Before you set off
Wear good shoes: the streets are cobbled, slippery in the rain, and the city is a succession of hills. The metro (line D) reaches São Bento station; for other journeys, see getting around Porto. The only visit to book in advance in summer is the Palácio da Bolsa, whose guided tours often sell out. If you have two days, see a weekend in Porto instead.
Morning: from São Bento to the cathedral
9:00 — São Bento station
Start with the hall of São Bento station, whose walls are covered in azulejos: entry is free, and the visit takes ten minutes.
9:30 — The Clérigos Tower and the Livraria Lello
Then climb to the Clérigos Tower and the Livraria Lello, the two sites that queue earliest. Arrive at opening time, or skip them if you are short of time.
11:00 — The cathedral
Go back down towards the cathedral through the lanes of the old town. Porto Cathedral opens at 9:00; the church is free, the cloister costs about €3. Finish with the view from the forecourt.
Midday: the Ribeira
12:30 — Lunch in the Ribeira
Go down to the Ribeira by the steps. For lunch, avoid the quayside terraces and take a lane behind, where you eat better and more cheaply; try a francesinha. See the Ribeira of Porto.
Afternoon: the Bolsa and Gaia
14:30 — The Palácio da Bolsa and the Church of São Francisco
The Palácio da Bolsa is visited in half an hour with a guide: €14 entry (9:00-18:30). The neighbouring Church of São Francisco is open from 9:00 to 19:00 or 20:00 depending on the season.
16:30 — The Dom Luís I Bridge and Gaia
Cross the Dom Luís I Bridge by the lower deck, which is free, and walk along the Gaia quay. For a tasting, choose one of the port wine cellars in Gaia. Then go back up by the Gaia cable car or on foot to the Jardim do Morro.
19:00 — The sunset
Finish at the Jardim do Morro, on the Gaia side, for the sunset over the river, then cross the bridge by the upper deck on the way back.
Summary
| Time | Stop | Approximate cost |
|---|---|---|
| 9:00 | São Bento station | free |
| 9:30 | Clérigos and Livraria Lello | see the pages |
| 11:00 | Cathedral | about €3 (cloister) |
| 12:30 | Lunch in the Ribeira | depends on the restaurant |
| 14:30 | Bolsa and Church of São Francisco | €14 + church ticket |
| 16:30 | Dom Luís I Bridge and Gaia | free |
| 19:00 | Jardim do Morro | free |
Going further
With two days, follow a weekend in Porto; with three, Porto in 3 days. For the budget, see Porto on a budget, and for the seasons, the best time to visit Porto.
