I am completely obsessed with Portugal. The people are friendly, the food is delicious, and the cities are lively and fun. This is your ultimate guide on how to spend 2 days in Porto, Portugal. Keep reading to discover the best things to do in Porto: where to eat, what to see, and more!
Table of Contents
DAY ONE
Padaria Ribeiro
Since you only have 2 days in Porto, you definitely need to fuel up with some food. The typical Portugese breakfast is quite light. Usually just a coffee and pastry – quite different from the large spreads you can expect in the US. The most popular item on the menu is the pastel de nata, a delicious egg tart. You’ll find shops selling these all throughout the city.
One of the best places in Porto for a pastel de nata is Padaria Ribeiro. It’s a long-standing bakery where I recommend to start your day. Grab a seat outside, enjoy a breakfast pastry, and people-watch with an espresso. The seating outside is limited, so be sure to get here early to beat the morning rush!
Chapel Das Almas
Next, you can head to the Chapel Das Almas. This beautiful church in the center of Porto is full of incredible azulejos (you’ll see this word a lot – it’s the Portuguese word for the various white and blue tiles) depicting the lives of various saints. While the chapel is from the 18th century, the azulejos are a more recent addition from the early 1900s.
Igreja and Torre dos Clérigos
I really enjoy when cities have towers or other vantage points to see unique panoramas of the city. During your 2 days in Porto, I recommend climbing to the top of the Torre dos Clérigos for a unique view of Porto. For a €6.50 ticket (which you can purchase in advance online here), you are able to access the Clérigos museum, church, and the tower.
The museum itself covers a lot about the history of this tower and its ties to religion and Porto. One of the most interesting rooms in the museum solely displays dozens of crucifixion scenes. There are other various Catholic artifacts and relics to view before being able to head to the top of the tower.
Perhaps I should’ve warned you not to eat that extra pastel for breakfast…the climb is NARROW! Some spots only allow for one person to pass at the time! However, once at the top, you’ll find beautiful 360 degree views of the city. You actually can walk the full circular loop around the top of the bell tower!
Livraria Lello (Lello Bookstore)
Known as one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world, the Livraria Lello is a must-visit during your 2 days in Porto. You feel like you’re being transported into the set of Harry Potter! Before you go inside, I need you to to determine which is more valuable: time or money.
The tickets are a little bit confusing and I always recommend purchasing online in advance. No matter what, you’ll have to buy a €5 entrance ticket. This is a standard entrance fee for everyone. However, even with a standard ticket you still have to wait in line, which is quite long in peak season (people start lining up 40 minutes before opening!). Since you only have a weekend in Porto, that is valuable time!
That being said, I have another option. If you are willing to pay an extra €10, you are able to not only skip the line (woot woot!) but also receive a book! To me, this is the best of both worlds. Check out my copy of The Little Prince that I snagged.
Porto Cathedral
Next you can head to the Porto Cathedral. It is definitely worthwhile to visit, but mentally prepare for an exhausting journey. No matter where in Porto you are coming from, you’ll likely have to head uphill as the Cathedral sits on the highest point in Porto.
The cloister is stunning and covered with beautiful azulejos. The church itself is also grand and beautiful. Despite tourists scattered around, it feels very peaceful. It also makes a nice, cool escape if you’re in Porto during the muggy summer months. Make sure to head upstairs for a great viewpoint of the city and an overlook of the cloister.
Cafe Santiago
An absolute must during your trip to Porto is to order a francesinha. It literally translates to “Little French Girl,” though it is difficult to trace back to how and why it received this unique and slightly oddball name. The most famous restaurant to order one in Porto is the historic Cafe Santiago.
Cafe Santiago has been serving the francesinha since 1959. So, what exactly is this sandwich? You’re probably thinking that it must be dainty and light considering the name means “little French girl.” WRONG.
The francesinha is a HEFTY sandwich filled with multiple layers of mortadella, beef, sausage, ham, cheese, bread, and topped with more cheese, an egg, and a special sauce. Whew! While it likely packs approximately 10,000 calories (give or take), it is delicious! Although I do recommend splitting it…
DAY TWO
Tour the Palácio da Bolsa
Start your second day in Porto by checking out the Palácio da Bolsa is Porto’s Stock Exchange Palace, where famous diplomats or celebrities are often welcomed in Porto. You can only visit the building via a 45-minute tour and you must purchase tickets in advance.
