This long weekend is an intense mix of city, ocean, and history, where every day is made up of memorable moments. Surfing the Atlantic waves, pastel de nata, and the iconic Livraria Lello library set its main rhythm.
Porto is a city of contrasts, with lively alleys, the iconic atmosphere of São Bento station, and views from Gaia over the Douro River.
The day starts with your arrival in Porto and a move to the historic part of Gaia. As soon as you arrive, you're in for your first big moment: crossing the Luís I Bridge, which offers iconic views of the Douro River and the whole city. Next up is a cable car ride that'll whisk you high above the river in just a few minutes. And this is just the beginning of what awaits you in this city.
From the airport, you can get to the center by metro like this using line E (purple) to Trindade station, where you switch to line D (yellow) towards Santo Ovídio. Stay on that until you reach Jardim do Morro station. You can buy metro tickets at the machines right at the station, for example, already at the airport.
At this metro station, transfer from the purple line E to the yellow line D towards Santo Ovídio.
Get off at Jardim do Morro station on the yellow line D, from where it's just a few minutes' walk to the viewpoint overlooking Porto and across the Dom Luís I bridge to the historic center.
Dom Luís I Bridge is an iconic double-deck metal arch bridge over the Douro River, connecting Porto with Vila Nova de Gaia. From its upper deck, you get stunning views of the whole of Porto, the Douro River, and the historic city center, making it one of the most famous spots to take in the city.
Take a cable car ride over the historic part of Gaia, with its iconic port wine cellars and views of the boats on the Douro River. You'll slowly rise up and soak in the peaceful river atmosphere. During the short ride, you'll get great views of the Dom Luís I Bridge. The trip takes about 5 minutes.
A day dedicated to iconic landmarks, the city's atmosphere, and discovering the most photogenic corners of Porto. You can look forward to visiting the famous Half Rabbit wall and tasting the most delicious pastel de nata that literally melt in your mouth. You'll admire the stunning São Bento railway station, sample passion fruit and fresh produce at the Mercado do Bolhão, take a stroll past the Igreja de Santo Ildefonso, and, of course, snap photos in front of one of the most iconic chapels, Capela das Almas. To wrap up the day, you can head out on a Port wine tour in the historic cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia, where you'll get an inside look at the production process and taste several classic varieties of this wine right where it all began.
Half Rabbit is a striking street art installation made from recycled materials that symbolically bridges urban art with the theme of sustainability. It comes across as both playful and unexpected.
Igreja de Santo Ildefonso is a striking church in the center of Porto, known for its facade covered in blue and white azulejos that immediately grab your attention.
Capela das Almas is a stunning chapel that will surprise you the moment you see it – it practically pops up around a street corner among ordinary buildings. Its blue-and-white facade covered in azulejos looks unexpectedly striking and is one of the most beautiful spots in all of Porto.
Tip: you can see it first thing right after stepping out of the metro.
Manteigaria: Fábrica de Pastéis de Nata is a very popular spot in Porto for its traditional Portuguese custard tarts – pastel de nata. There are more famous places, but this one feels more local, it's not expensive, and the pastel de nata here is truly excellent.
Mercado do Bolhão is a traditional market where you can buy fresh fruit, spices, fish, and souvenirs. It's a lively spot full of colors, scents, and a local vibe.
São Bento is an iconic station in the center of Porto, known for its decorated walls covered in azulejos that depict scenes from Portuguese history. This place feels more like a gallery than a regular train station and is one of the most photogenic stops in the city. It is an elegant blend of functional space and artistic decoration that is worth a quick stop while walking around.
The Sandeman wine tour (Sandeman wine tour and tasting) is an experience in the historic cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia, where you will learn about the port wine production tradition of one of Portugal's most famous brands. The tour includes a walk through the cellars, an explanation of the history and production process, and a tasting of several types of port wine.
