Porto Douro Valley Portugal
3
Day Itinerary •
Portugal
Three days in Porto and the Douro Valley reveals one of the most extraordinary city and wine region combinations in Europe, its remarkable UNESCO-listed Ribeira waterfront of colourful azulejo-tiled buildings, the extraordinary Dom Luis I Bridge and the finest port wine cellars in the world in Vila Nova de Gaia giving one of the finest city experiences in southern Europe. This route covers the essential Porto experience: the extraordinary Ribeira UNESCO waterfront, the remarkable Livraria Lello bookshop, the finest port wine cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia, the extraordinary São Bento railway station with its remarkable azulejo tile panels, and a day trip into the magnificent Douro Valley wine terraces.
Best Time To Visit
April to June or September to October
Getting There
Fly into Porto Airport (OPO). Metro to city centre in 30 minutes.
Getting Around
Metro, tram, walking. Car needed for Douro Valley day trip.
Budget Per Day
Approx 80 to 160 euros per person per day
Difficulity
Easy , walking, some steep hills in the historic centre
DAY 1
PORTO HISTORIC CENTRE
MORNING
RIBEIRA AND SÃO BENTO STATION
The Ribeira is the most extraordinary UNESCO waterfront in Portugal, its remarkable row of colourful azulejo-tiled buildings above the Douro giving the finest riverside streetscape in the country. The extraordinary São Bento railway station interior, its remarkable entrance hall covered in 20,000 azulejo tiles depicting scenes from Portuguese history, is the finest decorative railway station in Europe. Free to enter. Drive: Walk uphill
MIDDAY
LIVRARIA LELLO AND THE HISTORIC CENTRE
Livraria Lello is the most extraordinary bookshop in the world, its remarkable Neo-Gothic facade and the extraordinary carved wooden interior with its famous curved red staircase giving the finest bookshop experience in Europe. The extraordinary Clerigos Tower, the finest Baroque tower in Portugal giving the best view over the Porto historic centre, and the remarkable Praca da Liberdade give the finest heritage walk in the city. Tower entry approx 6 euros. Drive: Walk downhill
AFTERNOON
BOLHAO MARKET AND BAIXA
The Bolhao Market is the most extraordinary traditional food market in Porto, its remarkable two-storey iron structure of the finest Art Nouveau market architecture in Portugal housing the finest local produce, bacalhau stalls and flower sellers. The extraordinary Igreja do Carmo with its remarkable azulejo tile facade depicting the founding of the Carmelite Order is the finest azulejo building exterior in Porto. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Miradouro da Serra do Pilar above Vila Nova de Gaia is the finest viewpoint over Porto, its remarkable circular Renaissance church terrace giving the most extraordinary panorama over the Ribeira, the Douro and all six Porto bridges. Less crowded than the Clerigos Tower. Entry approx 3 euros.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe near the Ribeira Outstanding Portuguese coffee overlooking the extraordinary UNESCO waterfront with the Dom Luis Bridge above. | Lunch: Tasca in the Ribeira Outstanding Porto lunch with francesinha sandwich, bacalhau and local Vinho Verde in the finest waterfront. | Dinner: Restaurant in Ribeira or Baixa Outstanding Porto dinner with remarkable views over the Douro. Local tripas a moda do Porto.
DAY 2
VILA NOVA DE GAIA AND FOZ
MORNING
VILA NOVA DE GAIA PORT WINE CELLARS
The port wine cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia are the most extraordinary wine heritage in Portugal, the remarkable lodges of Taylor's, Graham's, Sandeman and Ramos Pinto across the river from Porto storing the finest fortified wine in the world in extraordinary atmospheric barrel cellars. The remarkable tours include tastings of vintage, LBV and tawny ports in the finest wine experience in the Iberian peninsula. Tours approx 15 to 25 euros. Drive: Walk across Dom Luis Bridge
MIDDAY
DOM LUIS BRIDGE AND THE RIBEIRA
The Dom Luis I Bridge is the most extraordinary iron bridge in Portugal, its remarkable double-deck design by a student of Eiffel giving the finest bridge walk in the country. The upper deck walk gives the finest panoramic view over Porto and the Douro. The extraordinary rabelo boats below, the traditional flat-bottomed vessels that once carried port wine barrels down the Douro, give the finest harbour scene in Portugal. Free. Drive: Tram to Foz
AFTERNOON
FOZ DO DOURO AND THE ATLANTIC
Foz do Douro is the most extraordinary neighbourhood in Porto, its remarkable position where the Douro meets the Atlantic giving the finest coastal promenade in the city. The extraordinary Pergola da Foz, the remarkable Fort of São João da Foz and the extraordinary sunset over the Atlantic from the river mouth give the finest afternoon experience in Porto. The remarkable seafood restaurants of Matosinhos are 20 minutes north. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Fundacao Serralves in Porto is the finest contemporary art museum in Portugal, its remarkable modernist building by Alvaro Siza Vieira in the most extraordinary Art Deco villa gardens in the country giving the finest combined architecture and art experience in northern Portugal. Entry approx 12 euros.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Gaia before cellar tour Outstanding Portuguese coffee in Vila Nova de Gaia with views over the Porto skyline before the cellar tour. | Lunch: Restaurant in Gaia with Douro views Outstanding Portuguese lunch in Vila Nova de Gaia with the finest views over the Ribeira waterfront. | Dinner: Seafood restaurant in Matosinhos Outstanding fresh Atlantic seafood in the finest seafood district near Porto.
