Porto is a fabulous location for a weekend trip, perfect for couples or families and just as quaint as can be.
Nestled along the scenic hills of northern Portugal, you’re sure to love meandering around its cute alleyways, admiring its mosaic of colorful buildings, and sampling delicious port wines across the river in Gaia. Porto is a really vibrant place, we’d recommend particularly for a “girls’ trip” or romantic getaway.
Porto, also known as Oporto, has a super cool history. The roots of the area date back to Roman times, when it was called Portus Cale. This eventually gave rise to the country’s name, Portugal.
During the Middle Ages, Porto became an important commercial and cultural center. The city’s wealth was largely derived from its strategic location along the Douro River, facilitating trade and commerce. The 15th and 16th centuries marked the Age of Discovery, during which Portuguese explorers like Ferdinand Magellan set sail from Porto’s shores or nearby. Fun fact: you can see the tiny town where Magellan was born on a wine tour of the Douro Valley. The city continued to flourish as a hub for trade and navigation during this time.
In the 19th century, Porto faced economic challenges, particularly with the decline of the port wine trade. However, the construction of the Dom Luís I Bridge in the mid-1800s and the growth of the textile industry helped a lot, and Porto also played a significant role in Portugal’s transition to a republic in the early 20th century. The city was a focal point of political and social movements during this period, which you’ll learn about on tours of buildings like the Palacio de la Bolsa.
In recent decades, Porto has experienced a cultural and economic renaissance, drawing attention for its well-preserved historic architecture, vibrant arts scene, and its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today, it’s not only a thriving economic and cultural center but also a popular destination for visitors seeking a cute and historical getaway.
Getting There & Staying There
You will likely fly into Porto’s international airport, Francisco Sá Carneiro. From the airport, it’s easy to get to the city center via the metro, bus, or a taxi or ride-share.
- Metro: The metro is quick and cost-effective. Taking Line E (Purple Line) from the airport, the journey to Trindade Station in the city center takes about 30 minutes. The metro operates from 6:00 AM to 1:00 AM.
- Bus: Several bus lines connect the airport to different parts of Porto. The journey time will vary depending on traffic conditions– while it’s generally around 30-40 minutes, it took us much longer due to rush hour.
- Bus 601 runs between the airport and Cordoaria, near the city center, while Bus 602 connects the airport to Boavista and Casa da Música.
- Taxi/Ride-share: Taxis and ride-shares are readily available at the airport, and the journey to the city center takes approximately 20-30 minutes, also depending on traffic.
Note that public transport is well-developed in Porto, so a bus or metro is likely the best option (and certainly the most budget-friendly!).
Porto is a good-sized city, and each neighborhood has its own character and charm. As we often say, ultimately, choosing where to stay depends on your preferences and interests. Here are some options:
- Ribeira: This is arguably the most picturesque neighborhood in Porto, located right along the Douro River. Its narrow cobbled streets are lined with colorful houses and traditional Rabelo boats. Ribeira is a great choice for those who want to be in the heart of the historic city, with easy access to riverside cafés, restaurants, and the iconic Dom Luís I Bridge. Note that it will likely be pretty loud, crowded, and pricey here, so it’s not the best fit for everyone.
- Baixa (Downtown): If you prefer a more central location, Baixa is the commercial and cultural hub of the city. It’s characterized by grand squares (reminiscent of other swoony European cities like Paris), shopping streets, and a mix of historic and modern architecture. Staying here provides easy access to major attractions, shopping, and dining options.
- Boavista: Known for its more upscale vibe, Boavista is a modern neighborhood with wide avenues, luxury hotels, and cultural institutions like Casa da Música. It’s a bit further away from the historic center.
- Cedofeita: This hip and artsy neighborhood is known for its trendy boutiques, cafes, and street art, with a more bohemian atmosphere.
- Miragaia: This neighborhood is adjacent to Ribeira but slightly quieter. It offers a mix of historic charm and local authenticity. Miragaia is a good choice if you want proximity to the river without the bustling crowds.
Recommended Reading
The Perfect Weekend in Porto
Day 1:
Morning:
Start your day at the São Bento Railway Station, admiring the stunning azulejo tiles depicting historical scenes in its main hall. If you’re headed anywhere else (like Aveiro or Braga), chances are you’ll leave from here. Grab a coffee or a fresh pasteis de nata nearby.
Wander down the nearby Rua das Flores for window-shopping, restaurants, and cute architecture.
Make your way over to Livraria Lello, one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world. Known for its stunning neo-Gothic architecture, intricate wooden staircases, and beautiful stained glass interior, it’s not just a place to buy books, but also a historical and cultural landmark that’s well-worth a visit.
However, a note of caution– this place is an absolute mob scene! We have a few tips to best enjoy the experience:
- Get tickets for 9AM open and start getting in line at 8:30. That way, you’ll be one of the first people inside and you have a better chance of getting to actually see the beautiful interior. Not even 15 minutes after 9, everyone was shoulder-to-shoulder, and honestly, it was pretty much impossible to enjoy yourself after that.
- There are two ticket options: the normal tickets (8,90€ when we visited) and the “skip-the-line” tickets at 15,90€. The more expensive tickets allow people to essentially cut in front of everyone else, so if you buy the normal ticket like we did, prepare yourself that people will be cutting you in line a minute or two before 9AM. This caused quite a bit of tension in our part of the line, so it’s good to be aware that people may be a bit grumpy.
