This article will help you plan your long weekend in Porto, ensuring you don’t miss out on anything the city has to offer. Like many European cities, Porto lends itself perfectly to the long weekend. It is the ideal size to get around as long as you’ve been organised with planning. Using this trusted MexicoCassie long weekend itinerary you’re going to have the best time in Porto.

​Highlights of Porto

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​Best Time to Visit Porto

🔆 April – September is warm and sunny

☔️ February, October and December are the wettest months

Take note that if there’s a chance of rain on your trip, you must take a rain jacket with you for it can be seriously wet.

🧣 My second trip to Porto was in early January and it was cold and beautiful. As long as you have appropriate clothing, you’ll be fine.

Getting To/From Porto

Porto by Aeroplane

Porto has a decent sized international airport that is easily reached from Porto City via the affordable and modern metro system. Porto airport is called Francisco Sá Carneiro (OPO). The airport caters for flights from around Europe and the USA including Ryanair, with makes it nice and cheap for Europeans wanting a long weekend in Porto without breaking the bank.

✈️ Check flights to / from Porto

🚕 Arrange taxi transfers into the city if you have too much luggage to use the metro

Porto by Train

It’s possible to arrive in/leave Porto via train using the beautiful São Bento station. There are no trains direct from Spain but travel around Portugal by train is perfectly possible.

🚂 Check train schedules and prices

Porto by Road

If you’re driving in from Lisbon, Faro or Madrid (or anywhere else, of course), be sure you know where you’re parking before you get into Porto, otherwise you may find yourself frazzled and stressed as you try to navigate the city streets. And be aware that much of the centre of Porto is currently undergoing extensive diversions while the new metro line (the Ruby line) is being built. 

🚗 Check rental car options in Portugal

🚌 Check bus timetables

Getting Around Porto

⭐️ If you’re happy to walk and have a decent level of fitness then this long weekend in Porto itinerary will be perfect for you as is.

It’s important to know that although Porto is a smallish city, it is very hilly so it might be harder to walk if you are in Porto with kids or you have any personal fitness concerns.

You could consider using public transportation to get between the main sites of Porto.

Where to Stay in Porto

Until the Ruby Metro Line works have been completed I would recommend not staying in the area around the train station or along the projected Ruby Line route as the noise can be fierce. While the noise is day time noise, it can mean no chance to rest should you wish to do so. 

I have stayed at The Rex Hotel and the Turim Oporto and can happily recommend both as good, clean and safe hotels. The Rex Hotel (2*) has more of a boutique vibe to it, offering a small but delicious breakfast buffet and large rooms. The Turim Oporto (4*) has an international chain hotel feel to it but is very friendly and comfortable.

Find your ideal hotel on this interactive map

What to do with Your Long Weekend in Porto

This itinerary takes “long weekend” to mean four days. If your long weekend is shorter by half a day or even a whole day, simply figure out which of these activities is least interesting to you or maybe just cut out the day trips I suggest. You still have enough time to see the city. 

I do recommend some paid tour or activity options in this itinerary as this can really be the best way to understand a place, letting you meet locals and see places you might not be able to alone. I also offer options for people who prefer not to take tours but to travel independently.

Day 1 in Porto 

Breakfast in Porto

☕️ Let’s begin the day the way all days in Portugal should begin, with a pastel de nata and a coffee.

I recommend starting the day at Delta Coffee Experience & Manteigaria as here you can watch pastel de nata being made while you enjoy your coffee and cake. 

📍 R. de Alexandre Braga 24

Let the Porto Exploring Commence

➡️ Once you’re ready to face Porto, a great place to begin the day is the Mercado do Bolhão. Here you’ll find a thriving market that’s also something of a tourist attraction. Even if you’re not hungry, this is a great place to walk around and admire the fresh produce. Honestly, I struggle to believe you won’t stop for a glass of port or a quick oyster as you explore the market!

