Porto in 2 Days: everything you need to know

Most of the best things to see or do in Porto have to do with getting to know and wandering the streets of the centre of this picturesque city, which is a historical relic of Romantic, Baroque and Neo-Gothic Portuguese architectural beauty. It is a historical relic of Portugal's Romantic, Baroque and Neo-Gothic architectural beauty.

So I have highlighted a few attractions and activities that can keep you busy from the early hours of the morning until the end of your day if you have a short two day visit. For it would be a real shame if you left for the next destination on your trip without properly getting to know some of the nooks and crannies of Porto's historic centre, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The beauty of Porto is very well represented among the different streets of its historic centre. As I mentioned, it has been a Unesco World Heritage Site since 1996 and this has been very influential in preserving its entire extension from any modernist modification that seeks to alter its beautiful identity.

I have prioritised that you get to know the most important and striking corners of this part of the city on the first day of your short trip so that you can be sure that you won't miss them in case of any unforeseen events on the second day of your visit to the largest city in the north of Portugal.

Start the day on the Don Luis I Bridge

If you've ever seen photographs of Porto's cityscape, it's almost certain that these images include the Don Luis I Bridge in their capture. This two-level bridge stretches between the north and south banks of the Douro River and is the most iconic and referential construction of this beautiful river port.

It was built in the second half of the 19th century and its design was not only revolutionary in a context in which an iron structure was totally new. It was also a functional solution for this section of the city, linking the historic centre of Porto with Vila Nova de Gaia. This is the twinned community just opposite this city.

Both heights are passable for pedestrians, but bear in mind that the first, the upper one, is reserved for the passage of a line of the Porto metro. The lower one, on the other hand, is much more interesting for those looking for an excellent photographic souvenir and will leave you right where you need to be for the next stop on your tour.

Have breakfast on the streets of the Ribeira and wander around the area for a while

The definition of Porto's Ribeira changes depending on who you ask. For many people it refers to the entire southern section of the city's historic quarter, but for most locals it refers exclusively to that section of the city's waterfront. The one that is right at the level of the Douro River and extends all the way to the city's cathedral, in the upper part of Porto.

This is important due to the fact that the rest of the city is actually a couple of metres higher up at the same level as the cathedral. Therefore the entire riverfront and its surrounding buildings sit on a series of hills that delimit the upper and lower parts of Porto.

This whole area is worth a leisurely stroll, as the façades are very colourful and each of the buildings stands out architecturally in its own individual way. There will be many alternatives where you can sit down for breakfast with a delicious Portuguese coffee and a typical cream cake. But one thing I would like to point out is that the area is very touristy and there will be restaurants such as Ora Viva or Adega São Nicolau that are usually packed with people.

So I advise you to take a walk along the Ribeira and sit in the place with the most favourable prices and the most willingness to serve you quickly and kindly.

Continue the day at the Cathedral Square in Porto

If you use the urban elevator in the city of Porto you can reach the top of the hill where the Sé Cathedral square is located. That's without the need to take a detour to Rua de São João. Alternatively, you can climb up to that part of the city by the stairs in the Barredo neighbourhood, where you would reach the Gate of Lies in the city's Primitive Wall.

Either way, both alternatives will take you to your new destination in the city, which is the more than 700-year-old cathedral that combines Romanesque and Gothic styles with a large number of Baroque modifications. You can enter to tour the central nave of the structure and you can also visit the cloister which is decorated with the typical Portuguese tiles found in so many corners of the city. Admission to the latter usually costs 3 euros per person.

Going to the city's cathedral is one of those great things to see or do in Porto in December because of the fact that its square is usually decorated in all the beauty of the Christmas season. It also offers you a panoramic view of the west of the city which will be filled with Christmas lights to get you into the festive spirit of the season.

Climb up to the Clérigos Tower for panoramic views of Porto

Just as the Don Luis I Bridge is an iconic site in Porto's architecture, the Clérigos Tower was and still is for all Portuguese. It is the 76-metre high bell tower that stands at the western corner of what is known as the historic centre of Porto and offers privileged panoramic views of the entire city.

If you want to reach it from the cathedral square, just head in a north-westerly direction, just towards the street of São Felipe de Nery. When you get there you can enter the church, which has its own particular charm and a very peculiar beauty from the outside.

However, the real star of this beautiful historic building is the tower, which is why I advise you to climb up to its viewpoint via the famous spiral staircase. It will take you up approximately 240 steps to reach the point from where you will see 360 degrees of Porto all around you. This tower is so beloved by the Portuguese that in 2013 it was framed on a 2 Euro coin in local circulation.

Take advantage of the proximity and visit the Lello Bookshop

Just opposite this church, across two streets and Lisbon Square, you'll come across the Lello Bookshop. It is a narrow, old, historic bookshop that stands out for the peculiarity of its internal design. This can go completely unnoticed if you look at the art nouveau style that characterises its exterior façade.

This bookshop has a completely neo-Gothic architecture inside and the distinctive detail of this place are its winding wooden stairs. They are said to have been a point of inspiration for J.K. Rowling when she was writing Harry Potter during the period when she was living in the streets of Porto.

I advise you to go immediately after being in the Clerics' Tower due to the fact that in the late afternoon it is usually packed with fans and tourists. They are sure to be dying to visit it and leave this desire for that moment just before it closes at 5 or 6 pm.

Keep in mind that to enter you have to pay a fixed fee of 3 euros per person, but conveniently this amount would be reduced from your bill if you decide to buy some of the literary works that are sold there.

