Porto, Portugal’s “Invicta” city, rose from Roman roots and medieval trade to become the namesake of Port wine and a UNESCO-listed historic center. Its steep lanes tumble to the Douro River, where iron bridges and tiled facades glow at sunset. The city’s energy is equal parts student verve and old-world craft: cooperages, codfish kitchens, and cafés preserved like time capsules.

Expect world-class wine culture in Vila Nova de Gaia’s lodges, elegant Beaux-Arts halls at Palácio da Bolsa, and the baroque flourish of Clérigos Tower. Azulejo murals transform train halls and churches into open-air museums, while modern art breathes at Serralves. Atlantic breezes roll into Foz and Matosinhos with surf, seafood, and golden sand.

Porto rewards walkers—and diners. From francesinha sandwiches to salt-grilled sardines, from specialty coffee to pasteis de nata warm from the oven, the city makes every pause count. Practical note: book Livraria Lello timed tickets, wear good shoes for cobbles, and carry an Andante transit card for metro, tram, and bus.

Porto

Porto is compact, charismatic, and best savored slowly. Start in Ribeira’s riverfront warren, cross the Dom Luís I Bridge for Port lodges in Gaia, then drift out to Foz do Douro for sunsets and seafood. In between, climb towers, admire azulejos, and linger in gardens with river views.

• Don’t-miss sights: São Bento Station tiles, Porto Cathedral (Sé), Clérigos Tower, Livraria Lello, Palácio da Bolsa, Igreja de São Francisco, Jardins do Palácio de Cristal, Serralves Museum & Park.
• Food & drink highlights: Port wine tastings, petiscos (Portuguese tapas), fresh fish in Matosinhos, francesinha at a cervejaria, pastel de nata and eclairs at century-old pastry shops.
• Fun facts: The Douro is the world’s first demarcated wine region (1756), and Porto’s six-bridge skyline is a feat of 19th–20th century engineering.

How to get there: Fly into Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport (OPO). Search flights within Europe via Omio (flights). From the airport, Metro Line E to Trindade takes ~30 minutes (~€2.25). Taxis/ride-hails run ~30–35 minutes (~€25–35).

Trains & buses: For regional/national routes (Lisbon, Braga, Aveiro), compare options on Omio (trains) and Omio (buses). Most long-distance trains depart from Campanhã; São Bento serves many regional lines.

Where to stay (curated picks):

• Ribeira/Baixa (central, atmospheric): ideal for first-timers, near river and major sights.
• Cedofeita/Miguel Bombarda: artsy, quieter nights, great cafes and galleries.
• Vila Nova de Gaia: postcard views over Porto’s skyline, close to Port lodges.

• Hotel icons: The Yeatman (Gaia, wine-themed luxury, sweeping views); HF Ipanema Park (rooftop pool, between Boavista and Foz); Moov Hotel Porto Centro (great value in an Art Deco building); Gallery Hostel (boutique hostel with art events).
• Browse more stays: VRBO Porto and Hotels.com Porto.

Day 1: Arrival, First Sips of the Douro, and a Tuk Tuk Orientation

Afternoon: Land, drop bags, and revive with specialty coffee at Combi Coffee Roasters (try the flat white and cinnamon roll). Stroll the Ribeira riverfront to feel the city’s rhythm—rabelo boats, the arcades, and the Dom Luís I Bridge backdrop.

Afternoon Activity (2 hours): Get your bearings on a private electric tuk-tuk ride through the historic core—perfect on hilly streets and fully silent so you can hear your guide’s stories.

Discover Porto's Highlights on a 2-Hour Private Electric Tuk Tuk (typical from €35–60 pp depending on group size).

Evening: Cross to Jardim do Morro for a golden-hour view of Porto from Gaia’s hilltop garden. Dinner in Ribeira: reserve Adega São Nicolau (traditional Northern dishes like octopus rice and posta steak) or Taberna dos Mercadores (tiny, candlelit petiscos—arrive early). Nightcap at Prova Wine Bar (Portuguese wines by the glass, knowledgeable staff).

Day 2: Azulejos, Towers, and a Progressive Food & Wine Evening

Morning: Breakfast at Padaria Ribeiro (since 1878; brioche and bola de carne). Admire São Bento Station’s 20,000 blue-and-white tiles, then climb to Porto Cathedral (Sé) for cloisters and city views. Walk down to Livraria Lello—book a timed ticket; the sinuous staircase and stained glass are glorious. Climb Clérigos Tower for a 360° skyline panorama.

Afternoon: Lunch at Casa Guedes (roast pork sandwich with Serra da Estrela cheese) or Brasão Aliados (francesinha, plus garlic butter clams). Tour Palácio da Bolsa (the gilded “Arabian Room” wows) and the neighboring Igreja de São Francisco with its exuberant baroque interior. Espresso at Majestic Café for a Belle Époque set piece (expect queues).

Evening (3–4 hours): Join a guided food-and-wine walk to sample cured meats, artisan cheese, petiscos, Port, and even ginjinha in tucked-away taverns.

Porto Food & Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch or Dinner Option (from ~€65–85 pp; small groups).

Day 3: Market Morning, Gaia’s Port Lodges, and a Sunset Sail

Morning: Explore Mercado do Bolhão (Mon–Sat). Nibble presunto and queijo samples, try a still-warm pastel de nata from Manteigaria nearby, and pick up picnic bites. Walk Santa Catarina Street for shops and the tiled Capela das Almas facade.

