How to spend a perfect weekend in Porto

19.12.2024 - 21:31 / lonelyplanet.com

Dec 19, 2024 • 5 min read

Conveniently compact, with delicious food and drink, beautiful scenery and architecture, and some excellent museums, Porto is the perfect weekend escape. 

I live in Lisbon, and at this point, I’ve probably visited Porto more than a dozen times, but crossing the Douro River via the Dom Luís I Bridge is always a thrill, and it would take me several lifetimes of weekends to taste every barrel of port wine that’s aging in the city. 

Simply put, I’m always happy to spend time in Portugal’s graceful northern city, and my frequent visits mean that I now have a go-to list of delicious things to eat and drink and places to see. 

When to arrive: Try to arrive early on a Friday and stay until Monday morning – which is when many museums and other attractions are closed. 

How to get from the airport: Porto’s metro runs from Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport to the city center. 

Getting around town: The center of Porto is walkable by foot if challengingly hilly; metro and buses can carry you outside the city center.

Where to stay: I love the old-world feel – and mega-convenient location – of Hotel Aliados. If I’m looking to save euros, I’ll stay at the even more old-school and admittedly less comfortable Hotel Peninsular, a short walk away.

What to pack: Porto is a rainy city, so come prepared with a light rainproof jacket and hat, and shoes appropriate for hilly, slippery walking.

Morning

Ditch your bag at the hotel and beeline to Padaria Ribeiro for a quick baked snack and a coffee.

How to spend the day

The top level of Ponte Luís I, Porto’s iconic Gustave Eiffel-designed bridge, is dedicated to pedestrians (and the metro) and offers amazing views of the city you’re about to explore – it’s a must-visit. Descend from the bridge and wind through Ribeira, Porto’s ancient riverfront district, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996. Peruse Casa do Infante, museum and alleged birthplace of the Infante Dom Henrique, also known as Prince Henry the Navigator, the monarch during the dawn of Portugal’s maritime expansion.

Enter the humming Praça da Ribeira, an ancient square and former trade center. Spot the Torre da Rua de Baixo, a five-story structure thought to go back to the 8th century, making it one of the city’s oldest; note the flood markers recording the Douro River's major flooding events.

Book in advance for lunch at Adega São Nicolau, where you can try one of Porto’s signature dishes, arroz de polvo (octopus rice) ideally paired with a crisp white and if you’re lucky enough to score a seat outside, views of the Douro River. After lunch, head uphill and pick up a unique souvenir at Escovaria de Belomonte, a hardware store stuffed with charmingly old-school domestic items ranging from fragrant soaps