This link will take you directly to the winery's tours, where you can choose from various tasting and cellar visit options, depending on how immersive an experience you are looking for.
Start with surfing; whether you're a complete beginner or have stood on a board before, I recommend signing up for a surfing lesson. The morning is the ideal time to hit the waves, as that's when conditions on the water are usually best. After that, it's time for lunch and a well-deserved siesta—time to relax and slow down. In the afternoon, head over to one of the most beautiful libraries in the world—Livraria Lello. It feels almost magical, and you can even exchange your entry ticket for a book, which makes for a lovely and unique souvenir from Porto.
To go surfing, take the metro towards Trindade and then switch to the line for Matosinhos (direction Matosinhos Sul), from where it’s just a short walk to the beach. The whole journey takes about 35–50 minutes and leads you straight to the Fish Surf School, where your morning ocean lesson is waiting for you.
- You can book a group or private lesson directly via the official Fish Surf School website. You can also reach out to the instructors via WhatsApp; they respond quickly and are very helpful (+351916082218).
Livraria Lello is one of the most famous bookstores and a very popular tourist attraction. It's open daily from approximately 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM, with the last entry 30 minutes before closing. I recommend booking your ticket in advance. Practically, the best time to visit is right after opening in the morning or later in the evening. It's not a quiet library, but definitely a must-see attraction for all bookworms.
- You can easily purchase your ticket via the link; you'll then receive a QR code, which you just show at the entrance. Additionally, you can redeem your ticket for a book on-site, which makes for a nice and unique souvenir from Porto.
The last day is perfect for places you didn't have time for earlier, but also for slowly savoring the final moments in this unique city. It's time to say goodbye to the atmosphere of the narrow streets, pick up some last-minute souvenirs, and fully enjoy the charm of Porto one last time. Then, head to the airport and have a comfortable flight home.
Follow the same route back to the airport. Don't forget to calculate your time properly and be at the airport at least 2 hours before your flight.
Don't forget to be at the airport at least 2 hours before your flight.
This long weekend is an intense mix of city, ocean, and history, where every day is made up of memorable moments. Surfing the Atlantic waves, pastel de nata, and the iconic Livraria Lello library set its main rhythm.
Porto is a city of contrasts, with lively alleys, the iconic atmosphere of São Bento station, and views from Gaia over the Douro River.
The day starts with your arrival in Porto and a move to the historic part of Gaia. As soon as you arrive, you're in for your first big moment: crossing the Luís I Bridge, which offers iconic views of the Douro River and the whole city. Next up is a cable car ride that'll whisk you high above the river in just a few minutes. And this is just the beginning of what awaits you in this city.
From the airport, you can get to the center by metro like this using line E (purple) to Trindade station, where you switch to line D (yellow) towards Santo Ovídio. Stay on that until you reach Jardim do Morro station. You can buy metro tickets at the machines right at the station, for example, already at the airport.
At this metro station, transfer from the purple line E to the yellow line D towards Santo Ovídio.
Get off at Jardim do Morro station on the yellow line D, from where it's just a few minutes' walk to the viewpoint overlooking Porto and across the Dom Luís I bridge to the historic center.
Dom Luís I Bridge is an iconic double-deck metal arch bridge over the Douro River, connecting Porto with Vila Nova de Gaia. From its upper deck, you get stunning views of the whole of Porto, the Douro River, and the historic city center, making it one of the most famous spots to take in the city.
Take a cable car ride over the historic part of Gaia, with its iconic port wine cellars and views of the boats on the Douro River. You'll slowly rise up and soak in the peaceful river atmosphere. During the short ride, you'll get great views of the Dom Luís I Bridge. The trip takes about 5 minutes.
