Check out this incredible 3 days in Porto itinerary. With 72 hours to spare, you can visit the main tourist attractions and immerse yourself in the enchanting atmosphere of this Portuguese city.
What to do on your first day in Porto?
To start this 3 day in Porto itinerary, an essential tip that we always give to those who want to make the most of their new destination is to get up early. One of the advantages of this city is that most of its attractions are located in the same area, which allows you to see a lot without wasting time getting around.
So, for your first day, our tip is to stroll around Porto’s historic center, and you can buy a Free Tour to be guided around this region, which is very rich in monuments, churches and places full of culture and history. Head to Terreiro da Sé, where you’ll find Porto Cathedral, one of Portugal’s oldest monuments.
Once there, continue strolling through Praça de Almeida Garret, where São Bento station is located, famous for its tiled decoration that tells a little of Portugal’s history.
From there, head to Praça da Batalha, where you’ll find the statue of King Pedro V, the church dedicated to the Archbishop of Toledo (Igreja de Santo Ildefonso) and the São João National Theatre. Don’t miss out on lunch at a restaurant in the center.
Then take a stroll through Praça D. João I, which pays homage to the first king of Portugal’s Avis dynasty. It is also home to the Rivoli Theatre, which opened in 1913. Finally, end this first day by stopping by the Bolhão Market, which was built during the First World War and has a wide variety of fresh produce and items on sale.
What to do on your second day in Porto?
Start your second day by walking around the incredible Ribeira area, whose cultural scene is vibrant and intense: full of bars, restaurants and beautiful old houses. There you’ll find the 1º de Dezembro square, which houses the Santa Clara Monastery, a religious building built to fulfill a promise made by Queen Filipa de Lencastre. You can also pass by the Fernandina Wall, built to protect the city in 1336.
Then head down to the lower part of the Ribeira, next to the River Douro, via the Funicular dos Guindais. Stay there and enjoy a delicious lunch in the area. Then visit one of the wine cellars that the region has to offer. All of them usually have a fixed price, with the right to visit and taste some wines.
If you like, you can also spend the afternoon taking a boat trip on the River Douro and admiring the many bridges that link the city of Porto to Gaia. Afterwards, a great idea is to visit the Palácio da Bolsa in Porto, which houses important art collections. One of the most popular rooms is the Arab Hall, which is full of details and luxurious decoration.
In the evening, if you want to stay in the center, have dinner in one of the many restaurants in the area or enjoy one of the incredible bars in Porto.
Important tip: To make the most of your trip is to stay in the best region. If you want, see our article here that explains the best area, hotels and how to save a lot on accommodation.
What to do on your third day in Porto?
To end your trip on this third day, visit the Clérigos Tower. It is part of the Clérigos Church in the city, one of the symbols of Porto. So much so that when you arrive in the city, you’ll notice that the souvenirs sold always show the Clérigos Tower.
Then head to Rua das Carmelitas, where you’ll find the famous and beautiful Livraria Lello bookstore. It is the most famous in the country and one of the best known in the world, and you can also take a Harry Potter Free Tour there. Finally, head to Rua D. Manuel II, a very green area with the famous Jardim do Palácio de Cristal.
After lunch, if you still have some time left over, have fun shopping in Porto and take the opportunity to pick up some souvenirs of the city.
Save on tickets for paid attractions in Porto
Porto is an incredible city with countless attractions to visit. We’ve traveled all over the world and found a great company that does all the guided tours there at very good prices.
So, you should know that on our last trips we used this very Porto Tickets website. As well as being one of the biggest ticket sellers in the world, it’s also very secure. Plus, on this site, you can buy all your tickets in one place.
It’s also worth mentioning that it’s always cheaper to buy all your tickets in advance and online. That way, you’ll avoid the queues and won’t waste any of your travel time.
Save money on your trip to Porto:
Saving money: do you want to plan your trip while making the most of your budget? Be sure to read our article on how to travel to Porto cheap, with all the tips to save the most, while still enjoying it!
Car: if you are thinking about renting one this is the best website. It compares the price at all rental companies and finds unbeatable prices. You can save up to 30%!
Mobile chip: we always use this chip. It’s electronic (eSIM), you install it instantly and you can use your cell phone’s Internet anywhere in the world.
Hotels: our article on where to stay in Porto. You will find out the best area, the hotels that we have stayed there and how to save a lot on the hotel.
Travel insurance: medical care in another country is very expensive and it is extremely important to take out travel insurance for any trip abroad. This is the website we always take out our insurance on. Reliable and at a good price.
Transfer: do you need one from the airport to the hotel? Find out here how to book and for the lowest price!
