Go Back to the Blog What to see in Porto in One Day

What to see in Porto in One Day

 

Surrounded by the waters of the River Douro and steeped in centuries of history and culture, Porto is a true Portuguese relic.

Getting to know this city from dawn to dusk will be an unforgettable experience that you'll remember forever.

Come and see and discover Portugal's undefeated city, Porto!

 

Morning - Sunrise in the Historic Center of Porto

 

 

Dawn is a fascinating moment that marks the beginning of a new day and a new journey.

In the city of Porto, the sun shyly emerges over the Douro River and illuminates the historic façades, making the city more colorful and full of life.

This phenomenon is a true visual spectacle that will take you to a real moment of reflection and tranquillity.

There are several places where you can see the sunrise in Porto, such as the Miradouro da Vitória, the Parque da Cidade, the Jardim do Morro (in Gaia), the Jardim das Virtudes, the Ponte Luís I, the Sé Catedral and the Foz do Douro.

After seeing this stunning Porto phenomenon, you can enjoy a delicious breakfast in a typical Porto café. Some examples of these cafés are: Café Majestic, Guarany, Brasileira and Café Piolho, located in Praça dos Leões.

 

 

Strolling through the picturesque streets of Porto is the ideal way to see the architectural, cultural and scenic beauty of this magnificent place.

It's also the perfect opportunity to discover new emblematic places such as: the Cathedral, São Bento Station, Lello Bookshop, Aliados Square, Clérigos Tower and Church, Carmelitas Church, Carmo Church, Leões Square, Bolsa Palace, Bolhão Market and Foz Velha.

These spaces bring the city to life and represent Porto's cultural and historical wealth.

 

 

As well as being known for its beautiful landscapes and extraordinary monuments that are well worth seeing, Porto is also famous for its legacy of Port wine, which is considered an important landmark in the cultural heritage of Gaiás and Porto. Excellent as an aperitif or dessert.

It is on the other side of the D. Luís Bridge, in Vila Nova de Gaia, that the main Port wine cellars are located, including Caves Burmester, Caves Calém, Real Companhia Velha and Caves Ferreira.

 

 

For wine lovers, you can enjoy a pleasant gastronomic experience in Porto with wine tasting included or you can enjoy a walking tour with wine and cheese tasting.

 

 

Thanks to the beauty and diversity of architectural styles of Porto's buildings, the historic center of Porto was classified as a World Heritage Site in 1996.

This achievement has made the city one of the top European destinations to visit.

Throughout the year, countless tourists of different nationalities come to see and experience the best the city has to offer.

 

Afternoon - Modern Porto and Sunset

 

 

Lunch in the city of Porto will be the ideal time to travel through the gastronomic flavors of Porto and try the typical dishes, such as the famous francesinha, tripas à moda do Porto, Bacalhau à Gomes de Sá, Rojões and the tasty sausages.

Throughout the town's charming streets you'll find several typical restaurants such as: Restaurante Padoca, Taberna dos Fernandes, Brasão, Don Forno, among others.

 

 

After this delicious lunch, there's nothing better than seeing the pleasant landscape of the Douro River. Take the opportunity to see the magnificent urban setting of Ribeira, characterized by its picturesque and colourful houses. And the dynamics between locals and visitors to Porto, which make this experience even more unique.

Here, you can enjoy a more immersive experience by taking the Six Bridges Cruise: Arrábida Bridge, Luís I Bridge, D. Infante Bridge, Dona Maria Bridge and Freixo Bridge. This will be the ideal opportunity to take part in a unique experience on board a boat, like the Barco Rabelo, where you will be able to see the shores of Porto and Gaia from a privileged vantage point.

If you're looking for a more intimate experience, perhaps a sailboat trip in Porto might suit you, or even a private yacht trip in Porto.

 

 

After this incredible experience, it's the perfect time to venture out into the charming streets of Porto and see the more modern side of the city.

Despite being known for its traditional and historic heritage, the city of Porto is also characterized by its modern and innovative side, renowned for its urban art.

Modernity is thus present in several of the city's buildings and monuments. Among them is the Casa da Música, located in Boavista. This building is a true avant-garde architectural icon.