A day dedicated to iconic landmarks, the city's atmosphere, and discovering the most photogenic corners of Porto. You can look forward to visiting the famous Half Rabbit wall and tasting the most delicious pastel de nata that literally melt in your mouth. You'll admire the stunning São Bento railway station, sample passion fruit and fresh produce at the Mercado do Bolhão, take a stroll past the Igreja de Santo Ildefonso, and, of course, snap photos in front of one of the most iconic chapels, Capela das Almas. To wrap up the day, you can head out on a Port wine tour in the historic cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia, where you'll get an inside look at the production process and taste several classic varieties of this wine right where it all began.
Half Rabbit is a striking street art installation made from recycled materials that symbolically bridges urban art with the theme of sustainability. It comes across as both playful and unexpected.
Igreja de Santo Ildefonso is a striking church in the center of Porto, known for its facade covered in blue and white azulejos that immediately grab your attention.
Capela das Almas is a stunning chapel that will surprise you the moment you see it – it practically pops up around a street corner among ordinary buildings. Its blue-and-white facade covered in azulejos looks unexpectedly striking and is one of the most beautiful spots in all of Porto.
Tip: you can see it first thing right after stepping out of the metro.
Manteigaria: Fábrica de Pastéis de Nata is a very popular spot in Porto for its traditional Portuguese custard tarts – pastel de nata. There are more famous places, but this one feels more local, it's not expensive, and the pastel de nata here is truly excellent.
Mercado do Bolhão is a traditional market where you can buy fresh fruit, spices, fish, and souvenirs. It's a lively spot full of colors, scents, and a local vibe.
São Bento is an iconic station in the center of Porto, known for its decorated walls covered in azulejos that depict scenes from Portuguese history. This place feels more like a gallery than a regular train station and is one of the most photogenic stops in the city. It is an elegant blend of functional space and artistic decoration that is worth a quick stop while walking around.
The Sandeman wine tour (Sandeman wine tour and tasting) is an experience in the historic cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia, where you will learn about the port wine production tradition of one of Portugal's most famous brands. The tour includes a walk through the cellars, an explanation of the history and production process, and a tasting of several types of port wine.
This link will take you directly to the winery's tours, where you can choose from various tasting and cellar visit options, depending on how immersive an experience you are looking for.
Start with surfing; whether you're a complete beginner or have stood on a board before, I recommend signing up for a surfing lesson. The morning is the ideal time to hit the waves, as that's when conditions on the water are usually best. After that, it's time for lunch and a well-deserved siesta—time to relax and slow down. In the afternoon, head over to one of the most beautiful libraries in the world—Livraria Lello. It feels almost magical, and you can even exchange your entry ticket for a book, which makes for a lovely and unique souvenir from Porto.
To go surfing, take the metro towards Trindade and then switch to the line for Matosinhos (direction Matosinhos Sul), from where it’s just a short walk to the beach. The whole journey takes about 35–50 minutes and leads you straight to the Fish Surf School, where your morning ocean lesson is waiting for you.
- You can book a group or private lesson directly via the official Fish Surf School website. You can also reach out to the instructors via WhatsApp; they respond quickly and are very helpful (+351916082218).
Livraria Lello is one of the most famous bookstores and a very popular tourist attraction. It's open daily from approximately 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM, with the last entry 30 minutes before closing. I recommend booking your ticket in advance. Practically, the best time to visit is right after opening in the morning or later in the evening. It's not a quiet library, but definitely a must-see attraction for all bookworms.
- You can easily purchase your ticket via the link; you'll then receive a QR code, which you just show at the entrance. Additionally, you can redeem your ticket for a book on-site, which makes for a nice and unique souvenir from Porto.
The last day is perfect for places you didn't have time for earlier, but also for slowly savoring the final moments in this unique city. It's time to say goodbye to the atmosphere of the narrow streets, pick up some last-minute souvenirs, and fully enjoy the charm of Porto one last time. Then, head to the airport and have a comfortable flight home.
Follow the same route back to the airport. Don't forget to calculate your time properly and be at the airport at least 2 hours before your flight.
