Porto Douro Valley Portugal
5
Day Itinerary •
Portugal
Five days in Porto and the Douro Valley gives you the complete experience of one of the most extraordinary cities in Europe and the most beautiful wine landscape in the world, from the remarkable UNESCO Ribeira and the extraordinary Lello bookshop to the magnificent Douro Valley quintas, the remarkable Guimaraes birthplace of Portugal and the extraordinary coastal town of Viana do Castelo. This route covers the full Porto experience: the extraordinary Ribeira and São Bento station, the remarkable Lello bookshop, the finest port cellars in Gaia, the extraordinary Douro Valley wine terraces and quintas, the remarkable Regua wine town, the historic Guimaraes UNESCO city and the extraordinary clifftop sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte near Braga.
Best Time To Visit
April to June or September to October
Getting There
Fly into Porto Airport (OPO). Metro line E to city centre in 30 minutes.
Getting Around
Metro and walking for Porto. Car or train for Douro Valley and Guimaraes.
Budget Per Day
Approx 80 to 160 euros per person per day
Difficulity
Easy , city walking, train and car for day trips
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 azulejo-tiled buildings above the Douro giving the finest riverside streetscape in the country. São Bento station's remarkable entrance hall covered in 20,000 azulejo tiles depicting Portuguese history is the finest decorative railway station in Europe. Free to enter. Drive: Walk uphill
MIDDAY
LIVRARIA LELLO AND CLERIGOS TOWER
Livraria Lello is the most extraordinary bookshop in the world, its remarkable Neo-Gothic interior and carved red staircase giving the finest bookshop in Europe. The Clerigos Tower, the finest Baroque tower in Portugal, gives the best view over the Porto historic centre. The remarkable Praca da Liberdade is the finest square in northern Portugal. Tower entry approx 6 euros. Drive: Walk
AFTERNOON
BOLHAO MARKET AND IGREJA DO CARMO
Bolhao Market is the most extraordinary traditional food market in Porto, its remarkable Art Nouveau iron structure housing the finest local produce and bacalhau stalls. The extraordinary Igreja do Carmo with its remarkable azulejo tile facade depicting the Carmelite Order founding is the finest azulejo building exterior in Porto. Both free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary 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 bridges. Less crowded than the Clerigos Tower. Entry to the church approx 3 euros.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe near the Ribeira Outstanding Portuguese coffee overlooking the extraordinary UNESCO waterfront and Dom Luis Bridge. | Lunch: Tasca in the Ribeira Outstanding Porto lunch with francesinha sandwich and local Vinho Verde in the finest waterfront. | Dinner: Restaurant in Ribeira Outstanding Porto dinner with remarkable Douro views. Local tripas a moda do Porto.
DAY 2
GAIA AND FOZ
MORNING
VILA NOVA DE GAIA PORT 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 and Ramos Pinto storing the finest fortified wine in the world. The tours include tastings of vintage, LBV and tawny ports in the finest wine experience in Iberia. Tours approx 15 to 25 euros. Drive: Walk across Dom Luis Bridge
MIDDAY
DOM LUIS BRIDGE AND RIBEIRA
The Dom Luis I Bridge is the most extraordinary iron bridge in Portugal, its remarkable double-deck design giving the finest bridge walk in the country. The upper deck gives the finest panoramic view over Porto and the Douro. The extraordinary rabelo boats below, traditional flat-bottomed port wine carriers, give the finest harbour scene in Portugal. Free. Drive: Tram to Foz
AFTERNOON
FOZ DO DOURO AND MATOSINHOS
Foz do Douro is the most extraordinary neighbourhood in Porto at the point where the Douro meets the Atlantic. The remarkable Fort of São João da Foz and the extraordinary Pergola da Foz give the finest coastal promenade in the city. Matosinhos to the north is the finest seafood district in northern Portugal. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Fundacao Serralves is the finest contemporary art museum in Portugal, its remarkable modernist building by Alvaro Siza Vieira in extraordinary Art Deco villa gardens giving the finest combined art and architecture experience in northern Portugal. Entry approx 12 euros.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Gaia before cellar tour 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 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 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 railway station with its azulejo harvest panels giving the finest small railway station in Europe. The views over the Douro from the village are the finest in the wine region. Free. Drive: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
DOURO VALLEY QUINTA WINE TASTING
The Douro Valley quintas offer the most extraordinary wine tasting experience in Portugal, their remarkable terraced vineyards of schist and granite giving the finest wine landscape in Europe. Quinta do Crasto, Quinta do Vale Meao or Quinta da Pacheca all give extraordinary cellar tours and tastings of the finest Douro reds and ports. Tastings approx 10 to 20 euros. Drive: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
REGUA AND THE DOURO RIVER CRUISE
Regua is the most extraordinary wine town in the Douro Valley at the heart of the Port Wine Demarcated Region. The extraordinary Douro Museum gives the finest wine region context. The remarkable afternoon cruise from Regua through the most extraordinary terraced UNESCO 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 hilltop position giving the most extraordinary panorama over the entire UNESCO 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 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. | Dinner: Restaurant in Porto on return Outstanding Porto dinner after the extraordinary Douro day.