You will probably be hungry when you leave this place and you are lucky that between the 4 or 5 streets closest to this bookshop there are a number of approximately 20 or 25 restaurants offering you all the best of Portuguese gastronomy or a couple of menus more oriented to an international palate. So coming to this area of the city is one of those things to do or see in Porto at Christmas if you are looking to dine in a restaurant with an authentic dinner from the region.

Finish the tour with the Chapel of the Souls and the Church of San Ildefonso

If exhaustion consumes you and you're not interested in walking the city any further, then I suggest you just take a little of your effort and head to the Church of Carmen for a chance to see an authentic Portuguese baroque church up close. Just like the one in the clerics' tower, but with the typical blue tiles that define this city.

However, if you still feel like visiting unexplored corners of the city then I suggest you head northeast towards the Chapel of the Souls. This route is recommended because you will be leaving from the area of the University of Porto and that means you will be crossing iconic areas of the city such as the Avenida Dos Aliados and the Mercado do Bolhão.

When you find yourself at the corner of the Chapel of the Souls you realise that the walk has been worth it. Its façade, filled to the last detail with white and blue tiles, is a true spectacle of Portuguese aesthetics. As this area is bustling with tourists, you are also likely to come across more than one tavern with some of the best Fado shows in Porto and so I advise you to visit them if you are interested in having a night full of Portuguese folk music.

The Douro River for many Porto residents is the main reason why this city achieved the relevance it had during the time of the Portuguese empire. This can still be seen today in the imposing urban style.

That's why it's not a bad idea to venture across the river on the second day of your short visit to the largest city in the north of Portugal. That's to get to know the beauty of the wine-growing district of the nearby town of Vila Nova de Gaia. Keep reading this informative compilation if you also want to have plans of all styles and approaches for the last day of your visit to Porto.

Get on a Rabelo and sail on the Douro River

You probably have no idea what a Rabelo is and this makes the experience of sailing one on the waters of the Douro River even more fun. These are the typical boats that were used in the past to transport the barrels of Port Wine from the vineyards of the Douro Valley to the great cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia.

There are different routes with very varied durations, but the ones that transport you in these boats are intended for quite small groups that should not exceed 4 people. Moreover, they are only intended to take you to see the 6 bridges that connect the city of Porto with the south bank of the Douro.

Other Porto cruises offer a trip to the shores of the vineyards west of this famous river. I would advise against this option, though, at least if you want to have the rest of your morning free to explore other tourist secrets of this beautiful region.

Quickly visit the wine cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia and get to know the famous Port Wine

Once you've finished your river tour , you'll have the rest of the day ahead of you to continue exploring the metropolitan region of Porto, and a trip to this city would be incomplete if you didn't set out to explore the streets of Vila Nova de Gaia.

This neighbouring town, and specifically the area between the banks of the river, the main avenue and the Don Luis I Bridge, is full of wineries dedicated to the maturation of the famous Portuguese wine produced in the north of the country.

Some wineries can offer guided tours of their facilities, but what is really recommended is that you dare to have a drink in some of them. All of them have bars that offer tourists the chance to taste their most special vintages. In fact, that plan is one of the best things to do in Porto during the summer, as it is a great way to be in a beautiful neighbourhood of Greater Porto, while also cooling off from the oppressive heat of the season.

On your way back to Porto stop by the Santa Clara Batalha Church

When you've had enough of touring wineries and feel it's time to return to Porto , you have two alternatives at your disposal. The first is to take the metro from Jardim do Morro station and it will take you to Sao Bento station. This is a good option if you are tired of seeing churches and are not looking to be impressed by the architectural beauty of any of them.

However, you also have the alternative of crossing the bridge on the lower level, reaching the north bank of the river and climbing the Codeçal Stairs that will take you to the Church of Santa Clara Batalha.

Its exterior is quite sober and at first glance may seem uninteresting and unworthy of a visit. However, when you enter it you will marvel at the beauty of its central nave. It has a completely gold-plated design that meets all the aesthetic standards of the overloaded Portuguese baroque. For many specialists in religious architecture, this is the most interesting church in the whole city.

Visit Sao Bento station if you didn't see it the day before

If you arrived at Sao Bento Station from the time you were in Vila Nova de Gaia then you won't have to worry about walking from the Church of Santa Clara to this point in the city. Instead, if you were at this religious monument you can continue walking along Av. Dom Alfonso Henriques and in less than 10 minutes you will be outside this very famous building.

It stands out for the more than 20 thousand tiles that recount important passages of Portuguese history and for its excellent location within the historic centre of the city. It is also one of those things to see and do in Oporto with children because it can be very entertaining to try to decipher what is told in the image of these tiles with the little ones of the house.

The area is full of restaurants, so it's a good idea to grab some lunch before heading to the last destination on your itinerary. In fact, many of the best food tours in Porto take place in the area and if you want to round off your trip with an activity like this it would be great.

End the day at the Douro Gorge

If the sunset is approaching on the last day of your visit, but your desire to continue touring Porto is not over, then you should take a taxi to the Foz do Douro. This is the western corner of the city where the Douro River flows into the Atlantic Ocean.

The neighbourhood has its charm and is an excellent residential area, although what is really interesting is to walk along the promenade where the Farolim da Barra do Douro is located. And that's because you'll be treated to a spectacle of nature at that hour, characterised by a strong swell that crashes with all its might on the breakwaters that seek to protect Praia Das Pastoras.

This is one of those excellent things to do in Porto in January due to the fact that winter has more aggressive tides that will give you a better perspective of this typical scene of the Portuguese Atlantic coast. Keep in mind that the Paseo Alegre Garden is also very close by and can be another place to walk around on the evening of your farewell to Porto.