➡️ From the market, walk through the beautiful city center to the Cais da Ribeira, the quay on the Douro River. Stop off at São Bento, the most beautiful train station you’ll find in Portugal to admire the blue and white azulejo tiles and the enormous murals in the entrance hall (pictured above). 

📌 This gorgeous area of medieval houses, traditional boats and striking bridges has actually been labelled as a UNESCO World Heritage site and strolling around here is one of the main attractions of a long weekend in Porto. If the mood takes you, sit and have a coffee and gaze in awe at the truly gorgeous colourful houses and buildings all along this part of Porto. Many people believe this area is one of the most beautiful places to explore in Portugal.

Crossing the River to Vila Nova de Gaia

➡️ You can either cross by the Ponte Dom Luís I (bridge) or you can take a water taxi across the Douro River to Vila Nova de Gaia and the port houses on the other side. 

➕ If you decide to cross by bridge you then need to decide if you’ll cross at the lower or upper level. The lower level (cars and pedestrians) is easy as you’re right there but if you want to cross on the upper level (metro and pedestrians) you’ll either need to take the funicular or the steps up to the top of the bridge. Hint: this is well worth it for the views. 

Fun Fact: Ponte Dom Luís I is a double-deck arched bridge across the Douro River between Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia. It is 172 m long and when it was constructed, it was the longest bridge of its kind in the world. People often think that this bridge was designed by Gustave Eiffel but actually he designed the Maria Pia bridge, which is a little down river from here. This bridge was designed by Téophile Seyrig, who worked for Gustave Eiffel.

Once you’re on the Vila Nova de Gaia side if you’re at the top you’ll need to either walk down or take the cable car down to the quay. 

Exploring Vila Nova de Gaia

➡️ Walk along the quay, enjoying the atmosphere, the port houses, the market stalls and more. 

Head in behind the quay to visit WOW, the World of Wine. This is a whole area of town dedicated to port and the city’s history. You can buy tickets to one or all museums while you’re there. Before lunch why not visit the Chocolate Museum and/or Planet Cork.

➕ Do not miss the famous Half Rabbit mural as you wander around this area

Day 1 Lunch in Porto

There are a few restaurants on the quay that get good reviews or you could go to the Mercado Beria Rio. This is a trendy food court with delicious options including traditional delicacies such as the Francesinha and seafood as well as excellent looking burgers, tapas and Italian options.

Time to Taste the Port

➡️ You’ve explored the non alcoholic museums so now let’s try the port. You can either visit port houses within WOW or if you prefer to tour the port wine houses with a guide.

Other Great Options

Did You Know? We struggle to buy port here in Sevilla so whenever we drive into Portugal we always nip to a supermarket to buy four or five bottles. We love port. OK, so sometimes we plan a trip to Portugal because we want to buy port.

➡️ By the end of your first day, if you’re not entirely sozzled from all the port tastings, how about taking in a Fado show and dinner?

Day 2 in Porto

➡️ Spend the morning idling on the river with a river cruise. You can either do a short bridges cruise or head deeper into the wine region (the Douro Valley) with a longer tour depending on your desires. There are also speed boat options if you feel the need for speed. 

Many of the cruise options include lunch so if you’ve already eaten by the time you get off the boat, you could wander straight into town. Maybe go to Vinte Vinte on the ever popular Rua das Flores for a relaxing hot chocolate before continuing your day exploring the historic center of Porto. 

River Cruise Options

There are many different cruises on offer from Porto, let’s take a look at some of my favourites:

Day 2 Lunch in Porto

Rua das Flores has some excellent looking restaurant options or if you’re looking for the spot all the locals know about, try Flor da Bragança (R. Arquitecto Nicolau Nasoni 16) for traditional and well priced Portuguese food. 

Porto’s Historic Center

➡️ After lunch, it’s time to visit the Torre dos Clérigos (the bell tower of the Clérigos Church) for beautiful views over the city of Porto, its red roofs, narrow streets, all the way to the river and beyond.