DAY 4
GUIMARAES AND BRAGA
MORNING
GUIMARAES CASTLE AND THE PALACE OF THE DUKES
Guimaraes is the birthplace of Portugal, its remarkable 10th-century castle giving the finest medieval fortification in northern Portugal. The extraordinary Palace of the Dukes of Braganza beside the castle, the finest medieval palace in Portugal built in 1401, contains remarkable tapestries, furniture and the finest collection of Portuguese medieval arms. The most important historical site in the country. Entry approx 5 euros. Drive: Walk to old town
MIDDAY
GUIMARAES UNESCO OLD TOWN
Guimaraes old town is the most extraordinary medieval heritage town in Portugal, its remarkable UNESCO-listed centre of medieval mansions, extraordinary churches and the finest Largo da Oliveira square in northern Portugal giving the most complete medieval townscape in the country. The extraordinary Sao Francisco convent cloister and the remarkable Collegial Church give the finest religious heritage in Guimaraes. Free to explore. Drive: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
BRAGA CATHEDRAL AND OLD TOWN
Braga is the most extraordinary religious city in Portugal, its remarkable cathedral, the oldest in the country founded in 1070, giving the finest ecclesiastical heritage outside Lisbon. The extraordinary treasury museum contains the finest collection of religious silver in northern Portugal. The remarkable old town of Braga with its extraordinary baroque fountains and fine 18th-century architecture gives the finest city promenade in the Minho. Cathedral entry approx 3 euros.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Penha hill above Guimaraes, accessible by cable car from the edge of the old town, gives the finest panoramic view over the entire Minho region from the most extraordinary forested hilltop above a Portuguese city. The remarkable granite chapel complex at the summit is extraordinary. Cable car approx 5 euros.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Porto before Guimaraes train Outstanding Portuguese coffee before taking the 1-hour train to Guimaraes from Campanha station. | Lunch: Tasca in Guimaraes old town Outstanding Portuguese lunch in the finest medieval square in northern Portugal. Local rojoes and Vinho Verde. | Dinner: Restaurant in Braga or Porto Outstanding northern Portuguese dinner after the extraordinary Guimaraes and Braga day.
DAY 5
BOM JESUS AND BARCELOS
MORNING
BOM JESUS DO MONTE SANCTUARY
Bom Jesus do Monte is the most extraordinary pilgrimage sanctuary in Portugal, its remarkable baroque staircase of 577 steps ascending the wooded hillside above Braga in a series of extraordinary fountain-decorated terraces representing the Stations of the Cross. The remarkable funicular, the oldest water-powered funicular in the world operating since 1882, gives the finest ascent. The views from the top are extraordinary. Free. Drive: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
BARCELOS AND THE FAMOUS MARKET
Barcelos is the most extraordinary market town in northern Portugal, its remarkable Thursday market, the largest traditional market in Portugal, giving the finest collection of local crafts, ceramics and the extraordinary Barcelos cockerel pottery. The remarkable Barcelos cock legend, the most famous folk story in Portugal, originated here. The extraordinary medieval bridge over the Cavado river is the finest in the Minho. Market free. Drive: 45 min drive
AFTERNOON
RETURN TO PORTO AND FINAL EVENING
Return to Porto for a final afternoon exploring the extraordinary Bonfim neighbourhood, the most remarkable emerging district in the city with the finest independent cafes, bookshops and vintage shops in Porto. The extraordinary Jardim de São Lazaro, the oldest public garden in Porto, and the remarkable Batalha cinema give the finest neighbourhood experience in northern Portugal. All free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Citania de Briteiros above Guimaraes is the finest Iron Age Celtic settlement in Portugal, its remarkable hilltop ruins of circular stone houses giving an extraordinary insight into pre-Roman Iberia. Almost entirely unknown to international tourists. Entry approx 3 euros.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe before Bom Jesus drive Early start for Bom Jesus. The baroque staircase is extraordinary in the morning mist above Braga. | Lunch: Restaurant in Barcelos market town Outstanding northern Portuguese lunch in the finest market town in the Minho. Local rojoes and Vinho Verde. | Dinner: Farewell dinner in Porto Ribeira Outstanding final dinner on the extraordinary UNESCO waterfront. Local wine and fresh bacalhau.
Where To Stay
Ribeira or Baixa, Nights 1 to 4 Best base for the full trip. Hotels from 90 to 220 euros. Central for metro, trams and all city sites. Guimaraes, alternative Night 4 Stay in the finest medieval town for the full atmosphere. Hotels from 70 to 150 euros. Budget option Hostels in Baixa from 35 euros per person. Metro line D connects to the Ribeira in 10 minutes.
Top Tips
1. São Bento station azulejo panels are best before 9am. The extraordinary 20,000-tile historical panorama is the finest artwork in a railway station in the world.
2. Livraria Lello: arrive before 10am to see the extraordinary carved interior without crowds. The 5-euro entry fee is redeemable against book purchases.
3. Port wine tasting: Taylor's Fladgate gives the finest cellar experience in Gaia. Book the vintage tasting in advance. The views over Porto from the terrace are extraordinary.
4. Douro Valley train from Porto to Regua passes through the most extraordinary river gorge scenery in Portugal. Book a window seat on the right side going east.
5. Guimaraes is the finest day trip from Porto. The birthplace of Portugal has the most complete medieval town centre in the country and is almost entirely unhyped.
6. Bom Jesus funicular is the oldest water-powered funicular in the world. It runs on the counterbalance of water tanks. Free to watch the extraordinary mechanism.
Total Budget
80 to 160 euros/day