Discover how to spend two days in Porto, and why it quickly became one of our favourite cities in Europe after living in Portugal for two years.
Packed with culture, historical districts, delicious food, stunning view points and of course, the iconic port wine cellars, there’s a lot to explore in Porto for two days, so let’s take a look so you can plan your time wisely!
Whether you’re road tripping from Lisbon to Porto and looking for things to do when you get there, or flying over for a weekend in Porto, this guide will walk you through our favourite things to do in this iconic Portuguese city.
Porto Itinerary: Day 1
This itinerary is set out at a much more relaxed pace than if you were to only spend 24 hours in Porto. I’ll include optional extras at the end of each day for those who want to try and cram in as much as possible.
To kick things off, we’re going to explore the historical sites and discover some of the best photo-worthy areas. Get your comfy walking shoes on because Porto isn’t the flattest city we’ve been to.
City Walking Tour
The best way to experience Porto is on foot. Even with the hills, we think it’s a really walkable city with most things quite close together.
This walking tour can be done on your own (that’s how we did it) or you can join a free guided walking tour to learn even more about the spots you’ll see along the way.
There’s also the option of a guided tuktuk tour if you’re looking to do something a little different while you’re visiting Porto, or are unable to walk for long periods of time.
Starting your walking tour early in the morning will give you a better chance of seeing each location without the crowds.
We recommend setting aside at least a couple of hours for this.
São Bento Railway Station
The first stop of our walking tour is to the historic São Bento Station. Often described as one of the most beautiful train stations in the world, it opened to the public in 1916 and is decorated in over 20 thousand tiles which detail Portugal’s history in its imagery.
Even if you don’t plan to get a train, pop your head through the doors and admire the artwork – you’ll be glad you did! While it’s consistently busy, if you wait around a moment there are short gaps where it feels quieter.
Igreja de Santo Ildefonso
Walking 10 minutes up the road from Sao Bento station you’ll reach Igreja de Santo Ildefonso, or Church of Saint Ildefonso.
Decorated in Porto’s iconic blue tiles, something you’ll see frequently during your two days in Porto, this church dates back to the 18th Century and is one of many photo opportunities around the city.
Capela Das Almas
Continuing for another 10 minutes along the same road, your next stop is the famous Capela Das Almas, or Church of Souls.
Completed in 1928, the blue tiles here tell the story of S. Francis of Assisi and Saint Catherine. Over 16 thousand tiles were used here and today they’re used as a backdrop for hundreds of tourists each year.
Photo by Dominik Kuhn
Livraria Lello
Did you know Porto is home to many Harry Potter inspiration locations?
Livraria Lello is rumoured to be one of them and is often referred to as the most beautiful bookshop in the world.
If you’re an avid book reader, you could probably get lost for the entire morning here but even if you’re not, there’s still plenty I’m sure you can appreciate, from the gothic exterior, to the art-nouveau interior.
Due to its popularity and world wide fame, you can only enter with a ticket (which is discounted off the price of a book if you choose to purchase) or you can go as a part of a guided tour.
The Twin Churches
This is perhaps one of the most quirky things to see on this Porto walking tour and it’s really close to Livraria Lello,
Igreja do Carmo & Igreja dos Carmelita, are two churches (the twin churches) separated by a tiny house that sits between them.
The tiny house, Casa Escondido, is only 1.5 metres wide and is a sight in itself when spending 2 days in Porto! There’s a rumour that this house was built to prevent the Nuns (who lived inIgreja dos Carmelita) and Monks (living in Igreja do Carmo) getting up to funny business.
Today the house is open to the public as a museum accessed via Igreja do Carmo and also gain you access to the Catacombs of Porto: something that, I’ll admit, I didn’t know existed and is now priority on my list of things to do in Porto next time we’re there.
Miradouro da Vitória
Next stop on your Porto walking tour is Miradouro da Vitória. To get here we recommend taking the route through Jardim da Cordoaria which is Porto’s free public gardens.
