Should I spend 1 or 2 weeks in Porto?
Should you spend 1 or 2 weeks in Porto?
Many visitors spend two to five days in Porto during their trip. If you're not sure how much time you might need here, we have the answers because your journey calls for making the most of every moment. The port city offers the chance to sample the delicious cuisine, spend time at the museums, browse around the old town, and discover the big city activities.
Porto offers the perfect combination of tourist attractions and authenticity. The street art gives the city a culture of its own. There are also cellar tours where you can experience and enjoy port. Seaford lovers will appreciate the many Portuguese restaurants around town. There are also many museums and outdoor activities to choose from.
Do you have one or two weeks to visit Porto? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is one week enough time in Porto?
One week is more than enough time to see everything that Porto has to offer. Many visitors prefer to spend two to five days here, so you'll be able to take in all of the food, the famous sights and museums, the historic old town, and the big city activities at your own pace. We have a few suggestions of things to do while you're visiting, and then you can take a day trip if you're looking to explore further around the area.
How to spend a week in Porto
Don't miss Cais da Ribeira during your trip to Porto, as it's one of this destination's most well-known attractions. You should make sure to set aside enough time to see it.
The delicious food of Porto is one of the main highlights of a trip to the region. Dining out is one of the highlights of a trip. Make sure you take the time to taste as much of it as possible during breakfast, lunch, and dinner at some of this port city's best restaurants. And consider a food tour or cooking class. You can easily fit one into your schedule since many are just a few hours or half a day. The area's cuisine combines the ocean setting with the agriculture of the surrounding area, so you'll enjoy both seafood dishes as well as fresh meats and vegetables. The area is also famous for its Port wines and red wines. There are plenty of cellar tours as well was waterfront seafood restaurants to choose from.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Porto Tapas and Vinho Verde Tour ($88)
- Portuguese Cooking Class in Porto with Portuguese Wine ($154)
- Porto Petiscos and Wine Tour ($82)
Porto is a very walkable city. With only a day in the port city, you'll have no trouble exploring the local sights. The city center is very compact with most of the sights within a short walk of each other. The area is also very hilly, so getting from place to place can require a bit of effort.
Plenty of amazing museums and famous landmarks make Porto a special place to visit. Spend at least one full day visiting the sights that are appealing to you. With such a long history, there are many landmarks and sights in the city. Popular attractions include the Clérigos Tower, Palácio da Bolsa, and Igreja de São Francisco.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Pink Palace Entry Ticket & Tasting at WOW ($27)
- Porto Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour ($5)
- E-ticket to Porto National Museum Soares dos Reis ($13)
This port city is very popular for nightlife. After the sun goes down, head out to one of the many popular venues around town. This city comes to life in the evening, particularly on weekends when locals and tourists alike flock to the many bars, restaurants, and nightclubs.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Pub Crawl Porto ($23)
- 4-hour Guided Porto Pub Crawl including drinks ($22)
- Porto Pub Crawl With Unlimited Beer ($20)
Public transit in Porto is easy and efficient. In just a few days, you should be able to get around the port city quite easily. There is a metro system as well as a bus system. While the metro system does have six lines, most stations aren't close to the tourist attractions, so it likely won't be that helpful to visitors.
The charming atmosphere and history of the old town area is worth exploring, so spend the day learning about the history and culture of the area. Known as Porto Ribeira, the city's historic district is the most visited part of the town. It begins on the banks of the River Douro and climbs into the hills behind it.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Ultimate Ribeira Walking Tour ($3)
- Porto: Private Guided Walking Tour ($165)
- Porto Walking Tour, Lello Bookshop, River Cruise and Cable Car ($44)
Porto is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. The city sits beautifully on the water and it has a charming atmosphere.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Ultimate Ribeira Walking Tour ($3)
- Wine Venture and Boat Trip in Douro Valley from Porto ($181)
- Porto: Luxury Yacht Tour on the Douro River - Sunset or Daytime ($54)
Porto is renowned for its world-class museums and iconic landmarks. Be sure to allocate a day or so to explore the most popular and famous historical and cultural gems. As the second largest city in Portugal, it has a vibrant energy and a lot of activity.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Wine Venture and Boat Trip in Douro Valley from Porto ($181)
- Porto: Luxury Yacht Tour on the Douro River - Sunset or Daytime ($54)
- Porto: Private tour in the Douro (1 to 4 people) on a boat just for you ($165)
Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.
Shopping in Porto is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. The city has both your standard shopping mall stores as well as local vendors and boutique shops.
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Porto.
After you've explored most of Porto, take a day trip to one of the many beautiful destinations nearby.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Small Group Day Trip to Braga and Guimarães with Lunch Included ($154)
- From Aveiro: Costa Nova, Barra, Vista Alegre - Half-Day Trip ($27)
- Day Trip from Porto to Santiago de Compostela and Valença ($88)
Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.
Porto is such a huge city that you can easily spend another day in one of the neighborhoods that you haven't visited. Look for those hidden gems and local spots where most tourists don't go. Or, pick another neighborhood with local charm that you haven't fully explored yet.
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Porto.
Is 2 weeks enough time in Porto?
Two weeks is more than enough time to see pretty much everything in Porto. You can move at your own pace and relax in your hotel. You could also use Porto as a base for exploring the nearby destinations. You'll find some great day trips in the region.
Porto
How to spend 2 weeks in Porto
With 2 weeks in Porto, you'll have plenty of time to enjoy everything the port city has to offer at your own relaxed pace. You'll want to spend plenty of time experiencing the city's neighborhoods and dining at local restaurants. You can also relax at your hotel, or casually explore this port city looking for hidden gems. Also, consider taking some day trips to nearby destinations where you can explore more of the region.
A few trip suggestions:
- Small Group Day Trip to Braga and Guimarães with Lunch Included ($154)
- From Aveiro: Costa Nova, Barra, Vista Alegre - Half-Day Trip ($27)
- Day Trip from Porto to Santiago de Compostela and Valença ($88)
- Best of Braga and Guimaraes Day Trip from Porto ($65)
- From Porto: Boat Day Trip to Régua with Breakfast, Lunch and return by bus ($105)
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Porto, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
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