Tiled facades, ancient wine cellars, and a river that has been carrying port wine to the world for centuries.
I visited Porto as part of a 20-day honeymoon and elopement journey through Portugal, and I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect from this city on the Douro. What I found was one of the most visually arresting, deeply atmospheric, and genuinely soulful cities I have ever visited. The layered history is visible everywhere, from the azulejo-covered church facades, to the medieval streets of the Ribeira quarter, to the ancient wine cellars that line the riverbank across in Vila Nova de Gaia. Three days was enough to fall in love with Porto, and not nearly enough to feel like I’d seen all of it.
Things to Do in Porto
Strolling Porto
Our first day in Porto, we didn’t arrive until shortly after lunch (we drove up from Óbidos, which is about 2 hr 15 minutes away). We had a late lunch at the hotel and then walked down to the Ribeira waterfront. We did a little shopping along the way, stopped for coffee, and simply let the city show itself to us. It was a beautiful way to spend the afternoon. There was a soccer game happening and folks were drinking beer in the grassy areas and watching the game on their laptops and phones. It was a very laid-back vibe, and you could really tell how much the Portuguese love soccer.
Torre dos Clérigos
While exploring the city, we also admired the Torre dos Clérigos from the outside, and even without going in, it makes a strong impression. This elegant baroque tower is one of Porto’s most iconic landmarks, rising high above the city’s rooftops and visible from many points throughout the historic center. If you have time, climbing to the top rewards you with panoramic views of Porto — it’s worth adding to your list if you want the elevated perspective of the city.
Chapel of Souls
We passed by the Chapel of Souls without stepping inside, and even so, it stopped us in our tracks. The exterior is completely covered in stunning blue and white azulejo tiles depicting scenes from the lives of saints. It is a breathtaking example of the Portuguese tilework tradition and one of the most photographed facades in all of Porto. Even a brief pause here is worthwhile. We also visited the outside of another chapel with stunning azulejos called the Church of Saint Ildefonso – there are a few in the city to discover.
São Bento Train Station
One of the most unexpectedly wonderful things we did in Porto was simply walk through the São Bento train station. I say unexpectedly because you don’t typically visit a working train station as a destination, but São Bento is something else entirely. The grand entrance hall is covered floor to ceiling in thousands of azulejo tiles depicting scenes from Portuguese history and rural life. It is absolutely gorgeous, and completely free to wander through.
World of Wine (WOW)
We spent an entire day at World of Wine — known as WOW — and it was one of the most memorable experiences of our time in Porto. This is a sprawling cultural district in Vila Nova de Gaia, just across the river from Porto’s historic center, and it is unlike anything I’ve encountered anywhere else. The complex houses multiple museums and experiences under one roof, covering everything from the history of cork trees and how wine is made to extraordinary collections of ancient chalices and artifacts that speak to Portugal’s deep relationship with wine and trade. We lost track of time entirely, and by the end of the day we felt like we’d learned a tremendous amount while also just having a lot of fun. If you’re a curious traveler who enjoys immersive, beautifully designed cultural experiences, WOW deserves a full day on your itinerary. Don’t try to rush it – we found that it really did take a full day. There are restaurants on site you can eat at, which are convenient.
Crossing the Dom Luís I Bridge
To reach WOW and Vila Nova de Gaia, we crossed the Douro River on the Dom Luís I Bridge, and the crossing itself is an experience worth savoring. T
his iconic double-deck metal arch bridge connects Porto to Vila Nova de Gaia, and the views it offers of the Douro below, the terraced riverbanks, the colorful rabelo boats, and the city rising steeply on both sides are among the most beautiful urban vistas I encountered anywhere in Portugal.
Walk slowly and look in both directions. It earns every photograph.
Day Trip to the Douro Valley — Port Wine Tour
No visit to Porto is complete without a day in the Douro Valley, one of the world’s oldest wine regions and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The valley is extraordinary, terraced vineyards carved into steep hillsides tumble down to the Douro River below, and the sheer scale and beauty of the landscape is something you won’t easily forget.