Don't forget to be at the airport at least 2 hours before your flight.
itinerary by Sabina Frohlichova
This long weekend is an intense mix of city, ocean, and history, where every day is made up of memorable moments. Surfing the Atlantic waves, pastel de nata, and the iconic Livraria Lello library set its main rhythm.
Porto is a city of contrasts, with lively alleys, the iconic atmosphere of São Bento station, and views from Gaia over the Douro River.
The day starts with your arrival in Porto and a move to the historic part of Gaia. As soon as you arrive, you're in for your first big moment: crossing the Luís I Bridge, which offers iconic views of the Douro River and the whole city. Next up is a cable car ride that'll whisk you high above the river in just a few minutes. And this is just the beginning of what awaits you in this city.
From the airport, you can get to the center by metro like this using line E (purple) to Trindade station, where you switch to line D (yellow) towards Santo Ovídio. Stay on that until you reach Jardim do Morro station. You can buy metro tickets at the machines right at the station, for example, already at the airport.
At this metro station, transfer from the purple line E to the yellow line D towards Santo Ovídio.
Get off at Jardim do Morro station on the yellow line D, from where it's just a few minutes' walk to the viewpoint overlooking Porto and across the Dom Luís I bridge to the historic center.
Dom Luís I Bridge is an iconic double-deck metal arch bridge over the Douro River, connecting Porto with Vila Nova de Gaia. From its upper deck, you get stunning views of the whole of Porto, the Douro River, and the historic city center, making it one of the most famous spots to take in the city.
Take a cable car ride over the historic part of Gaia, with its iconic port wine cellars and views of the boats on the Douro River. You'll slowly rise up and soak in the peaceful river atmosphere. During the short ride, you'll get great views of the Dom Luís I Bridge. The trip takes about 5 minutes.
A day dedicated to iconic landmarks, the city's atmosphere, and discovering the most photogenic corners of Porto. You can look forward to visiting the famous Half Rabbit wall and tasting the most delicious pastel de nata that literally melt in your mouth. You'll admire the stunning São Bento railway station, sample passion fruit and fresh produce at the Mercado do Bolhão, take a stroll past the Igreja de Santo Ildefonso, and, of course, snap photos in front of one of the most iconic chapels, Capela das Almas. To wrap up the day, you can head out on a Port wine tour in the historic cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia, where you'll get an inside look at the production process and taste several classic varieties of this wine right where it all began.
Half Rabbit is a striking street art installation made from recycled materials that symbolically bridges urban art with the theme of sustainability. It comes across as both playful and unexpected.
Igreja de Santo Ildefonso is a striking church in the center of Porto, known for its facade covered in blue and white azulejos that immediately grab your attention.
Capela das Almas is a stunning chapel that will surprise you the moment you see it – it practically pops up around a street corner among ordinary buildings. Its blue-and-white facade covered in azulejos looks unexpectedly striking and is one of the most beautiful spots in all of Porto.
Tip: you can see it first thing right after stepping out of the metro.
Manteigaria: Fábrica de Pastéis de Nata is a very popular spot in Porto for its traditional Portuguese custard tarts – pastel de nata. There are more famous places, but this one feels more local, it's not expensive, and the pastel de nata here is truly excellent.
Mercado do Bolhão is a traditional market where you can buy fresh fruit, spices, fish, and souvenirs. It's a lively spot full of colors, scents, and a local vibe.
São Bento is an iconic station in the center of Porto, known for its decorated walls covered in azulejos that depict scenes from Portuguese history. This place feels more like a gallery than a regular train station and is one of the most photogenic stops in the city. It is an elegant blend of functional space and artistic decoration that is worth a quick stop while walking around.
The Sandeman wine tour (Sandeman wine tour and tasting) is an experience in the historic cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia, where you will learn about the port wine production tradition of one of Portugal's most famous brands. The tour includes a walk through the cellars, an explanation of the history and production process, and a tasting of several types of port wine.
