Get the appSign inSign up
Trip ideas  /  Europe  /  Portugal  /  Porto, Norte  /  2-day itinerary
Archie
Indulgence
Porto, Norte: 2 days in Porto and the Douro ValleyPhoto: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0 on Wikimedia Commons
Indulgence TreatTrip idea · Porto, Norte

2 days in Porto and the Douro Valley

The 5-day plan, rearranged for 2 days: the best-ranked places stay, and each day keeps to one part of town.

2 daysAnyoneLate September6 places
Copy this plan to your own trips, then change anything you like.
Porto
Photo: Joseolgon, CC BY-SA 4.0 on Wikimedia Commons
Porto
Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 3.0 on Wikimedia Commons
How many days?Pick yours and the plan rearranges.
Rearranged from the 5 day plan. See it as written

Best time to go

April to September are the most comfortable months for walking around.
  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

Arrival day

Before Day 1. Porto is steep and best met slowly, so keep the first evening open.Details
From the airport
Porto airport has its own metro line that runs into the city, and taxis and rideshares are a short ride too. Check ahead for the route to your stop and how to pay.
By train from Lisbon
Long distance trains from Lisbon arrive at Campanhã station, on the east side of the center. A short metro or local train ride takes you on to the middle of town. Check ahead for the timetable.
Getting around
Porto is built on a steep, cobbled slope above the river, so pack shoes with grip. A rechargeable Andante card works on the metro, and check ahead for what else it covers. Rain is common in autumn, so bring a light jacket.
The night before Day 1
Walk down to the river after dark and watch the lights on the Dom Luís I bridge. Day 1 starts right there, on the Ribeira waterfront, so you can sleep in a little.

Day 1. The center and Ribeira and the Cathedral

3 stops · 0.9 km

Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.

  1. 1
    MorningWorth a short stop

    São Bento Station

    A working train station whose main hall is covered in blue and white tile panels of scenes from the history of Portugal. Come in, look up and take your time.

    Go when Morning, when the hall is calmer.

    Local tip Walk to the middle of the hall and turn slowly. The tile panels are best from a step back, and trains still run through, so it is not a museum.

    São Bento Station, Porto
    Photo: HombreDHojalata, CC BY-SA 4.0 on Wikimedia Commons
    About 4 min walk0.4 km
  2. 2
    MiddayWorth the time, check ahead

    Clérigos Tower

    The tall baroque bell tower that rises over the roofs. Climb it for the view across the city, and check ahead for how entry works.

    Go when Midday, on a clear day, when the view is wide.

    Local tip The stair is narrow and steep, with a lot of steps, so take it slowly. Check ahead on how to get in and on how busy it is.

    Clérigos Tower, Porto
    Photo: Peter K Burian, CC BY-SA 4.0 on Wikimedia Commons
  3. Lunch

    A francesinha

    The city’s sandwich: layers of bread, ham, sausage and steak, covered with melted cheese and a rich, spiced tomato and beer sauce. Big, heavy and made to be shared.

    Local tip It is a lot of food, so have it for lunch and share one between two. Order a cold drink with it.

    A francesinha
    Photo: TheRealDapperDan, CC BY-SA 4.0 on Wikimedia Commons
    About 6 min walk0.5 km
  4. 3
    AfternoonWorth the time, check ahead

    Palácio da Bolsa

    The grand old stock exchange with a famous Arab hall of gilded plaster. It is usually seen on a guided visit, so check ahead on how to join one.

    Go when Afternoon, on a guided visit.

    Local tip It is usually seen with a guide, so check ahead on the options and the languages. The Arab hall is the highlight, so keep your camera ready.

    Palácio da Bolsa, Porto
    Photo: Krzysztof Golik, CC BY-SA 4.0 on Wikimedia Commons
  5. Dinner

    Tripas à moda do Porto

    A slow stew of tripe and white beans, the old dish of the city, and the reason people from Porto are nicknamed for it. A rich, warm bowl for an evening.

    Local tip Try it once, in a small place, and ask what the cook recommends next to it if it is not your taste.

    Tripas à moda do Porto
    Photo: Jeremy Keith, CC BY 2.0 on Wikimedia Commons
If it rains. Everything today is indoors, so rain does not change the plan.

Day 2. Ribeira and the Cathedral and Vila Nova de Gaia

3 stops · 1.0 km

Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.

