Northern Portugal Travelers Recommend

Soak up history, wine, and culture on a 3-day trip to Porto, with plenty of time to check out urban highlights and venture into the countryside. From strolling coastal towns and Douro Valley vineyards, to exploring museums and hilltop castles, here’s how to make the most of 72 hours in Portugal’s 2nd-largest city.

Day 1: City sightseeing

Porto’s beautiful historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for good reason—so spend your first day wandering around its sloping streets, cozy squares, and museums. If you’re up for tackling some hills, a walking tour is a great way to take in the atmosphere, while a coach, car, Segway, or hop-on hop-off bus tour is a less strenuous option. Most itineraries feature key landmarks such as the Porto Cathedral, the Church of Santa Clara, and the Palacio da Bolsa, a 19th-century stock exchange.

Later, catch a live fado show at a wine cellar, local tavern, or concert venue. (Secure your ticket in advance.)

Day 2: Wine lodges

It’s no coincidence that Porto shares a name with Portugal’s most famous wine, and the city’s winemakers keep the sweet fortified drink flowing in local cellars called wine lodges. Wine tours take you to handpicked spots for a tasty introduction to the history and traditions of port.

Not all flavors of Porto come in a bottle. From cured meats to aged cheeses and codfish fritters, you’ll find lots of food worth sampling—so browse local markets, duck into neighborhood tabernas, or join a tasting tour. (Many wine tours also include food, so you get the best of both worlds.) Once the sun sets, embark on a cruise along the Douro River as the lights begin to twinkle on the slow-moving water.

Day 3: A day trip

Porto’s central location on Portugal’s northern coast makes the city an ideal base for day trips, whether you’re looking for a long walk on the beach or a crisp-tasting glass of Vinho Verde. A favorite wine destination is the Douro Valley, whose winding river and postcard-ready villages make it as scenic as it is delicious.

Alternatively, if you’re dreaming of history and hilltop castles, head to Guimarães and Braga, two of Portugal’s oldest cities. Or, take a day cruise on the river to the traditional village of Pinhão.

With two days in Porto, there's time to wander the cobblestone streets and cruise the River Douro, while also sampling the city’s wine. The thriving city offers riverside neighborhoods to explore, historic sites to visit, and a bustling atmosphere. Here’s where to start.

Day 1: Cobblestone Streets and Wine Lodges

Morning: Head to Porto’s historic center to see preserved buildings that snagged the city a UNESCO World Heritage Site designation. Guided tours untangle Porto’s history and most cover essential landmarks, from the Porto Cathedral to the Mosteiro da Serra do Pillar. To avoid trekking up Porto’s steep hills, take a tour by bus, car, or Segway.

Afternoon: Sightseeing is thirsty work, so reward yourself with an afternoon of wine tasting in local cellars called wine lodges. Wine tasting tours in Porto often feature a series of stops, offering an expansive perspective on the region's wines.

Night: Every word in a fado song drips with feeling, but recorded versions can’t compare to a live show. Prebook tickets to a fado performance in Porto, since many venues are tiny and fill up fast.

Day 2: Boat Cruises and Tascas

Morning: Now that you’ve seen Porto by land, hop a boat cruise on the Douro River to enjoy views from the water. Morning light is great for photography here—as are the unobstructed city views available by boat.

Afternoon: On your second day, venture beyond wine to try Porto’s culinary specialties, which go from aged ham and cheeses to bolinho de bacalhau, fritters made from salted cod. Not that you have to move on from vintages altogether; many Porto food tours also feature wine pairings.

Night: With one last night in Porto, slip into the local scene at one of the city’s tascas or tabernas. Tascas are simple and traditional restaurants that can often be found tucked into side streets; family-run tabernas often feature homestyle Portuguese cooking such as hearty stews and grilled fish.

Historic buildings cascade to the River Douro in this wine-loving city, where you can begin the day in a soaring cathedral and end it with a traditional fado show. With one day in Porto, sample a little bit of everything, from the historic center—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—to the city’s port wine “lodges.” Here are a few ways to plan your time.

Morning: City Exploring

Some of Porto’s most important landmarks are tucked into the UNESCO-listed compact historic center. That means you can cover the key sites in a morning of sightseeing, with options that include guided walking tours, hop-on hop-off buses, and Segway tours of the city. (When choosing a tour, it’s worth keeping in mind that Porto is quite hilly, so walking tours can be energetic.) If you’re hoping to cruise the River Douro—which is a great way to get unobstructed views of those beautiful riverbanks—consider a morning tour that includes a boat trip.

Afternoon: The Taste of Porto

Giving its name to a sweet, richly flavored wine that’s one of Portugal’s most famous exports, Porto is a hub for local winemaking. Wine cellars are called “wine lodges” here, and an afternoon tasting tour is a delicious introduction to their specialties and the history of port wine. Port aficionados often pair the wine with foods such as dried fruit, cheeses, nuts, and chocolate, and many wine tours feature small bites alongside the wine tastings. If you’d prefer snacking to sipping, opt for a food-focused tour that includes some of the town’s culinary gems.

Night: An Evening of Culture

The haunting strains of fado music ring through restaurants, wine cellars, and taverns here, and catching a show is a memorable way to conclude your day in Porto. Choose between stand-alone shows and tours that combine sightseeing, an evening river cruise, or a wine tasting, then sit back for the moving performance. You’ll be supporting a long tradition that’s among Portugal’s most evocative experiences. Once you hear the first notes, you’ll discover why Fado is included on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list.

Set on the UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, fado is a song style mixing elements of poetry and music. Although it originated in Lisbon, this soulful folk music has found its way into Porto's music venues as well. Here's where to listen for yourself.

Highlights

• Listen to authentic live Fado music at one of Porto's many live music venues.

• Combine an evening Fado concert with a Porto night tour, Rio Douro cruise, or wine tasting.

• Savor the flavors of a traditional Portuguese meal during a Fado dinner show.

• Sip on Porto City's famous port wine during a haunting Portuguese guitar and vocal performance.

• Most Fado tours include hotel pickup and drop-off.

Porto is filled with hidden gems, from small local restaurants and shops to medieval architecture, street art, and live music. The following private cultural tours offer a personalized experience and allow you to discover the city's best spots alongside your guide. Tours are only on sale for a limited time, so check out your options below.

Highlights

• Marvel at Porto's famous azulejo tiles and see vibrant street art on a walking tour of the city.

• Discover Porto's foodie scene and sample Portuguese specialties including cured meats, regional cheeses, and pastel de nata pastries.

• Admire Porto's historic architecture, including the "Gryffindor fountain"that inspired J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter.

• Receive insider tips on where to eat, drink, and listen to fado music in Porto.

• Visit family-run wineries, enjoy guided port wine tastings, and soak up the scenery of the Douro Valley wine region on a day trip.

• Travel in the comfort of a private vehicle and enjoy the undivided attention of your tour guide.