Porto in One Day: Complete Itinerary and What to See

Want to discover Porto in a single day? During our campervan trip through Portugal we decided to also visit this city overlooking the Douro, famous for its azulejos, Port wine and the melancholy of fado. Despite the rain, we strolled through the historic alleys and discovered the main attractions. Here’s the walking itinerary to visit Porto in a day, with practical tips on where to park the campervan and what not to miss.

Where to park the campervan or car in Porto

For free overnight parking we used this car park  , about a 40-minute walk from the centre. Alternatively, you can stay at a nearby campsite and reach the city by public transport.

Itinerary to visit Porto in 1 day

1. The Ribeira district and Dom Luís I Bridge

From the car park we crossed the Dom Luís I Bridge, the city’s symbol, reaching Ribeira, Porto’s historic heart and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Among colourful façades, shops and small squares, you can also board the barcos rabelos, the historic boats once used to transport Port wine.

2. Church of St Francis

Simple on the outside, but with an interior covered in over 100 kg of gold: quite a contrast with the message of poverty of the saint it’s dedicated to. We chose not to go in.

3. Palácio da Bolsa

Overlooking the square of the Church of St Francis, this was once the centre of international trade. Worth a visit for its elegant interiors.

4. Rua dos Mercadores, Rua das Flores and Torre dos Clérigos

Stroll along these two historic streets up to the Torre dos Clérigos, from which, if you climb it, you can admire Porto from above.

Food break: what to eat in Porto

Typical cuisine includes tripe, salt cod in every variation, and the famous francesinha. We went for street food: pastéis de bacalhau, salt cod, potato and cheese croquettes. For Port wine, cross the bridge and head to Vila Nova de Gaia, home to the historic wine cellars.

Continuing the Porto in one day itinerary

5. Livraria Lello e Irmão

One of the most beautiful bookshops in the world, also made famous by Harry Potter. Admission: €5, refundable with the purchase of a book (booking online here  ).

6. Mercado do Bolhão

A covered market where you can discover local products and take a break sheltered from the rain.

7. Capela das Almas

A small church covered in blue-and-white azulejos depicting religious scenes.

8. São Bento Station

Home to over 20,000 azulejos telling the history of transport up to the arrival of the train. An unmissable stop.

9. Porto Cathedral (Sé)

From here you can admire a splendid view over the Douro river and the city’s rooftops. In the middle of the square stands an old pillory, once used for public punishment.

Wrapping up our Porto itinerary

Our tour of Porto in one day ended at the Cathedral, from where we walked back down to Ribeira to return to the campervan. Despite the bad weather, Porto won us over with its melancholic charm and picturesque views.

We’ll be waiting for you in the comments: tell us if you’ve visited Porto too, and which places struck you the most.