FREE Picturesque Guide To Porto, Portugal. (3+ days)
FREE Picturesque Guide To Porto, Portugal. (3+ days)
Hello, and welcome to this guide for a 3 day, or longer, trip to Porto. To begin with, this itinerary is not strict; I will be suggesting places to eat, drink, visit and stay while you are in Porto and from these suggestions you can curate your perfect tailored trip.
Let's begin!
⛺️Where to Stay:
For my own visit to Porto, I had a medium budget and wanted to spend less than £50 per person/ per night on accommodation (58.30 euro or $62.93 US dollars, at the time of travel). Here is where my partner and I stayed ...
🌟 Porto Sao Lazaro Apartment
($$)
My experience:
⛺️ I found this studio apartment on Air BnB and thought that a private apartment would suit us as we were both remote working, so would appreciate the privacy and comfort.
☎️ After booking through Air BnB it was easy to check my booking on their app. It was easy to contact the apartment host, Ana, via direct message using the Air BnB app or WhatsApp.
🚕 We arrived in Porto via Campanhã train station. The apartment is only a 10-15 minute walk from either São Bento or Campanhã, which are the two main stations in the city. Alternatively, it was an easy 5 minute Uber from Campanhã, costing just 3.40 euros.
🔐 Check-in was simple. Air BnB give access codes and check-in details 48 hours before arrival. The host also directly messaged me to confirm where the apartment was and how to get the key from the lockbox, which was reassuring and made the process stress free.
🛁 The apartment itself was comfortably furnished and looked as good as the online photos presented it to be. There were all the basic amenities we would need. Unfortunately the apartment was quite dark in the daytime, even with the beautiful tall windows, because of trees on the street.
🏕️ MOST IMPORTANTLY, the location was ideal! Located on a sometimes busy road, the apartment was only a ten minute walk to the central city streets and the Douro River.
Overall, we would rate our stay at Porto Sao Lazaro Apartment an 8.5/10.
Here are a few other places that are in good locations, have great reviews and are in various price ranges...
🌟 Selina Porto
($)
⛺️ Bookable on Booking.com or Hostelworld.com, which will give you cancellation and room type options.
☎️ After booking through Hostelworld.com it is easy to check bookings on their app. Often, the Hostels phone number and email address are provide.
🔐 Check in is at the Hostels reception on arrival.
🛁 The hostel has an accessible rooftop terrace with regular live music, along with the option to have breakfast included for your stay.
🏕️ MOST IMPORTANTLY, the location is well set close by all of the must visit attractions of the city. Approximately a ten minute walk to the Torre dos Clérigos and a 20 minute walk to the Douro River.
Online ratings for this accommodation are between 8-9/10.
🌟 ORM - Bonfim Apartment
($$)
⛺️ Bookable on AirBnB.com. Usually, you have the option to pay a deposit, then pay the remainder of the cost a month before you check in, or you pay in full when booking.
☎️ After booking through AirBnB.com it is easy to check bookings on their easy to use app and to contact the host with any queries.
🔐 This apartment uses a self check-in on arrival.
🛁 The apartment has all essential amenities, such as cooking utensils and towels.
🏕️ MOST IMPORTANTLY, the location is well set close by all of the must visit attractions of the city. Approximately a fifteen minute walk to the Torre dos Clérigos and a 10 minute walk to the Douro River.
Online ratings for this accommodation are between 4.5-5/5.
🌟 Massarelos House
($$$)
⛺️ Bookable through their website and soon to be on Hotels.com.
☎️ After booking, it is easy to contact the host with any queries and make booking amendments.
🔐 This apartment has a reception to check in with on arrival.
🛁 The apartment has all essential amenities, such as cooking utensils and towels. They also provide breakfast and have a communal garden for all to enjoy.
🏕️ MOST IMPORTANTLY, the location is well set close by all of the must visit attractions of the city. Approximately a twenty minute walk to the Torre dos Clérigos and a 5 minute walk to the Douro River.
This is a brand new, recently opened holiday apartment building. Opened in January 2023.
🥘 Where to Eat
Here is a selection of places that I have eaten at and can personally review. Followed by a few extra spots that have great reviews online. Price ranges will be signified for each place as well as whether they accommodate gluten free, vegetarian and vegan diets.
☀️Rise and shine at...
🌟 Combi Coffee ($)
Most likely the best coffee spot in Porto. The fact that there is a queue within ten minutes of opening speaks for itself.
🌟Nicolau Porto ($$)
This busy all-day brunch cafe is in the heart of the boutique neighbourhood in Porto.
🌟 Manteigaria ($)
An espresso and pastel de nata is a typical Portuguese breakfast and though you are not in Lisbon it does not mean the sweet treat should be missed.
Do Norte Café by Hungry Biker ($$)
Fresh and heart breakfast served here. The location is central but the vibes inside are nourishing.
