Best Things to do in Porto in 2 Days
Porto is a beautiful city that surprises everyone who visits it.
The city of Porto in northern Portugal is an amazing city you must visit. You can spend two fantastic days or more, and you don’t get bored.
In this post, I will tell you the best things to do in Porto and a few side trips you’ll enjoy a lot.
What to See in Porto on a Weekend?
We decided to take a 15-day road trip in Portugal, and we came from touring beautiful villages such as Guimaraes, a World Heritage Site, Braganza with its castle, and Chaves with its thermal baths.
The idea was to use Porto as a base of operations and know the villages around. We were going to stay five days, and there was plenty of time. So we decided to spend two full days visiting the beautiful city of Porto.
Here, you’ll find the best things to do in two days in Porto.
Porto, the Origin of Portugal’s Name
One of the first things we discovered (by chance reading, I don’t remember where) is that Portugal originated in Porto.
The mouth of the Douro River is in Porto. Well, 2200 years ago, the Romans conquered a city at the Douro River’s mouth called “Portus Cale.”
This city Portus Cale is the Porto we know today, and the name of Portugal is the result of the evolution of the name Portus Cale.
Porto and its Famous Wines
When visiting Porto, you must remember the wine that has taken the same name as the city where it is manufactured.
Porto is a sweet, intense, vibrant wine with almost 20 degrees of alcohol, so you must be careful. 😉
The river’s south bank is full of wineries, curiously not to Porto’s city but the city of Vilanova de Gaia. A little later, I will tell you about their cellars.
If you want to tour their vineyards and wineries, this link is for you. Our recommendation is, if you go during the high tourist season, book in advance.
What to visit in Porto in 2 awesome days?
What’s the most important thing to see in Porto in two days? You can do the visits in this order if you want.
One thing I do recommend is that you buy the Porto Card without transportation if you are carrying your own car (€5 day or €8 two days) or with transport, if you arrive by plane (€10.50 a day or €18 two days), which you can buy at the airport and are therefore already saving money.
The non-transportation card gives you free access to some monuments and discounts on others. The card with transport also gives you unlimited transport.
Allied Avenue and Freedom Square
If you’re going to spend a weekend, that’s what you’d visit on a Friday afternoon night.
You would walk along Allies Avenue with the Town Hall in the background and walk the city yourself or with a guide, including Freedom Square.
You would also take the time to visit Sao Bento station.
- Do you want to visit Porto with a professional guide? Click on this link to learn more about it.
Porto’s Sao Bento Station
The Sao Bento Train Station was built in the early 9th century on the remains of the former convent of San Bento del Ave María. It is really worth going to the station with its hall decorated with more than 20,000 tiles in which the history of Portugal is portrayed.
You will see this type of blue tiles in many places in Porto and northern Portugal, but The Sao Bento station is spectacular. What you see are scenes that represent crucial moments in the history of Portugal.
I recommend that you take some time to see these images, not just arrive; take a look at them, take the photo, and go.
Once you leave Sao Bento station and considering it’s the first day in the evening, you can go for a walk and dine on the banks of the Douro River at any of the dozens of restaurants. The truth is that the environment is beautiful and worth it.
The view of the bridge of Louis I Eiffel style from this point is magnificent, and you have to view one of the most typical photos of Porto.
Just below the Luis I Bridge is another bridge you can walk across, allowing you to cross from one side of the river to the other.
From this bridge that is about 10 or 15 meters above the river, young boys jump into the river.
You won’t see them at night, but during the day, if you cross here, it’s a regular occurrence to see the kids hanging from the bridge, ready to jump.
The Dos Guindais funicular
After dinner, if you feel like having a good view of Porto, it can be an excellent time to climb to the castle from the funicular.
The Funicular of Porto or Funicular Dos Guindais connects the Ribeira, the riverbank, and the Batalha district in the upper part of Porto.
During the climb, you can see the Bridge of Louis I, the medieval wall of Porto, and see from above the wineries scattered along the other bank of the Douro River.
It’s a lovely view, and the natural reaction is to take a picture. I took 50.
The Porto funicular has many years of history. Its construction was carried out in 1891 and was renovated in 1994.
The single ticket is pretty cheap, about two euros, although the climb is short. You can also climb some stairs that run between the houses, but it was too much for me when I saw them from above.
This funicular is not the cable car that leaves the banks of Vilanova de Gaia; it is very new, costs € 8, and is much longer, and the views are excellent.
You can start the next day by visiting the most important monuments of Porto. You would start with the Church and Tower of Clerics.
Church of the Clerics of Porto
The Church of the Clerics was built between 1735 and 1748 in Baroque style. The Clerics’ Tower is one of the city’s most emblematic monuments and attracts the most attention.
The Clerics Tower will also serve as a reference point for knowing where you are when walking around because it is easily seen anywhere. It was built by the brotherhood of the Poor Clerics in the old town.
