How Many Days In Porto Is Enough?

The historic hillside city of Porto has World Heritage status, filled with narrow cobbled streets, colorful houses with flowering balconies, and scenic plazas. 

It is the oldest city in Europe, and history lovers will be fascinated by its heritage and architecture. Connoisseurs will be equally delighted by the gastronomic treats on offer in Porto’s traditional restaurants and cafes.

If you are visiting for the first time, you may wonder how many days in Porto you will need to do it justice and see the best of its attractions.

The answer to this will partly depend on the type of break you are looking for. 

If you like to keep busy and fit in as many of the sights as possible in a short amount of time, then it would be possible to see Porto’s main attractions in 2 days.

If, however, you would prefer to linger awhile at your favorite spots – or perhaps simply take the time to relax and enjoy the atmosphere of this friendly city – then you should plan for 3 to 4 nights instead.

Wondering if Porto is worth it? Read our guide to find out if Porto is worth visiting.

How To Decide How Long To Stay In Porto

When deciding on the length of a visit to any new destination, there are a few different factors to think about. In this guide, I’ve listed the main points to consider. 

I have also shared my recommendations for the highlights in Porto that you simply must not miss, along with the amount of time you should plan to spend at each one.

We recommend you make a list of things you want to do in Porto. Then, consider your time of arrival and departure and the distances between the places you’ll visit to make it more realistic.

At the end of this exercise, you’ll know exactly how many days in Porto you’ll need.

Time Of Arrival, Hotel Check-In Time, And Time Of Departure

First, look at the time at which you arrive in Porto. If it’s early in the morning, then that’s great as it will give you lots of time for sightseeing on your first day.

If, however, you don’t arrive until the afternoon or evening, this will limit the time you have available that day. In that case, it might be better to add an extra night to your visit. 

Many travelers prefer to organize a private transfer from the airport to their hotel to save time.

The same applies to your departure time and you should check to see if it is late enough to allow you to see more of Porto before you leave.

Next, consider what you will do with your luggage. 

Sometimes your arrival and departure times won’t work well with your check-in and check-out times, meaning there could be a period during which you are left with your bags!

This will seriously limit how much sightseeing you can do, so you need to plan ahead and make alternative arrangements if your hotel or accommodation provider can’t store your luggage for you.

Fortunately, there are plenty of options, with lots of private companies offering this service throughout the city. You can easily book online, which I definitely recommend doing at the height of the season when demand can be high.

There are also coin-operated lockers available at São Bento station.

Activities In Porto

You really don’t want to miss any of the city’s ‘must-see’ attractions during your visit. So when you are planning how many days for Porto you’ll need, it’s essential to think ahead and decide which sights are the most important to you. 

My list of ‘What to do in Porto’ (below) will help you plan your itinerary, as it includes the recommended amount of time to spend at each. 

Don’t forget to factor in your travel time from one destination to another. You will also need to allow extra time for queuing – especially if you are visiting at a busy time of year. 

We suggest you book some tours or activities in advance to help you plan your Porto itinerary.

Browse Tours In Porto

Pace Of Activities

When deciding how many days in Porto is enough, it’s important to settle on a pace that you and your group are comfortable with. 

Fitting a lot of sightseeing into a short amount of time may allow you to visit lots of places, but if you don’t enjoy being constantly on the go then it may feel stressful rather than satisfying! 

Be realistic about just how much you can see and do during your visit and make sure you allow yourself a little downtime in which to relax. 

Transportation

Fortunately, Porto boasts an efficient and reliable transport system and you have plenty of options for getting around.

Almost anywhere you want to visit can be easily accessed by a combination of either the metro, the tram, trains, or buses. Tickets for each are very reasonably priced, too.

You can purchase a city card and gain access to public transportation. On top of that, the city card gives you discounts and free access to 6 museums.

For a bit more flexibility, you might prefer to use the local taxis, although the costs will – of course – be higher than with public transport. 

