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Things to do in Porto

12 places · 10 h 5 min of sightseeing · 2 days

Casa da Música, Porto

How many days do you need in Porto?

12 places add up to 10 h 5 min of pure sightseeing. At 6 hours a day, not counting walking and meals, that's 2 days.

The best-known places in order, as long as they fit into 6 hours of sightseeing a day. Sightseeing only, without walking and meals — build the day-by-day plan with opening hours and the route in a RouteMarket notebook.

1 day — 5 h 55 min

2 days — 10 h 5 min

3 days — 10 h 5 min

Top sights

Ordered by how well known each place is. Data: OpenStreetMap and Wikipedia.

  1. Casa da Música — 1 h visit. Its innovative, post-deconstructivist architecture stands out from classical theaters and offers the opportunity to explore its interior. Hours: Mon–Sun 09:30–18:00.
  2. Porto Cathedral — 1 h 15 min visit. Its construction began in the 12th century, making it one of the oldest sacred buildings in Porto, older than the Klasztor Serra do Pilar. Hours: Apr–Oct 9:00–18:30 · Nov–Mar 9:00–17:30.
  3. Palácio da Bolsa — 1 h 15 min visit. A former commercial palace with neoclassical architecture and an impressive Arabian Hall, showcasing the city's economic history. Hours: Nov–Mar: Mon–Sun 09:00–12:30,14:00–17:30 · Apr–Oct: Mon–Sun 09:00–18:30.
  4. Livraria Lello & Irmão — 1 h visit. It stands out with its spiral staircase and stained-glass ceiling, being a bookstore opened in 1906, not a theatrical venue. Hours: Mon–Sun 09:30–19:00.
  5. Igreja de São Francisco — 50 min visit. The Gothic facade hides one of Portugal's richest interiors of Baroque talha dourada art, complemented by accessible catacombs.
  6. Igreja de Santo Ildefonso — 25 min visit. Its baroque facade, completed in 1739, was covered in 1932 with azulejos depicting scenes from the life of Saint Ildefonsus.
  7. Porto-São Bento — 30 min visit. Its hall is adorned with over 20,000 azulejo tiles, making it one of the largest collections of this type of art in Porto. Hours: Mon–Fri 00:00–00:45,04:15–24:00 · Sat,Sun 00:00–00:45,05:20–24:00.
  8. Guilhermina Suggia — 10 min visit. This sculpture is a tribute to the famous local cellist, depicting a specific artistic figure.
  9. Igreja dos Clérigos — 50 min visit. The Baroque church is famous for its tower, which can be climbed to admire a panoramic view of the entire city.
  10. Igreja e Torre dos Clérigos — 1 h 15 min visit. Its 75-meter tower, completed in 1763 by Nicolau Nasoni, offers one of the best panoramic views of the city. Hours: Mon–Sun 09:00–19:00.
  11. Barcos Rabelo — 55 min visit. These are traditional flat-bottomed boats that used to transport port wine, and today offer tourist cruises on the Douro River.
  12. Igreja de Santa Clara — 40 min visit. The interior, entirely covered with intricate carvings in gilded talha dourada wood, forms a remarkable contrast to its simple facade. Hours: Mon–Sun 09:00–13:00,14:00–18:00.
  13. Porto City Hall — 20 min visit. Its monumental facade with a clock tower is the city hall, representing the authorities of Porto, unlike other monuments. Hours: Mon–Sat 09:00–17:00.
  14. Museu Nacional Soares dos Reis — 1 h 15 min visit. As the first national museum, it is housed in a palace and focuses on a collection of Portuguese art, unlike a photography gallery. Hours: Tue 14:00–18:00 · Wed–Sun 10:00–18:00 · May 1 closed.
  15. Mosteiro da Serra do Pilar — 1 h visit. It features a unique circular architecture for its church and cloisters, a characteristic absent in structures like the Sé do Porto. Hours: Nov–Mar Tue–Sun 10:00–17:30 · Apr–Oct Tue–Sun 10:00–18:30.
  16. Funicular dos Guindais — 20 min visit. A funicular offering quick transport between districts and panoramic views of the Douro River, saving energy.
  17. British Factory House — 45 min visit. Built in the Neopalladian style (1785-1790), it was a commercial and social hub for the British community involved in port wine.
  18. Praça da Ribeira — 45 min visit. Only here do colorful townhouses with restaurants form a direct riverside backdrop for walks, observing life, and dining.
  19. Museu de Arte Contemporânea de Serralves — 2 h visit. It presents dynamic and often changing exhibitions of contemporary art from the 1960s onwards, offering fresh perspectives. Hours: Mon–Fri 10:00–18:00 · Sat,Sun,PH 10:00–19:00 · Apr–Sep: Mon–Fri 10:00–19:00 · Apr–Sep: Sat,Sun,PH 10:00–20:00.
  20. Casa de Serralves — 1 h 15 min visit. An Art Deco villa surrounded by extensive gardens, offering elegance and tranquility, which distinguishes it from the neighboring museum. Hours: Mon–Fri 10:00–18:00 · Sat,Sun,PH 10:00–19:00 · Apr–Sep: Mon–Fri 10:00–19:00 · Apr–Sep: Sat,Sun,PH 10:00–20:00.
  21. Paço Episcopal do Porto — 50 min visit. As a historic 18th-century residence of the bishops of Porto, it represents a different type of building than the surrounding churches. Hours: Mon–Sun 09:00–13:00,14:00–18:00.
  22. Teatro Nacional São João — 45 min visit. The original theater was built in 1798, making it one of the oldest such facilities in the city.
  23. Museu do Carro Eléctrico — 50 min visit. A museum dedicated to historic electric trams, housed in a former power station, showcasing the history of urban transport. Hours: Tue–Sun 10:00–18:00.
  24. Praça de Mouzinho de Alburquerque — 20 min visit. As a large roundabout, it features a monumental column commemorating the war, serving as a viewpoint rather than a square for relaxation.

Where to eat

What to see in Porto in one day?

Casa da Música, Porto Cathedral, Palácio da Bolsa, Livraria Lello & Irmão, Igreja de São Francisco, Igreja de Santo Ildefonso, Guilhermina Suggia.

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