Ribeira. We walked across the lower deck of the bridge, but you’re also able to walk across the top for even more views.

Sunset at Miradouro da Serra do Pilar

The Miradouro da Serra do Pilar (lookout of Serra do Pilar) is one of the city’s best places to view the sunset over the Douro and Porto. The lookout is on the terrace of the 17^th century monastery – Mosteiro da Serra do Pilar. From here, you have the Dom Luis I Bridge, the Douro river, and Porto all within frame. There is no entry fee to access the terrace and these breathtaking views.

Admire the Azulejos

Azulejos are tiles that cover some buildings and structures throughout Portugal. Their origins are Arabic and when the Moorish conquered Spain, they brought azulejo tiles with them. In the 15^th century, Portugal’s King Manual I visited Seville and fell in love with the beautiful tiles.

The Portuguese have used the azulejo tiles to capture historical, religious, and cultural themes, creating artwork out of this form of storytelling. Visit the São Bento Station, which has around 20,000 azulejo tiles depicting different historical events in the main hall. The Church of Saint Ildefonso also has a spectacular façade of azujelo tiles.

If you’re feeling artistic yourself and also want to discover more about the history and process of making azulejos, you can take a workshop where you can paint your own tile.

Historic Sites

Porto is an old city with a lot of history. You can’t spend a weekend in Porto without visiting some of the historic sites. While there are many, here are a few of our favorites.

Livraria Lello Bookstore

“It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities”

J.K. Rowling – Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

For a long time, the rumour was that the Livraria Lello bookshop inspired J.K. Rowling while living in Porto and writing Harry Potter. Earlier this year in a Twitter post, she said that she never visited the bookshop! Regardless, it is beautiful and truly unique! The bookshop was established in 1906 by two brothers, and since then, it has been well-maintained. The grand staircase leading up to the second floor makes a statement, along with the gorgeous stained-glass ceiling. It is one of the loveliest bookstores I have visited.

Beware though – a long line usually forms in the late morning through the afternoon. It’s best to buy your voucher online and try to visit early in the morning. The voucher is just 5 Euros, and if you purchase a book, the 5 Euros will be deducted from the cost of the book. For over a century, the bookshop has stayed true to its vision of being “a bookshop of the world, open to every literature enthusiast.”

St. Francis Church (Igreja de São Francisco)

Located in the Ribeira neighborhood, the St. Francis Church is a must-visit on your weekend in Porto. It is a Gothic-style church from the outside, as construction on it started in the 13th century. However, what truly stuns visitors is the 18th-century Baroque style interior.

The interior of the main part of the church is covered in Baroque golden leaf. The church has three large naves which are all gold-plated. It is truly extraordinary. We’ve been inside many churches and cathedrals on our travels, and this has to be one of the topmost memorable and unique. Roberto and I spent minutes in there just sitting in silence, admiring the beautiful interior.

The church has other chapels and catacombs which can also be visited. The entrance fee is 4.5 Euros and you cannot buy the tickets online.

Clérigos Church and Tower

The Clérigos Church is one of Porto’s most famous landmarks. The front of the church shows off impressive Baroque architecture with domes and spires but the tower on the west side is what really distinguishes this church. The tower was designed by the Italian architect, Nicolau Nasoni, and construction began in 1754. It is made from granite and stands 75 meters high. You can even climb up the tower to get some great views of the city. For more information on tickets and visiting hours, visit the website here.

Other historical sites to visit include:

• Palácio da Bolsa
• Igreja de Santo Ildefonso
• Porto Cathedral

Eat and Drink

Indulge in Pastéis de Nata

Pastéis de Nata (or, Pastel de Nata) is a Portuguese egg tart pastry. It’s crispy and flaky on the outside, like a pastry, and the inside has a creamy custard that is sweet, with a caramelized surface. They’re ubiquitous around Portugal but if you haven’t tried one before visiting Porto, you must! I enjoy them most with a coffee.

Francesinha

The francesinha, or “little Frenchie,” is a Portuguese sandwich that originated in Porto. It’s made with a bunch of meat, so if you’re a veggie or a vegan, this is definitely not for you. It also isn’t what we’d call “healthy” but when in Porto, you should give this classic Portuguese cuisine a try. The sandwich is made with bread, wet-cured ham, smoked sausage, and steak or roast beef. Then, it’s covered with melted cheese and a hot, thick, tomato and beer sauce. Sometimes, it also comes with a fried egg on top. Epic.

The sandwich’s origin lies in Portugal’s time under Antonio Salazar’s dictatorship in the 1950s and 1960s. During this time, thousands of Portuguese people migrated to France. It’s said that the Portuguese immigrants enjoyed the French sandwich, the croque monsieur, and Francesinha was born out of an adaptation of it.

Drink Wine

If you’re a wine lover like us, you can’t spend a weekend in Porto without drinking some of the local wine. Porto is home to the Port wine but one of the wine regions in northern Portugal also produces Vinho Verde. Vinho Verde literally translates to “green wine” but what it really means is “young wine.”

The name of the region may be related to the color of the region, or because the grapes are harvested when they’re young and green. Vinho Verde is light and crisp, and sometimes even has a slight fizz and can be found as both a red or white wine. It pairs well with fish and seafood or can be enjoyed as an aperitif while you people watch on the Ribeira waterfront.

To wrap up a weekend in Porto

Whether you’re with friends or strolling down the cobblestone streets hand-in-hand with your lover, Porto is a delightful city for a weekend away. We hope you found some ideas on how to spend a weekend in Porto, from visiting historic sites to relaxing and enjoying the views in Ribeira. If you’ve been to Porto, leave a comment and let us know what your favorite things to do are! Also, if you have any questions, feel free to let us know in the comments section.

For further reading…

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