I don’t recommend renting a car to get around Porto. Whilst the independence it offers might be tempting, Porto’s traffic is so heavy that it can really slow you down. What’s more, the city’s one-way system is very confusing for visitors!

What To Do In Porto

Here are my recommendations for the very best things to see and do in Porto and an idea of how long you’ll need to spend at each one.

Take A River Cruise

Taking a boat tour along the Douro River is absolutely the number one thing to do in Porto! During your cruise, you will learn why the river is so important to the city and see some of its major landmarks and bridges.

The scenery is quite beautiful and viewing the city from the water gives you a whole different perspective, with the stunning backdrop of the mountains in the distance. 

There are lots of options for cruising, from short trips along sections of the water to longer trips including meals.

Suggested time: Anywhere from 50 minutes to 10 hours

Browse Cruises

Climb The Clérigos Tower

This is Porto’s most famous landmark. 

75.6 meters tall, it was designed in the 1700s. A challenging climb of 225 steps will take you to the top, where you are rewarded with jaw-dropping views across the city.

Be warned, though – the staircase is narrow and packed with people going up and down!

Be sure to check out the adjoining church before you leave, where you can enjoy a free pipe organ concert at noon.

Suggested time: 1 hour

Book Your Ticket In Advance

Take A Stroll In Ribeira

This is one of the loveliest quarters in the city, located on the bank of the River Douro. 

Vibrant and beautiful, it is filled with amazing cafes and restaurants and looks especially scenic at night when the bridges are illuminated.

There is frequent live entertainment and plenty of excellent viewpoints to take in the surrounding landscape. 

Be sure to spend some time away from the bustling waterfront to explore the many little alleyways and their traditional buildings. 

Suggested time: 2 to 3 hours

Walk Across The Dom Luis I Bridge

Porto’s picnic bridge is enormous, spanning the Douro and linking the Port wine houses of Vila Nova de Gaia with downtown Ribeira.

It was built between 1881 and 1886 and designed by a student of Gustav Eiffel, which explains why some of the design elements seem so similar.

You can walk along the pedestrian walkway on the top level of the bridge and enjoy some fantastic views of Porto.

Suggested time: 30 minutes (including time to stop and take photos!)

Visit Porto Cathedral

Porto’s oldest and most important building, Porto Cathedral was where King John I married the Princess Philippa of Lancaster in the 14th century, which led to the ensuing  Anglo-Portuguese alliance.

It was also the place where Prince Henry the Navigator was baptized.

The architecture of the Cathedral is impressive and there are many frescoes to admire. Particularly stunning is the cloister, with beautiful hand-painted blue and white tiles.

Be sure to climb the bell tower during your visit to enjoy the panoramic views from the top.

Suggested time: 1 hour

Relax At Praia Dos Ingleses

For a break from the traditional sights and a chance to enjoy the sun, head to Praia do Ingleses. 

This large sandy beach is located in the Foz do Douro district of Porto and has a wide, bustling promenade. It is worth coming back to revisit at night when the cafes fill up with tourists and locals and the atmosphere is lively and friendly.

Suggested time: 2 to 3 hours

Marvel At The Palacio Da Bolsa

This National Monument in the city center – currently used as the Porto Chamber of Commerce – may not look particularly outstanding from the outside. But its interior will dazzle you!

Join one of the 30 minute guided tours that set off every half an hour and you’ll be taken into its incredible rooms.

The highlight is the Arabian Hall (Salão Árabe) featuring stucco walls covered in intricate Moorish designs, then gilded with around 18 kg of gold!

Suggested time: 30 minutes

Book Your Tour In Advance

Final Thoughts On Porto Getaways

So just how many days do you need in Porto to see all the things you want to see at a pace you are comfortable with?

I hope that this guide has helped you make a decision and that you enjoy your break in this historic and welcoming city.

Heading to Portugal soon? Read one of the following blog posts:

• How many days in Lisbon
• What to do in Lisbon
• 10 days in Portugal