Optimizing a 2 night stay in Porto

I would skip the Douro Valley tour. You can taste all the Douro Valley wines in Porto. This wine tasting store is one of our favorites, https://prova.com.pt. Otherwise, take a food tour which always includes local history.

Porto is not very big. It's pretty easy to get around on foot. There are trams and buses - I don't think I used them in Porto much (used them a lot in Lisbon, which is much bigger.) Ribeira is partly on a steep hill, which is the most challenging part of walking in the area, but I just walked. I guess you could take an Uber if the hills are too much for you or something. I'm used to walking in these towns when I visit.

I am not a wine drinker, but I was planning a day trip out to Douro Valley anyway just for the scenery. But after my first day (I had three nights in Porto), it started to rain pretty steadily and didn't stop for the rest of my stay, so I just didn't bother with the Douro Valley tour. Based on what you've said, I don't think it would a big loss for you to skip it.

I hadn't thought about the possibility of being rained out so will keep our plans flexible.

steveh3011,

I looked at the website but couldn't figure out what was on offer. Are these wine tastings with optional food pairings?

Thanks

It does rain quite a lot in Porto. I would spend your 2 days in the city. The Port tasting are good fun. Uber is really cheap if you did want to use it. The hills are quite something! It’s a very atmospheric city with the friendliest people.

The Rua dos Flores area in Porto is quite nice and is flat! I’ve stayed in that area three times and enjoyed it. The Rebeira can be accessed via a funicular or Uber, if needed. There are many restaurants in this area, too.

The port lodges in Gaia, across the river, are just wine tastings, in my memory. Some of the bigger lodges might offer simple bread, cheese and chorizo. Sorry, but I can’t remember.

I would skip the Douro this time. Instead, take a bus or metro to Matosinhos, on the sea close to Porto. There are a number of restaurants where they grill your fish outside the restaurants. The entire area has the lovely aroma of grilling. The fish is very fresh and very good. Dorada or Robalo are great light fish.

I also like the idea of a food tour. It would combine info about Porto plus introduce you to a number of the foods of the city.

Thanks, @kathrynj

Although I like fish, all the photos seem to show them served with their heads on; something I'm squeamish about. It's not as bad as my trip to China where it seemed everything was served whole :-)

two days in Porto, stay there and check out The InPatio Guesthouse, it is a wonderful BnB in a great location.

InPatio are sold out for the days we are there; I'm hoping they get a cancelation.

I made a reservation at the Sheraton as a placeholder