One Day In Porto: The PERFECT Itinerary 2025

Heading to Porto but only have one day? We’ve got you covered. Read on to find out everything you need to do in this one-day Porto itinerary.

Porto is one of our favourite cities in all of Europe, known for its stunning architecture and beautiful azulejos. Even if you have just one day to spend in Porto, you can still soak up the city’s vibrant atmosphere and visit the main sites.

After thoroughly exploring every corner of Porto, we’ve crafted the perfect one-day itinerary for first-time visitors, ensuring you hit all the major sites without getting caught in long queues.

In this guide, we’ll take you through the perfect day in Porto, showing you the must-see spots and giving you a glimpse into what makes this city so unique. Read on to discover our insider tips and the best ways to explore Porto to make the most of your time!

One Day Porto Itinerary Overview

➡️ Morning: Livraria Lello, Clerigos Tower, São Bento Station, Porto Cathedral

➡️ Afternoon: Ponte Dom Luís I, Ribeira Neighbourhood, River Cruise

➡️ Evening: Sunset in Vila Nova de Gaia

One Day Porto Itinerary Map

Morning: Culture & Azulejos

Spend your morning exploring the beautiful cultural sites of Porto, including the famous Livraria Lello and São Bento Station. See plenty of stunning azulejos and tick some major Porto sites off your bucket list.

This part of Porto is easily walkable and makes a wonderful start to your day.

Livraria Lello

Following breakfast, head to Livraria Lello, aiming to arrive by 8:50am. Known as the most beautiful bookshop in the world, Livraria Lello is said to have inspired J. K. Rowling in the writing of Harry Potter. 

➡️Join THIS Walking Tour To Discover More Harry Potter Locations in Porto!⬅️

Although it doesn’t open until 9am, Livraria Lello is an incredibly popular location in Porto so we would advise arriving just before opening time to get a good spot in the queue. If you come later in the day, you can be waiting for hours, hence it is the first spot on this Porto one day itinerary.

Once you enter Livraria Lello, you’ll instantly see how spectacular this small bookshop is. With an engraved wooden staircase polished so brightly it looks like gold, bookshelves covering every inch of the walls, and stained glass windows, you will be blown away.

Livraria Lello costs €8 to enter, however if you purchase a book, the entry fee is deducted from the cost of the book. 

There are tonnes of beautifully designed classic books, such as the Wizard of Oz and Alice in Wonderland, with gold-edged pages, in a variety of languages. They are absolutely beautiful and make a great souvenir or gift for someone back home (I bought two!).

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Clérigos Tower

Next stop on this Porto itinerary is the Clérigos Tower. Located just a two-minute walk from Livraria Lello, the Clérigos Tower offers one of the best viewpoints in Porto.

Attached to a pretty little Church, the Clérigos Tower dates back to 1732. It measures 75 metres tall and has 225 steps to reach the top. Even from the outside, the tower is absolutely stunning with a really unique Baroque architectural design.

A visit to the tower will also include a visit to the Church, as the steps are spaced out around the edge of the Church. Whilst the Church probably isn’t the main attraction, it is a nice addition and cool to see.

As you climb the tower, you’ll get a few opportunities to gaze out over the surrounding city, but none of them match the view from the top. Spend some time admiring the view over Porto before descending.

As the Clérigos Tower can get super busy, we’d recommend booking skip-the-line tickets in advance.

Igreja do Carmo

Porto is famous for its azulejos (blue painted tiles) and it’s time to see the second most beautiful in the city. Don’t worry, we’ll get onto the most beautiful next!

From the Clérigos Tower, it’s a 5-minute walk to Igreja do Carmo, past the Natural History Museum and a beautiful fountain.

Igreja do Carmo dates back to the 18th century, with one of the outside walls entirely covered with stunning azulejos. The front of the church is ornately decorated in a Baroque style, with detailed stone carvings similar to the Clérigos Tower.

Take A Walking Tour Through Porto To See All The Main Attractions!

Interestingly, this is actually not one, but two churches: Igreja do Carmo on the right and Igreja dos Carmelitas on the left. The churches are separated by the narrowest house in Porto, measuring just a metre wide.

