Welcome to Porto, Portugal – a city brimming with history, charm, and a vibrant cultural scene. Nestled along the scenic Doura River, Porto captivates visitors with cobblestone streets (and we all know how much I love those), colorful buildings, and delicious cuisine. Whether you’re a history buff, a foodie seeking culinary delights, or a wanderer in search of breathtaking views, Porto offers some of the best things to do!

In this blog post, we’ll embark on a journey through Porto’s enchanting streets. Porto has been a highlight of my trip, I even dare to say that I prefer it over Lisbon, so allow me to share the compiled list of all the things that are not to be missed so that you will be fazed by the same charm that has enchanted me. Here are the best things to do and see in Porto:

The best things to do and see in Porto

Climb the towers of Porto Cathedral for a view of the Luis I bridge

A great start to your Porto stay is visiting the Porto Cathedral. The cathedral is located in the historical center of Porto, overlooking the Douro river and the city’s picturesque old town. It is one of the oldest and most significant religious buildings in Porto, dating back to the 12th century.

Its gothic exterior is imposing, but it’s what’s on the inside that matters most: Harry Potter like hallways covered in blue Azulejos (painted tin-glazed ceramic tilework). Wander through the adjoining cloister hallways, gawk at the stunning details of the altars, and certainly don’t forget to climb to the top of one of the towers. The tower will provide you a panorama of all the orange rooftops, the Douro river, and you can even spot the Luis I bridge!

Entrance fee: the cathedral is free, the monastery is €3.
Opening hours*: April – October: open daily from 09:00-17:30
November – March: open daily from 09:00 – 18:30

*= the Mass starts at 11:00.

Visit one of the most gorgeous libraries in the world: Livrario Lello

You might have figured out why Porto has stolen my heart by now. A couple of sights make every Harry Potter fan’s heart beat faster. Livrario Lello is one of them. Livrario Lello is rumored to be the inspiration for Hogwarts.

Although it is not necessary to be a Harry Potter fan to take in the breathtaking architecture. When I was a child I stumbled upon a picture of the interior and I immediately knew I had to visit it one day; when that day finally arrived it did not disappoint. The bookstore is not big, but the interior blew me away. Ceiling-high wooden bookshelves, a stained-glass roof, and at the center of the room a grand curving staircase. It truly deserves the title of one of the most beautiful libraries in the world.

Nowadays you can visit the library for €8, which will be turned into a discount if you decide to buy a book. Some might argue that has taken the magic of the place away, which is true in some ways, but I personally think Livrario Lello is still worth visiting if you keep an open mind. Expect having to queue for it (even after booking a timeslot, so make sure you arrive early!) and also expect the inside to be crowded.

Tickets can be bought at the official website.

Tip!

Try booking the very last time slot. Eventually they will stop people from entering and then you’ll have a little time to explore whilst the crowds are going down. You cannot stay long because obviously the employees want to go home as well, but it might grant you a less crowded picture on the grand staircase.

Don’t be like me though, I took some photos of others that asked me and when it finally was my turn, we really had to get going… So no picture for me.

Climb the Clérigos Tower

If the Porto Cathedral towers weren’t high enough I’ve got good news for you: there is an even higher tower; the Clérigos Tower. Ever since 1763, when the bell tower was built, it has become the city’s most recognizable landmark. You can see it from afar, and at the top, you can see most of Porto.

Getting to the top does require a bit of fitness. The 75-metre tall tower requires you to climb about 200 steps in a narrow staircase to reach the top, but I promise you it is worth it! Especially during sunset!

The tower (and adjoined church and museum) are open daily from 9 AM to 7 PM. The entry fee is €8. In summer there is a possibility to enter the tower from 7 PM up to 11 PM. The church and museum will be closed then, which is why the entry fee is reduced to €5.

Watch the sunset at the Luis I bridge

Another great spot to enjoy a sunset is the Luis I Bridge. Or should I say spots? There are endless possibilities when it comes to great sunset-watching spots. What about watching it from the bridge itself? Or what about watching the last rays of the sun hit the bridge seen from below? Or what about watching Porto and the Luis I bridge from a park? As I said, the possibilities are endless.

The Luis I Bridge, designed by Gustav Eiffel (yes the one who designed the Eiffel Tower!), crosses the Douro River. It has two levels: the top one provides the best views. Do watch out for the trams though!

Once you’ve taken in the views from the top level, cross the bridge and go to Jardim do Morro. This park is another fantastic spot to watch the sunset or simply enjoy the view of the bridge.

As soon as the sun has set, head down towards the Ribeira Riverside for a dinner with a stunning view of the Douro river and the Luis I Bridge. You can either head down via the Funicular or take the stairs. The funicular costs €4. Keep in mind that you need to pay in cash and they don’t give change.

Visit the church of Santa Clara

There are various churches in Porto, but I think the Church of Santa Clara is worth visiting. The construction of the church began all the way back in 1416, but since then adjustments have been made. Especially the interior underwent a great transformation. Whereas the exterior is rather humble, the interior is somewhat visually overwhelming. Carved and gilded woodwork adorns nearly every square inch.

