A Laid-Back Day Trip Guide to Porto, Portugal!
Porto – A Calming City Set Upon a River
Porto, Portugal is a beautiful city not far from Portugal’s capital city of Lisbon. Porto boasts a charming riverside dining scene perfect for a laid-back day experience Portugal’s warm and inviting atmosphere! On our recent trip to Lisbon, we decided to fly into Porto since it was a much cheaper flight and since it gave us the opportunity to explore the pleasant town. Here’s how we spent a relaxing day with family in Porto!
If you’d like to check out our Lisbon, Portugal travel guide, click here: Exploring the Charm of Lisbon, Portugal in 2 Days!
Itinerary
12:00pm – Land in Porto Airport (OPO)
We landed in Porto, Portugal around noon which meant we were hungry and ready for lunch! We took the public transit train into the city and got off at the São Bento stop.
1:00pm – Exploring Porto’s Expansive Church Collection
From here, we started wandering around the city to see as many things as we could in our short time there. We walked by Igreja da Trindade (Trinidade Church), Porto’s largest church.
We also marveled at the famous, beautiful blue and white tiles on the Capela das Almas (Chapel of Souls). This was a gorgeous way to design and showcase a church!
The next churches we walked by were the joint churches of Igreja dos Carmelitas (Church of the Carmelites) and Igreja do Carmo (Church of Carmo). Interestingly enough, the below photo showcases the two churches connected by a thin “house” that is about a meter wide. This is where the two white windows are stacked in a narrow column.
3:00pm – Trying Pastel De Nata and Strolling the Riverwalk
Next, we wandered around the alleys of the Vitoria neighborhood, searching for a coffee shop. We ended up at Fabrica Coffee Roasters, a delightfully designed minimalist coffee shop with amazingly brewed espresso and tasty pastries!
Our next stop was to take in the beautiful riverside of Porto. The walkable riverside is lined with colorful restaurants, cafes, and bars. The river itself is filled with several boats, some offering tours, some offering a ferry ride across the river, and some purely for educational purposes of how Port wine used to be transported to Porto. These boats are called barcos rabelos.
5:00pm – A Gastronomical Experience with Stunning Sunset Views
We opted to eat dinner a bit early and were excited to try Muro do Bacalhau. This restaurant offers a unique gastonomical experience with stunning views of the sun setting over the river. I’d highly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking to try amazing flavors from Portugal! Below are all the dishes we ordered:
- Smoked Sausage Plate
- Suckling Pig Escabeche
- Seared Sardines
- Fresh Codfish
- Cod Croquette
- Duck Rice with Smoked Sausage
- Iberian Pork Presa
- Madeira Banana Cake
- Yolk with Almond and Cinnamon
6:30pm – Walking the Ponte Luiz I. and a Cable Car Ride
After an indulgent and flavorful dinner, we needed a calming walk! We strolled along the riverwalk towards Ponte Luiz I. This picturesque bridge has a top walkway and a bottom walkway. If you’d like to experience both, it’s best to walk along the bottom walkway first to get to the side of the river where the Teleférico de Gaia (Gaia Cable Cars) entrance is.
The Teleférico de Gaia is the only attraction we paid for during our day in Porto. The cost for a roundtrip ride is 10€ per person. You can also ride just one-way for a slightly cheaper fare of 7€. The golden landscape is such a beautiful sight to see and made the fare well worth it in my opinion!
The drop-off point is down the river a bit near an indoor food stall market. We walked around a bit and bought another pastel de nata because we couldn’t resist!
After the return trip, it’s time to walk along the top walkway of the Ponte Luiz I bridge. You also have the option to take the rail car if you’re not up for the walk.
9:00pm – Leaving the Picturesque Town Porto
Our day trip in Porto ended in the beautiful São Bento Train Station. The building itself is a work of art with the delicate blue and white tiles painting battle scenes along the walls and the ornate detail work of the ceiling.
Porto Day Trip Recap
Getting to Porto – We flew into the Porto airport (OPO), but you can also take a train or bus from nearby cities. If coming from the capital city of Lisbon, Portugal, consider taking the super affordable bus which takes about 3 hours but can cost as little as 5€ per person.
Getting Around Porto – Porto is best explored by walking, however there are also several public transit options including buses and metro. Don’t forget to take in Porto from the Gaia cable cars as well.
Best Time to Visit – May to October
Budget for A Couple – $100-$150 euros not including the flight to Porto
Helpful Tips
- Purchase cable car tickets in advance at Prices and Timetable – Teleférico de Gaia – Gaia CableCar
- Tickets are valid for 30 days, so purchase within that window!
- If lots of walking and stairs will be difficult or inconvenient for you, take the ferry boats across the river instead of the Ponte Luiz I. Bridge.
- Wear comfortable shoes as Porto is best explored on foot and the cobblestone streets require steady footing.
