We started our first tour through Portugal in the north of the country in Porto. But before we picked up the camper, we took a closer look at this beautiful city in Portugal. We enjoyed the wonderful weather, the Portuguese flair, the delicious food, and the great highlights. Join us through the city and learn all about the hottest sights in Porto.
- Porto Sights
- 1. Ponte Dom Luís I Bridge
- 2. The Teleférico de Gaia Cable Car
- 3. Ribeira Old Town
- 4. Saint Ildefonso Church
- 5. Sé do Porto Cathedral
- 6. Porto City Hall
- 7. Lello Bookstore
- 8. Jardins do Palacio de Cristal
- 9. Bolhão Market
- 10. Clérigos Church
- 11. Tram riding in Porto
- 12. Wine cellars in Porto
- Other attractions in Porto
- City tours & tours
- Getting to Porto
- Great hotels in Porto
- Public transport in the city
- The best time to visit Porto
- Porto travel guide
Porto attractions
In the following section, we will show you the top attractions in Porto and take you on a tour through the beautiful city. We really liked Porto and are already looking forward to our next visit. Back then, we rode our skateboards through the city; that was pretty cool.
By loading the map, you accept Google’s privacy policy.
Learn more
Load map
1. Ponte Dom Luís I Bridge
One of the top sights in Porto is without a doubt the Ponte Dom Luís I Bridge. This beautiful arched bridge is located in the heart of the city and connects the old town district of Ribeira with the port wine cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia.
The bridge is the city’s landmark and can be found on almost every postcard. From here, you have a fantastic view of the old town and the Douro River with its many boats. Since 2006, the metro trains have also been traveling at walking pace on two tracks over the bridge.
2. The Teleférico de Gaia Cable Car
How about a gondola ride over the Douro River and a great view of the city? Then head for the Teleférico de Gaia, the cable car that connects the river valley and the old town. However, you should have a head for heights and be comfortable with heights.
The view from the gondola makes you forget all the exertion. On one side, you can see the houses of the beautiful old town, on the other, the port wine cellars of Gaia. When you’re in Gaia, you’ll find the station right next to the Jardim de Morro. In Porto, the journey starts near the Ribeira station.
A one-way ticket costs €6, and a return ticket only €9. Children up to 12 years old pay only €3 or €4.50 for both journeys. During peak season, the cable car is open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. During the off-season, the cable car is only open until 6 p.m. / 7 p.m.
3. Ribeira Old Town
The highlight of the city is without a doubt the beautiful Ribeira Old Town in Porto. The Ribeira district has even been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Many of the city’s sights and highlights are located here, such as the Ponte Dom Luis Bridge and the Sé Cathedral.
In the past, the old town was primarily home to poor fishermen, which you can also see from the partially old and dilapidated houses. But that’s exactly what makes this district special. Stroll through the winding streets, marvel at the many cool graffiti, ride the tram, treat yourself to a delicious port wine, or enjoy the view from the Miradouro da Vitoria (the best vantage point in the old town).
4. Church of Saint Ildefonso
This beautiful Church of Saint Ildefonso is also located in Porto’s old town and was built between 1709 and 1739. The beautiful tiled facade will immediately catch your eye. There are over 11,000 tiles, by the way! Inside the church is an altar with carvings from the Baroque and Rococo periods.
5. Sé do Porto Cathedral
The Sé do Porto Cathedral is arguably the most important church in the city and is located on a hill. From up here, you naturally have a spectacular view of the old town and the Douro River. The cathedral dates back to the 12th century. Amazing, right? Together with the old town, this church has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996.
6. Porto City Hall
Be sure to stop in front of the City Hall. The building is located at the end of Avenida dos Aliados and is reminiscent of the architecture of the municipal palaces of the past. The building is very imposing and was built between 1920 and 1955. In the center rises the 70-meter-high fortress tower with its carillon. The view of the City Hall from the water basin is particularly beautiful.
7. Lello Bookstore
The Lello Bookstore is probably one of the city’s most popular attractions. Not only because of the impressive selection of literature, but even more so because of the unique architecture. It’s not uncommon for a line to stretch around the block. Everyone wants a picture from one of the most beautiful libraries in the world.
From the outside, the bookstore appears inconspicuous, but a beautiful sight awaits you inside. The curved wooden staircase leading to the upper floor is particularly popular. The large glass ceiling illuminates the store with a special light. Admission is currently €5 per person.
8. Jardins do Palacio de Cristal
Just west of Porto’s old town is the spacious green area of the Jardins do Palacio de Cristal. It is one of the most beautiful in the world and is popular with locals and tourists alike. Roses bloom in the park’s rose garden almost year-round.
The paths lead you up and down with views over the city and the river. The park also has a café, a library, and a museum. Here you can forget the hustle and bustle of the city, have a picnic, and simply enjoy the peace and quiet. Admission is free!
9. Bolhão Market
You can’t visit Porto without experiencing the Bolhão Market. It’s the most famous market in the city, having existed since 1850. Here you’ll find numerous shops and stalls, where you can buy vegetables, fruit, flowers, fish, meat, and much more. The market is largely covered, so you can stroll around in comfort even in bad weather. Alternatives: Mercado Municipal da Beira Rio & Mercado Ferreira Borges.
10. Clérigos Church
Our city tour continues and takes you to the beautiful, baroque Clérigo Church. Located right in Porto’s old town, you can see the 75-meter-high tower from afar. You can certainly imagine how beautiful the view from the tower is (book your ticket here*). You can see the entire city, across the river, and all the way to the harbor. The Clérigo Church was built in the 18th century and is one of Porto’s landmarks.