Entry fee: €4,00
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday from 9AM to 1PM – 2PM to 5/5:30PM*
* On Tuesday and Saturday the mass is celebrated at 6PM, thus visits close at 5PM.

Spot even more azulejos at Igreja do Carmo

Porto has beautiful buildings with Azulejos scattered throughout the city. You could in fact do an Azulejos tour through the city (something I’d definitely recommend!) Said tour would eventually bring you to Igrejo do Carmo.

At first glance, this might seem like a huge church, but that is not the case. These are two churches: Igreja do Carmo and Igreja dos Carmelitas . The two however were not allowed to be built right next to each other so they built Portugal’s smallest house in between: Casa Escondida, also known as the hidden house.

Both churches and the 1-metre-wide house, which now is a museum, can be visited. You can enter the hidden house through the Igrejo do Carmo which costs €3.50. The Igrejas das Camelitas is free to enter.

Go on a port tasting tour

What is a better place to enjoy a glass of Port than Porto? Port, which is a typically sweet red wine that is often served with dessert, is produced in the Douro region. The wine received its name because the product was brought to the market and exported to other countries in Porto.

I am not typically a huge alcohol fan, but I really loved the sweet and fruity taste of Port wine. Lucky for you there are multiple ways of tasting the delicious wine. You could, for example, order it at a restaurant or if you’d like a longer outing, you could go on a wine-tasting tour. Here are some that I’d recommend:

Experience the sheer joy of indulging in a Pastel de Nata

Unlike the Port, the Pastel de Nata might not originate from Northern Portugal, but that should not stop anybody from experiencing the sheer joy of indulging one. When I was in Portugal I’d literally start my day with a Pastel de Nata and not one bit of me has regretted that.

A Pastel de Nata is a Portuguese Egg Custard Tart Pastry often with a caramelized torched top. Nothing beats biting into the perfectly golden crust revealing a creamy custard filling.

You can get them almost everywhere throughout Portugal, but if you want to feel like a main character I’d recommend getting a coffee and a Pastel de Nata at the Majestic Café. I must warn you that it is fairly expensive, but the refined atmosphere and the connection to Porto’s history might make it worth it. Sometimes you have to treat yourself, right?

Spend the afternoon at the beach

All the exploring and eating might have tired you so what better way to relax than spend an afternoon at the beach? Porto itself might not have any beaches, but it is located rather close to the ocean. Here are some beaches that are worth mentioning:

• Praia do Carneiro: This beach is the nearest one and a pretty solid choice. It’s only a 26-minute bus dive from São Bento. It is a sandy beach next to a fort.
• Praia dos Ingleses: is right next to Praia do Carneiro. You could take the same bus that departs from São Bento.
• Praia de Matosinhos: if you’re willing to travel a bit further (40 min with public transport) you could go to Praia de Matosinhos. This is a broad sandy beach that is popular with the locals.

Go on a tour through Pálacio da Bolsa

Up until this trip, I thought palaces were solely for members of a royal family, but Porto has proven me wrong. Pálacio da Bolsa is a stock exchange palace that honors Porto’s past and present money merchants.

Nowadays it is classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Every 30 minutes, a 30-minute guided tour departs from the entrance, taking visitors along to explore the exquisite rooms of the palace. If you think the outside is magnificent, wait until you see the ballroom or the glass domes Hall of Nations.

Opening hours: open daily from 9:00 a.m. – 18:30 p.m
Entry fee: €12, there is a student & senior discount price of €7.5

Go on a boat trip past the nine bridges

If you thought the Luis I bridge was the only bridge in Porto, think again! With its 6 bridges, Porto is seen as the city of bridges. Many different boat tours on the Douro River sail underneath these bridges. Most of these tours are on a typical Rabelo Boat. These boats were used to transport the wine to the city.

These boat tours are not all about cruising through the river and sipping wine, they also teach you something about Porto’s rich fishing tradition. Whether it be by an audio guide or by an actual guide.

day trip: Go on an adventure in national park Peneda-Gerês

It’s a shame how unknown Penada-Gerês is to the mainstream tourist. Rarely ever do I see the national park mentioned in blog posts, vlogs, or TikToks. They don’t know what they’re missing! Penada-Gerês is a 72.290 hectares big national park where you can enjoy amazing landscapes, a variety of waterfalls, and if you’re lucky some wildlife.

Unfortunately, I only got to explore the park for 1 day, but you could easily stay an entire week here. It is about a 1.5-hour drive from Porto to a town called Gerês. Gerês is a valley in the national park with some stores, hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, and even a tourist office. This is a great starting point for either hikes or a road trip through the national park.