Nola Kitchen ($$)
Great selection of healthy plates with a wide variety of vegan and gluten-free options.
Swallow Decadent Brunch ($$$)
This is a North American-style brunch spot, meticulously prepared with locally produced foods.
My Coffee Porto ($)
Specialty coffee and tea served in this quaint cafe.
🌖Evening lights lead the way to...
🌟 Outra Espécie ($$)
Great variety of vegetarian small plates.
🌟 Kind Kitchen ($$)
A lovely venue with a casual vibe. If you are vegan and want to experience the regional Portuguese dish, Francesinha, then come here.
Gazela ($)
Another traditional cuisine is a Cachorrinhos; this is a baguette filled with cheese and meat, often served with fries and a beer. The best place to find this dish is at Gazela.
Terra Nova ($$$)
Amazing sea food served in a contemporary restaurant.
Jardineiro ($$$)
A highly recommended vegan restaurant with an incredible interior to match the beautiful food.
🍷 Where to Drink:
This list of recommendations is only for the best places, relative to atmosphere, friendly staff and quality/ selection of drinks.
Of course, you can't come to Porto without trying the famous Port wine, exclusive to this region.
Best Port wine experience goes to ...
🌟 Dubon
Dudon is unique in that it is a specialty chocolate shop, with a twist. they provide Port wine and chocolate pairing experiences. A great way to indulge on an evening.
Best Winery goes to...
🌟 Gito
Best cocktail bar goes to ...
🌟 Curioso
Curioso Cocktail Bar is a relaxed speak easy bar that serves up sophisticated drinks all night long.
🎡 What to See:
Don't miss these main sights!
📗 IMPORTANT: if you are a book lover and would enjoy seeing the beautiful book shop, you must go as early as possible to beat the suffocating crowds (9am). The value of the entry ticket you buy is reedemable when you buy a book. For example, if you buy a 15 eruo Skip-the-Line ticket (recommended) you can get a book with 15 euros taken off the price. Visit their website to find out more.
🎡 Things to Do:
A Walking Tour
A great way to get to know any city is by taking a walking tour. You'll see the sights and learn some history. Here are some links to Walking Tours in Seville:
🌟 A free tour means that you pay your guide what you think the tour is worth at the end. Its an easy way to get a general overview of the city.
🌟 Looking on TripAdviser for Tours in Porto will give you lots of options. Some tours may include wine, some may be tours of places outside the city centre, some may include using a bike or scooter.
🌟 Not always the most informative, a self guided tour might be more your style. Go at your own pace and follow a curated tour on a digital map of the city.
Sunset Views of the City
Opposite Porto, across the river is the city of Gaia. Equally as charming, Gaia is a great location to see the sunset over the cities. Here are the best sunset viewpoints in both cities.
🌅 For an extra special experience, I recommend taking to the water for a unique view of the city.
A Day Trip to Douro Valley
If you have the time, why not book an excursion and embrace more of the Northern Portuguese region and experience Port wine straight from the vineyard.
Take a boat from Porto down the river to the Douro Valley, the picturesque views will take your breath away. then have lunch and taste the wine from a selection of vineyards before heading back.
🧘♀️Other activities:
If you have the time, why not book an excursion and embrace more of the northern region of Portugal.
A Day Trip To Gerês Park
Peneda-Gerês National Park is in northern Portugal, near the Spanish border. Its rugged hills are home to deer, wolves and golden eagles. Trails include a Roman road studded with milestones. The spa town Gerês is nearby. Lindoso is a traditional village with a medieval castle and stone granaries.
🚙 It is a 2 hour and 45 minute drive by car.
Or, its best to join a day tour for the best experience ...
A Day Trip to Aveiro
Aveiro is not your typical tourist town where you run from one site to the next. But it's great for taking a nice stroll through the city. You can enjoy the nice scenery from a boat trip and relax at the beach afterwards.
🚂 To get to Aveiro you need to catch a 1 hour and 30 minute train from São Bento or Campanhã station.
🚙 Or, it’s 1 hour by car.
Or, join a day tour ...
A Day Trip To Braga
Braga is a city in the far north of Portugal, northeast of Porto. It’s known for its religious heritage and events. To the east, Bom Jesus do Monte complex has a neoclassical church atop an elaborate 17-flight stairway. In the city center, medieval Braga Cathedral is home to a sacred art museum and the Gothic-style Kings' Chapel.
The historic capital of Minho is both a religious center and a modern and trendy student city. With its vestiges of the Roman era, its ancestral churches and its small cafés and charming restaurants, the Braga is well worth a visit.
🚂 To get to Braga you need to catch a 50 minute train from São Bento or Campanhã station.
🚙 Or, it’s 1 hour by car.
Or, join a day tour ...
Thank you,
And that concludes this guide to Porto, Portugal. I hope you have found the information provided useful. Now, feel free to curate your perfect trip.
Happy travels and best wishes,
Lily Belle
The home for unique & authentic travel