Once you reach Miradouro da Vitória you’ll be greeted with one of the best free viewpoints in Porto.
With that in mind, it’s no surprise that there’s usually quite a few people up here. Located above the historic Ribeira quarter, from Miradouro da Vitória you’ll be able to look out over old roof tops, across the river to Vila Nova de Gaia and Dom Luís I Bridge. Both of which will be featured on day two of your 2 day in Porto itinerary.
If you follow the route we’ve laid out, accessing Miradouro da Vitória will be downhill. However, if you’re tackling it from the historic Ribeira part of the city, the walk can be quite steep with many steps.
Porto Cathedral
Back tracking towards the train station and the centre of Porto city, just 10 minutes from Miradouro da Vitória you’ll arrive in front of Porto Cathedral.
This is our last church on the list of things to do in Porto in 2 days, but it’s the most important one in the city and has been declared a national monument.
Construction started in the 12th Century but, as with most old buildings so well preserved, it’s had lots of work done to it over the centuries.
Its appearance gives the feel of a fortress or a castle, rather than a religious building. Especially with the nearby city walls that once protected the old city, and the battlements that decorate the top of the castle give it that fortress look.
While we found Batalha Monastery to be much more impressive, you can take a tour of the inside for as little as €3, we preferred to admire from outside and enjoy the views.
Feel Like Royalty At Bolsa Palace
After your walking tour, and maybe a snack or two along the way, our next location on you 2 days in Porto itinerary is the stunning Bolsa Palace.
Acting as the Portuguese Stock Exchange for many years, Palacio da Bolsa was built in the 19th century but now serves as a venue for concerts and important events.
In fact, royalty from all over the world have been welcomed here and with a guided tour of Bolsa Palace, you can walk the same halls as kings and queens.
Tours typically take around 30 minutes. You can buy tickets at the door for €10 per person, or, join a longer guided tour of Bolsa Palace that also includes other monuments across the city.
Get Creative With A Tile Painting Workshop
Now that you’ve walked around most of Porto’s famous tiled buildings, it’s time to get creative on a tile painting workshop.
Learn about the history of Porto’s tiles, the meaning behind many of the designs and sample a glass of local port. At the end of this experience, you’ll walk away with your own Porto souvenir that’s unique to you!
Explore The Historic Ribeira district
As we head into the afternoon, the historic Ribeira district is a great place to soak up Porto’s eclectic atmosphere.
With small port boutiques, restaurants, street performers and of course, beautifully tiled old buildings, the riverside district has a lot to take in. Even the Mcdonald’s here blends in seamlessly (don’t worry, we’re not foodies but we’re also not going to suggest a Mcy’s for lunch either!)
We’ve had drinks and food at several places along here and I can say, they’re all pretty good. Of course, being in the most touristy area of Porto prices are hiked somewhat – plus the view is beautiful from here.
Discover Douro River With A Sunset Cruise
To finish off day one of your two days in Porto, we recommend taking a sunset cruise down the Douro River.
This 2 hours small group tour will show you the highlights of the river while you listen to stories from the history of this city, before taking you out to sea to watch the sun go down.
It’s a slightly different option to the day time Douro River cruises which take you up river to see the vineyards and famous six bridges. Of course, that’s also an option while you’re in Porto for two days, especially if you’re here in the summer with more daylight hours!
Photo by BBDouro Tour Providor
Porto Itinerary: Day 2
For day two of your two days in Porto itinerary, we’re going to cross the river to explore the Villa Nova De Gaia district, taste Porto’s famous port and experience traditional Portuguese music. With a few extended options listed at the end.
Cross The Famous Dom Luis Bridge & Ride The Gondola
Time to cross the river into the Villa Nova De Gaia district, and we do so via the famous Dom Luis Bridge.
It’s a true icon of Porto, and perhaps one of the most photographed bridges in Portugal.