This is why I suggest arriving first thing in the morning as there are various tour time slots based on language preference. For example, an English tour may only be offered at 11am, 2:30pm, 4pm while Spanish is offered at 11:30am, 2pm, and 5pm. The tours fill up in advance, so make sure to purchase your tour ticket and then explore before arriving back for the time slot.
The guided tour is nice to have someone walking you through the significance of every room and discussing what they used to be used for and what they are used for today. The much-awaited grand finale of the tour is the lavish Arab room, based on Granada’s Alhambra.
Sao Bento Train Station
Even if you are not arriving or leaving by train, you don’t want to miss a stop at the Sao Bento Train Station. Upon entering, you are greeted by enormous azulejos on each of the walls – utilizing over 22,000 tiles! The azulejos document important scenes from Portugal’s history.
Explore Gaia
Vila Nova de Gaia (better known simply as Gaia) sits across the river from Porto. One of the easiest ways to get there is to walk or take the tram across the Luís I Bridge. In Gaia, you will find many port wine cellars, another beautiful riverwalk, and plenty of incredible lookouts for beautiful views of the Douro river and the city of Porto.
The main drag in Gaia is Av. de Diogo Leite that runs alongside the river. Any of these spots are a great option for sitting down for lunch. I recommend Restaurante Cais do Bacalhau to sample some sea bass and cod. Of course, a chilled glass of wine on a sunny day is required too. I rate the food, people-watching, and the views an A+.
Travel Tip: If you enjoy cod, Portugal is a great destination for you. Cod is the country’s most popular dish and every restaurants adapts their own style of serving it.
Port Wine Cellar Tour and Tasting
So, you’re in Porto for a weekend. It’s basically a requirement to try port while you are here. Port in Porto…it just makes sense. Port is a sweet dessert wine, typically stronger than wine (~20% alcohol, hollaaa). As mentioned, Gaia is home to the port cellars. Port connoisseurs will find many well-known names here: Cálem, Sandeman, Taylor’s, etc. Book the popular port cellar tastings in advance.
I enjoyed a tour and tasting through Burmester. Their tours and tastings range from €13-20 depending on what type of port you’d like to taste. I opted for the Premium Tour – don’t forget to treat yourself while on vacation!
The tours and tastings all operate the same way no matter which brand leads it. You will receive a brief overview of port and the history of the port cellars, see the port barrels up close and personal, and then (the best part) sample it! On my tour, I sampled 3 types of port each paired with chocolate. #yum
Cable Car in Gaia
After your port tasting, wander down the beautiful riverwalk in Gaia. However, don’t dwell too long. It’s almost time to watch the sunset on the other end of the riverwalk, near the bridge. How to get back there? Rather than walk – take the cable car!
While the trip is short (you’re only in the cable car for about 5 minutes), you get a magnificent view of the Douro River and Porto. If you take it as the sun is starting to set, you get the perfect view of sun-kissed Porto at golden hour.
Sunset at Jardim do Morro
As a conclusion to your 2 days in Porto, you deserve a phenomenal sunset. After you exit the cable car, you’ll arrive at the Jardim do Morro. Locals and tourists bring blankets, bottles of wine, and snacks to enjoy the best view for the sunset over Porto.
Even if you forget to pick up drinks or snacks, there are typically vendors selling beer, wine, and cocktails. Every so often they also have a DJ playing music leading up to the sunset. It really is the ultimate sunset viewpoint and setting. On a nice evening, the hill gets crowded, so be sure to claim your spot in advance.
Dinner
MORE THAN A WEEKEND?
If you are lucky enough to have more than 2 days in Porto, I have another suggestion for you! You’ve already seen most of highlights in Porto, so I recommend venturing outside of the city.
Port Tasting Tour in Douro Valley
With your extra day you can explore the Douro Valley. I have taken this Douro Day Tour from Porto. The tour is extremely convenient if you don’t have a rental car, but still want to tour the Douro Valley. The guide will pick you up directly from your hotel and you’ll proceeded to have a jam-packed day of fun. There are 2 separate tastings and tours, a boat ride along the Douro, and a multi-course lunch.
While the downside is you don’t get the flexibility to choose which farms you stop at for port tasting, it provides you with a stress-free day to be driven around and drink all the port your heart desires. If you have more than 2 days in Porto, I think this is a fabulous option!
That concludes my guide on how to spend 2 days Porto. You’re ready to take on one of the best cities in Portugal. Now enjoy your trip and enjoy a pastel de nata and glass of port for me!
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