Porto
Porto is worth 2–3 days. It's smaller and grittier than Lisbon, with a dramatic double-decker bridge over the Douro River and centuries-old port wine cellars just across the water in Vila Nova de Gaia. Don't miss a port tasting, the ornate Livraria Lello bookshop (book ahead — it's timed-entry only), and the francesinha sandwich. It's noticeably cheaper than Lisbon and pairs perfectly with a day trip to Aveiro (the 'Portuguese Venice') or the Douro Valley's terraced vineyards.
If Lisbon is Portugal's sun-drenched extrovert, Porto is its quieter, moodier sibling — gray granite instead of pastel tiles, a working river instead of an ocean-facing skyline, and a food scene built around a sandwich so heavy it should legally require a nap afterward.
How many days in Porto?
Two to three days is a solid amount of time — one day for the Ribeira riverside and the historic center, one for a port wine cellar tour across the river in Vila Nova de Gaia, and a spare day for a nearby day trip (Aveiro or the Douro Valley) if you have it.
Port wine cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia
Cross the Dom Luís I Bridge (walk the upper deck for the view, it's free and spectacular) to Vila Nova de Gaia, where nearly every major port house — Graham's, Sandeman, Taylor's, Ferreira — runs cellar tours and tastings. Expect €15–35 depending on the house and how many vintages you sample. Book a tour with a river-view terrace (Graham's and Taylor's both have excellent ones) for sunset.
Livraria Lello
This neo-Gothic 1906 bookshop, with its swirling red staircase, is one of the most photographed interiors in Europe and a genuine must if you can get a slot — entry (around €8, redeemable against a book) is timed and booked online only; don't show up without a reservation expecting to walk in.
What it costs
| Item | Approx. cost |
|---|---|
| Mid-range hotel, per night | €70–130 |
| Casual restaurant meal | €10–18 |
| Port wine cellar tour + tasting | €15–35 |
| Livraria Lello entry | €8 (redeemable against a book) |
Day trips from Porto
- Aveiro — about 45 minutes south by train, nicknamed the 'Portuguese Venice' for its canals and colorful striped moliceiro boats. A relaxed half-day trip; also the birthplace of ovos moles, a distinctive egg-yolk-and-sugar sweet worth trying.
- Douro Valley — the terraced vineyards where port grapes actually grow, about 1.5–2 hours east by car or train. A day-trip river cruise with wine tastings is the easiest way to see it without driving the valley's winding roads yourself.
- Braga and Guimarães — Braga (Portugal's religious capital, home to the dramatic Bom Jesus do Monte staircase) and Guimarães (the medieval town where Portugal itself was effectively founded) both work as a combined half-day trip, roughly an hour from Porto.
Porto is noticeably cheaper than Lisbon for hotels and restaurants — if budget is tight, giving Porto more nights relative to Lisbon stretches your money further without sacrificing much.
Where to stay in Porto — hotels
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