Exploring a Porto Day Trip from Lisbon: An Easy and Memorable Getaway
- Madison Wulf
- Sep 13
- 6 min read
No visit to Portugal would be complete without a quick visit to Porto. While my personal recommendation would be to spend 2-3 days here, you can easily make this a day trip from Lisbon, seeing all of the most important sites.
How to Get to Porto from Lisbon
Porto lies roughly 300 km north so travel takes about 3 hours each way by train, or by bus depending on traffic. Trains cost around €20‑30 and leave from Oriente or Santa Apolónia, while Rede‑Expressos or Flixbus buses run from Sete Rios or Oriente for closer to €10‑15. Another popular option is to take a guided tour, this would be what I recommend if you are new to traveling.
What to Expect: Your Can't Miss Porto Sites
In this guide I will provide you with a set of memorable locations you can add to your itinerary to have an amazing day trip in Porto. Here is what I recommend!
The Perfect Day in Porto: Top Things to Do in Portugal’s Riverside Gem
While Lisbon often gets the spotlight, Porto quietly wins the hearts of travelers (even mine) with its authenticity, rich traditions, and unmistakable charm. Whether you have just one day or a full week, the best way to experience the city is to start at the heart of its culture and let the day naturally flow toward the river.
Porto Day Trip Itinerary:
Start at São Bento Station
Every great Porto adventure begins at São Bento Station. This isn’t just a train station—it’s a piece of living art.
Completed in the early 20th century, the station is covered with more than 20,000 azulejos (traditional blue-and-white tiles) that depict Portugal’s history. As you walk through the grand hall, you’ll see scenes of royal battles, rural harvests, and everyday Portuguese life, all carefully crafted in ceramic detail.
Even if you don’t arrive by train, it’s worth making São Bento your starting point (nearly every bus route in Porto stops here). Take a moment to look up at the soaring ceilings, watch commuters pass through, and admire how history and daily life seamlessly blend here. This is where Porto feels most alive—locals rushing for trains, tourists marveling at the art, and street musicians often playing just outside the doors.
Stroll Down the Hill: Shops, Street Art, and Hidden Corners
From São Bento, step outside and begin your descent toward the river. Porto’s hills are steep, but they’re full of discoveries at every turn. The streets between the station and the Ribeira are a mix of independent boutiques, tucked-away cafés, and crumbling buildings turned into canvases for bold street art.
One of the joys of Porto is simply wandering. Stop in small local shops selling handmade leather goods, cork products, or Portuguese ceramics. If you’re a fan of street art, keep your eyes peeled—murals by local and international artists decorate unexpected corners. Porto has embraced urban art in recent years, and some of the works rival what you’d see in Lisbon.
Don’t be afraid to veer off the main route and take a side alley. These narrow passageways often lead to quiet courtyards, where laundry hangs between windows and cats lounge in the sun. This is where Porto feels most authentic—away from the crowds, where the city reveals itself slowly.
Lunch on the Ribeira: The Bottom of the Hill
Eventually, you’ll reach the Ribeira, Porto’s iconic riverfront district.
This is the beating heart of the city, where colorful houses line the Douro River, boats bob gently in the water, and restaurants spill onto the cobblestone promenade.
For lunch, you can’t go wrong with one of the many traditional restaurants here. If you want to eat like a local, try the francesinha, a decadent sandwich layered with meats, smothered in melted cheese, and topped with a rich beer-based sauce.
It’s indulgent, heavy, and best paired with a cold Portuguese beer like Super Bock.
If seafood is more your style, order grilled sardines or bacalhau à brás (shredded cod with eggs and potatoes). Many restaurants also serve petiscos—the Portuguese version of tapas—perfect for sampling a little bit of everything. And, of course, don’t forget a glass of vinho verde, a crisp young wine that pairs beautifully with the riverside atmosphere.
As you eat, take time to soak up the view. Across the river, you’ll see the hills of Vila Nova de Gaia, where the world-famous port wine lodges sit waiting.
Traditional rabelo boats—once used to transport barrels of port—still float here, their sails painted with the names of historic wineries. The Ribeira has a touristy edge, but the atmosphere is unbeatable.