This link will take you directly to the winery's tours, where you can choose from various tasting and cellar visit options, depending on how immersive an experience you are looking for.
Start with surfing; whether you're a complete beginner or have stood on a board before, I recommend signing up for a surfing lesson. The morning is the ideal time to hit the waves, as that's when conditions on the water are usually best. After that, it's time for lunch and a well-deserved siesta—time to relax and slow down. In the afternoon, head over to one of the most beautiful libraries in the world—Livraria Lello. It feels almost magical, and you can even exchange your entry ticket for a book, which makes for a lovely and unique souvenir from Porto.
To go surfing, take the metro towards Trindade and then switch to the line for Matosinhos (direction Matosinhos Sul), from where it’s just a short walk to the beach. The whole journey takes about 35–50 minutes and leads you straight to the Fish Surf School, where your morning ocean lesson is waiting for you.
- You can book a group or private lesson directly via the official Fish Surf School website. You can also reach out to the instructors via WhatsApp; they respond quickly and are very helpful (+351916082218).
Livraria Lello is one of the most famous bookstores and a very popular tourist attraction. It's open daily from approximately 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM, with the last entry 30 minutes before closing. I recommend booking your ticket in advance. Practically, the best time to visit is right after opening in the morning or later in the evening. It's not a quiet library, but definitely a must-see attraction for all bookworms.
- You can easily purchase your ticket via the link; you'll then receive a QR code, which you just show at the entrance. Additionally, you can redeem your ticket for a book on-site, which makes for a nice and unique souvenir from Porto.
The last day is perfect for places you didn't have time for earlier, but also for slowly savoring the final moments in this unique city. It's time to say goodbye to the atmosphere of the narrow streets, pick up some last-minute souvenirs, and fully enjoy the charm of Porto one last time. Then, head to the airport and have a comfortable flight home.
Follow the same route back to the airport. Don't forget to calculate your time properly and be at the airport at least 2 hours before your flight.
Don't forget to be at the airport at least 2 hours before your flight.
This long weekend is an intense mix of city, ocean, and history, where every day is made up of memorable moments. Surfing the Atlantic waves, pastel de nata, and the iconic Livraria Lello library set its main rhythm.
Porto is a city of contrasts, with lively alleys, the iconic atmosphere of São Bento station, and views from Gaia over the Douro River.
The day starts with your arrival in Porto and a move to the historic part of Gaia. As soon as you arrive, you're in for your first big moment: crossing the Luís I Bridge, which offers iconic views of the Douro River and the whole city. Next up is a cable car ride that'll whisk you high above the river in just a few minutes. And this is just the beginning of what awaits you in this city.
From the airport, you can get to the center by metro like this using line E (purple) to Trindade station, where you switch to line D (yellow) towards Santo Ovídio. Stay on that until you reach Jardim do Morro station. You can buy metro tickets at the machines right at the station, for example, already at the airport.
At this metro station, transfer from the purple line E to the yellow line D towards Santo Ovídio.
Get off at Jardim do Morro station on the yellow line D, from where it's just a few minutes' walk to the viewpoint overlooking Porto and across the Dom Luís I bridge to the historic center.
Dom Luís I Bridge is an iconic double-deck metal arch bridge over the Douro River, connecting Porto with Vila Nova de Gaia. From its upper deck, you get stunning views of the whole of Porto, the Douro River, and the historic city center, making it one of the most famous spots to take in the city.
Take a cable car ride over the historic part of Gaia, with its iconic port wine cellars and views of the boats on the Douro River. You'll slowly rise up and soak in the peaceful river atmosphere. During the short ride, you'll get great views of the Dom Luís I Bridge. The trip takes about 5 minutes.
