Top 10 Things to Do in Porto

Are you traveling to Porto? Here’s a list of our favorite attractions and the top 10 things to do in Porto as a tourist!

Check out this travel guide if you want to explore Porto as a local.

Zona Ribeirinha

Zona Ribeirinha is a cozy yet lively old quarter located along the Douro River in Porto. The neighborhood is very charming with its narrow alleys, colorful houses, and it’s one of the best places to stay in Porto with many cozy restaurants and cafes. Come here and have a walk among the alleys and houses, have a refreshing drink, people-watch or just enjoy the beautiful view of the river.


Also see: Full itinerary for Portugal and Spain


Ponte D. Luis I

You haven’t experienced all of Porto without seeing the Ponte D. Luis I. This solid bridge is more than 100 years old and is used for both pedestrians and cars. A must is to walk across the bridge to see the spectacular views of the city and the Douro River. The bridge is beautiful and has amazing architecture, which provides excellent opportunities for some photos.

Visit a Beach

There are many beautiful beaches in Portugal and some are located near Porto on the coast, near Matosinhos. Some of the best Porto beaches are Praia dos Ingleses, Praia do Carneiro, Gondarem Beach, Homem do Leme Beach and Praia do Molhe just to mention a few.

River Douro

To see the Douro River is a must when it comes to the top things to do in Porto. Many boat trips are departing from several places along the river. One top is to take the boat one way and then take the train back to experience different things. Just make sure that you go far enough up the river to get to see the wine region, where the famous Port Wine is made. Many of the Port Wine tours offer both breakfast and lunch on board the boat!

The Railway Station in SĂŁo Bento

Almost at the top of the hill that Porto is built on lies the railway station. At this station, there’s always hustle and bustle of both travelers, tourists, and spectators. This train station is a popular attraction in the city, thanks to its stunning tile paintings and historic feel. The station is also a good starting point for those wishing to travel to other cities in Portugal.


Also read: Take the train to Sintra


Porto Free Walking Tour

The Porto Free Walking Tour offers excellent guided tours, where you can follow guides to the city’s most popular attractions and sites. The guided tours provide a great mix of information, history, and tips, and it clearly shows that the guides love their city.

The tour is completely free, but the guides are always happy to get some tip!

Football – Estádio do DragĂŁo

Porto is the hometown of the football team FC Porto. This old club has produced some of the world’s greatest football players of all time and has also been fighting for the top positions in Champions League. Particularly exciting games to watch is FC Porto vs. Sporting Lisbon or Porto vs. Benfica. If you are a football fan, you shouldn’t miss going to the Estádio do DragĂŁo, since it’s one of the top things to do in Porto.

Livraria Lello & IrmĂŁo

Livraria Lello & IrmĂŁo is a unique and beautiful bookshop with a large selection of Portuguese books. The shop is known for its beautiful architecture and enchanting spiral staircase. For all Harry Potter fans out there, this staircase with seem familiar. It’s said that J. K. Rowling was inspired by this bookshop when she created Hogwarts.

It costs around 2-3 euros to enter the library, but if you’re interested in purchasing books, one can bargain down the price a bit.

Oporto Adventure Tours

Those seeking adventure during their trip should book a day trip with Oporto Adventure Tours. This company offers excursions with both hiking, swimming in blue lagoons, white water rafting, kayaking and canoeing, and also kayak tours with testing of traditional Portuguese food. The guides are very knowledgeable about the areas they visit and do their best to provide an excellent tour for their customers. In other words, these adventure tours are one of the top things to do in Porto and a must for those who want to explore Portugal’s natural areas!

O Paparico

O Paparico is Porto’s best and coziest restaurant that really has the whole package. The restaurant is located in a 250-year old barn that has been converted to a fantastic restaurant of stone and wood. It serves traditional Portuguese food out of the best raw materials, and they also prepared the food in the best way possible. The staff and service are also of the highest class since they’re incredibly kind, attentive and helpful.

Porto Cathedral

Porto Cathedral is a large, beautiful, and magnificent cathedral both on the inside and outside. The interior is beautifully decorated with many precious heirlooms that you can have a look at. Take the opportunity to sit down and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere and the exciting story behind the cathedral.


Also consider: Visiting Lisbon for a combined trip or weekend. Here’s a travel guide for Lisbon with everything you need.

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