Porto rises in stacked azulejo blues, a city of merchants and mariners where the Douro River meets the Atlantic. Its history runs in oak barrels: since the 18th century, rabelo boats ferried casks downstream to lodges in Vila Nova de Gaia, giving the world Port wine. Today, tiled churches, ironwork bridges, and contemporary art live side by side with markets perfumed by coffee and grilled sardines.

North across the Minho lies Galicia, “the land of the Rain and the Sea,” where pilgrims have walked for a millennium toward Santiago de Compostela. The Old Town’s granite lanes echo with scallop shells and soft Galician bagpipes; the baroque façade of the Cathedral shelters the tomb of Saint James. From here, trails and roads spill onward to Finisterre, once thought to be the world’s edge.

Practical notes: Porto is walkable but hilly; bring good shoes. Restaurants are reservation-friendly (especially popular tascas and Michelin-starred spots). In Santiago, modest attire is appreciated in sacred spaces, and the Pilgrim’s Mass can fill quickly on peak days. Seafood, caldo galego (greens-and-potato soup), and pastel de nata are essentials—expect late dining hours in both Portugal and Spain.

Porto

Porto is a city of viewpoints—turn any corner for a new angle on the six-bridge skyline. Don’t miss São Bento Station’s storybook tile panels, the neo-Gothic Lello Bookshop’s swirling red staircase, and the slender Clérigos Tower. Across the river in Gaia, historic Port lodges pour tawny, ruby, and vintage with sweeping terrace views.

Eat like a tripeiro: francesinha (a molten, beer-sauced sandwich) at Café Santiago or Brasão; pork-and-Serra-cheese sandes at Casa Guedes; seafood in Matosinhos where grills smoke at lunch. For sunset, sip a white port & tonic above the Douro. Sleep riverside, or near Cedofeita’s galleries for a quieter, creative vibe.

• Where to stay (bookable): Splurge on The Yeatman (legendary wine program and pool views), modern comfort at HF Ipanema Park, great value at Moov Hotel Porto Centro, or social vibes at Gallery Hostel. Browse more on VRBO Porto or Hotels.com Porto.
• Getting in: Fly into OPO; compare fares on Omio (Flights). Porto Metro line E runs OPO→Trindade in ~30 minutes; taxis/ride apps are ~25–30 minutes.

Day 1: Arrive in Porto, riverfront first impressions

Afternoon: Land and settle in. Shake off jet lag with a gentle loop: São Bento’s azulejos, Rua das Flores buskers, then down to Ribeira’s quay. For coffee and a pastel de nata, try Manteigaria (buttery and warm), or Café Progresso for a third-wave flat white.

Evening: Dinner at Casa Guedes for the iconic sandes de pernil with Serra cheese; pair with a crisp Vinho Verde. If you’d like a sit-down spot, Adega São Nicolau serves soulful codfish “à Gomes de Sá” in a tiny riverside dining room (book ahead). Toast your first night at Prova Wine Bar—ask for a flight comparing tawny vs. ruby Port to learn the differences.

Day 2: Tiles, towers, and the Douro at golden hour

Morning: Fuel at Combi Coffee Roasters with sourdough toast and house-roasted espresso. Climb the Clérigos Tower for a 360° skyline (go early), then browse Lello Bookshop’s carved wood and stained glass. Pop into Igreja do Carmo to admire its blue-and-white tile façade.

Afternoon: Lunch at Brasão Aliados—share rissóis and a francesinha with crisp fries. Explore Mercado do Bolhão’s revived produce and seafood stalls, then stroll Rua Miguel Bombarda’s galleries in Cedofeita. Sweet stop: Arcádia for chocolate and almond “figos.”

Evening: Sail the Douro at sunset to see the 6 bridges glow. Book the intimate Porto Douro River Sightseeing Sailing Cruise (2 hours): Porto Douro River Sightseeing Sailing Cruise at Sunset or Daytime.

Post-cruise, cross to Gaia for petiscos and stunning terrace views at a Port lodge bar (Graham’s or Ferreira) and compare colheita vs. 10-year tawny. Nightcap at Capela Incomum, a candlelit wine bar set in a former chapel.

Day 3: Full-day Douro Valley wine tour (from Porto)

Spend the day among UNESCO-listed vineyard terraces, meeting winemakers and tasting still Douro reds plus Ports. This is a long, guided day out with views, cellar doors, and a short river boat segment—no need to slice it by hours.

Recommended small-group tour with lunch and cruise: Complete Douro Valley Wine Tour with Lunch, Wine Tastings and River Cruise.

Alternative boutique option (max 8, Mercedes van): DOURO VALLEY: Premium Wine Tour, Lunch at Winery & Private Cruise.

Day 4: Gaia lodges, Serralves art, and Matosinhos seafood

Morning: Breakfast at Fabrica da Nata (try the cinnamon-dusted nata fresh from the oven). Cross the Dom Luís I bridge to Gaia and tour two different Port houses to compare styles—one classic (e.g., Ferreira) and one with contemporary displays. If you prefer a guided tasting crawl, consider: Port Wine Lodges Tour Including 7 Port Wine Tastings (English).

Afternoon: Tram or Uber to Serralves for contemporary art and a leafy park walk. Then ride Metro Line A to Matosinhos. Lunch late at O Gaveto (razor clams, turbot on the bone) or Taberna Santo António back in the center for hearty northern Portuguese plates.

Evening: Feet in the sand at Praia de Matosinhos for sunset. Return to town for bites at Gazela (famous “cachorrinhos” mini hotdogs) or a full dinner at Cantinho do Avillez (Portuguese flavors with a modern touch). Cap the night at Base, an open-air garden bar by Clérigos, weather permitting.

