3 Days in Porto: A Complete Itinerary

Three days covers Porto's riverside old town, the port wine cellars across the river, and a full day trip to the Douro Valley.

Day 1: Ribeira and the bridge

Spend the morning wandering the Ribeira district's riverside lanes, then walk across the Dom Luis I Bridge's upper deck for the view over both banks. Continue up to Porto Cathedral for another vantage point before heading back down for dinner in Ribeira.

Day 2: Port wine and Livraria Lello

Cross to Vila Nova de Gaia in the morning for a port wine cellar tour and tasting — several major houses sit right on the riverfront. In the afternoon, visit Livraria Lello with a pre-booked timed ticket, then explore the Baixa area around Sao Bento Station, itself worth a stop for its tiled interior.

Day 3: Douro Valley

Take a full day trip into the Douro Valley — by train, river boat, or an organized tour — for the terraced vineyards and a different pace than the city. Most tours include a wine tasting as part of the day.

Getting around

Central Porto is walkable with real hills; the Funicular dos Guindais helps with the steepest section between Ribeira and the upper town.

What to pack

Comfortable, sturdy shoes for the hills — see our Porto travel guide for the fuller packing list and more on the Douro Valley day trip.