DAY 3
DOURO VALLEY
MORNING
PINHAO VILLAGE AND THE DOURO
Pinhao is the most extraordinary wine village in the Douro Valley, its remarkable position surrounded by the finest port wine terraces in Portugal and the extraordinary São Salvador de Pinhao railway station with its remarkable azulejo tile panels depicting the wine harvest giving the finest small railway station in Europe. The extraordinary views over the Douro from the village above the river are the finest in the wine region. Free. Drive: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
DOURO VALLEY QUINTA WINE TASTING
The Douro Valley quintas are the most extraordinary wine estates in Portugal, their remarkable terraced vineyards of schist and granite descending to the river giving the finest wine landscape in Europe. Quinta do Crasto, Quinta do Vale Meao or Quinta da Pacheca all offer extraordinary cellar tours and wine tastings of the finest Douro reds and ports in their remarkable estate buildings. Tastings approx 10 to 20 euros. Drive: 30 min drive to Regua
AFTERNOON
REGUA AND THE DOURO RIVER CRUISE
Regua is the most extraordinary wine town in the Douro Valley, its remarkable position at the heart of the Port Wine Demarcated Region giving the finest wine town atmosphere in Portugal. The extraordinary Douro River Museum gives the finest context for the wine region. The remarkable afternoon river cruise from Regua through the most extraordinary terraced landscape in Europe gives the finest boat trip in Portugal. Cruise approx 20 euros.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Miradouro de Casal de Loivos above Pinhao is the finest viewpoint in the Douro Valley, its remarkable position on the hilltop above the village giving the most extraordinary panorama over the entire UNESCO-listed wine landscape. Almost entirely unknown outside Portugal. Free. 10 minutes above Pinhao by car.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Early hotel breakfast before Douro drive Early start for Pinhao. The Douro Valley in the morning mist is the finest landscape in Portugal. | Lunch: Quinta restaurant in the Douro Valley Outstanding Portuguese lunch at a wine estate with extraordinary terraced vineyard views over the Douro. | Dinner: Restaurant in Porto on return Outstanding Porto dinner after the extraordinary Douro day. Tripas a moda do Porto or bacalhau.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Ribeira or Baixa, Nights 1 to 2 The finest bases in Porto. Boutique hotels from 90 to 220 euros. Walking distance from all historic sites. Vila Nova de Gaia, alternative Extraordinary views over Porto from the Gaia side. Hotels from 80 to 200 euros. Walk over Dom Luis Bridge. Budget option Hostels and guesthouses in Baixa from 35 euros per person. Metro connects to all areas.
Top Tips
1. São Bento station: the extraordinary azulejo tile panels depicting Portuguese history are best viewed early morning before the station fills with commuters.
2. Livraria Lello charges an entry fee of approx 5 euros redeemable against book purchases. Arrive before 10am to see the extraordinary interior without crowds.
3. Port wine tasting: Taylor's Fladgate gives the finest cellar tour in Vila Nova de Gaia. Book in advance and ask for the vintage port tasting upgrade.
4. Douro Valley: the train from Porto São Bento to Regua takes 2.5 hours through extraordinary scenery. An excellent alternative to driving.
5. Francesinha sandwich in Porto is the finest local dish , a remarkable grilled meat sandwich in an extraordinary spiced tomato and beer sauce. Order it everywhere.
6. The Dom Luis Bridge upper deck gives the finest view over Porto. Walk across early morning for extraordinary golden light on the Ribeira buildings.
Total Budget
80 to 160 euros/day