Cross to Vila Nova de Gaia
After lunch, cross the Dom Luís I Bridge, Porto’s iconic double-decker iron bridge designed by a student of Gustave Eiffel.
The lower level is best for a leisurely walk across—you’ll be close to the water, with views of the Ribeira behind you and Gaia ahead. But you can ALSO walk across the top of the bridge.
Vila Nova de Gaia (often just called Gaia) is technically a separate city, but it feels like an extension of Porto. This is where the famous port wine industry has thrived for centuries. Dozens of lodges line the riverbank, their cellars filled with oak barrels aging the sweet, fortified wine that has become Portugal’s signature.
Visit the Port Wineries
No trip to Porto is complete without tasting port in the place where it was born. In Gaia, you’ll find legendary names like Taylor’s, Sandeman, and Graham’s, as well as smaller family-owned lodges that offer intimate tours.
Most visits include a guided walk through the cool, dimly lit cellars where port ages, followed by a tasting. You’ll learn the difference between ruby, tawny, and vintage ports, and gain an appreciation for the craftsmanship behind this centuries-old tradition.
If you’re not a fan of sweet wine, don’t worry—many lodges now offer dry wines from the Douro Valley as well. And even if you only sip lightly, the experience of standing in a historic cellar, surrounded by barrels larger than yourself, is unforgettable.
Ride the Gaia Cable Car to Jardim do Morro
After your tasting, make your way to the Gaia cable car (Teleférico de Gaia). This short but scenic ride takes you from the riverbank up to the Jardim do Morro, a garden that sits at the top of the hill right beside the upper deck of the Dom Luís I Bridge.
The ride itself offers fantastic views of the Douro River, the colorful Ribeira, and the sea of terracotta rooftops stretching across the hills. Once you reach the top, you’ll step out into a leafy park that has become one of the city’s favorite sunset spots.
Watch the Sunset at Jardim do Morro
There’s no better way to end your Porto adventure than watching the sunset from Jardim do Morro. As the sun dips lower, the city glows golden, and the river reflects shades of pink and orange. Street musicians often play here, creating a festive yet relaxed atmosphere.
Grab a pastel de nata from a nearby café, find a spot on the grass, and settle in. As the lights of Porto begin to twinkle, you’ll understand why so many travelers fall head over heels for this city. It’s the perfect closing chapter to a day of discovery.
From here, you have two options: linger into the night, enjoying Gaia’s wine bars and rooftop lounges, or cross back into Porto for dinner before heading home. Either way, you’ll leave with memories of a day that captures the essence of Portugal’s northern gem.
Festivals in Porto: When to Visit
Porto isn’t just about stunning views and historic cellars—it’s also a city that knows how to celebrate. If you plan your trip around one of its festivals, you’ll get an even deeper glimpse into its vibrant culture.
São João Festival (June 23–24): Porto’s biggest celebration. The city erupts with music, dancing, and fireworks. Locals hit each other on the head with plastic hammers, release glowing lanterns into the night sky, and party until dawn. It’s chaotic, joyful, and unforgettable.
Porto Wine Fest (July): A celebration of the Douro Valley’s wines. You’ll find tastings, food pairings, and events along the riverbank. Perfect for wine lovers.
During festival times, expect crowded streets, higher accommodation prices, and an extra layer of energy that makes Porto even more exciting.
Final Thoughts: Porto, A City That Stays With You
Porto may not be Portugal’s largest city, but it offers some of the country’s biggest experiences.
Discover why a Day Trip to Porto can't be left out. From the tile-covered halls of São Bento Station to the golden sunsets at Jardim do Morro, every corner reveals something unique.
It’s a city where tradition and modern creativity sit side by side—where you can admire centuries-old churches one moment and contemporary street art the next.
Whether you’re sipping port in a cool cellar, wandering through hilly alleys, or joining locals in a lively festival, Porto is a place that invites you to slow down and savor. One day is enough to get a taste, but it’s also the kind of city that rewards a longer stay.
So the next time you’re planning a trip to Portugal, make sure Porto is at the top of your list. Because here, the best memories aren’t just made—they’re poured, shared, and lived along the banks of the Douro.
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