Porto has the charm of cities that don't try to please: its azulejo-tiled façades crumble prettily, its lanes tumble down to the river, and on the other side of the Douro, the quays of Vila Nova de Gaia offer some of the city's finest views. More intimate than Lisbon, Portugal's second city is savoured slowly, one viewpoint and lane at a time.
Two days are enough to fall in love with it. Here's our itinerary — find the visits on our what to do in Porto page.
Day 1 — The Ribeira, the Dom Luís Bridge & the views over the Douro
Start in the Ribeira, the UNESCO-listed old town, whose colourful houses pile up along the Douro. Cross the Dom Luís I Bridge, a two-tier iron structure designed by a disciple of Gustave Eiffel: the view from the upper deck, over the city and the river, is unforgettable.
On the other side, in Vila Nova de Gaia, take the cable car up to the gardens overlooking the Douro, then continue to the Crystal Palace Gardens: among free-roaming peacocks and Art Nouveau pavilions, it's one of Porto's finest viewpoints.
Cable car & viewpoints in Gaia
Cable car crossing of Vila Nova de Gaia and panoramic tours over the Douro.
Day 2 — Azulejos, Lello & a Douro cruise
Go hunting for azulejos: São Bento station and its walls entirely lined with painted tiles tell Portugal's history, and the Carmo church offers a spectacular façade of them. Push open the door of the Lello bookshop, with its winding red staircase said to have inspired the world of Harry Potter — one of the most beautiful bookshops in the world.
End with a cruise on the Douro, under the city's six bridges, or push further into the UNESCO-listed Douro Valley, one of Europe's most spectacular terraced landscapes. A gentle finale.
Cruises & tours in Porto
Douro cruises, guided tours of Porto and trips into the Douro Valley.
