Porto itinerary · 3 days
3 days in Porto: Gaia first, centre second, Douro or coast last.
Walking itinerary if you sleep in Porto; metro itinerary if you base in Póvoa de Varzim or Vila do Conde.
Day 1 in Porto — Vila Nova de Gaia and the river
- Walk the Gaia riverfront first. The postcard view of Ribeira is free from this side.
- Book one port wine cellar with a tasting. Walk-ins in July–September often mean an hour in a queue.
- Eat off the front row of Ribeira unless you want to pay twice for the same view.
Day 2 in Porto — historic centre, one hill, one market
- São Bento station hall: fifteen minutes, then leave.
- Clérigos, Cedofeita or Miguel Bombarda if you want streets that still work as a city.
- Skip Livraria Lello unless the ticket is already bought.
Day 3 — Douro Valley or the coast, not both
Choose a Douro day trip from Porto or a slow day on the Póvoa / Vila do Conde seafront.
Porto bookings that are worth it in high season
- Timed Gaia tasting
- One small-group walking tour if you hate maps
- Six-bridges river cruise only for the city photo — not a Douro Valley day