Porto
Things to Do in Porto
Tickets, tours and experiences in Porto, Portugal
About Porto
Porto stacks itself in tiers of orange rooftops above the Douro, and most of what you came for sits within a walkable square mile. The Ribeira's UNESCO-listed riverfront is the natural starting point — grab a table on the quay, then cross the upper deck of the two-tier Dom Luís I Bridge for the classic panorama. On the far bank, the port wine lodges of Vila Nova de Gaia line up door to door: Cálem, Sandeman, Graham's and Taylor's all run guided cellar tours ending in tastings. Back in the centre, Livraria Lello's crimson staircase draws hour-long queues — buy the timed entry voucher online and redeem it against a book — while the baroque Clérigos Tower rewards a 225-step climb with the city's best view. Finish with a Six Bridges cruise on the Douro, a 50-minute loop that strings together Porto's full riverside skyline.
Highlights
- Port wine cellar tours and tastings in Vila Nova de Gaia
- Ribeira's UNESCO riverfront and the Dom Luís I Bridge
- Livraria Lello, the neo-Gothic bookshop with the crimson staircase
- Six Bridges sightseeing cruises on the Douro River
Tips for Visiting Porto
Walk the upper deck of the Dom Luís I Bridge around sunset for the best light on the Ribeira — the metro shares the deck, so stay inside the pedestrian lanes.
Livraria Lello requires a timed entry voucher bought online; arrive for the first morning slot and the voucher's value is deducted from any book you buy.
Reserve port cellar tours a few days ahead in summer — English-language slots at the big Gaia lodges fill first, and late-afternoon tastings sell out earliest.
Stop inside São Bento station even if you are not catching a train; its entrance hall is covered in around 20,000 hand-painted azulejo tiles.
Frequently Asked Questions About Porto
Do I need to book port wine cellar tours in advance?
In high season, yes. The popular Vila Nova de Gaia lodges — Cálem, Sandeman, Graham's, Taylor's — sell guided tours in timed slots, and English-language departures often sell out a day or two ahead in summer. Booking online also lets you compare tasting tiers, which typically run €15 to €25.
Is Livraria Lello free to enter?
No. Entry requires a paid voucher bought online for a timed slot, and the amount is redeemable against any book purchase inside. Queues are shortest at opening time; without a pre-booked voucher you may wait an hour or more on the street in peak season.
How many days do I need in Porto?
Two full days cover the historic centre, the Ribeira, Livraria Lello, Clérigos Tower and an afternoon of cellar tastings in Gaia. Add a third day for a Douro Valley trip — river cruises and train-plus-tasting tours upriver to Régua or Pinhão are the most popular day trips from the city.