Here are great things to do in Porto in three days. Porto is the second largest city in Portugal. It’s a coastal city in the northwest known for its port wine production and beautiful bridges.
We took the 2.5-hour, high-speed, and picturesque train ride from Lisbon to Porto. We should have packed a picnic lunch as the food on the train was just OK.
Have A Drink (And/Or Stay At The Hotel) In The Square By The Douro River
We stayed at the Hotel Pestana Vintage in the historic district of Ribeira. The Pestana Vintage Porto was built by combining 18 buildings named by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
You can order a drink on their patio with this view.
We were upgraded to this riverview room. See the port-tasting shops across the river.
São Bento Train Station Tiled Murals
On the way to a delicious lunch at Tapabento to the left of the train station (don’t miss it), we stopped to admire the station’s murals.
Climb The Ancient Narrow Streets To Visit The Porto Cathedral
The Porto Cathedral is a hilltop fortress with beautiful architecture. Getting there on foot and touring the cathedral was one of the highlights of our trip.
Walk Across the Ponte de Dom Luís I
Here is a view from the bridge.
To Do In Porto: Enjoy A Port Tasting On The River
Once you are on the other side of the river, stop in for a taste at one of the port tasting rooms. We went to Ramos Pinto to savor a flight of old port with chocolates.
Have Lunch (And/Or Stay) At the Six Senses Resort
This is a beautiful resort that our driver took us to…but call ahead for lunch as during certain times only hotel guests can eat there.
Hire A Guide To Take You To The Wine Country
The guide that we hired from Get Your Guide took us on a lovely ride through the winding hills to a small tasting room with amazing views.
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Have you been to Porto? Please add any of your favorites in the comments!
Porto is a beautiful city- my travel group stayed there a few nights when we toured Portugal.
Note to remember: the gorgeous must see train station you mentioned, Mary Ann, has a great restroom! It’s always good to know where those are!
I have been wanting to visit Portugal forever! Your trip looked amazing!
We have not been as you know (on our bucket list), but our friend who did all of the beautiful iron work in our Chualar home always said Portugal was his absolute favorite. It looked like a fabulous trip!
My kids have been to Portugal (sadly we haven’t). Looks like a fabulous place – thanks for sharing your beautiful pictures and recommendations!
Hi Mary Ann,
Just wow on your fabulous trip, and thanks for sharing your tips! Visiting Portugal is definitely on my bucket list. Glad you had a great time!
Xo Heidi
Mary Ann,
Thank you for sharing your adventures in Porto! I have Portugal on my list.
I hope that you have a good weekend.
It looks like you had a marvelous trip and Porto looks like a charming city with lots to do. Since we don’t travel much, seeing your blogs on the beautiful places you go, brings me so much joy. Thank you Mary Ann, still my #1 favorite blog!
Hi Mary Ann,
Great pics, Porto looks like a special place to visit.
Thank you for sharing, looks like everyone had a great time.
HI Mary Ann – Thanks for sharing the photos. Porto is gorgeous!
Hi Mary Ann,
Your Portugal info has been very helpful. We are going in Sept. I’m wondering if the tasting rooms are right across the bridge and walkable (ie Grahams) or a drive into Douro Valley? I signed us up for a river cruise/wine tasting tour but we’d really like to visit Grahams. Any help you can give is appreciated. Thank you!
Yes…we walked to the tasting rooms across the bridge. A river cruise is a great idea!
Portugal is on my list of places to visit. Did you have someone plan your visit – places to stay, to eat, to see, tour guide, etc? We’re used to taking cruises where everything is organized for you but now want to visit a country for a more extended period of time in order to truly experience the culture.
Yes, Howard and our friend Dorothy did some online research and gave their opinions. We used Michelin for reservations.
I guess you have to do your own research first then pass that info onto a travel agent. I’ve noted Michelin.
I am a travel agent and live in Lisbon. Feel free to email me at [email protected] if you like!
Joanna,
Sandy of SG Travel is amazing. She can take care of everything and answer all of your questions! https://www.sgtraveladvisors.com/who-are-we
This is not an affiliate, she is a blog friend who has planned many trips for us and friends.
Hope this helps.