Trails

• PR6 – Trilho dos Miradouros – This trail takes you past several ‘miradouros’ (viewing points) with spectacular views of the entire valley. The trail is 12 kilometers long, starts in Gerês, takes about 5 hours, and is of medium difficulty.
• PR3 – Trilho dos Currais – This trail contains areas where animals graze during summer. This system of seasonal grazing is called ”vezeiras”. From May to September the local community takes cattle up into the mountain pastures. The cattle herders stay with them in small cottages built alongside the corrals. This trail is 10 kilometers, takes about 4 hours, starts in Gerês, and is of medium difficulty.
• PR7 – Trilho de S. Bento – This trail does not start in Gerês, but in Rio Caldam which isn’t too far away from Gerês (by car). It’s a trail packed with historical, cultural, and religious interest, based around the Sanctuary of São Bento da Porta Aberta. The trail is 14 kilometers long, takes about 6 hours, and is of medium difficulty.
• PR10 – Trilho da Preguiça – This trail starts above Gerês. There are three possible routes: Route I has the longest route of about 6 kilometers, Route II cuts off earlier making it a shorter route, and Route III is the shortest of them all. This path passes two waterfalls: Cascata de Leonte and Cascata da Laja

Waterfalls

• Cascata da Laja – Slightly above Gerês (you do need to go by car) is Cascata da Laja, a waterfall in front of a wooden bridge. PR10 goes past this waterfall. You could do the PR10 trail backward to go to this waterfall.
• Cascata de Leonte – a 19-meter waterfall. PR10 goes past this waterfall, you could do the trail backward if you don’t want to do the full trail. Beware! In summer this waterfall has often disappeared.
• Cascata de S. Miguel (Portela do Homem) – This waterfall consists of multiple waterfalls. It is further up north past the Spanish border. You can park near the waterfall but will have to walk 500 meters. Especially in summer, this waterfall is rather popular because you can swim there. Do be careful of slippery rocks when descending towards the water!
• Cascata do Arado – Another waterfall that is further away from Gerês but worth visiting! It’s about 3 kilometers away from Ermida and the succession of waterfalls makes it rather unique. It is not recommended to swim because the climb down is dangerous. Stone steps will bring you to a small viewpoint.
• Fecha de Barjas (Tahiti) – This waterfall too is located near Ermida, it is said to be one of the national park’s most beautiful waterfalls. The clear emerald water and the multiple layers of the waterfall do make it look like a fairytale location. You can swim at this waterfall but be cautious of slippery rocks.
• Ponte da Misarela – Technically not in Penada-Gerês park, but worth mentioning! This is a stone bridge with a beautiful waterfall behind it

Getting there

You need to rent a car when going to Penada-Gerês, it is unfortunately not possible to go by public transport. The roads in Portugal are very well maintained. There will be some hairpin bends but overall driving there is doable! If you still would rather not drive you could also book an excursion. Here are some that I’d recommend:

Day trip: Go on a walk at Paiva Walkways

Another fun day trip in nature is the Paiva Walkways near Arouca. This is an 8-kilometer wooden walkway running alongside the Paiva River through untouched nature. The trail is a linear route that can be done from both ways, but if that’s too intense you could opt for a taxi at the end of the trail. Taxis come and go, so it’s not necessary to walk 16 kilometers. If you start in Areinho, the trail is fairly easy once you have crossed the 400+ steps at the beginning, from then on the walk will mostly be downhill. If you decide to start in Espiunca be prepared to mostly be walking uphill and ending the trial with the 400+ steps.

During the trail you will come across multiple spots to take a refreshing break in the water, the halfway point even has a little beach where you can swim or cool down.

Those who are looking for a bit of adrenaline should not skip over the 516 Arouca suspension bridge located at the entrance in Areinho. This suspension bridge is the second largest in the world and is 175 meters suspended above the gorge. The bridge is see-through, so definitely not for the faintest of hearts!

You do not need to cross the Arouca bridge in order to complete the Paiva Walkways, likewise, you don’t have to do the Paiva Walkways if you only want to visit the Arouca bridge. If you want to do both, buy a ticket for the Arouca bridge, this will include entry to the Paiva Walkways. A ticket to the Paiva Walkways does not include entry to the Arouca bridge.

I’d recommend booking the Paiva Walkways in advance, there is a daily limit of visitors. You need to book a timeslot for the Arouca Bridge. You can do that at the official website.

Opening hours: open daily from 9:00 a.m. – 18:30 p.m
Entry fee: €12, there is a student & senior discount price of €7.5

Unfortunately, the Paiva Walkways are only accessible by car. If you don’t have one you could check out these day trips from Porto:

Day trip: enjoy the sun in costa nova

It’s not like you can’t enjoy the sun in Porto, but the striped beach huts do create a beachy vibe that you cannot get elsewhere. Costa Nova is a cute village that lies on a narrow sandbar peninsula. It has a lagoon side where you’ll find the fishing harbor and the famous striped beach huts on the other side you’ll find the sandy beach facing the Atlantic ocean.

Costa Nova is often combined with Aveiro, the ‘Venice’ of Portugal, but in all honesty, I found it a bit disappointing. There was not much to see or do, and the gondola ride literally went along the highway.

In all fairness, Costa Nova is not big either but at least you can spend a day at the beach!

Other Portugal posts

A traveler’s Guide of the best things to see and do in Lisbon.

I hope you enjoyed this post! Let me know if you have ever been to Porto and what your opinion of the city is! And if you haven’t been yet, tell me what you’re looking forward most to!

Love,

Sharon