travel advice for Porto 2-5 days?

Posted by lgalen on 01/02/26 08:16 PM

We are flying in and out of Porto on our way to France (connecting to Toulouse) in May or June. I'm trying to pick days that TAP has direct flight to and from Boston. This means we can spend 2,3,4 or 5 days there. We did Lisbon like this a few years ago, spending 2/3 days in one direction and the night before at the airport on the way home. I've heard that Porto is beautiful and would like to explore a bit. I'm hoping it isn't as hilly as Lisbon!

This forum has come through is the past. I'm hoping for good info now,

Thanks in advance!

Lisa from Boston

Posted by jaimeelsabio

Mid-Atlantic area

01/03/26 12:36 PM

8317 posts

We spent three nights in Porto and did everything we wanted to do. As it was part of a longer trip with a rental car we didn’t take any day trips from it.

Posted by Allan

Calgary, Alberta, Canada

01/03/26 03:17 PM

5570 posts

It's hilly, in fact there were some points where it felt like we were going uphill both ways. However our group unanimously agreed that we enjoyed Porto more than Lisbon. Here's a link to my Trip Report from 2024. If you scroll to days 8-10, these are the Porto days. https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/trip-report-part-1-hills-and-castles-portugal

Posted by donnellyjen74

01/19/26 08:44 PM

206 posts

Sorry Porto is also equally hilly as Lisbon! I would start some hill training now in prep for your trip if you can, I wish I had done that before I visited Portugal.

I do think it is worthwhile to visit, the area along the river is lively and fun. We took one of the Gondolas over the river, did a trolley ride to the end to a beach, we also enjoyed visiting the Livraria Lello bookstore which is a beautiful sight to see. I can't recall the castle we visited also but that was really nice too and we did a river tour. Lots of great restaurants to visit and places to sample and tour Port wines. Just know you'll get your workout in with those hills!