The place where it is built is known as “the hill of the hanged.” The reason is that the criminals who had been sentenced to death were buried.
The Clerics Tower
The Clerics Tower is the tallest in Portugal, 76 meters high and more than 200 steps. If you go up to the tower (I recommend it), you will see a panoramic view of Porto that is really worth it.
On the rise to the tower, 49 bells form a fairly large carillon. If they ring when you’re going up, it’s just fantastic! When you’re up there, the views are magnificent.
Close to the Church of the Clerics is a bookstore called Lello and Irmao.
Lello and Irmao Library
This bookstore is considered one of the most beautiful bookstores in Europe. It has huge wooden shelves that reach the ceiling and a spectacular carved wooden staircase in the center of the premises. It’s pretty old.
Do not miss the visit to this bookstore that is a place to get lost in much more than a place to buy books.
You’ll read that it’s served as a stage in some Harry Potter movies, but as far as I know, this isn’t true. The real Flourish & Blotts of Harry Potter is a set. The catch is that it’s full of people, and many stops taking a picture on the stairs.
A few years ago, they didn’t charge for entering; they now charge 3 euros, but they deduct it from anything you buy inside. So I think it’s an excellent initiative.
Continuing to the street do Carmo, you can take tram 22, which stops right before the Church Our Lady do Carmo.
The last stop of this tram is the Batalha square, where the church of San Ildefonso is located. It is worth seeing its facade covered with the typical blue tiles that I have already told you.
From there, you can go along Rua Santa Catarina, one of the city’s main commercial arteries. Moving through it, on the right hand is the Café Majestic.
A café from the 20s maintains its original decoration and is where you can have a drink and enjoy its historic atmosphere.
Moving forward a little further and then going down Rua de Fernandez Tomás, you reach an important point in Porto, the Mercado do Bolhão (Bolhao Market).
Mercado do Bolhao
This visit is not a visit to buy anything but to know one of the liveliest points of Porto. Watch the schedules; it is open from Monday to Saturday and closes on Sundays. From Monday to Friday, it closes at 17:00, and on Saturdays, it closes at 13:00.
This market is one of the most visited in Porto and has been operating for 100 years. In fact, it began in 1914.
The truth is that the building is old, but it is a representative place of life in Porto and is an emblematic building.
In the whole of the northern part of Portugal and of course, in Porto, one of the products that you will see in all fishmongers is the cod in salt and, of course, in this market, you will get tired of seeing it.
Although you will also see shops for meat, flowers, fruit, and perfumes.
The market has two or three floors distributed around a large central courtyard. Enjoy walking around the place and seeing its people. I recommend it. Sometimes, it gave the impression that you had come back a century in time.
When you leave the market, you can go down on Rua Formosa and get to the Allies’ avenue. So you were taking a night walk yesterday.
Walk along the avenue, pass Freedom Square, and leave the Sao Bento station and the Don Alfonso Henriques Avenue on the left side. Finally, you’ll arrive at the Cathedral (La Sé) of Porto.
Porto’s Cathedral (La Sé) and its surroundings
From the Cathedral, there is a beautiful view of the banks of the Douro and the old town. It was built in the highest part of the city, is the most important religious building in Porto, and was also a defensive building.
Sometimes, it seems more like a fortification than a cathedral when you get close. But it’s beautiful; I really liked it.
It is located in the Batalha district, next to the walls. Its construction began in the twelfth century and is declared a National Monument.
Admission to the Cathedral is free, but if you want to enter the cloister, you have to pay € 3 for the regular entrance and € 2 with a Porto card.
You leave the Cathedral and go down to the banks of the Douro. On the way, you can stop at the Church of San Lorenzo dos Grilos and the Museum of Sacred Art.
The Church of San Lorenzo dos Grilos was completed in the eighteenth century and is simple inside. why do I tell you this?
Because it is the exception in Porto, as in the church of San Francisco, which is at its maximum representation, the churches in Porto are ostentatious. However, this church has virtually unfurnished walls.
From inside the Church, you can access the Museum of Sacred Art and Archaeology of Porto, although to be honest, I do not quite understand why the word Archaeology is in its name.
It’s a museum of sacred art. My opinion? Please don’t waste time with it; there are more exciting things.
You continue to go down to the riverbank until you arrive at the Jardin do Infante, very close to the riverbank that you were also around yesterday.
In this area, you have enough to see the Stock Exchange Palace, the church of San Francisco, and the Casa do Infante.
Church and Convent of San Francisco
The Church of San Francisco is one of Porto’s most important religious monuments, along with the Church of the Clerics and the Cathedral.
The church is lovely, but the visit is worth it for its catacombs and ossuaries. It’s a little grim but interesting, and you shouldn’t let it stop you from going.