11. Tram Riding in Porto
One of the most beautiful tourist activities is a ride on the historic tram (Eléctrico). In Porto, these beautiful trams still rattle through the city, even climbing a few hills. With the Linha 1 tram line, you can travel along the banks of the Douro River all the way to Foz.
It’s best to take the train early in the morning or late in the evening. Otherwise, you may have to stand and share the ride with many others. A one-way ticket costs €3, and a 2-day pass with unlimited rides costs €10.
12. Wine Cellars in Porto
Porto without port wine? Unimaginable. Many of the wine cellars are located on the Gaia waterfront. Visit one of the cellars, take part in a port wine tasting, and immerse yourself in the world of wine. For example, there are the Porto Calem, Offley, Taylors, Porto Cruz, and Sandeman wine cellars. These are very large and well-visited. If you prefer something quieter, visit the Augustos or Ramos Pinto wineries.
- Porto city tour with wine tasting*
- Pocas port wine cellar tour with tasting*
- 3-hour guided wine tasting*
Other sights in Porto
There’s so much more to discover in Porto; the city is brimming with highlights and activities. For example, visit the beautiful main train station Estacio de São Bento with its many beautiful interior decorations. Stroll through the Miragaia district with its many staircases and discover the small details of this district. A visit to the former stock exchange Palácio da Bolsa is also worthwhile. The stock exchange palace is one of the most important and beautiful buildings in the city.
There are also some really beautiful viewpoints in the city, such as the Miradoura da Vitoria, the Miradouro Ponte D Luis, or the Viewpoint Lift Lada Ribeira. One of the most beautiful viewpoints is above the Parque de Gaia, with a view of Porto, the entire bridge, and the river. Simply take the tram to the Jardim do Morro stop.
City tours & Tours
In Porto, you can enjoy a wide variety of tours and city tours. Whether it’s a wine tour, graffiti tour, city tour, bike tour, boat trip, or cooking class, we’ve selected the most popular tours for you. On the GetYourGuide website, you’ll find a huge selection of great offers in and around Porto.
- Fado in Porto: Visit to the Cálem Wine Cellars*
- Highlights of Porto: E-Bike Tour*
- Porto: Bike Tour of the Old Town and the Riverbank*
- Porto: “The Inspirations for Harry Potter” Tour*
- Boat Tour on the Douro*
- Culinary Walking Tour of Porto*
- Porto: Half-Day Street Art Tour*
Getting to Porto
You can reach Porto by plane, train, car, campervan, or bus. From Germany, you can depart from Bremen, Düsseldorf, Berlin, Hamburg, Cologne, Memmingen, Frankfurt, Nuremberg, Dortmund, Karlsruhe, Stuttgart, or Munich. Flight prices are, as usual, very low. You can then fly with either Ryanair, Eurowings, Lufthansa, or TAP Portugal. The flight time is around 3 hours. From the airport, you can take the metro line E to the city center, which is 10 kilometers away.
If you love road trips, you can also take the approximately 2,500 kilometers as an opportunity to reach Porto in your own car (bus/camper). Along the way, you can plan stops in Paris, Barcelona, or even Madrid. However, be aware of the tolls in the individual countries (France, Spain) and the road regulations.
You can also travel to Porto by train and bus. However, you should allow time for this. You could consider an Interrail ticket or long-distance bus travel. The journey time is around 35 hours or more. But this journey is certainly a little adventure in itself. We definitely want to try it out.
Great hotels in Porto
In Porto you can find plenty of accommodation, whether it’s a hostel, a simple guest room, a hotel or a private apartment. It’s best to get accommodation in the city center so you can reach Porto’s sights on foot. You can find affordable accommodation just outside the old town.
- The Editory Artist Baixa Porto Hotel*
- The Editory Garden Porto Hotel*
- Chic & Basic Gravity*
- Ribeira Douro Hotel*
- The White Box Boutique House*
- 45 Flores: Rua das Flores/S.Bento*
- The Central House Porto Ribeira*
- ibis Porto Centro Mercado Bolhao*
- Acta The Avenue*
Public Transport in the City
If you are staying in the city for several days, the Porto Card might be a good option. With this card, you can use public transport and visit many museums for free. You can choose between 1, 2, 3, or 4 days. In total, more than 150 discounts await you, saving you money on excursions, shows, and more. Book your Porto Card here, including public transport and public transport*.
You can also explore the city with the popular Hop-on/Hop-off buses. These buses take you to the most important sights in Porto. The ticket is valid for 48 hours and costs €25. You can easily see the city’s highlights on two routes. Headphones and an audio guide are also provided on the buses. You can also visit one of three wine cellars for free (Quinta da Boeira, Quevedo, or Porto Cruz). Book your bus ticket here*.
In the city itself, there are buses and the metro. You need the paper card (Andante card) for a one-time fee of €0.60. You then load this with rides (“Titles”). A Title is valid for one hour and applies to specific zones. If you’re only traveling in the city center, you’ll need Zone 2 fares. You can pay with cash or use your Andante card on buses.
The best time to travel to Porto
You can generally travel to Portugal year-round. We love coming during the off-season, in April, May, September, and October. During this time, the country is pleasantly warm and not as crowded.
In spring and autumn, you can enjoy the 20°C to 30°C atmosphere in Porto and even swim in the sea (although the Atlantic is quite cold). However, you should always expect rain. Only between June and August does it rain little in this region. A detailed article on this topic can be found here: Best time to travel to Portugal.
Porto Travel Guide
Are you looking for a travel guide for Porto? Then get the compact Dumont Travel Guide*. This 120-page booklet tells you everything you need to know for your trip. Alternatively, you can also get the Reise Know-How Travel Guide*. This gives you a good overview of Porto in more than 140 pages. We recommend the Portugal Travel Guide by Dumont*. This will also prepare you for other parts of the country.