3 Days In Porto: Guide Not To Miss Anything
Porto is one of those cities that a priori can give the impression of not having too much. However, this perception changes completely when you visit. There are dozens of things to do and there is something for everyone. We suggest you spend 3 days in Porto, more than enough time to fall in love with this beautiful Portuguese city.
3 days in Porto: first day
On this first day we suggest you visit the city center. A starting point can be the cathedral, the Sé. It is a beautiful temple that dates back to the 12th century. And from the terrace where it is located you can enjoy beautiful views of the city and the Douro River.
Then we suggest you go to the San Bento station. If there is something typical in Portugal, it is tiles. Well, this beautiful station is decorated with more than 20,000 tiles that give form to spectacular murals that narrate historical episodes of the country.
After passing and making a short stop in the Plaza de la Libertad, the next visit is the church of the Clérigos. There is no better viewpoint in the city than its tower, although you have to climb 240 steps. Of course, you must visit the interior of the church, a jewel of the Baroque.
And the last of the visits of the first of the 3 days in Porto is undoubtedly the most famous place in the city. Lello Bookstore has become famous thanks to Harry Pottter. Its creator, JK Rowling, is said to have been inspired by this place, but nothing has been confirmed.
If you are a fan of the young magician, you should visit it because it will make you dream. Of course, be prepared to wait in a long line and to pay to enter (but they will deduct it from the purchase, if you decide to take a book).
Second day in Porto
This day can begin at the imposing Palacio de la Bolsa. It is a neclassic building that hides rooms of enormous beauty, such as the Arab Room, inspired by the Alhambra in Granada.
From there it only takes a few minutes to reach the wonderful Ribeira neighborhood. It is one of the most interesting and lively areas of Porto, perfect for walking and resting. It is none other than the area that is located next to the Duero River.
Its colored houses form the most typical postcard of Porto, both during the day and at night. Here you will find dozens of terraces where you can have a drink. And you will also enjoy great views of the Douro River and the Dom Luis Bridge.
After recovering your strength, we recommend you, precisely, to cross the bridge. An infrastructure designed by a disciple of Gustav Eiffel. On the other side is Vila Nova de Gaia. From it you will have beautiful views of the Ribeira.
The last of the 3 days in Porto
Once the main attractions of the city have been known, this last day can be used in many ways. For example, you can get on the old Porto tram. Here they have wanted to keep the magic of their old tram. There are many modern lines, but there are four left that you can travel on as in the past.
Another option is to take a walk along Rúa Santa Catarina, one of the busiest streets in the city, both by the inhabitants of Porto and by tourists. In it you will find dozens of different shops and also the famous Bolhao market.
And, if you want to enjoy a special place, enter the famous Café Majestic. It opened its doors in the 1920s and since then it has hosted some of the most important personalities in the city. Currently it is a bohemian and tourist place in equal parts.
Finally, you have the possibility of taking a small cruise on the Douro. There are quite a few companies that offer it, but the route is quite similar. During the hour that the trip lasts, you will pass under the six bridges of the city, something highly recommended.
