Porto 3-day itinerary

Start at the Ribeira waterfront — UNESCO-listed, with narrow lanes and azulejo-covered buildings cascading to the Douro. Take the upper deck of Dom Luís I Bridge for panoramic views. Walk down to Cais de Gaia and stroll the riverside promenade past the port wine lodges. The morning light hitting the colourful Ribeira facades is the best photo opportunity in the city.

Spend the afternoon in Vila Nova de Gaia's port wine cellars. Taylor's offers excellent guided tours with tastings (€15), and their terrace has unbeatable views. Graham's is more intimate with a superb restaurant. For a free option, smaller lodges like Poças and Ramos Pinto offer complimentary tastings. Lunch at a Gaia riverside restaurant — try a bifana (pork sandwich) and a Super Bock for under €8.

Watch sunset from Jardim do Morro or the Serra do Pilar viewpoint above the bridge — both are free and spectacular. Take the Teleférico de Gaia cable car down (€7 one-way) or walk. Dinner in Ribeira at Taberna dos Mercadores for petiscos and vinho verde. Then explore the bars along Rua de Galeria de Paris in the Galerias district for craft cocktails and live music.

Start at São Bento railway station — the entrance hall's 20,000 azulejo tiles depicting Portuguese history are worth lingering over. Walk up to Torre dos Clérigos (€8) and climb the 240 steps for the best 360° view of Porto's terracotta rooftops. Then Livraria Lello (€8 entry, redeemable on books) — a neo-Gothic bookshop with a crimson staircase. Coffee at Majestic Café on Rua de Santa Catarina.

Explore the freshly renovated Mercado do Bolhão — Porto's grand iron-and-glass market now beautifully restored. Browse cheeses, cured meats, pastéis de nata, and ginjinha (cherry liqueur). Lunch at Café Santiago on Rua de Passos Manuel for a francesinha (€10–12) — Porto's legendary sandwich of cured meats, cheese, and spicy beer sauce. Walk it off along Rua de Santa Catarina, the main shopping street.

Wander the quieter Miragaia neighbourhood — fewer tourists, authentic tascas (taverns), and beautiful street art. Dinner at Casa Guedes for the best pork sandwich in Porto (pernil, €4.50) — a local institution. Then head to the Galerias de Paris district — Rua de Cândido dos Reis and surrounding streets have dozens of bars. Try Base for cocktails or Plano B for live music and DJ sets.

Take the vintage Tram 1 (€3.50 or Andante card) from Ribeira along the Douro to Foz do Douro — the ride takes 25 minutes and hugs the riverbank. At Foz, walk the Passeio Alegre garden and the Felgueiras Lighthouse promenade where the Douro meets the Atlantic. Have coffee at Praia da Luz beach bar overlooking the crashing waves. The contrast with the river is dramatic.

Bus 203 to Serralves — Porto's contemporary art museum designed by Álvaro Siza Vieira. The building itself is a masterpiece of clean lines and natural light. The 18-hectare park is gorgeous for a walk. Entry is €20 (museum + park) or €10 for park only. Lunch at the museum's café terrace. Then walk through Cedofeita neighbourhood — independent boutiques, vinyl shops, and specialty coffee at Combi.

Take a Six Bridges cruise (€15, 50 minutes) from Cais da Ribeira — you'll pass under all six bridges connecting Porto and Gaia as the golden hour light transforms the riverbanks. Back on land, head to Cantina 32 on Rua das Flores for creative Portuguese cuisine in a buzzy atmosphere (mains €12–18). End with a final glass of port on the Ribeira waterfront, watching the lights dance on the Douro.