  1. 1
    MorningWorth the time

    Ribeira

    The old riverside quarter, with narrow lanes, tall tiled houses and cafes along the quay. Wander the water’s edge and look back up at the stacked buildings.

    Go when Morning, when the quay is quiet and the light hits the tiled fronts.

    Local tip The lanes climb steeply from the water and the stones are slippery when wet, so wear shoes with grip. Look up as well as ahead.

    Ribeira, Porto
    Photo: Alvesgaspar, CC BY-SA 4.0 on Wikimedia Commons
    About 5 min walk0.4 km
  2. 2
    MorningWorth the time, check ahead

    Gaia riverside lodges

    The embankment of Vila Nova de Gaia is lined with the old port lodges, where the wine has been aged for generations. Many offer tours and tastings. Check ahead on what is open and whether to book.

    Go when Morning or midday, when the lodges are open for visits.

    Local tip Many lodges offer tours and tastings, so check ahead on what each offers. Taste slowly, because port is strong, and eat something first.

  3. Lunch

    Bacalhau

    Salt cod is the national dish, and Porto has its own ways with it, baked, grilled or fried in golden cakes. A hearty lunch by the river on the Gaia side.

    Local tip Ask what the kitchen does best with it, since every place has its own way.

    Bacalhau
    Photo: Karl Ragnar Gjertsen Krg…, CC BY-SA 3.0 on Wikimedia Commons
    About 8 min walk0.6 km
  4. 3
    AfternoonWorth the time

    Dom Luís I Bridge

    The great iron arch bridge over the Douro, with two decks. The upper deck is for walkers and the metro, and the view over the river and both banks is worth the climb.

    Go when Late afternoon, before sunset (about 7:44 PM), when the river turns gold.

    Local tip The upper deck is for walkers and the metro, so keep to the side. The lower deck is for traffic and walkers, and it is the easier way across.

    Dom Luís I Bridge, Porto
    Photo: Deensel, CC BY 2.0 on Wikimedia Commons
If it rains. Gaia riverside lodges is covered, so keep it. Move Ribeira and Dom Luís I Bridge to a dry day if you can.

Departure day

After the last day. The airport is on the metro, so the last morning can be slow.Details
The last morning
Leave the bags with your hotel if your flight is late and take one more riverside walk. The steep streets are easier going downhill with a light bag.
To the airport
The airport metro line is simple, but check the route and the first and last services the day before. A taxi is the easy choice with a lot of luggage.
Last tastes
Buy a bottle of tawny or a tin of fish for home from a food shop in the center, and pack it well, since liquids need to go in checked bags.

Questions people ask

When is the best time to visit Porto?

By average weather from 2021 to 2025, April to September are the most comfortable months for walking around Porto. This plan is built for late September, which is one of the best months. Crowds and prices change through the year, so check them before you book.

How many days does this plan cover?

It covers 2 days in Porto, planned for late September. Each day is built around a small number of stops, with room to rest.

Who is this plan for?

It was planned for most travelers. The pace and the places reflect that, so check it fits how you travel.

Is anything on this plan booked?

No. Places marked "book ahead" need a reservation. Hours, prices and availability change, so confirm before you go.

Can I plan my own days like this?

Yes. Archie drafts a day by day plan for your dates and takes your pace, the weather and who is travelling into account. You can start one from the Archie app.

Can I change this plan?

Yes. It is a starting point you can change to fit your own trip: swap a place, add a day or move the pace.

How much walking is there?

Each day has about 0.9 to 1.0 kilometers between its stops, and 1.9 kilometers in all across 2 days. A short hop is a walk and a longer one a ride. Distances are straight-line estimates, so allow extra for the streets.

Keep exploring

Nearby trips

More like this

More Indulgence trips ›More trips in Portugal ›

More guides to Porto

Other guides with a page about Porto. Each one opens in a new tab.

Photo: HombreDHojalata, CC BY-SA 4.0 on Wikimedia Commons · Photo: Alvesgaspar, CC BY-SA 4.0 on Wikimedia Commons · Photo: Peter K Burian, CC BY-SA 4.0 on Wikimedia Commons

Make this plan yours

Make it yours in a minute, then move days around and add what you want.

A trip idea · Updated October 2026

Want your own days planned like this? Plan your own trip on the web or get the Archie app.