After checking into your cheap but comfortable hotel in the centro, stretch your legs with a relaxed breakfast at Café Majestic, soaking up Belle Époque charm before wandering to the nearby Livraria Lello to admire its famed staircase and book-lined interior (arrive early to avoid queues). Continue with a gentle stroll through Avenida dos Aliados, pausing at the grand city hall plaza and a small coffee stop at Manteigaria for a pastel de nata, setting a calm, scenic tone for the rest of your first day in Porto.
Head downhill toward the riverside for a leisurely exploration of Mercado do Bolhão to browse colourful stalls of local produce and pick up a fresh snack, then wander to the ornate Igreja do Carmo to admire its azulejo-covered exterior. Continue through the narrow streets to the lively Rua de Santa Catarina for window-shopping and a coffee break at Café Guarany, soaking up the rhythm of Porto before returning to your hotel to refresh for evening plans.
As dusk falls, wander toward the waterfront to enjoy an aperitivo at Ribeira Square then cross the river by foot to catch sunset views from Dom Luís I Bridge's lower walkway, where the lights begin to twinkle across the Douro. Afterward, savour a relaxed dinner of petiscos and grilled fish at the nearby intimate tavern Taberna dos Mercadores, finishing with a digestif at the cosy, low-key bar Adega São Nicolau to round off your first night in Porto.
Begin your day with a riverside breakfast at Café Progresso, then wander down to the lively quayside to join a morning stroll along the Douro, pausing to watch the boats at Cais da Ribeira and the fishermen preparing nets. Continue uphill to explore the tiled façade of Igreja de São Francisco, then sip a coffee on the terrace of Miradouro da Vitória while taking in sweeping views over the river and the colourful Ribeira rooftops.
After a morning by the Douro, descend into the maze of Ribeira lanes and treat yourself to a seafood lunch at Casa de Pasto da Palmeira, then wander to the sunlit Palácio da Bolsa to join a guided tour of its lavish Arabian Room and neoclassical halls. Finish the afternoon with a scenic short cruise from Cais de Gaia (a quick ferry or Rabelo-boat option) to see the six bridges from the water and pause for a tasting of local petiscos at the riverside terrace of Taberna do Largo, keeping the day's pace relaxed and connected to the riverfront rhythm.
As twilight deepens, wander away from the busiest quays to the quieter lanes above Ribeira for a pre-dinner drink at Capela Incomum, a converted chapel with inventive cocktails and vaulted stone walls. Follow this with a riverside dinner at Ribeira Square's neighbouring terrasse-style Cais da Estiva (or a similar small seafood house) to enjoy grilled sardines and vinho verde while watching the lit-up bridges, then finish with a nightcap at the intimate wine bar Garrafeira Alfaia to taste a local Tawny and soak in the river's nocturnal atmosphere.
Catch an early funicular across to Gaia and start with a tasting-focused tour at Kopke Wine Cellars, where an expert will walk you through historic tawny and vintage ports paired with local cheeses; afterwards, stroll up to the sweeping terrace of Jardim do Morro for panoramic morning light over the Douro and Dom Luís I Bridge. Finish the morning with a relaxed brunch and river view at Vinum Restaurant & Wine Bar on the terrace above the cellars, lingering over small plates and another glass while planning your afternoon riverwalk back toward Porto.
Cross back toward Gaia and linger at Cais de Gaia for a riverside lunch of octopus rice at Restaurante D. Tonho, then stroll east along the waterfront to the atmospheric Engenho da Marinha for a casual tasting of artisanal ports and grappas in a small, family-run setting. Finish the afternoon with a climb to the leafy terraces of Miradouro da Serra do Pilar to watch light shift across the Ribeira rooftops and plan an early evening descent into Porto for dinner, keeping the day's pacing relaxed after the morning cellar tour.
As the sun dips, cross back toward Gaia and settle at Casa de Cha da Boa Nova's nearby terrace for a mellow pre-dinner tea or cocktail while watching the Douro darken; then walk to Solar do Vinho do Porto for an informal tasting of lesser-known colheitas and a chat with the sommelier about pairing local cheeses. Finish the night with a riverside dinner at Vila Nova de Gaia's Chez Lapin (or a similar family-run seafood house) - choose a seat facing Porto to enjoy the illuminated skyline and the reflection of the bridges on the water.
Start with a leisurely breakfast at Café Progresso's quieter sister spot to sample artisanal breads and a strong Portuguese coffee, then head to the tile-clad Capela das Almas to admire its blue azulejo exterior and interior frescoes before crowds arrive. From there, wander through the nearby covered Mercado Ferreira Borges to browse local crafts and seasonal produce, finishing with a mid-morning pausa and pastry at the charming Caféína while planning your afternoon explorations.
Spend a relaxed afternoon wandering the elegant streets toward Igreja do Carmo's lesser-known neighbour Igreja dos Carmelitas to compare ornate baroque interiors, then head to the nearby Rua das Flores to browse independent boutiques and stop for a light lunch at the sunny terrace of Esquina da Sofia, sampling regional petiscos. Finish with a contemplative visit to Casa-Museu Guerra Junqueiro to enjoy period rooms and tranquil gardens, followed by a coffee and bolo at the intimate Corte-Real Café while planning an evening of fado or a late-night bar hop.
As dusk settles, wander toward the bohemian Cedofeita quarter for an aperitif at Grande Café de Cedofeita, then follow the street art-lined lanes to enjoy a contemporary snack menu and local craft beer at Café Miradouro do Pilar's casual terrace overlooking the city. Afterward, reserve a table for a relaxed dinner of modern Portuguese small plates at Taberna do Largo São Domingos, and finish with a digestif and mellow live music at the intimate jazz bar Hot Five Jazz & Blues Club to round out an evening that connects Porto's cultural past with its lively present.
