What to do on a Sunday in Porto?

We didn't find that at all in late September last year. We did one of those tip based walking tours on a Sunday and it was a fun 2.5 hours. Everywhere we went was packed with people. I can't remember the name of the neighbourhood but after the tour we walked about a mile north of the Sao Bento train station to a quiet area for lunch. Restaurants along the river will be open and the area will be active including the 1 hour river tours.

Our favourite part of Porto was actually across the river in Gaia where all the makers of Port have their facilities. There will be plenty of choices of tours to take. You can also walk across the bridge to enjoy the views from the hill on the other side.

*I don't know what TIA means so hopefully I'm not missing something else you're trying to ask.

Thanks, Allan. Good to know places will be open. I was just reading through RS Portugal Book and saw a lot of places were closed on Sundays. TIA =Thanks In Advance

There are plenty of things to do on Sundays. Most museums are open, and businesses along the river (including restaurants) will be open. Jardim Municipal do Horto das Virtudes is very lovely and can be reached by foot from the city center. It has lots of good picnic spots, and the views over the Douro are fantastic. As Allan suggested, the port houses in Vila Nova de Gaia will be open, so it would be a fun day to do tastings.

Thanks for sharing what to do on a Sunday. We will be there on a Sunday so I’m taking notes.

I did a port cellar tour and then hung out at the beach. Watched the surfers around the cheese fort, got my feet wet, worked on the tan. had a few drinks and a good meal.

The Palácio da Bolsa (Stock Exchange) is open daily, except for dates marked in red as "unavailable" (e.g., Saturday, 21st June, 2025) on their calendar:

https://palaciodabolsa.com/en/tourism/

The Porto Cathedral is open for visitors on Sunday, presumably except during Sunday Mass, which is listed as 11am:
https://www.diocese-porto.pt/pt/catedral-do-porto/

The cathedral occasionally holds free organ concerts, though the one I attended was on a Wednesday.

@KGC…Cheese fort?

Cheese fort - Porto. Nice beach too. About 1 euro by bus from the city center. about 5 minutes from the bus stop in Matosinhos. Excellent place to watch the sun go down.

https://theportolife.com/en/attractions-and-tours-en/cheese-castle-castelo-do-queijo/

Absolutely, Sundays in Porto can be surprisingly enjoyable, especially if you focus on the outdoor highlights of the city.

Start your morning with a walk along the Ribeira, the riverside quarter—it’s lively, full of charm, and perfect for photos. From there, cross the Dom Luís I Bridge to Vila Nova de Gaia and enjoy the panoramic views from Jardim do Morro. If you're up for it, take the cable car down and stroll along the Gaia riverbank too.

If you want to go beyond just walking on your own and actually learn more about the city’s history and culture, I highly recommend a Porto walking tour with Bluedragon Porto City Tours. They operate on Sundays and offer excellent guided experiences—such as the Best of Porto Walking Tour, which covers key landmarks like the Clérigos Tower, São Bento Station and many hidden gems, all explained by a passionate local guide. It’s a great way to connect with the city without having to worry about schedules or ticket bookings.

In the afternoon, you might consider heading to Foz do Douro by tram (Line 1) or even taking a tuk tuk ride along the riverfront for a relaxed sightseeing experience. The sea breeze and cafés by the Atlantic make for a lovely end to your Sunday.

And don’t worry—many restaurants and cafés are open on Sundays, especially in tourist-friendly areas like Galerias de Paris or Rua das Flores.