7 Days in Porto: Douro Valley Wine, Azulejos, and Atlantic Breezes
Porto, Portugal’s “Invicta,” grew from a Roman riverside trading post into a UNESCO‑listed city of granite lanes, Baroque towers, and blue‑white azulejos. The Douro River cleaves Porto from Vila Nova de Gaia, where port wine aged for centuries in cool cellars. Today the six bridges, terraced hills, and golden light conspire to make every stroll cinematic.
This is also a city that eats well. From the humble bifana and the decadent francesinha to Atlantic seafood in nearby Matosinhos, Porto rewards curiosity and appetite. Coffee culture is thriving (try small roasters) and wine bars pour Douro reds and aged tawnies with ritual care.
Practical notes: book Livraria Lello early, expect hills and cobbles, and ride the metro or tram when legs need a break. Trains link Porto with Lisbon and Braga/Guimarães; the airport sits on Metro Line E. You’ll find prices friendly, hospitality warm, and sunsets over the Douro linger long.
Porto
Porto’s core unfolds around the Ribeira waterfront, the cathedral, and the Baroque duo of Clérigos Church and tower. São Bento Station dazzles with 20,000 azulejos, Palácio da Bolsa whispers mercantile power, and the iron sweep of the Dom Luís I Bridge frames it all. Across the river, Gaia’s lodges—Graham’s, Taylor’s, Cálem—tell the port story in candle-scented cellars.
Modern Porto shines in its arts quarter around Rua Miguel Bombarda, the Serralves Museum and park, and the oceanfront promenade from Foz do Douro to Matosinhos. Food-wise, don’t miss Mercado do Bolhão, a historic market reborn, and local institutions for francesinha (a molten, saucy sandwich) or pork sandwiches with Serra cheese.
- Where to stay (bookable now):
- Search Porto vacation rentals on VRBO (apartments with river views and family‑friendly flats).
- Search Porto hotels on Hotels.com (filter for Ribeira, Aliados, or Gaia views).
- The Yeatman (Gaia hillside icon with panoramic pool, wine spa, and a 2‑star restaurant).
- HF Ipanema Park (rooftop pool and roomy base between Boavista and Foz).
- Moov Hotel Porto Centro (budget‑savvy stay in a restored Art Deco cinema).
- Gallery Hostel (stylish hostel in the arts district with local art on the walls).
- How to get to/around Porto:
- Search flights on Omio to OPO (2h10 from Paris; 1h15 from Madrid; 3h from London, typical fares $60–$180 one‑way).
- Search trains in Europe on Omio (Lisbon–Porto 2h50–3h15 on AP/IC, ~$15–$45; Braga/Guimarães ~1h–1h15, ~$4–$7).
- Search buses in Europe on Omio (often the cheapest to/from Galicia or Lisbon, with frequent departures).
Day 1: Arrival, Ribeira Stroll, and a Storybook First Look
Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Stretch your legs from São Bento Station’s azulejos to the cathedral terrace for a first Douro panorama. Drop to Ribeira along Cais da Ribeira to feel the river breeze and watch rabelos bob beneath the Dom Luís I Bridge.
Evening: See the city’s highlights the easy way on a silent tuk-tuk. It’s perfect post‑flight and covers hills effortlessly:
Discover Porto's Highlights on a 2-Hour Private Electric Tuk Tuk (Viator)
Dinner: Try a first francesinha at Brasão Cervejaria Aliados (balance of smoky sausage and beer‑based sauce is spot on). For something intimate, Taberna dos Mercadores serves seasonal petiscos—book early, it’s tiny. Nightcap at Prova, a serious wine bar pouring Douro field blends and aged tawnies.
Day 2: Azulejos, Lello, Clérigos, and the Old Merchant’s Porto
Morning: Coffee at Combi Coffee Roasters (smooth flat whites and house roasts) and a warm pastel de nata from Manteigaria Bolhão. Beat the rush at Livraria Lello by booking the earliest time slot; admire the stained glass and sinuous staircase, then climb the Clérigos Tower for a 360° city view.
Afternoon: Tour the Palácio da Bolsa (look for the Neo‑Moorish Arabian Room) and the gilded Igreja de São Francisco. Lunch at riverside Adega São Nicolau—ask for grilled octopus or tripas à moda do Porto. Browse Rua das Flores for crafts and azulejo shops.
Evening: Optional guided bundle that ties the day together if you prefer a led experience with river time included:
Porto Walking Tour, Lello Bookshop, River Cruise and Cable Car (Viator)
Day 3: Gaia’s Wine Lodges, WOW Porto, and a Sunset on the Water
Morning: Cross the upper deck of the Dom Luís I Bridge to Vila Nova de Gaia. Start with a guided tasting at Taylor’s or Graham’s 1890 Lodge—both pair cellar history with scenic terraces; compare white, ruby, tawny, and LBV styles to decode port like a pro.
