Discovering Porto: A 3-Day City Experience

• Day 1: City Centre
  Start at Porto Aliados Metro Station
  • Avenida dos Aliados (1 hour) - A bustling avenue with grand architecture and popular cafes.
  • Clerigos Tower (2 hours) - A Baroque bell tower with a panoramic view of the city.
  • Ribeira (2 hours) - A waterfront area with colourful buildings, street performers, and restaurants.
  • Livraria Lello (30 minutes) - A historic bookstore with a stunning interior that inspired the Harry Potter series.
  End at Porto Cathedral
  Approximately 4.1 km (2.5 miles) in total. Estimated time: 6 hours.
• Day 2: Port Tasting
  Start at Sao Bento Metro Station
  • Taylor's Port (2 hours) - A scenic port cellar with a tasting room and vineyard views.
  • Wine Quay Bar (3 hours) - A wine bar with a riverfront terrace and an extensive selection of Portuguese wines.
  • Porto Cruz (2 hours) - A modern port cellar with a rooftop terrace and panoramic views of the river.
  End at Luís I Bridge
  Approximately 4.5 km (2.8 miles) in total. Estimated time: 7 hours.
• Day 3: Oceanfront and Culture
  Start at Avenida dos Aliados Metro Station
  • Casa da Música (2 hours) - A modern concert hall with striking architecture and diverse performances.
  • Matosinhos Beach (3 hours) - A sandy beach with excellent seafood restaurants and surfing opportunities.
  • Fundação Serralves (3 hours) - A contemporary art museum with gardens and a villa.
  End at Porto City Park
  Approximately 10.7 km (6.6 miles) in total. Estimated time: 8 hours.

Time and Costs Estimates

• Avenida dos Aliados (1 hour, free)
• Clerigos Tower (2 hours, €6)
• Ribeira (2 hours, prices vary)
• Livraria Lello (30 minutes, €5)
• Taylor's Port (2 hours, €15-€60)
• Wine Quay Bar (3 hours, prices vary)
• Porto Cruz (2 hours, €12-€18)
• Casa da Música (2 hours, prices vary)
• Matosinhos Beach (3 hours, free)
• Fundação Serralves (3 hours, €12)
• Total Estimated Costs: €63-€96

Transportation

Porto has an efficient public transportation system with metro, bus, and tram options. A 24-hour Andante Tour card costs €7 and allows unlimited travel. For those who prefer walking, many attractions are within a reasonable distance on foot.

Taxi rides start at €3.10 and cost around €0.50 per kilometre. Uber and Bolt also operate in the city. For those arriving from the airport, the metro costs €2.45 to travel to the city centre in approximately 30 minutes.

Useful Tips

For those with more time, exploring nearby towns such as Guimaraes or Braga can provide insight into Portuguese history and architecture. Those with less time could consider skipping the port tastings or shortening visits at museums.

Airports

Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport (OPO) is Porto's primary airport, located approximately 11 km (6.8 miles) north of the city centre. It offers a range of international flights and connections to many European cities. The metro provides easy access to the airport from the city centre for €2.45.