We booked a full-day guided tour through Viator and had a wonderful experience. Our group was small — about six people — which made for an intimate, unhurried day with plenty of time to ask questions and really soak in the surroundings. I always find that smaller group tours make a meaningful difference, and this was no exception. We booked this specific tour, which included visits to two vineyards, tastings of both port wine and other Douro wines, a river cruise, and lunch at a winery — all with pick-up and drop-off in Porto included. It was a seamless and well-organized day. Our tour guide was excellent and highly knowledgeable.
One of the highlights was arriving in Pinhão, a small town sitting right on the Douro River that serves as the heart of port wine country. The views here are spectacular — a sweeping panorama of the UNESCO-listed terraced landscape stretching in every direction, with the river winding through it all. Even if you’re not a dedicated wine enthusiast, the scenery alone makes this day trip completely worthwhile.
This was where we had our boat tour, which was my least favorite part of the tour, just because it felt very generically touristy. That being said, you should absolutely try to get on the river for the views alone.
A practical note: book this tour in advance, especially in summer. It fills up quickly and the smaller group sizes are part of what makes it so good.
Day Trip to Peneda-Gerês National Park
We ran out of time to visit Peneda-Gerês National Park, which remains one of my regrets from the trip – it was just too much to try to squeeze in and it ended up raining too. This is Portugal’s only national park, situated in the far north of the country near the Spanish border, and it encompasses dramatic granite peaks, ancient forests, waterfalls, and an extraordinary diversity of wildlife. It has wild Garrano horses (which I was particularly eager to see) and wolves. We had planned to do some birding and hiking in the park.
If you have more time in Porto than we did, or if you’re building a longer itinerary through northern Portugal, I’d strongly encourage adding it. It’s the kind of place that looks like it belongs in another era entirely and if you’re an avid hiker, it’ll have plenty of trails to explore.
Where to Stay in Porto
Porto is a city with no shortage of beautiful, characterful places to stay — boutique hotels tucked into historic buildings, properties with sweeping Douro views, and options that feel like an extension of the city itself rather than just a place to sleep. I’ve had consistently good experiences booking through two hotel groups in Portugal: Torel Boutiques collection and Pestana and both have strong representation in Porto. That said, these are simply the ones I know and trust, the city has many wonderful independent boutique options worth exploring as well.
Torel Avantgarde
We stayed at the Torel Avantgarde, and it was a beautiful base for our time in Porto. This five-star boutique hotel is perched above the city with sweeping views of the Douro River that are hard to overstate. The infinity pool makes the most of that elevated position, and the bar is a lovely spot to settle in at the end of a long day of exploring. It has a spa and a gorgeous lobby, and it had valet parking, which was a priority for us since we had a rental car.
Breakfast was a generous spread with plenty of fresh fruit and thoughtfully prepared options that set us up well each morning before heading out into the city. The overall experience was refined without feeling stiff, and the service was warm and attentive throughout our stay. If you’re looking for a memorable, design-forward hotel in Porto with exceptional views and a strong sense of place, the Torel Avantgarde is an excellent choice.
Torel Palace Porto
Also part of the Torel Boutiques collection, Torel Palace Porto is another property from the same group that caught my eye. From what I could see, it’s equally beautiful — the Torel collection has a real consistency of quality, atmosphere, and attention to detail that makes their properties stand out. If Torel Avantgarde is fully booked or you’re looking for a slightly different experience within the same trusted group, Torel Palace Porto is absolutely worth considering.
Jardins do Porto
Jardins do Porto was one of the hotels I seriously considered before booking, and it looked lovely. It’s another great hotel option worth considering if you’re comparing prices and convenience.
Pestana Hotels in Porto
I’d stayed with Pestana at other points during our Portugal trip and had very positive experiences with the group. They have several properties in and around Porto that are worth looking into depending on your priorities and budget. The Pestana Douro offers a beautiful riverside setting, the Pestana Porto Brasileira puts you right in the heart of the city in a historic building, and the Freixo Palace is a stunning option for those looking for something truly grand and palatial just outside the city center. Pestana is a group I would book with again without hesitation.