Afternoon: Cross the lower deck of the Dom Luís I Bridge into Gaia. Visit a Port lodge—consider Graham’s (hilltop views), Sandeman (iconic cape), or Cálem (good intro tastings). Ride the Teleférico de Gaia down to the river; pair tawny Port with Serra cheese at a terrace bar like The Lodge terrace area or 7g Roaster.

Evening (2 hours): See Porto from the water on a relaxed sailing cruise—six bridges, riverside facades, and the sunset glow.

Porto Douro River Sightseeing Sailing Cruise at Sunset or Daytime (around €40–55 pp).

Dinner: Cantinho do Avillez (contemporary Portuguese—veal stew, tuna tataki) or Taberna Santo António (home-style comfort classics, great price-value). For late drinks, try BASE (open-air garden bar by Clérigos) or Capela Incomum (wine bar inside a former chapel).

Day 4: Art, Gardens, and the Atlantic at Foz & Matosinhos

Morning: Tram 1 trundles from Infante along the river to Foz do Douro—slow, scenic, vintage. Walk the seaside promenade to Farolim de Felgueiras lighthouse. Brunch/coffee at 7g Roaster (Gaia) before crossing, or at Bird of Passage in Foz once you arrive.

Afternoon: Serralves Museum & Park: cutting-edge exhibitions and an Art Deco villa set in landscaped gardens; stroll the treetop walk. Then head to Matosinhos for beach time—watch surfers or book a lesson; the wide sands are great for a breezy walk.

Evening: Seafood feast in Matosinhos on Rua Heróis de França, where grills perfume the street: Os Lusíadas (cataplana and turbot), O Gaveto (razor clams and percebes when in season), or Marisqueira de Matosinhos (hearty seafood rice). Post-dinner gelato at Gelataria Portuense back in town.

Day 5: Full-Day Douro Valley—Terraces, Tastings, and River Scenery

Today is devoted to the Douro, a UNESCO World Heritage landscape of vertiginous vineyards. Expect two estate visits with tastings (often both Port and DOC Douro wines), a regional lunch—think roasted meats, olive oil-drizzled vegetables—and a scenic river segment. Pickup typically ~8:30–9:00 a.m., return ~7:00 p.m.

Complete Douro Valley Wine Tour with Lunch, Wine Tastings and River Cruise (commonly €100–140 pp, small-group; hotel pickup offered).

Tip: Eat a light breakfast (e.g., at Leitaria da Quinta do Paço—famous eclairs) and bring a bottle of water and sunhat in warmer months.

Day 6: Day Trip to Aveiro and Costa Nova (Colorful Stripes and Canals)

Morning: Take a train from Porto Campanhã or São Bento to Aveiro (~1–1h15; from ~€6–12 each way—compare on Omio (trains)). Explore canals by foot; consider a moliceiro boat ride for the city’s Art Nouveau facades. Try ovos moles (egg-yolk sweets) at Confeitaria Peixinho.

Afternoon: Hop a short bus/taxi to Costa Nova (10–15 minutes) to see the candy-striped palheiros houses along the lagoon boardwalk. Fresh seafood lunch at Salpoente (modern, elegant plates in a converted salt warehouse) or O Bairro (casual, great daily fish).

Evening: Return to Porto for a relaxed dinner: Casa de Pasto da Palmeira (riverside petiscos like sweet-potato chips and pica-pau) or Semea by Euskalduna (wood-fired, seasonal sharing plates). If you kept things light, drop into Mirajazz near Virtudes for sunset jazz and Douro views.

Day 7: Crystal Palace Views, Last Tiles, and a Farewell Feast

Morning: Coffee at Fábrica Coffee Roasters (Sá de Noronha). Meander the Jardins do Palácio de Cristal—peacocks, pergolas, and photogenic Douro viewpoints. Detour to Igreja do Carmo and note the “Hidden House” sliver between Carmo and Carmelitas.

Afternoon: Shopping and snacks: A Vida Portuguesa (quality-made Portuguese goods), Arcádia for chocolates, and Livraria Lello area for books. If football is your passion, tour Estádio do Dragão and the FC Porto Museum (metro to Estádio do Dragão; check schedule). Light lunch at Zenith (brunch all day) or Nicolau Porto (bowls, pancakes, fresh juices).

Evening: Toast your week with a tasting-menu finale. Choose Antiqvvm (Michelin-star, Douro terrace), Pedro Lemos (Michelin-star in Foz Velha), or DOP by Rui Paula (author cuisine in a historic palace). For a final riverside walk, cross the upper deck of the Dom Luís I Bridge and watch trams hum by.

Practical Notes

• Local transport: Get an Andante card; tap in and out. Hills and cobbles favor comfy shoes.
• Best times: April–June and Sept–Oct are sunny and mild. July–Aug are busier and warmer; winter is cool and atmospheric.
• Budgeting: Coffee ~€1–2; pastel de nata ~€1.20–2; nice dinner with wine ~€25–45 pp. Tours listed above reflect typical 2025 rates.
• Day trips: For trains/buses, search Omio (trains) and Omio (buses). For flights within Europe, try Omio (flights).

Where to Sleep This Week (quick picks): For splurge-worthy views and a serious wine cellar, book The Yeatman. For a midrange stay with a rooftop pool, HF Ipanema Park has space and amenities. Great-value central base: Moov Hotel Porto Centro. Social and stylish on a budget: Gallery Hostel. Browse wider with VRBO or Hotels.com.

In seven days, you’ll have traced Porto from tiled station to ocean edge, tasted vineyards both in Gaia and the Douro Valley, and found your favorite miradouro for sunset. Porto lingers—on the palate and in the memory—so don’t be surprised if you’re already plotting a return as you cross the Dom Luís I Bridge one last time.