How to Spend a Whirlwind 3 Day Weekend in Porto
The second largest city in Portugal and one of the most colourful in Europe, Porto is a destination like no other. There’s a mix of historical architecture blended with narrow cobblestone streets and sprawling terracotta roofs. Hanging baskets with vibrant flowers give way to expansive green parks while the River Douro meanders through the city. Around every corner, there’s a different feeling! One moment, it’s city chic with bustling high streets, boutique shops and trendy outdoor cafes. The next, it’s a leafy oasis not too dissimilar to a bucolic countryside. In the heart of the city – a Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO – you’re transported back in time with its many historic sites. So, here’s my detailed guide on how to spend a three-day weekend in Porto to get the most out of its historical attractions, delicious foods, calming countryside and more.
How to Spend a 3 Day Weekend in Porto
Weekend in Porto: Day One
The Morning
BREAKFAST AT ZENITH: Start your weekend in Porto the right way – with food! Porto in Portugal is renowned for being the birthplace of port wine, and down every alley, there’s an intoxicating aroma coming from local establishments cooking up Portuguese cuisine. One such place is Zenith, a relaxed cafe with the best waffles in the city! Their ethos – “brunch all day” – matches the international claim that it’s “the god of brunch” and the most Instagrammable restaurant in Porto.
Opt for the vegan waffle with banana flambé, peanut butter, and wild berry jam. It’s topped with a generous helping of toasted almonds, strawberries and wild berries. Wash this down with an Immunity Shot made with ginger, lemon, turmeric and black pepper!
Mid Morning
BROWSE LIVRARIA LELLO: After breakfast, continue your Porto city break with a short stroll to Livraria Lello. Along the way, you’ll pass the Igreja do Carmo, a masterpiece of 18th-century Baroque architecture. You’ll find Portugal’s famous Azulejos tiles adorning its facade. The Livraria Lello, probably the most famous thing to see in Porto, is a beautiful bookshop that inspired J.K. Rowling’s Hogwarts. With its sweeping red staircase, ornate woodwork and a kaleidoscopic stained glass ceiling, this historic bookstore feels more like stepping into a fairytale than a shop. There are endless queues here, so make sure you pre-book entry.
CLIMB TORRE DOS CLÉRIGOS: Pop next door to pick up a flower-shaped ice cream from Amorino – the mango and chocolate flavours are supreme. Then, walk along the Praça de Lisboa to see the Torre dos Clérigos. Climb to the top to gain the best and unforgettable 360º views of Porto. Tower and Museum tickets are €10,00.
The Afternoon
RELAX IN JARDIM DO INFANTE DOM HENRIQUE: Take a 10-minute walk downhill to Jardim do Infante Dom Henrique. This charming garden is a serene escape that balances history and natural beauty. It honours Portugal’s Age of Discovery with a statue of Prince Henry the Navigator standing proudly at its centre. It’s the perfect spot to sit and soak in city life, surrounded by architectural gems like the Palácio da Bolsa and the vibrant Mercado Ferreira Borges.
MARVEL PALÁCIO DA BOLSA: When your feet are thoroughly rested, head into Palácio da Bolsa (open 9 am – 6:30 pm and tickets cost €14). This magnificent 19th-century neoclassical masterpiece is a must-see Porto attraction for history fans as it was once the city’s stock exchange. It’s also a UNESCO World Heritage site. During a guided tour, you’ll discover opulent interiors, including the jaw-dropping Arabian Room inspired by the Alhambra. The guided tours reveal the building’s former role in Porto’s mercantile past, all while showcasing intricate craftsmanship that speaks to Portugal’s grandeur.
The Evening
DINE in LA RIBEIRA: End the first day of your weekend in Porto at La Ribeira, a UNESCO World Heritage Neighbourhood known as Porto’s Old Town. One of the best things to do in Porto is to visit La Ribeira’s riverside promenade. You can dine at one of the many restaurants overlooking the river here. Relax with a beer and a “petiscar, ” which is what locals call eating small portions of Portuguese specialities.
Weekend in Porto: Day Two
The Morning
WORSHIP AT THE CHURCH OF ST FRANCIS: Begin the second day of your weekend in Porto by visiting Igreja de Sāo Francisco. This church was built in 1245 by the Franciscans and will surely leave you speechless.
Outside, you’ll see an ornate Gothic style; inside, three naves are coated in golden carvings. It is believed that over 300 kilos of gold dust were used to decorate the church. Look out for the “Tree of Jesse,” a wooden sculpture by Filipe da Silva and António Gomes depicting Jesus’s family tree. Below its impressive walls lie the catacombs, where the Franciscan monks and several of Porto’s wealthiest families are buried. Entry is €8, and please note that you cannot take photos inside the church.
WANDER THE BACKSTREETS: Take some time to wander Porto’s cobbled streets adorned with vibrant bunting, pockets of blue tiles and a maze of boutique shops. As you climb its numerous steep hills, look out for many architectural masterpieces, including Sāo Bento Train Station.
The latter is known to be one of the most beautiful train stations in Europe. Here, you’ll discover around 20,000 Azulejo tiles displayed on the atrium walls, depicting landscapes, ethnographic scenes, and historical events like the Battle of Valdevex (1140).
LUNCH AT MAJESTIC CAFÉ: Continue to the famous Majestic Café on Rua Santa Catarina. No Porto holiday is complete without a visit to this La Belle-Epoque-esk building that’s frozen in time with its Parisian Art Nouveau. Think opulent chandeliers, mirrors framed by carved woodwork, and brass fittings. The cafe is also famous for inspiring the Harry Potter series. J.K. Rowling visited Majestic Café and wrote the early Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone drafts here.
