There are many things to do in Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia, which features elements from a melting pot of architectural styles and periods from the Middle Ages to the present day. Awesome Atlantic Coast beaches are not far from the Douro Estuary – from the trendy Foz do Douro to the popular Espinho south of the city. Moreover, Porto is a paradise of museums, art, azulejos, baroque churches, and many other magnificent things that are part of Porto’s cultural heritage – so where to start and what to do in Porto with just one day in the city?

 
Porto is an enticing European city featuring grand architecture: the 19th-century neoclassical Bolsa Palace – also the old stock exchange, a modern and high-tech music venue and concert hall Casa da Música, the beautifully tile-decorated Santo Ildefonso Church, the Igreja do Carmo, and the 76 m high baroque Clerigos Church that rises majestically on the Porto skyline. There is a lot more – these are just examples.

No doubt there is enough to explore in Porto for several days, but if you have just one day in Portugal’s famous port wine city, you will still be able to cover the most significant historic and cultural sights, including gaining insight into Porto’s traditional port wine culture.

As a curiosity and landmark in Porto, the São Bento Station is, besides being a train station, also a 20th-century architectural masterpiece covered with thousands of hand-painted tiles. Start your day sightseeing in Porto by entering the spectacular station building and exploring its uniqueness.

Photo: Andi Graf / Pixabay

It is one of the numerous buildings in Porto (as in the rest of Portugal) that have been decorated with traditional Portuguese tiles, azulejos, depicting scenes from major events in Portugal.

Photo: Dim Hou / Pixabay

You will now continue down to the Sé do Porto, Porto Cathedral. It is another magnificent building also adorned with white-blue tiles.

Photo: Sofie Layla Thal / Pixabay

Porto Cathedral was originally a 12th-century construction and is thus one of the oldest structures still standing in Porto. Over the years, it has been interiorly redesigned with a Romanesque nave and choir and a baroque 17th-century apse.

The Cathedral, built by Bishop Hugh, is also known for its impressive cloisters and outstanding stained-glass windows.

You will continue down towards the river to explore the Ribeira neighbourhood.

Photo: Tim Chelius / Pixabay

Porto’s riverside, Cais da Ribera, is a scenic and colourful waterfront filled with quaint bars and authentic restaurants, popular with locals and visitors alike. In this vibrant part of Porto, people gather particularly in the evening and for special occasions. It may be here you will try Porto’s famous dish: Francesinha, a sandwich delicacy consisting of sausage, ham, and steak, topped with egg, melted cheese and a spicy tomato sauce.

Photo: Frank Nürnberger / Pixabay

The vivid houses climb up the hillside, only disrupted by narrow cobblestone alleys. It is not a surprise that the medieval area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site – it seethes with ambience and history. If the steep streets and alleyways are too demanding, you can use the Elevador da Ribeira for a small fee, a spectacular steel lift, to ascend or descend. The locals use it for transport up and down in Ribeira.

Photo: Vanessa Rosal / Pixabay

From Ribeira’s lower level, you can also take the funicular up to the historic defensive wall Muralha Fernandina, which dates from the 1300s.

Photo: Laura / Pixabay

Cross the 45 m high Luís I Bridge at the lower pedestrian level to arrive at the other riverbank. The arched metal bridge spanning the Douro River is a landmark in Porto erected in 1886 as a contribution to the industrial age in Portugal. At the time, it was the longest bridge of its kind in the world. It was designed by the architect Théophile Seyrig, who was also associated with the Eiffel Company and there is some similarity to the Eiffel Tower construction.

On the southern riverbank, you can now stroll around to the traditional wine cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia, known as Gaia.

Photo: Mario Zogheb / Pixabay

The history behind the wineries being along the Vila Nova de Gaia riverbank is linked to the Douro Valley. The grapes have for centuries been grown on the sloping hillsides of the valley reaching across Portugal and far into Spain. Although the grapes were grown all along the valley, they were brought by boat (the unique Rabelo boats) downstream to Porto, where the wineries were established in the Vila Nova de Gaia district – due to lower taxes here than in Porto on the other riverbank.

Now, it is time for some port wine tasting in one (or more) of the renowned port wine cellars on the Douro south bank. In some of the historic wineries in Vila Nova de Gaia, you can, besides viewing the impressive rows of oak barrels filled with port, also visit a museum telling the fascinating century-old story of the port wine and the winemaking process in Portugal.

Photo: Gianni Crestani / Pixabay

Pick your preferred cellar and go tasting the port – both the red and the white – that is one of the best things to do in Porto! You will find all the famous ports here: Sandeman, Taylor’s Port, Cálem, Ferreira etc. A fee is probably charged when entering the cellars, but then you can also go on a tour, maybe even a combined fado tour, and have samples of their famous port wines. Sometimes, you can even book the tours in advance – highly recommended during the peak season.

In case you are eager to take a river cruise, there are plentiful options. The Douro River offers various tour options – from short harbour trips in Porto to longer multi-day excursions on the 900 km long river, having its source well inside Spain.

Photo: Ramiro / Pixabay

A river trip can be the perfect way to complete your one-day sightseeing in Porto (maybe even a dinner cruise?) – or perhaps you want to plan a longer trip into the Douro Valley. Read more about how to explore the Douro Valley.

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