Porto in 3 Days: The Perfect Weekend 🇵🇹

Day 1: Tiles and the Heart of Porto 🏛️

We landed in Porto eager to make the most of the weekend. After dropping our bags at our accommodation in Lapa, we started strong. Head to São Bento Station to marvel at its lobby, lined with over 20,000 tiles.

From there you're a stone's throw from Liberdade Square, the ideal meeting point to start a Free Tour and understand the city quickly. Over the course of the morning you'll get to know the famous Paris Galleries and pass by Lello Bookstore and the iconic Clérigos Tower.

Markets and More Tiles

For a quick bite and to keep exploring, we recommend stopping at a Pingo Doce (local supermarket) to grab something to go. In the afternoon, you have to see the facade of the Chapel of Souls, covered entirely in blue and white mosaics. Right next door, stroll through the renovated Bolhão Market.

Day 2: Ribeira, Wine Cellars, and Magical Sunsets 🍷

Head down the steep streets to the Ribeira, with its colorful facades facing the river. From there, cross the spectacular Dom Luís I bridge on foot along its lower level to reach Vila Nova de Gaia.

Before diving into the wine, wander around to find the Rabbit Mural (Half Rabbit) 🐇 by Bordalo II, made from recycled trash.

Wine Time

Stepping into a wine cellar is a must. We went to Ramos Pinto. You'll discover why this wine is so peculiar (the brandy stops fermentation, leaving it sweet but with a high alcohol content).

To eat near the wine cellars without falling into tourist traps, we went to Casa Dias. They serve a super hearty fish stew at local prices.

By late afternoon, cross back to Porto over the upper level of the bridge (the views are stunning) and find the Parque das Virtudes. We sat on the grass with our local friends and a few beers to watch the best sunset in the city.

That night, the center was a total party because F.C. Porto 🔵⚪️ had just won the league, but we chose to buy some ice cream at Gelatopia and retreat to our apartment in Lapa to watch the Eurovision final. A packed day!

Day 3: The Francesinha Challenge and the Atlantic Breeze 🚲

We used the first hour of our last day to take a walk through the cemetery of the Lapa Church. They say there are mysterious presences among its angel sculptures! 🌫️

Afterward, spend the morning visiting the Palácio da Bolsa (book in advance), whose Arab Hall is a true masterpiece. Take a walk around the Cathedral (Sé).

Facing the Francesinha

At lunchtime, you have a date with heartiness at Brasão Coliseu. Order a Francesinha: a monumental sandwich filled with cold cuts and meats, covered in melted cheese, a fried egg, and bathed in a secret spicy sauce made with beer and tomato. A delicious outrage! 😋

To help digest such a meal, change the pace. We rented bikes at Biclas & Tríalas 🚲 and followed the flat bike lane that hugs the Douro. It's a gentle ride that ends at Matosinhos Beach, famous for the smell of grilled sardines filling its streets in summer.

After returning the bikes, one last beer 🍻 awaited us with our local friend in the lively Poveiros Square. If you still have room, stop by Casa Guedes and order their legendary roast pork sandwich (pernil) with queijo da Serra. The perfect finishing touch to an unforgettable weekend.