A day dedicated to iconic landmarks, the city's atmosphere, and discovering the most photogenic corners of Porto. You can look forward to visiting the famous Half Rabbit wall and tasting the most delicious pastel de nata that literally melt in your mouth. You'll admire the stunning São Bento railway station, sample passion fruit and fresh produce at the Mercado do Bolhão, take a stroll past the Igreja de Santo Ildefonso, and, of course, snap photos in front of one of the most iconic chapels, Capela das Almas. To wrap up the day, you can head out on a Port wine tour in the historic cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia, where you'll get an inside look at the production process and taste several classic varieties of this wine right where it all began.
Half Rabbit is a striking street art installation made from recycled materials that symbolically bridges urban art with the theme of sustainability. It comes across as both playful and unexpected.
Igreja de Santo Ildefonso is a striking church in the center of Porto, known for its facade covered in blue and white azulejos that immediately grab your attention.
Capela das Almas is a stunning chapel that will surprise you the moment you see it – it practically pops up around a street corner among ordinary buildings. Its blue-and-white facade covered in azulejos looks unexpectedly striking and is one of the most beautiful spots in all of Porto.
Tip: you can see it first thing right after stepping out of the metro.
Manteigaria: Fábrica de Pastéis de Nata is a very popular spot in Porto for its traditional Portuguese custard tarts – pastel de nata. There are more famous places, but this one feels more local, it's not expensive, and the pastel de nata here is truly excellent.
Mercado do Bolhão is a traditional market where you can buy fresh fruit, spices, fish, and souvenirs. It's a lively spot full of colors, scents, and a local vibe.
São Bento is an iconic station in the center of Porto, known for its decorated walls covered in azulejos that depict scenes from Portuguese history. This place feels more like a gallery than a regular train station and is one of the most photogenic stops in the city. It is an elegant blend of functional space and artistic decoration that is worth a quick stop while walking around.
The Sandeman wine tour (Sandeman wine tour and tasting) is an experience in the historic cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia, where you will learn about the port wine production tradition of one of Portugal's most famous brands. The tour includes a walk through the cellars, an explanation of the history and production process, and a tasting of several types of port wine.
This link will take you directly to the winery's tours, where you can choose from various tasting and cellar visit options, depending on how immersive an experience you are looking for.
Start with surfing; whether you're a complete beginner or have stood on a board before, I recommend signing up for a surfing lesson. The morning is the ideal time to hit the waves, as that's when conditions on the water are usually best. After that, it's time for lunch and a well-deserved siesta—time to relax and slow down. In the afternoon, head over to one of the most beautiful libraries in the world—Livraria Lello. It feels almost magical, and you can even exchange your entry ticket for a book, which makes for a lovely and unique souvenir from Porto.
To go surfing, take the metro towards Trindade and then switch to the line for Matosinhos (direction Matosinhos Sul), from where it’s just a short walk to the beach. The whole journey takes about 35–50 minutes and leads you straight to the Fish Surf School, where your morning ocean lesson is waiting for you.
- You can book a group or private lesson directly via the official Fish Surf School website. You can also reach out to the instructors via WhatsApp; they respond quickly and are very helpful (+351916082218).
Livraria Lello is one of the most famous bookstores and a very popular tourist attraction. It's open daily from approximately 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM, with the last entry 30 minutes before closing. I recommend booking your ticket in advance. Practically, the best time to visit is right after opening in the morning or later in the evening. It's not a quiet library, but definitely a must-see attraction for all bookworms.
- You can easily purchase your ticket via the link; you'll then receive a QR code, which you just show at the entrance. Additionally, you can redeem your ticket for a book on-site, which makes for a nice and unique souvenir from Porto.
The last day is perfect for places you didn't have time for earlier, but also for slowly savoring the final moments in this unique city. It's time to say goodbye to the atmosphere of the narrow streets, pick up some last-minute souvenirs, and fully enjoy the charm of Porto one last time. Then, head to the airport and have a comfortable flight home.
Follow the same route back to the airport. Don't forget to calculate your time properly and be at the airport at least 2 hours before your flight.
Don't forget to be at the airport at least 2 hours before your flight.