Afternoon: Explore the WOW Porto district: The Wine Experience explains the Douro’s schist terraces; Planet Cork celebrates Portugal’s cork heritage. Lunch at 7g Roaster (specialty coffee, brunch plates, and salads) or Vinum at Graham’s (chargrill and Douro panoramas).
Evening: Take the river at golden hour on a private yacht—unforgettable under the six bridges:
Porto: Private Yacht Cruise with Local Wine, Snacks and 6 Bridges (Viator)
Day 4: Full-Day Douro Valley Wine Country
Today is devoted to the UNESCO‑listed Douro Valley—terraced vineyards, schist hills, and river glints. This small‑group tour includes tastings, a traditional lunch, and a boat ride option in Pinhão:
Douro Valley Small-Group Tour with Wine Tasting, Lunch and Boat (Viator)
Expect two estates (often contrasting boutique and heritage quintas), olive oil or honey tastings, and soft valley narratives that make every sip make sense. Back in Porto, keep dinner easy at Conga (spicy bifanas) or Tapabento (near São Bento; reservations recommended).
Day 5: Serralves, Parks, Tram 1, and the Atlantic
Morning: Breakfast at Padaria Ribeiro (since 1878; try bolas de Berlim). Head to the Serralves Museum for contemporary art, then wander Serralves Park’s treetop walk and Art Deco villa. It’s Porto’s green, modern counterpoint to Ribeira’s stones.
Afternoon: Hop historic Tram 1 along the Douro to Foz do Douro. Walk the seaside path from Felgueiras Lighthouse to Praia do Molhe. Lunch on petiscos at Casa de Pasto da Palmeira (cod fritters, pica‑pau) or go seafood in nearby Matosinhos at O Gaveto (razor clams, turbot) if you’re up for a short taxi/metro ride.
Evening: Sunset gin at Base (garden bar below Clérigos) or Douro‑side jazz at Mirajazz. Dinner back in town at Taberna Santo António (home‑style stews) or modern tasting at Euskalduna Studio (inventive counter dining, book ahead).
Day 6: Day Trip to Guimarães and Braga (Portugal’s Origins and Baroque Grandeur)
Morning: Take an early train to Guimarães (about 1h15; check times on Omio trains). Explore the Castle, the Palace of the Dukes (tapestries, grand halls), and medieval Largo da Oliveira. Coffee at Clarinha by the square.
Afternoon: Continue to Braga (25–35 minutes by train). Climb or funicular to Bom Jesus do Monte—the zig‑zag Baroque stairway is a masterwork. Lunch on a francesinha “à moda de Braga” at Taberna Belga or try Tibias de Braga (local pastries) at a pastelaria.
Evening: Return to Porto for dinner at Guilty pleasure: Café Santiago (another francesinha benchmark) or keep it light at veggie‑friendly Casa da Horta. Nightcap at Capela Incomum, a candlelit wine bar inside a 19th‑century chapel.
Day 7: Bolhão Market, Last Azulejos, and Departure
Morning: Browse the renovated Mercado do Bolhão—chat with vendors, taste cured presunto, and pick up tinned fish (seek out local brands with vintage labels). Coffee at Fábrica Coffee Roasters and a last nata. Pop into Rua de Santa Catarina for souvenirs and the Belle Époque Majestic Café (go for photos; it’s gorgeous).
Afternoon: Early lunch at Casa Guedes (pork sandwich with molten Serra da Estrela cheese) before you head out. Metro Line E reaches the airport in ~30 minutes; taxis/Uber take ~20–25 minutes depending on traffic. If you have a sliver of time, step into Igreja do Carmo to admire one last azulejo facade.
Evening: Departure day—no late plans recommended. If staying an extra night, consider a sunset sail alternative:
Porto Douro River Sightseeing Sailing Cruise at Sunset or Daytime (Viator)
Extra tips:
- Buy an Andante card for metro/tram/bus; hills are real—save your legs for viewpoints.
- For port lodges, book tastings mid‑morning or late afternoon to avoid peak groups.
- Francesinha etiquette: share at lunch if you want energy for sightseeing; sauces vary—spicy fans head to Conga.
In one week, you’ve traced Porto from Ribeira lanes to Gaia cellars and out to the Douro’s terraced vineyards. Expect to leave with a palate tuned to tawny ports, phone full of tilework, and a promise to return for more Atlantic sunsets.