If you prefer a gentle day trip, catch the early suburban train from São Bento Station toward Matosinhos for a seaside walk and a fresh seafood brunch at O Gaveto, then stroll the wide Avenida Praia da Rocha to watch local surf schools and fishermen. Alternatively, stay in central Porto for a relaxed morning browsing independent shops along Rua de Miguel Bombarda (contemporary galleries and design stores) and pick up gourmet souvenirs at A Pérola do Bolhão before pausing for coffee and a pastel at Couto Pastry Shop, keeping the pace easy after your previous days of riverfront exploring.
For a relaxed afternoon without repeating earlier spots, wander the leafy lanes toward Jardins do Palácio de Cristal for a picnic on the terraces and sweeping Douro views, then descend to explore the nearby artisanal stalls and ceramics at Rua do Carmo Market (a small local craft fair atmosphere). Alternatively, choose a short outbound option and catch the tram to Foz do Douro for a seaside promenade, a light seafood plate at Casa de Pasto da Foz, and sunset-ready benches where locals gather-both keep the pace calm and set you up for a final evening in the centro.
As twilight falls on your final night, wander toward the lively Praça de Carlos Alberto for an aperitivo at Café Progresso (Praça branch), then stroll the nearby mosaicked lanes to the intimate rooftop bar 17º Bar for a sunset cocktail with skyline views. For dinner, reserve a table at the cosy, market-fresh Taberna do Largo, where seasonal petiscos and a thoughtful natural wine list create a convivial farewell meal, and finish with a digestif and live acoustic music at the tucked-away Casa do Chá da Boa Hora to soak up one last slice of Porto atmosphere.
| Place / Activity | Cost |
|---|---|
| Café Majestic (breakfast) | €12 |
| Livraria Lello (entry/bookshop ticket) | €6 |
| Avenida dos Aliados (walking/explore) | Free |
| Manteigaria (pastel de nata & coffee) | €3 |
| Mercado do Bolhão (market browsing/snack) | €5 |
| Igreja do Carmo (visit) | €3 |
| Rua de Santa Catarina & window-shopping | Free |
| Café Guarany (coffee/refreshment) | €4 |
| Ribeira Square (aperitivo/atmosphere) | Free |
| Dom Luís I Bridge (walk & sunset views) | Free |
| Taberna dos Mercadores (dinner - per person) | €28 |
| Adega São Nicolau (digestif/drink) | €6 |
| Café Progresso (breakfast) | €8 |
| Cais da Ribeira (quayside stroll) | Free |
| Igreja de São Francisco (entry) | €8 |
| Miradouro da Vitória (coffee/viewpoint) | €3 |
| Casa de Pasto da Palmeira (seafood lunch) | €22 |
| Palácio da Bolsa (guided tour) | €10 |
| Short Douro cruise (Cais de Gaia / Rabelo-boat short cruise) | €15 |
| Taberna do Largo (riverside petiscos) | €18 |
| Capela Incomum (cocktail/aperitif) | €8 |
| Garrafeira Alfaia (wine bar - glass) | €6 |
| Kopke Wine Cellars (tasting/tour) | €20 |
| Jardim do Morro (view/relax) | Free |
| Vinum Restaurant & Wine Bar (brunch/small plates) | €25 |
| Restaurante D. Tonho (riverside lunch) | €20 |
| Engenho da Marinha (artisanal tasting) | €12 |
| Miradouro da Serra do Pilar (viewpoint) | Free |
| Casa de Cha da Boa Nova (tea/cocktail) | €8 |
| Solar do Vinho do Porto (tasting) | €12 |
| Chez Lapin / similar (riverside dinner) | €25 |
| Capela das Almas (visit/exterior) | Free |
| Mercado Ferreira Borges (browse) | Free |
| Caféína (pastry/coffee) | €8 |
| Igreja dos Carmelitas (visit) | Free |
| Rua das Flores (shopping/browse) | Free |
| Esquina da Sofia (light lunch/petiscos) | €15 |
| Casa-Museu Guerra Junqueiro (entry) | €5 |
| Corte-Real Café (coffee & cake) | €6 |
| Grande Café de Cedofeita (aperitif) | €7 |
| Café Miradouro do Pilar (snack/beer) | €8 |
| Taberna do Largo São Domingos (dinner) | €25 |
| Hot Five Jazz & Blues Club (cover/drink) | €10 |
| Train to Matosinhos (one-way suburban ticket) | €2.50 |
| O Gaveto (seafood brunch in Matosinhos) | €22 |
| Rua de Miguel Bombarda (galleries/shopping) | Free |
| A Pérola do Bolhão (souvenirs/gourmet items) | €12 |
| Couto Pastry Shop (pastel & coffee) | €4 |
| Jardins do Palácio de Cristal (park/picnic) | Free |
| Rua do Carmo Market (artisanal stalls) | €8 |
| Tram to Foz do Douro (short trip) | €3 |
| Casa de Pasto da Foz (light seafood plate) | €18 |
| Café Progresso (Praça branch - aperitivo) | €8 |
| 17º Bar (rooftop cocktail) | €10 |
| Taberna do Largo (final night - market-fresh dinner) | €25 |
| Casa do Chá da Boa Hora (digestif/live acoustic) | €6 |
| Estimated Total (per person) | €701.50 |