It links the main hustle and bustle of Porto to the popular port cellar district, Vila Nova de Gaia. It’s a must see if you’re wondering what to do in Porto in two days!
Built on two levels, the Dom Luís I Bridge gives tourists an option to cross the river to the lower or upper part of Vila Nova de Gaia, Every time we visited through 2023, there was construction on the lower part of the bridge that made it look impassible, but it was.
You just have to look past the tenting and you’ll find a narrow path has been left. It’s not as scenic due to the construction tents, so when you cross back from Vila Nova de Gaia, I recommend doing so from the top section – it’ll also save you walking up lots of steps through the city,
To avoid walking up a tonne of steps if you need to walk back into the centre of Porto, we recommend first walking along the lower level then returning via the upper level.
You can use a free elevator to get between the levels or use the Gondola which will give you panoramic views on the way up/down.
Admire The View From Mosteiro da Serra do Pilar
If you can’t get enough of historic buildings in Porto, Mosteiro da Serra do Pilar is a must while you’re on this side of the river.
Located at the upper level of Villa De Gaia, the views from the top are beautiful and I consider it one of the lesser-known things to do in Porto because it always feels quiet around it except at sunset when crowds should be expected.
Explore Vila Nova De Gaia
Once you’re at river level, we encourage you to take a walk along the main street of Vila Nova De Gaia.
Home to some of Porto’s oldest port cellars, it should be no surprise that on this side of the river is where you’ll find port tours, port tasting, port cruises and fine restaurants offering port pairings with your food. If you want to discover Portugal’s famous beverage, this is where you need to come!
Experience A Porto Wine Cellar Tour With Fado Show
Whenever we visit Porto with family, a Calem port wine tour is a must, and if you’re in Porto for two days, a Port wine tour with a fado show really elevates the experience!
The tour itself, which is guided around their interactive museum and cellars, only takes 30-45 minutes but it’s a great way to learn more about how Port is made and why Porto Port is world famous.
After the tour, you’re taken to a small dining area where you’ll get around an hour of traditional Fado music alongside samples of Port Wine.
Here’s our full post on what to expect from a Calem port wine tour to help you decide if it’s something you want to do (spoiler: it’s totally worth it)
Unwind For Sunset At Jardim Do Morro
To finish off your final day of these two days in Porto, we recommend heading to Jardim Do Morro to watch the sun go down.
Located across the river in the Villa Nova De Gaia district of Porto (a short 15 minutes walk from the Cathedral) it’s the most popular sunset spot in the city.
Optional Itinerary Extras For Day 2
Since day two of your two days in Porto itinerary was a bit more relaxed and leaves plenty of space for extras, here are a few things we recommend if you’re looking to add, or swap out, some activities:
Join A Food Tour
It’s no secret that Dec and I aren’t foodies. That’s why you won’t see many food recommendations or restaurant write ups here. We’re much more inclined to pack snacks then stop off at whichever nice looking restaurant is closest when we’re hungry.
That being said, that doesn’t mean we don’t appreciate good food and a Porto food and wine tour is a great way to experience that without having to second guess whether the location is any good or not.
This particular one is three hours long and takes you to some of the best cafes and bars in Porto’s old town. You’ll taste local coffee, incredible snacks, cheese and of course, Port Wine.
Afternoon in Aveiro
If a quick look around Vila Nova De Gaia was enough for you, and you’d rather spend one of your two days in Porto seeing some of the surrounding areas, we highly recommend an afternoon in Aveiro.
The most popular thing to do in Aveiro is a historic boat tour of their canals which were once used to transport salt and other important goods, but it’s also a really good place to see flamingos in the wild.
Walk To The Beach
Many people don’t think about beaches when they think about spending two days in Porto, but if you follow the Douro river from Dom Luis Bridge for roughly an hour and you’ll reach the coast and some of Porto’s prettiest beaches.