Santiago de Compostela (Camino de Santiago)

Santiago’s medieval lanes knot around Praza do Obradoiro, where pilgrims lift their faces to the Cathedral after weeks on the Way. The city rewards lingering: the Mercado de Abastos is one of Spain’s liveliest markets, granite arcades shelter tiny tapas bars, and rain turns streets into silver mirrors.

Eat the sea: pulpo á feira (octopus with paprika), zamburiñas (sweet bay scallops), and percebes (gooseneck barnacles, in season). For a sweet finish, seek an authentic Tarta de Santiago dusted with a cross of St. James.

• Where to stay (bookable): Old Town apartments and boutiques are plentiful—compare options on VRBO Santiago de Compostela and Hotels.com Santiago de Compostela.
• Getting there from Porto (Day 5 morning): Easiest is a direct bus (~3.5–4.5 hours, ~€15–28). Compare schedules on Omio (Buses in Europe). Train fans can ride the Celta from Porto Campanhã to Vigo (~2h15) then transfer to a Renfe train to Santiago (~1h30–2h); total ~3.5–4.5 hours, ~€25–40—check Omio (Trains in Europe).

Day 5: Porto → Santiago; granite lanes and Galician bites

Morning: Depart Porto after breakfast. Select your bus or train on Omio (Bus) or Omio (Train). Aim to arrive around early afternoon.

Afternoon: Check in, then make for Praza do Obradoiro to feel the pilgrim energy in front of the Cathedral’s west façade. Wander Rua do Franco and Rua da Raíña, noting tapas counters piled with empanadas, cheeses, and mariscos. Coffee at Café Venecia (classic) or garden-set Café Costa Vella.

Evening: Tapas crawl: start with pulpo at O Gato Negro (standing-room fun), then zamburiñas and tetilla cheese at Mesón O 42. For a sit-down, A Moa plates rustic Galician fare with a seasonal tilt. Nightcap at Modus Vivendi, a beloved bar in an 18th-century stable.

Day 6: Walk the last steps of the Camino de Santiago

Morning: Live the Camino for a day by hiking the final stage into Santiago. Take a taxi to O Pedrouzo (~40 minutes; ~€40–60) or a local bus (~50–60 minutes; ~€6; check departures a day prior on Omio (Trains) or Omio (Buses)). Walk ~20 km on forest paths and hamlets; pick up a “credencial” stamp at bars along the way. If you prefer shorter, start from Monte do Gozo (5 km) for a symbolic final approach.

Afternoon: Enter the Old Town through Porta do Camiño and into the Cathedral square—celebrate with a photo under the scallop shell markers. Sandwiches and tortilla at Bar La Tita (famous for generous tortilla wedges), or a market picnic from Mercado de Abastos (olives, cheese, bread, cured meats).

Evening: Book a celebratory dinner: Casa Marcelo (Michelin-starred, counter seating, Galician-Asian riffs) or A Tafona by Lucía Freitas (Michelin, hyper-seasonal Galician produce). For dessert, buy Tarta de Santiago from Casa Mora (since 1873).

Day 7: Finisterre and the wild Costa da Morte (full-day tour)

Take a day trip to lighthouses, fishing villages, and dramatic Atlantic cliffs—mythic Kilómetro Cero for many pilgrims. This is a full-day guided excursion.

Top pick with multiple scenic stops: Excursion to Finisterre + Muxia + Costa da Morte (7 stops).

Alternative route with Ézaro waterfall and Cabo Vilán: Santiago de Compostela: Finisterre, Muxía & Costa da Morte.

Back in town, unwind with a casual marisquería dinner—try berberechos (cockles) and razor clams—then a glass of Albariño at A Casa do Viño.

Day 8: Cathedral treasures and market flavors; depart

Morning: Dive deep with a guided visit of the Cathedral and the renowned Pórtico da Gloria (advance booking recommended): Visit to the Cathedral of Santiago + Portico de la Gloria Option.

Afternoon: Nibble your way through Mercado de Abastos—order a plate of pulpo at a pulpeiro stall, sample tetilla cheese and cured lacón. Time permitting, join a short tasting: Santiago de Compostela: Cheese and Wine Tasting Experience.

Depart in the afternoon. If returning to Porto for a flight, you can book a direct bus on Omio (Bus) or consider a private one-way with scenic stops: Private Transfer from Santiago de Compostela to Porto with Tour.

Transport booking tips: For all intercity options in Europe, compare times and prices on Omio (Flights), Omio (Trains), and Omio (Buses). In Porto and Santiago, rideshares and taxis are plentiful; Porto’s Metro is efficient for airport transfers and coastal runs to Matosinhos.

Food and drink quick list: Porto—Café Santiago or Brasão (francesinha), Casa Guedes (pork + Serra), Adega São Nicolau (traditional cod), Cantinho do Avillez (modern Portuguese), Gazela (cachorrinhos), Prova and Capela Incomum (wine). Santiago—O Gato Negro and Mesón O 42 (tapas and pulpo), A Moa (rustic plates), Casa Marcelo and A Tafona (celebrations), Café Venecia (classic coffee), Casa Mora (Tarta de Santiago).

In eight days you’ll taste the Douro’s sun and the Atlantic’s salt, hear church bells in Porto and pilgrim songs in Santiago. With a day on the Camino and another at the “end of the world,” this itinerary blends culture, cuisine, and landscapes into a journey you’ll revisit long after you’re home.