Construction began at the end of the 14th century and is of Romanesque origins. As the name suggests, the Franciscan friars built the church and inhabited its convent.
The interior has three naves decorated with gilded carvings in which a good amount of gold was dedicated; in some places, they said 300 kilos, in another 400. It is certain that it is a church of ostentation, very luxurious.
There is an altarpiece on the left side nave called the Jesé Tree. It is a wooden sculpture considered one of the best in the world of its kind. You have to stop and watch it because it is simply spectacular.
Many of the city’s Franciscan friars and some noble families are buried in the catacombs. In addition, there is an Ossory with human bones that can be seen through a crystal placed on the ground.
The regular cost of entrance for adults is 3.50 euros; with the Porto Card for students, there is a 25% discount.
Palacio da Bolsa (Palace Stock Exchange)
The Commercial Association of Porto headquarters is located in the city’s historic center. As I’ve told you before, it’s a few steps from the Church of San Francisco.
Palacio da Bolsa was built on the ruins of a Franciscan convent destroyed in a fire. Its construction began in 1842, and almost half a century passed until its inauguration in 1891.
This building is classified as a National Monument and is worth the visit. It has guided tours that I recommend you take because they tell you the history of this building and the curiosities that make the visit much more enjoyable.
Casa Do Infante
It is an ancient house built in the middle of the 14th century. It is named after Henry the Navigator, who was also called the Infante de Portugal.
He is considered one of the forerunners of the Portuguese colonial empire and one of the important figures at the beginning of the era of exploration.
This house is now a museum, and you are charged a ticket of € 2.20, but it is free with the Porto Card.
And I think you have had enough for today. So, taking advantage of the fact that you are in the Ribera, you can dine here. It’s Porto’s best place to dine, here or on the opposite bank.
It is undoubtedly worth knowing the part of Vilanova de Gaia, its wineries, and taking a boat along the Douro River for the next day. Normally, if you pay for a boat ride, you can also pay for a visit to one of the wineries on this side of the riverfront.
Porto Tours
Although it may seem that Vila Nova de Gaia is part of Porto at first sight, it is really another Portuguese city.
One of the most typical images of this walk is the “rabelos.” The rabelos are boats originally built to transport wine barrels. Today, they are used as tourist attractions to make small cruises in the Douro.
Many photos have these little boats as protagonists, including the main photo of this article!
The boat ride can be hired on the waterfront and one of the ticket offices there. It includes the cable car, the boat ride, and two wineries, all for about 15 euros.
Guided tour of Porto
If you usually hire guided tours in the cities you visit, you can also do it in Porto.
Hop-On Hop-Off Bus, Tram & Funicular Ticket
This is a tranquil way to visit a city. It is very comfortable because you leave the car at the hotel without worrying about parking.
You can get on and off at the stops that interest you the most with the tour bus, tram, and funicular.
If you are like us and like to walk the cities, with this ticket, you can get off at a stop, walk, and look for the next stop that you are closest to go to the next point that interests you. It is also ideal for cities with slopes.
Take a look at the prices for 23.40 euros is totally worth it.
The cable car ride
The cable car ride is perfect; the cable car is modern and takes you to the Bridge of Louis I with interesting views. You can take a walk on the bridge and visit the castle if you want.
Once back down, you can take a walk and cross the bridge that goes under the bridge of Luis I. This is where you’ll see the kids jumping off the bridge if the weather and temperature allow. Finally, you’re accessing the shore of Porto, where the boat is taken.
Boat ride
The boat ride is not the best tour, but it is interesting. They ride you on a boat, take you to one side so you can see the 6 bridges, take you to the other, and then let you go; end of the story.
The good thing it had is that they first made a stop on the banks of the side of Vila Nova de Gaia; that’s where we got off to visit the wineries. Another good thing is the price, for €15 you make the tour. Here you can take a look at it.
There are many, and some are not very well indicated. In fact, the ticket included visiting two wineries, but one of them could not find it.
Also, pay attention to your watch because the cellars close at five o’clock in the afternoon or six at the latest.
If you have time left, visit the Crystal Palace Gardens. They are in the upper part of Porto, and it is a place from which you can enjoy the mouth of the Douro River in the Atlantic Ocean. It has spectacular views.
Where to Sleep in Porto?
Booking.comIn Porto, you will find a wide variety of hotels for all tastes and budgets. Check out the Booking link; it’s our favorite place to book hotels and choose the one that best suits your needs.
Put the dates you are going to travel on, add the note filter (we always look from 8 up); you can also add that you need parking or that you accept pets, among many others.
When you find the one you like the most, make your reservation, and you already have your hotel booked.
Plan Your Trip to Portugal
- Must Visit Places in Porto
- 15 days of Road Trip in Portugal
- Best things to do in Guimaraes?
- What to see in Lisbon and its surroundings?
Last Updated on 5 October, 2023 by Veronica
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