 

 

There are also other places that exalt the architectural and innovative aspect of the city, such as the Casa de Serralves (Museum of Contemporary Art), in Boavista, built by the renowned Portuguese architect, Siza Vieira. Here you will have the opportunity to see beautiful exhibitions by renowned artists.  

In addition to these spaces, one place that also stands out for its originality and creativity is the Vodafone Building. Located on Avenida da Boavista, this space was inaugurated in 2009 and houses the offices of the telecommunications operator Vodafone.

 

 

Some of these urban spaces are complemented by pleasant green spaces, which give the city a more relaxed air and environmental awareness.

Some examples of the city's best-known green parks are the Jardim do Palácio de Cristal, Parque da Cidade, Passeio das Virtudes, Jardim Infante D. Henrique, Jardim Botânico do Porto and Jardim Marques de Oliveira. Perfect places for family outings, with friends or in romantic company, it will be the ideal time to see Porto's natural scenery.

 

 

The end of the day in Porto is marked by the approach of the sun to the horizon, giving the city a warm atmosphere characterized by warm, golden tones.

You can see the sunset from various places in the city, such as Jardim do Morro, Miradouro do Infante, Passeio das Virtudes, Ribeira do Porto or Gaia, Fontainhas, among other extraordinary places.  You can take the opportunity to go on a walking tour and see some of these places while enjoying a glass of Port wine.

 

 

For all those who want to enjoy this natural phenomenon on a beautiful evening in the city of Porto and at the same time experience a moment of fun and entertainment, we invite you to embark on a boat party in Porto with a DJ.   

If you're interested in visiting Porto, a good option might be to take a half-day or full-day guided tour. You'll benefit from the knowledge of a local guide, transportation and various inclusions.

There is also the possibility of a half-day or full-day private tour of Porto.

 

Evening - Dinner and Entertainment

 

 

As dusk approaches, a new facet of the city's beauty is revealed. It's as if the city takes on a new glow, with the twinkling lights of the buildings and monuments reflected on the banks of the river Douro.

This is the ideal time to enjoy a delicious dinner in a typical restaurant in the city center, while taking in the magnificent views of Porto.

If you want to try the delicious typical dishes of Porto's gastronomy, here are some suggestions: the Casa Nanda Restaurant, the A Margarida Restaurant, the Adega São Nicolau, the Taberna Santo António, O Ernesto, among other magnificent places.

 

 

For those who want to get to know Porto's (and Portugal's) musical heritage, we suggest a live fado show.

Some of the places where you can see a good fado show are Casa Fado Português, Casa O Fado, Ideal Clube de Fado, Taberna Real do Fado, Casa da Mariquinhas, among other fascinating venues.

If you're looking for a more special program, you can attend a Fado Show with a visit to a Port Wine Cellar.

 

 

After a fantastic dinner, there's nothing better than experiencing Porto's lively nightlife, marked by countless places where you can enjoy a moment of pure fun.

In downtown Porto, there are numerous must-see places, such as Rua das Galerias de Paris and Rua Cândido dos Reis, known for their numerous bars, where you can enjoy a cocktail while dancing to the rhythm of various musical styles.

For all you nightclub lovers, places like Maus Hábitos, Indústria Club, Plano B, Gare Porto and Hard Club are some of the concert halls, live music and concerts that you won't want to miss.

 

 

If you prefer a more chill and quiet atmosphere, you could choose to visit Base Porto, located on Passeio dos Clérigos, this bar is the ideal place for all those who want to experience a more intimate and relaxed moment and take the opportunity to see the beautiful sights of the city.

Foz do Douro's nightlife is also marked by a quieter atmosphere on the seafront. There are countless prestigious and refined restaurants and bars in this area that you can visit, such as BH Foz, Bonaparte Foz, or even the bar at Hotel Villa Foz, among other charming places.

 

 

From dawn until dusk, the city of Porto invites you to see and explore its rich history and culture and to experience unforgettable moments in the undefeated city.

Come and discover this magnificent city even for a day!

 

Visit Porto and explore tours, activities and cruises selected just for you.

 

See Living Tours for more travel experiences in Portugal and Spain. And explore more travel ideas on the Living Magazine Blog.

 

| Porto | Portugal




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