Top 10 Things to Do in Porto

Porto, not being a large city, has it all: a beautiful downtown, a colorful and traditional riverside, great beaches, culturally rich monuments, churches and museums, and beautiful parks to walk around or have a picnic. 

Porto is welcoming more and more tourists every year and being mentioned in some of the most awarded magazines as a must-visit city for 2017. Not only that, but it was also recently elected as the Best European Destination 2017. 

To help you plan your visit to the city, we gathered a few suggestions of things to do in Porto.

Here's our list of the top 10 things to do in Porto:

1. Visit Downtown Porto - UNESCO World Heritage Site 

Porto's historic centre was considered by UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996 and is one of the most beautiful downtowns in the world. Here you can visit and climb Clérigos Tower, designed and decorated by the Italian architect Nicolau Nasoni, located near Livraria Lello, considered by Lonely Planet one of the three most beautiful bookstores in the world. 

2. Visit Port Wine Cellars

Visiting the world-famous Port Wine cellars is a must-do in Porto. Just by the riverside at Vila Nova de Gaia, you will find some of the most traditional and world-renowned Port Wine lodges where you will be able to taste the best Port Wines and well as learning a little bit more about this Portuguese wine type. Don't know where to start? Check out our half-day tours in the Port Wine cellars.

3. Take a Cruise in the Douro River

Taking a cruise in the Douro River is almost mandatory for those visiting Porto. The Douro margins are beautiful and you can enjoy Ribeira and Vila Nova de Gaia from the river, in an exclusive boat.

4. Enjoy the Portuguese Food & Wine 

Besides Port Wine cellars, there are other places and restaurants where you can taste the best Portuguese wines and flavors. In Vila Nova de Gaia, near the Port Wine lodges, visit Espaço Porto Cruz for a wine and regional products tasting. If you want a more luxurious experience, visit the best restaurants in Porto from this selection that we meticulously hand-picked. Read the next tip for the advantages of staying in the Ribeira neighborhood.

5. Walk and have a drink at Ribeira

Ribeira is one of the most traditional neighborhoods in Porto, with its colored small houses and its typical cafés. Here, sit down in one of many outdoor terraces, just connect with the local people, and have a true Portuguese experience.

Photo credit: Joaquim Nery

6. Visit Palácio da Bolsa

Palácio da Bolsa is the building with the most different architectural styles in Porto. Inside Palácio da Bolsa, you will find the Arab Room, the most famous room of the building, and the Wines of Portugal Tasting Room, where you can taste different Port wines. 

7. Go to a concert at Casa da Música

Casa da Música (English: House of Music) is a modern concert hall designed by the Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas. Its building is not only an architectural must-visit, but every day it welcomes concerts from three orchestras: Orquestra Nacional do Porto, Orquestra Barroca, and Remix Ensemble, which will enrich your visit to Porto.

8. Walk in Parque da Cidade or Enjoy Serralves Park and Museum

The two main parks in the city are worth a visit. At Parque da Cidade you can ride your bike, enjoy nature, have a picnic, or workout. At Serralves, besides the beautiful park full of luxurious nature where you can sit and rest, you can visit the modern art museum.

9. Enjoy the seaside

The beaches in Porto are small and rocky, giving a cozy feeling. If you don't want to wet your feet, just sit at one of the many outdoor cafés, watching the sun go down.

10. Enjoy São Bento Station's historic tiles

São Bento Station is one of the main attractions in Porto, where you can take your time to observe its twenty thousand painted tiles, that depict Portugal's historical landmarks.

These are just a few of the things to do in Porto, there are many other interesting spots and activities to choose from when visiting this great city.