Spend 10 minutes admiring the stunning azulejos and soaking up the atmosphere of the surrounding square. Whilst it might seem silly to visit for just 10 minutes, it is absolutely worth adding to your Porto itinerary.

São Bento Station

São Bento Station is just a 10-minute walk from Igreja do Carmo. Whilst you might think “why a railway station”, just trust me. We loved it so much here we visited 3 times.

São Bento Station is one of the most beautiful train stations in the world. Adorned with over 20,000 hand-painted azulejos, it is more an art gallery than a busy station. 

The entry hall is incredibly beautiful, with the tiles depicting scenes from the country’s history.

If you’re staying for longer and want to take a day trip from Porto, trains do still run from São Bento. 

Porto Cathedral

Next on this 1 day Porto itinerary is Porto Cathedral, or Sé de Porto. Located just a 5 minute walk from São Bento Station, Porto Cathedral has to be on your Porto itinerary.

Built in the 12th Century, Porto Cathedral is one of the city’s oldest monuments. It combines many different architectural styles due to several renovations over the years.

The highlight of Porto Cathedral has to be it’s magnificent cloister. With arched stone windows and walls are adorned with beautiful azulejos, it is incredibly impressive. 

Standing outside on the terrace, you’ll have incredible views over Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia. Entry to the cathedral is free, though it costs €3 to visit the Cloisters. 

Afternoon: Historic Districts & Good Views

This afternoon is all about visiting Porto’s historic Ribeira District, whilst taking in some incredible views. You’ll visit the Ponte Dom Luís I, gaze out over the Douro River, and gain another perspective of the city from the water itself.

Ponte Dom Luís I

Your afternoon starts with possibly the most famous landmark in Porto: the Luís I Bridge. Just a short walk from the Cathedral, this magnificent bridge was designed by none other than Gustave Eiffel. You can see how similar the structure is in design to the Eiffel Tower.

Ponte Dom Luís I measures 180m in length, and spans the Douro River, connecting Porto to Vila Nova de Gaia. The top part of the bridge is reserved for pedestrians and trams, whilst the bottom section allows cars and pedestrians to cross.

Head to the top section (you’ll see it from below later on). The views are absolutely incredible, looking both up and down the river. Spend some time admiring the views from either side of the bridge.

Ribeira Neighbourhood 

From Dom Luís I, head down to the Ribeira Neighbourhood locacted on the banks of the river just below. It’s around a 10-minute walk away.

The historic heart of the city, the colourful district of Ribeira is featured on almost every Porto postcard, and for good reason! This is one fo the most beautiful parts of Porto, and offers unrivalled views of the Luís I Bridge.

The waterfront is lined with colourful restaurants, their outdoor seating areas sprawled across the street. Whilst the views here are stunning, the restaurants are very touristy, meaning much higher prices!

Wander through the maze-like medieval alleyways as they climb steeply up. Make sure you turn around regularly to admire the incredible views.

Boat Tour

One thing I highly recommend everyone adds to their Porto itinerary, even if you’re visiting for just a day, is a boat tour. This is the perfect and most relaxing way to see the city.

It’s a bit of a trek to reach the start point of the river cruise, so you’ll need to catch the bus. Head to Elevador Guindais and catch the 403 bus to Areinho. From there, walk to Marina do Freixo. The whole journey should take around 20-30 minutes, and the buses run every 10 minutes.

This Porto river cruise is the best experience. Sat on a comfortable boat with just a few other people, you’ll get to appreciate the city from a different perspective. The guides will offer some insight without overwhelming you with their knowledge.

You’ll also get to try 3 different types of Porto’s famous Port wine from the local wineries. This just adds to an already incredible experience.

If you’re travelling with children or just don’t fancy the port tasting, this cruise is also a great option!

Evening: Take It Easy

After a fast-paced day filled with lots of walking, it’s time to slow down and relax. This is the perfect way to end your day in Porto

Sunset in Vila Nova da Gaia

In my opinion, there is no better way to end the day than with a good sunset, which is exactly how you’ll end your day in Porto.

Porto is home to so many incredible sunset spots, but my favourite lie across the river in Vila Nova de Gaia. Cross the Luís I Bridge and then turn left up to Miradouro da Serra do Pilar, located just outside of the Church.

This viewing platform offers the most incredible sunset view, with the Luís I Bridge sparkling as the sun goes down, and Ribeira is lit up in warm orange tones.