The Afternoon
EXPLORE PORTO CATHEDRAL: Spend the afternoon visiting Porto Cathedral. From its lofty location, the highest part of the Batalha district, Porto Cathedral offers stunning views across the city, the Douro River and wine cellars on the waterfront.
This castle-like cathedral, Porto’s most important religious building, has formidable battlements. It was first built in the 12th century but was renovated several times – hence its eclectic mix of architectural styles. The structure is predominantly Baroque, although its facade and nave are Romanesque, while its cloister and chapels are Gothic.
The peaceful cloister leads to Casa do Cabildo, which features the Cathedral Treasure. Porto Cathedral is open 9 am—6:30 pm in the summer and is free to enter. The cloister costs €3.
ENTER THE BISHOP’S PALACE: Paço Episcopal do Porto – the Bishop’s Palace – is three minutes from Porto Cathedral. This property can be entered with a combined ticket with the cathedral. The Bishop’s Palace was built in the 12th-13th centuries for the bishops of Porto before being taken over by the Italian architect Nicolau Nasoni in the 18th century.
The white facade with intricate stone carvings is breathtaking but nothing compared to the granite staircase festooned with carved religious iconography and a spellbinding ceiling. Make sure to see the Hall of Mirrors, the Coat of Arms and the Chapel before stepping into the Audience Hall. As the name suggests, the Audience Hall is where the current Bishop receives visitors.
Late Afternoon
FINISH AT LUÍS I BRIDGE: End the second day of your weekend in Porto by walking across Luís I Bridge. This is one of the best attractions in Porto and is known locally as “Ponte de Dom Luis I”. The bridge was designed by a protege of the famed Gustave Eiffel – the creator of the Eiffel Tower – and spans the Douro River, connecting the northern part of Porto with Vila Nova de Gaia. If you’re looking for sweeping city views and the perfect image-worthy spot, this is it! Once you’ve walked to the other side of the bridge, take a water taxi back to the Old Town waterfront and indulge in a nourishing dinner.
Weekend in Porto: Day Three
The Morning
MEANDER THE CRYSTAL PALACE GARDENS: For the final day of your Porto city break, immerse yourself in the city’s natural green spaces. Begin with a morning saunter through Jardins do Palácio de Cristal, known in English as Crystal Palace Gardens.
Perched on a ridge, this botanical garden is one of Porto’s most picturesque spots. Its sprawling lawns are intertwined with sun-drenched paths, romantic fountains and sculptures, and plant species typical of the Mediterranean, such as cypress and olive trees. The blooming flowers form a mosaic of small gardens, leading to vast balconies that offer inspiring views of the River Douro.
The Afternoon
EXPLORE PARQUE DE SERRALVES: Spend the afternoon walking around the 18-hectare Serralves Park. Here, you’ll find formal gardens, woodlands and a traditional farm. Everything here was designed by architect Jacques Gréber in the 1930s to represent Portugal’s landscape heritage.
The site is enormous, and there is no correct route to explore. Still, some highlights include the Serralves House, a unique example of Art Deco architecture belonging to Count Carlos Alberto Cabral.
But one of the best things to do in Porto is Serralves Park’s treetop walk, which allows you to walk amongst the tree’s canopy and observe the biodiversity below. There’s such a profound peace here that you won’t believe it’s still in the city. Entry to the park is €24, but this gets you into every house, walk and workshop on the property.
The Evening
DINNER: Indulge in a unique dining experience at Casa Da Companhia, located in the heart of Porto’s historic centre along the prestigious Rua das Flores (Flowers Street). This is a sleek restaurant surrounded by shelves of wine and books. Here, you’ll have the chance to taste traditional Portuguese meals, including garlic shrimp, slow-cooked wild boar and penne with pesto.
Planning a Weekend in Porto: Useful Information
How to get to and around Porto
The best way to travel to Porto is to fly into the city. You can use Skyscanner to find the cheapest flights on offer. Porto is one of the most walkable cities in Europe, and you won’t often need public transport.
THE METRO: The metro in Porto has six lines and 81 stations. The trains run from 6:00 am to 1 am and cost €1.20.
BUS: There are plenty of bus routes around Porto from 6:00 am to 1:00 am. Single tickets cost €1.85.
TRAM: The tram is the most iconic way to explore the city, costing only €3 for a single trip.
TAXI: While taxis in Porto aren’t that expensive, they can be hard to get. Taxis are often full or on their way to pick someone up, making you wait awhile. A quick tip: Most drivers in Porto don’t speak English, so write down your hotel address on paper to show them.
The Best time to visit Porto
SUMMER: The best time to visit Porto is the summer. The sun is constantly shining, and the city dazzles with vibrant colours. However, the city will be full of tourists in the summer, so expect crowds and travel delays.
SHOULDER SEASON: May and September are great alternatives to summer as the weather is still very warm, but there won’t be as many people. You’ll be able to hail a taxi more efficiently, get a reservation in the top restaurants and lounge in a park or on the beach without interruption.
final thoughts on spending a 3-day weekend in Porto
There you have it, my travel guide to spending a weekend in Porto! I hope this blog has inspired you to visit Porto. As you can see, the city has everything you could need: culture, history, excellent food and plenty of green spaces if you need a break from the hustle and bustle of city life.
Have you been to Porto? If so, what’s your favourite thing to do there?
If you’re heading to Porto, check out my other guides for Portugal, which might inspire you to extend your stay and discover this diverse and breathtaking country. The Ultimate 9 Best Places to Visit in Portugal & 10 Day Portugal Itinerary: Tracing Traditions.
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