Porto, Portugal is truly one of my favourite cities in Europe. It’s got everything you want.
Great historic sights, great views, reasonable prices, friendly locals, fantastic food, and the best cocktail in the world: Caipirinha.
We spent around 2 weeks road tripping Portugal, and because we had so much ground to cover (there are a lot of amazing things to see all across Portugal!), we only had one day in Porto. BUT, not to worry, if you’ve read any of my other one day itineraries, you know that if I only have one day in a city, then I can truly make the most of it.
SO, with that in mind, here is my one day Porto Itinerary!
As always, there is going to be a lot of walking, so make sure you have decent shoes on ;)
There are lots of great places to grab breakfast in Porto. But I can recommend going to a small coffee shop, that looks local!
I think when in Portugal, you should try and eat as many pastel de nata as possible, and that includes breakfast!
Grab a coffee and a pastry and get fuelled for the day, then head to Livraria Lello. What better way to start your day in Porto than visiting one of the most beautiful and popular bookstores in all of Europe!
And that’s the reason I’ve put it as number one….because it can get super busy.
So head there first. You’ll need to purchase a ticket for entrance, but they’re redeemable against books.
Livraria Lello offers several ticket options for visitors:
Porto’s historic centre is a captivating blend of old-world charm and vibrant energy, where every corner tells a story of Portugal’s past. Nestled along the Douro River, the city’s heart beats in the Ribeira district, a UNESCO World Heritage site filled with narrow, winding streets, colorful tiled facades, and traditional Portuguese houses stacked against the hillside.
After taking in the ambience, head to the bell tower, and go up to the top for some breath-taking views of Porto.
Perched atop Porto’s historic center, Sé do Porto (Porto Cathedral) is a striking blend of Romanesque, Gothic, and Baroque styles. Its fortress-like exterior, twin towers, and grand rose window reflect its nearly 900-year history.
Inside, the high-vaulted ceilings, Gothic cloisters adorned with azulejo tiles, and the Baroque high altar showcase a mix of solemnity and artistry. The cathedral’s terrace offers breathtaking views over Porto and the Douro River, making it a must-visit landmark that embodies the city’s rich heritage.
Before, or afterwards, check out the Palácio da Bolsa (Stock Exchange Palace) which is a beautiful 19th-century neoclassical landmark in Porto, built by the city’s Commercial Association. It features stunning interiors like the Arab Room, inspired by the Alhambra, and the Courtyard of Nations with a grand glass dome.
It’s time for lunch! And you can’t possibly go to Porto without actually tasting Port!
And Portugal wine in general is VERY good. Actually, if you’re spending more time in Portugal in general, then you cannot miss the Douro Valley, which is without doubt, one of the most beautiful wine regions in the world (and I’ve been to a lot so far), I’ve not seen anything that compares to it…yet!
In terms of lunch options, we went to a vegetarian restaurant called “Kind Kitchen”, but there are lots of traditional Portuguese dishes and restaurants you can visit too.
A lot of Portuguese cuisine tends to lean towards meat eaters, so it was just easier for us to find something that we knew catere to us!
Check out the Wine Quay Bar that’s located on the waterfront for great tasting options!
I LOVE when a city offers the chance for me to get on a boat cruise. That’s probably why all of my favourite cities offer the chance to explore via boat (Prague, Budapest, Paris). But the six bridges boat tour is not only informative, but it’s fun.
We went on a super sunny day and it was the perfect way to learn more about the history of Porto, and I highly recommend you include a boat cruise on your one day in Porto Itinerary.
This is the cruise we did for around $20 and it was about 50 minutes long.
You could opt to have dinner in the Ribeira Square (Praça Ribeira), but I recommend heading along the waterfront/promenade and choosing one of the restaurants on offer there.
Even if it’s just for a pre dinner drink. I can’t remember the name of the place we dined at, as it wasn’t pre meditated, we just picked one that had a great deal on Caipirinha (the national drink of Portugal!)
But we ended up having the best time, sipping drinks, eating food and enjoying the atmosphere.
We visited in peak summer when it was hot ands busy, and honestly, I didn’t think it was crazy busy, not like, when you visit Paris, Rome, or even Venice in the summer. But every season offers something different. Here is a mini summary:
☀️ Summer (June – August) → Best for Festivals & Warm Weather
🍂 Autumn (September – November) → Best for Wine Lovers & Comfortable Weather
❄️ Winter (December – February) → Best for Budget Travelers & Fewer Crowds
👉 Best Overall Time: Spring (April – May) or Early Autumn (September – October) for great weather, fewer crowds, and a more relaxed experience.
If time is on your side, then I’d say 2 nights/3 days is the perfect amount of time to spend in Porto. But you wouldn’t be on a one day Porto guide if you didn’t only have one day….right?So, yes, I think you can absolutely see a lot of the best sights Porto has to offer in just one day! I mean, we did!
But it is a great city for a long weekend break. So if you can stretch it out, then why not! You could even rent a car and go check out the Douro Valley that I mentioned above!
Getting to Porto is a breeze, whether you're flying in, rolling in by train, or road-tripping with scenic views along the way.
By Air – The Quickest Route: Porto’s Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport (OPO) is well-connected to major European cities and beyond. Once you land, hop on the Metro (Line E – Purple) for a 30-minute ride into the city center, grab a taxi, or book a budget-friendly airport transfer.
By Train – Scenic & Relaxing If you're coming from Lisbon, the Alfa Pendular high-speed train whisks you to Porto in just 2.5 to 3 hours, with stunning coastal and countryside views.
From Spain, take an international train from Vigo, Madrid, or San Sebastián for a relaxing ride into Porto’s São Bento Station—a masterpiece of azulejo tiles!
By Car – Road Trip Vibes - it's what we did! Driving to Porto from Lisbon takes around 3 hours via the A1 motorway, while a scenic route through the Douro Valley offers stunning vineyard landscapes. Just be prepared for toll roads!
By Bus – Budget-Friendly & Easy - Long-distance bus companies like FlixBus and Rede Expressos connect Porto with Lisbon, Spain, and other European destinations. It’s a cheaper alternative to trains, but expect longer travel times (Lisbon to Porto: 3.5–4 hours).
To be honest we just used our feet to get around Porto! A lot of the sights are all within walking distance of one another. (Another reason it’s such a great city to visit).But there are a number of other options available:
🚇 Metro – Fast & Efficient
🚌 Buses – For Non-Metro Areas
🚋 Trams – A Nostalgic Ride
🚠 Funicular & Cable Car – Beat the Hills!
🚖 Taxis & Ride-Sharing – Quick & Easy
🚴♂️ Bikes & Scooters – A Flat Ride by the River
So there we have it, my one day in Porto itinerary! I hope you find it useful and hopefully you have an awesome day. Let me know if you’ve added or taken away any spots!
Love, Cazzy
PSST: Read my guide on the best things to do in Portugal for more inspiration if you're visiting the rest of this wonderful country!
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