- Lastly, the ticket price can be subtracted from the price of a book. There are no books that cost less than 15,90, so perhaps the skip-the-line ticket is a good option. The special edition Lello books are mostly on the 2nd floor on either side of the register. We definitely couldn’t resist, the books are beautiful.
When you’re done at Lello, climb the landmark Clérigos Tower for a panoramic view of the city, and visit the adjacent Clérigos Church (unlike many other churches in Portugal, it’s free to enter, though the tower does cost.)
Book a tour at the Palácio da Bolsa (Stock Exchange Palace), available in several languages every half-hour. This was one of the highlights of our visit! Not only does it have super impressive architecture, but also a lot of historical significance and beautiful rooms, all super different from each other. No spoilers, but the last room on the tour is sure to wow you. Note that tours are mandatory, and they last about half an hour. Depending on how busy it is, they may give you a slot for later in the day.
If so, this gives you time to visit the Saint Francis Church next door, a UNESCO World Heritage site that is definitely worth the 10€ entrance fee. We were a bit disappointed to learn it’s no longer a practicing church (something that beautiful should be open to locals), but it’s very cool nonetheless. A particular thing to check out is the Tree of Jesse– you’ll want to stare at it for hours!
Afternoon:
Check out the Porto sign in front of the Municipal building.
Shop til you drop on Santa Catalina Street, Porto’s main shopping area. Pop into the Mercado de Bolhão for yummy snacks at surprisingly reasonable prices. On the other side of the spectrum, if you don’t mind spending 7€ on a cappuccino, drop into the beautiful (aptly-named) Majestic Café, it feels like an absolute fairy-tale! We opted against going in due to the prices, but we can see why it would be worth the splurge. Absolutely do not miss the azulejo-covered Capilla de las Almas nearby, our favorite church in Porto. It’s free to enter, though the outside is arguably more beautiful than the inside.
If you’re a meat eater, be sure to try Francesinha, Porto’s iconic dish. Francesinha is a very decadent sandwich packed with cured meats and a spicy sauce with an egg on top.
Day 2
Morning:
Wander through the historic Ribeira district, known for its narrow streets, colorful buildings, and lively atmosphere. The views of the port warehouses across the river are really neat, and it’s a great place for photos. We really enjoyed walking along the waterfront promenade, taking pictures and enjoying the contrast of the beautiful jewel-toned buildings with the blue sky and other surroundings.
Afternoon:
From Ribeira, cross the iconic Dom Luís I Bridge into nearby Gaia. Be sure to stop for photos of the panoramic views behind you of Porto and the Douro River. Note that you have two options for crossing– from the Ribeira, which is closer to the water and also allows cars, or the pedestrian and tram-only level further up, which takes you to a monastery on the other side with beautiful views.
Once in Gaia, visit the many wine cellars for tours and tastings of the port wine the area is known for. There are so many to choose from, from the big names like Sandeman’s to lesser-known options. Most of the cellars offer different tiers of tours and tastings, or you can taste “flights” at many of the waterfront restaurants. We didn’t do these tours on this trip because we did a full-day tour of the Douro Valley (more on that below), but we’re eager to check it out on our next visit.
Port wine is one of the highlights of a visit to Porto for good reason– it’s super unique, and we had a blast learning about it. Such a blast in fact that we hope you’ll indulge us in a brief history…
Port wine dates back to the 17th century, when England was at war with France. As a result, the English sought alternatives, ultimately turning to Portugal and, specifically, the Douro Valley, for French-alternative shipments. To ensure the wine survived the much longer sea journey from Portugal to England, brandy was added. This fortification not only preserved the wine, but also gave it a distinctive sweetness and higher alcohol content. These characteristics now define Port in its various varieties, such as Tawny, Ruby, and Late Bottled Vintage (LBV). The vintage options are pricey, but super delicious.
Later, the 1703 Methuen Treaty between England and Portugal further boosted the popularity of Port in England by establishing preferential trade agreements, leading to a huge surge in demand for Portuguese wines, particularly Port. In 1756, the then-Prime Minister of Portugal implemented the Douro Demarcation, the world’s very first officially demarcated and regulated wine region, to better control the quality and production of Port. Over time, Port production evolved, with innovations such as the introduction of Vintage Port, which is made from grapes of a single exceptional vintage.
Bonus: Day trip to the Douro Valley
Speaking of Port, we highly recommend doing a day trip to explore the Douro Valley wine region while you’re in Porto. Located a few hours from Porto, there are ample guided options from companies like Viator or GetYourGuide, costing less than 100€ for a day packed with tastings, lunch, a beautiful boat ride on the Douro River, and other activities.
The Douro Valley is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a renowned wine region, considered one of the oldest demarcated wine regions globally, dating back to the 18th century. In addition to yummy wines, the area is packed with stunning landscapes, charming terraced vineyards, and traditional quintas (wine estates), with the Douro River winding through the valley. While summers are very hot there, a fall visit was wonderful for cool temperatures but still vibrant colors. As mentioned before, the Douro Valley region is most famous for Port wine, but don’t miss trying some table wines while you’re there, too!
A guided tour of a quinta is a great way to learn about its history and wine heritage, as well as a tasting. We found the pours to be really generous– in fact ,a bit too generous on an empty stomach, as the wines are really strong. We recommend bringing some snacks with you so the winding roads don’t make you feel nauseous. Our tour also included a fantastic lunch with more bio, table, and port wines to try, including a delicious vintage.
We loved our visit to Porto and are eager to go back (and also sample some more local Port!) We hope you enjoyed this guide, feel free to Pin it by clicking on the photo below!