Praia Cabedelo do Douro sits between the river and the ocean and on a calm day, you can walk across the break water to look down the river back towards Porto.
It’s also a dog friendly beach, so if you’re travelling Portugal with a dog be sure to hit it up.
Explore Paiva walkways
Admittedly, these are more of a day trip from Porto, but if you wanted to quickly see the world’s second longest pedestrian suspension bridge – this is where you go.
Located just over an hour away from Porto in the Arouca Geopark, a Unesco geological site, the Paiva walkways are a beautiful wooden boardwalk that zig zags their way down the hills of the Paiva river.
The area is beautiful so the views from the boardwalk are incredible. If you’re feeling brave, you can also cross The Arouca 516 which is a 516m long suspension bridge and really not for the faint hearted.
The whole route takes about 3 hours to complete and you can either take a small group tour from Porto, or drive to the car park.
Where To Stay For 2 Days In Porto
You’re not short of great hotels in Porto, and while we’ve done an overnight there a few times – we always stay at the Porto Centro Eurostar Hotel. Why? Because we’ve never had a bad stay at Eurostar hotels anywhere in Europe.
Check in is always easy, the staff are always friendly and the breakfast is always lovely (although skip hotel breakfast if you want something more traditional that can be easily picked up in the city centre)
Are there good smaller operated hotels and B&Bs in Porto? For sure! Use the map below to have a look at different accommodation options for 2 days in Porto
How To Get Around Porto
Most European cities are extremely easy to get around on foot, and Porto is no exception.
Much like we’re avid supporters of road trips, we think the best way to see Porto is via your own two feet! Especially if it’s your first time in Porto!
Whether that’s adapting this 2 days in Porto itinerary to suit you, or joining a more structured free walking tour in Porto, being able to wander around the little narrow streets, take detours and maybe get a little lost is all part of the charm when you’re visiting an old city like Porto.
That said though, Porto is a city on a hill. So a weekend wandering around it can be tiresome and we understand not everyone wants to, or has the ability to, do that. So here are some other ways to get around Porto:
Is The Porto Card Worth It?
Many cities across the world now offer city cards that provide discounts, free access and other bonuses for those travelling around their city.
Porto is no different and if you think you’ll make use of the public transport during your 2 days in Porto, as well as a few of the paid attractions that we’ve talked about, you might want to consider purchasing a Porto Card which gets you unlimited use of the public transport and discounts at attractions, restaurants and shops.
Full disclosure; because we lived in Portugal, we tended to visit Porto as a day trip, always get around on foot, and only occasionally do a paid attraction. So for us, it hasn’t been worth trying the Porto card for ourselves. However, because you’re planning to stay in Porto for 2 days and perhaps want to pack in a lot of the paid tours and museums, we think it would absolutely be worth the money.
Is 2 Days In Porto Enough?
Porto is the second largest city in Portugal, but because of how walkable it is many of the attractions are easy to get to and within walking distance from one another.
In our opinion, 2 days in Porto is enough if you plan your days sufficiently (with the help of our 2 day in Porto itinerary, of course!) and are sensible with what you want to see while you’re there.
There’s so much to do and see in and around Porto that, realistically, if you wanted to see the surrounding area as well, you would want to factor in 3-5 days in Porto.
Hiring a car will make this easier and reduce your reliance on group tours.
Final Thoughts On Our 2 Day Porto Itinerary
If it wasn’t obvious from the mammoth list of what to do in Porto in 2 days, we love this city and if we were city dwellers this is absolutely where we would have based ourselves.
So there’s your complete two day Porto itinerary, covering all the best sights in Porto, the best way to see Porto, places to stay and our favourite historical buildings. I’m sure you can appreciate there was a lot we’ve left off – there’s only so much you can fit into 48 hours but if you’re looking for an extended Porto itinerary, or inspiration for day trips from Porto, stay tuned because those posts are coming up soon!
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