Please sign in to post.

Ideas. For Porto … 2 1/2 days

We arrive in Porto about noon Monday.
Im wondering about possible itinerary.
Thinking of Rick’s walking tour on Monday

Tuesday more walking?? Suggestions please

Wednesday… should we take a boat ride ,. Would like to sample some Port maybe take a tours
We have been to a small vineyard in Italy would it be worth visiting a small quinta in Porto…

Thursday … taking an early Train to Lisbon …
Lisboa Santa-Apolónia, station.
Is there a particular train station in Porto that will take us to Lisboa Santa-Apolónia, station.

Posted by
613 posts

We were in Porto for two days before our Camino in May.
I would spend a day seeing all the sights on the RS walking tour which gave us a good overview and all the highlights. We bought tickets online for 9 am for the Lello bookstore. Go only if you have a love for bookstores (I do). If you go be in line by 8:40 am, go immediately to the staircase so you can see it without people. There’s a great coffee shop across from the square in front of the Carmo and Carmelitas Churches also.
Day two I would spend across the river be sure to walk the bridge at least one way. Rick gives the tram a thumbs down but we enjoyed the quick ride down to the water even if overpriced.
I’m not a huge Port fan but the port houses are interesting for people. We tried Grahams Port.
I wish we had time for a trip up the river. Someone with experience can help you there.

It’s a vibrant city, some say “gritty” but I didn’t think so. It is full of beautiful Art Nouveau buildings that survived because when they were tearing them down and rebuilding, Porto didn’t have the money.
The market was nice and full of decent souvenirs.
We had dinner at Adega São Nicolau which was excellent. We sat outside with a peek a boo view of the water.
I would definitely go back and spend more time.

Posted by
41 posts

We were in Porto for a week in Sept. The RS walking tour was very helpful; we also did a walking food tour with Taste Porto which was excellent. Bolhao Market is great, and often had street musicians. We took a day trip to the Duoro Valley, so we did not feel the need to visit the Port Wine places in Gaia. Walking the pedestrian-only streets, stopping for a glass of wine and people-watching, walking the bridge - all were delightful experiences.

Posted by
700 posts

The Companha station is the only one gong to Lisbon I believe. From the Sao Bento station, you can take any train over to Companha at no additional cost. We elected to take. taxi directly to Companha even though the train transfer was free, and it was further away. It turns out that the area near Sao Bento is always teaming with traffic and construction 24/7 and it was faster and more certain to just go straight to Companha - where the driver can take a freeway.

I don't feel the city requires much of a tour. Essentially everything is along the two sides of the river and the bridge between, and the area over to Sao Bento. That whole hillside between Sao Bento and the coast has some interesting streets.

I did note that they do not seem to have any idea of how to make a capuchino in Porto - every one I bought tasted horrible. But it's the price you pay to sit down and possibly hear a concert by a singer with acoustic guitar.

We were considering the river cruises, but they seemed to be more of a gimmick We have seen the other bridges during various train rides and taxi rides, and the only interesting place is by the main bridge where everyone is hanging out.

Be prepared to do a lot of walking - and have the Bolt and Uber apps on your phone, or possibly use a taxi.

Consider some day trips out of Porto.