Porto is also known as Oporto. It's Portugal's second largest city. I was in the city for a few days experiencing its culture, food, and history.
I would recommend adding Porto to your itinerary if you decide to visit Portugal.
Travel Guide Budget and Itinerary for Porto
During Roman times, Porto used to be called Portus Cale. It was a thriving settlement on the south bank of the Duoro. Early Porto was a disputed territory that the Visigoths, Moors, and Christians fought to take control of. Porto's modern day iteration is a popular destination because of its wine, charming historic center, lovely architecture, accessible surf beaches, and rich cultural heritage.
Get a Visa
Portugal is part of the Schengen group of countries, which means that if you get a visa from one of its embassies, you can travel to all the countries in the zone. I got my visas from Czechia, Austria, Poland, and Italy. I had to apply multiple times because of the limitation of my Philippine passport. Each embassy has similar requirements.
You can read more about how I got my Schengen visa here: how to get a Schengen visa
How to Get to Porto
Porto is a popular destination, especially in the summer. Its accessibility is part of its draw. You can find direct flights to Porto from various cities in Europe. Buy your tickets weeks or months in advance to get the lowest possible price. I often check www.skyscanner.com for flights. You can use other similar sites to find the best deal for you. It's also possible to reach this city by bus from Lisbon or some cities in Spain. Many visitors combine a trip to Lisbon and Porto in the same itinerary. I use www.flixbus.com frequently for land trips in Europe.
Getting around Porto
The best and most affordable way to get around Porto is to go on foot. Most of the attractions and famous districts are within walking distance from each other. I spent most of my time in the city walking. You can also use the metro, buses, tramway, funicular, cable car, and taxis to get to different places in the city. Public transportation is extensive and makes it convenient to get around. You can get an Andante Card which you can top up and use for the buses and subway. You can also avail a Porto Card. You can get a card that includes public transportation or not. The card provides free entrance or discounts of up to 50% for some attractions. You can buy a card that's valid for 1, 2, 3, or 4 days. When planning your budget and itinerary for Porto, you can consider getting the Porto Card.
Things to Do in Porto
When you plan your budget and itinerary for Porto, these are some of the places you can visit and some of the things you can do.
Torre dos Clerigos
One of the most prominent features of Porto's skyline is the Torre dos Clerigos. It rises 75m high and it dates to the 18th century. The Baroque church is a beautiful peace of architecture. Going up the tower is one of the highlights of a trip to Porto.
Palacio da Bolsa
This historic attraction dates to the 19th century. It has beautiful interiors and rooms which you can visit during a guided tour. Your stops include the Portrait Room, Hall of Nations, and the Golden Room just to name a few. Porto's Chamber of Commerce uses the building as its headquarters.
Livraria Lello
This bookshop is one of the most beautiful I've seen. It is also one of the oldest in the country. It opened in the 19th century. You'll have to stand in line and buy a ticket to enter.
Igreja de São Francisco
Add this beautiful church to your Porto itinerary. Its Baroque interior will dazzle you. You'll see an altar, pillars, and columns with gilt carving embellishments when you explore the church.
Cais da Ribeira
This riverside district is (in my opinion) the most beautiful part of Porto. The buildings lining it are painted in colorful hues. You can find restaurants, cafes, and a few shops here. It's a great place to dine and hang out in.
Ponte Dom LuÃs I
This spectacular piece of architecture is one of the iconic structures you'll see in the country. This two-tiered bridge connects Porto with Vila Nova Gaia while rising above the Duoro River. It dates to the 19th century and has been used by commuters and pedestrians since then. It also provides you with beautiful overlooking views of both sides of the river.
Sé
This centuries old cathedral is an important part of the city's history. It dates to the 12th century and has undergone many renovations and expansions over time. It's a huge complex that showcases intricate tile work and religious art.
Igreja do Carmo
This church's exterior will draw you in with its blue and white intricate tile work. Its interior is just as love with its gilt carvings.
Café Majestic
Cafe Majestic's Art Nouveau will grab your attention. It's not only a beautiful cafe, but it's also a historic one. It dates to the 1920s and has retained its old world charm. Architect José Pinto de Oliveira patterned its design after a Parisian cafe.
Avenida dos Aliados
Like in many European cities I've been to, there's always a pedestrian street lined with beautiful and historic buildings and/or churches, shops, cafes, and restaurants. Avenida dos Aliados provides you with a hustle and bustle of daily city life. You can grab a bite here (and something to drink too!), buy souvenirs, or find accommodation.
Day trip to Guimarães
If you're looking for an easy day trip Porto, you can check out Guimarães. Its historic center isa UNESCO World Heritage Site. It's a quaint destination with lovely traditional buildings and an old world vibe. The structures and buildings you'll see are ideal examples of the evolution of Portuguese architecture. Guimarães played an important role in the formation of Portugal's identity in the 12th century. You can spend hours walking around the historic center and trying local food in one of the restaurants.
Day trip to Braga
If you have more days to spare while in Porto, make sure to add Braga to your itinerary. The main reason to visit is to see the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Bom Jesus do Monte. You can go up the elaborate staircase to reach the church or take a funicular up. After a trip to the church, you can wander in and out of the quaint alleys of Braga. It's a lovely and chill place with old churches, historic buildings and structures, cafes, and restaurants. Some of the notable attractionc include the Braga Cathedral and square, Arco da Porta Nova, Park Avenida Central, and Palacio do Raio.
There are other places you can visit while in Porto. It's also a great city to hang out in and try local food and liquor. I simply walked around the city for various viewpoints and wasn't disappointed.
This lovely Portuguese city is worth a repeat trip (and then some).
Where to Stay in Porto
Porto is an affordable European city. You can find a place to stay when you plan your budget and itinerary for Porto whether you're on a budget or willing to splurge on a fancy hotel. I often stay in hostel dorms because it's a cost-effective option and I'm out most of the day anyway. I usually book through www.booking.com but you can look for accommodation directly at a company's website or through other third-party sites.
Budget for Porto
When planning your budget and itinerary for Porto, you can reduce your expenses when you stay in dorms, use public transportation or simply walk. A budget of around €55-€60 covers a bed in a dorm room, a few paid attractions, food and drinks, and public transportation. With that budget, you can also go on day trips or spend a night each in Braga and Guimarães. You can spend more than that if you're willing to splurge on nicer accommodation and nicer places to eat. It's also possible to spend less than the budget mentioned.
You might want to read my other posts about Europe:
Itinerary for Porto
You should spend at least two full days in the city. If you have more time, extend for a few days more. You can use this as a sample itinerary for Porto.
Day 1
Torre dos Clerigos
Avenida dos Aliados
Igreja do Carmo
Sé (Porto Cathedral)
Cafe Majestic
Day 2
Igreja de São Francisco
Palacio da Bolsa
Livraria Lello
Cais da Ribeira
Ponte Dom LuÃs I
Day 3
Braga day trip
Day 4
Guimarães
Day 5
Free day to hang out in your favorite spots in the city
You can add or remove places based on your interests and schedule.
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