The Yeatman — Vila Nova de Gaia
If you’re open to staying just across the river in Vila Nova de Gaia rather than Porto proper, The Yeatman is one of the finest hotels in the entire region. Part of the prestigious Relais & Châteaux collection — a group I’ve had excellent experiences with elsewhere — The Yeatman is a wine-focused luxury hotel perched above the Douro with extraordinary views back across to Porto.
Where to Eat in Porto
Mistu
One of the best meals of our entire 20-day Portugal trip happened right here in Porto, at Mistu. The food was incredible, the wine pairings were perfectly chosen, and the atmosphere was chic. We had a wonderful evening here, and in one of those lovely travel coincidences, we ran into another couple at dinner that we happened to cross paths with again the very next day in the Douro Valley. Make a reservation well in advance, as Mistu is very popular and deservedly so.
Brasão Cervejaria
Our second night in Porto, we had dinner at Brasão, and it’s where I’d send anyone visiting the city for the first time with one non-negotiable instruction: order the Francesinha. This is Porto’s most iconic dish, and Brasão does it exceptionally well. The Francesinha is a layered meat sandwich, typically filled with cured meats and steak, blanketed in melted cheese and drenched in a rich, spiced tomato and beer sauce, often served alongside a heap of fries. It is extraordinarily hearty, deeply comforting, and absolutely delicious. Come hungry, and be prepared to be completely full for the remainder of the evening.
My honest advice: consider sharing one between two people, especially if you plan to eat anything else. It is that substantial.
Culto ao Bacalhau
For our very last night in Porto, and our final dinner of the entire 20-day Portugal trip, we chose Culto ao Bacalhau, and it was a fabulous way to close out the journey. The restaurant is dedicated entirely to bacalhau, Portugal’s beloved salted cod, and showcases just how many extraordinary things a skilled kitchen can do with a single ingredient. Bacalhau is deeply woven into Portuguese food culture. It’s said there are over 365 ways to prepare it, one for every day of the year, and this restaurant takes that legacy seriously. The food was fabulous, and it felt like exactly the right note to end on: a meal that was unmistakably, proudly Portuguese.
Alma da Terrace
Alma da Terrace was on our list throughout the trip, and while we didn’t make it, it stayed on my radar for good reason. From everything we’d researched, it looked like a beautiful spot , ideal for a romantic dinner and the food looked phenomenal.
Restaurante Camilo
Restaurante Camilo was another restaurant we had our eye on during our time in Porto. It came up consistently in our research as a reliable and well-regarded option for traditional Portuguese cuisine, and it’s one I’d head to on a return visit without hesitation.
Cozinha das Flores
Cozinha das Flores is a spot that caught our attention during the planning process and while we ran out of time to eat here, it’s firmly on my list for next time.. The concept — seasonal, market-driven cooking in a warm and intimate setting — is a relaxing atmosphere for a wonderful meal.
Cervejaria Gazela
My husband REALLY wanted to try Cervejaria Gazela, but it was another one we ran out of time to try – 3 days is not enough to experience all the fabulous restaurants in Porto! Gazela is one of Porto’s most beloved and longstanding spots, famous for its cachorrinhos — small, spicy hot dogs in a crusty roll that have built a devoted local following over decades. They’re also known for their Francesinha.It has earned its reputation entirely on the strength of what it serves, without any fuss or fanfare. If you have time in Porto that I didn’t, go.
If you’re planning a trip to Portugal, you can’t miss Porto. It is Portugal’s second city, and has so much character and charm you’ll never want to leave. Its river views, fabulous food and proximity to other top destinations, like the Douro Valley, make it an ideal stop on any trip.
Porto is part of my Portugal Series — follow along for more guides from our 20-day elopement and honeymoon journey through this extraordinary country. 🇵🇹