⭐️ Buy your Skip the Line Ticket in Advance

Take a rest after here, either back at your hotel or in one of the many excellent coffee shops in Porto.

Eat at One of Porto’s Hidden Gems

If you enjoy Japanese food then I recommend booking a table at the exquisite but tiny Domo. For top notch burgers I recommend Chapa Quente, again, this is a small and somewhat hidden gem in the city so be sure to reserve your table. 

Day 3 in Porto

Let’s take a day trip out of the city today. 

🚃 Easy Self-Organised Day Trips from Porto

​If you’re not a fan of organised tours but haven’t rented a car, then you can use public transportation to get around.

Beaches: Foz do Douro or Matosinhos

These two beach areas at the mouth of the Douro are both easily reached from Porto. Foz do Douro is a direct bus (#202 from Trindade) and Matosinhos is a direct metro from Trindade.

Foz do Douro – beaches, beach bars, botanical gardens, lighthouses and even one of the two Porto Michelin restaurants. The best beaches are considered to be the Praia do Carneiro, Praia dos Ingleses and Praia do Gondarém.

Matosinhos – beaches, beach bars, the aquarium, Parque da Cidade do Porto, Forte do Sao Francisco Xavier, the Piscina dar Marés (closed in early 2024 for refurbishment) and the Guindaste Titan, a giant steam-powered crane from the late 19th century that is free for visitors to climb (it’s amazing).

Nature Reserve Douro Estuary

This is a more remote beach that is reputedly very good for bird watching and walking.

Take a bus from the Casa da Música.

Serralves Foundation Contemporary Art

Spend a day in this contemporary art museum, its 18 hectare park and the famous tree top walk.

⭐️ Buy your ticket ahead of time

Conimbriga

🚗 If you have your own car then the incredible Roman city of Conimbriga (a 90 minute drive) is open to you. I haven’t found anyone offering tours here so we went in our own car. Apparently this is the best preserved Roman town in all of Portugal (photo above). 

If you love Roman ruins then don’t miss the cities of Mérida or Segovia or the beachside ruin of Baelo Claudia near Tarifa in Spain as both have fascinating Roman histories and buildings all around. 

Organised Tours from Porto

If you’re open to organised tours, these are some of the most popular options from Porto

If you don’t want to leave the city, how about taking a class?

Evening meal on the Rua do Almada

I love this street and the streets around it when I’m looking for an interesting place to eat. Stroll along and find something that takes your fancy, there are plenty of great restaurants in this area. 

Day 4 in Porto

Chilling in Porto (with Harry Potter?)

➡️ Start the day with Garden Porto’s fabulous brunch before taking a taking a walk over to see the Livraria Lello, the famous “Harry Potter” bookshop. Whether you’re interested in Harry Potter or not, this is a most beautiful bookstore. Queues are generally long to visit and a pre-booked ticket is required. My honest opinion is that it’s worth strolling past, but it isn’t worth a full visit (you can read a full account in my article about visiting Porto with kids).

If you are into Harry Potter, consider taking this popular Harry Potter tour of Porto.

Head now into the old town and just enjoy strolling around, souvenir shopping, perhaps a little more port wine tasting or visit a last minute tourist site such as the Palácio da Bolsa or the Capela das Almas (one of the churches covered in the most beautiful blue and white tiles), the Igreja do Carmo/Igreja dos Carmelitas and the Hidden House or simply go street art searching. 

A Note on Your Final Meal in Porto

I can’t imagine you’re too excited for a big lunch after that delicious brunch but if you are, why not return to the Mercado do Balhão to either grab snacks from downstairs in the market or to eat at one of the excellent restaurants on the 3rd floor? We ate at Casa Vegetariana and were absolutely blown away by the quality of the food.

Don’t forget to pick up some last minute chocolate sardine based souvenirs while you’re in the market.

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