Alternatively, if you follow the path a bit further down, you’ll reach Kitties Rock, another of my favourite viewpoints in Porto. This offers an even better view of the bridge, however can get quite busy at sunset. 

Where To Stay For One Night In Porto

There are so many incredible places to stay in Porto and it can be so hard to choose, particularly if you’ve only got one night. We would highly recommend basing yourself in the Ribeira or Bolhão districts. These are right in the city centre which will maximise the time you can spend exploring. 

Where To Stay In Ribeira & Bolhão

✅ Best Budget Option – Santa Catarina FLH Suites – Located in the heart of the city, Santa Catarina Suites offers comfortable rooms with private bathrooms and breakfast included.

✅ Best Midrange Option – Se Catedral By Hilton – A four-star hotel offering quirky but stylish rooms, with a comfortable seating area and a delicious breakfast buffet.

✅ Best Luxury Option – Hotel Das Virtudes – This five-star hotel is set in a beautiful  old building with incredible views. The rooms and facilities are cozy and comfortable, exactly what you would expect from a 5-star hotel.

How To Get Around Porto In One Day

The main attractions in Porto are all relatively close together, making them easily walkable. This one day itinerary has been planned so that everything is within walking distance, though we’d recommend wearing some comfortable shoes. 

The only time you will need public transport in this itinerary is to catch the bus to the start of the boat tour. 

It is worth noting that Porto is a hilly city and those with mobility issues may need to take public transport and/or taxis more frequently. 

What To Do With More Time In Porto

Porto is such an incredible city with so much to do! Whilst we’ve covered the key sites in this one day itinerary, here’s a few other places you could consider adding if you’ve got more time.

Is The Porto Card Worth It?

If you don’t know what it is, the Porto Card offers free public transport and discounts on many attractions in Porto. We purchased a Porto card and honestly, for this itinerary, I would say it’s not really worth it for most people.

As you will only be using two buses, and only paying to enter two attractions, there is no need to purchase the Porto card if you follow this itinerary exactly.

However, if you struggle on hills or with your mobility and wish to use public transport more frequently during this itinerary, it may be worth considering. 

Similarly, if you’re in Porto for longer than a day and you’re planning on going inside many attractions and using public transport frequently, then it may be worth it. For example, the Porto card lets you use public transport to the surrounding beaches, such as Matosinhos, for free.

FAQs

Heading to Porto soon and still have some questions about this one day Porto itinerary? We’ve rounded up our most frequently asked questions below.

Is One Day In Porto Enough?

Honestly? Not really. This itinerary will give you a good taste of what Porto has to offer, but to fully experience the city, we’d recommend allowing at least 2-3 days. This will give you enough time to visit all the main attractions without feeling rushed, as well as take a day trip to one of the beautiful places nearby.

When Is The Best Time To Visit Porto?

The best time to visit Porto is from late spring to early autumn (May to September), when the weather is warm and the city is alive with events and activities.

We’d recommend visiting in the shoulder season (April-June and September to October) when there’s fewer crowds and pleasant conditions for exploring both the city and the nearby Douro Valley. 

Is Porto Expensive For Tourists?

Porto is much more affordable than many Western European cities, though of course costs will vary based on preferences.

Whilst there are plenty of luxury accommodations available, there are also plenty that are more affordable. Restaurants outside of tourist areas are very affordable, whilst many attractions cost just a few euros to enter.

Is Porto Safe?

We felt incredibly safe the entire time we were in Porto, and Portugal as a whole, and have never heard of anyone having any issues. The locals were very friendly, always smiling and saying hello. 

Of course, you will need to exercise the same caution that you would in any major city, such as keeping an eye on your belongings and not going out at night by yourself. However, we found Porto to be a very safe city.

Wrap Up

Porto is such an incredible city, and is one of our favourites in both Portugal and in Europe. There are so many places to see and explore, both within the city and in the surrounding area.

If you’re limited on time and only have a day to visit Porto, don’t worry because there is still plenty you can squeeze in.

From the beautiful blue azulejos to the iconic Dom Luís I, this one day itinerary gives you a taste of everything Porto has to offer. We guarantee you’re going to want to extend your stay and explore even more of this incredible city!

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