World Traveler

3 Days in Porto, Portugal: My Itinerary, Must-Sees, and Honest Recaps

(Including a Wine Tour, Cable Car Ride, and a Fancy McDonald’s Cheeseburger)

I was in Porto, Portugal for work and extended my trip by three days to explore the city and surrounding areas. As someone who travels frequently (and gluten-free), I’ve gotten pretty good at maximizing short trips. Porto completely surprised me, in the best way. It’s colorful, walkable, and full of character. Here’s exactly how I spent my three days, from hidden gems to overhyped spots I wouldn’t bother with again.

Day 1: Wandering Porto & Finding My Bearings

Bag drop with Bounce at São Bento Station

Before exploring, I needed to ditch my luggage. I used Bounce — an app that lets you store your bags at nearby locations (hotels, shops, etc.) for a few euros. Just book a spot, scan your QR code on arrival, and you’re good to go. Major win for layovers or early arrivals.

Walking tour (aka: me, aimlessly wandering with purpose)

  • Porto Cathedral: Incredible views of the whole city. Tourist-heavy, but worth walking up for the views alone.
  • Urban Market (near São Bento): Handmade jewelry, ceramics, and locally made pieces. It felt more like an artist fair than a flea market.
  • Iglesia de San Antonio de los Congregados: Stunning blue-and-white tiled exterior—worth a walk-by.
  • Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Vitória (€7): Self-guided tour through an ornate chapel, clergy chambers, library, and rooftop views. Highly recommend if you’re into history or architecture.

Livraria Lello Bookstore — skip it.

Okay, here’s my hot take: total tourist trap. You have to buy a timed entry ticket just to get inside (€10, which goes toward a book… if you can find one worth buying). The selection? Meh. The space? Shoulder-to-shoulder packed. No Harry Potter books, despite the lore. Honestly not worth the wait or cost.

Lunch at Mille Pinsa Trattoria Romana

Gluten-free pizza dreams DO come true. 10/10. Authentic, flavorful, and walkable from the train station. Cash only, so be prepared.

Checked out Time Out Market Porto

I didn’t eat here but walked around to explore. Tons of options from global cuisines. Two floors of food, drinks, and desserts. Didn’t spot any gluten-free items right away, but I also wasn’t looking too hard.

Airbnb check-in + grocery run

I always like having my own breakfast setup, so I grabbed yogurt, fruit, and snacks for the next two days.

Dinner at Puro 4050

I sat outside and had ricotta risotto with Dialogo wine, sweet enough that I liked it, but not overly sweet. The experience was elevated by rotating street performers, including a guy playing the Game of Thrones theme on violin.

Sunset drinks at Bosco Porto

A hillside bar with sunset views, disco ball sparkle, and a laid-back DJ set. I had a passionfruit sangria (6/10 for me, but I tried it). A bit crowded, but the ambiance was worth it.

Day 2: Douro Valley Wine & Boat Tour

I spent the entire day on a Douro River Wine & Boat Tour, which included winery tastings, a river cruise, and lunch in wine country. I booked the experience through Viator (new to me but super user-friendly).

Want the full breakdown? Check out my separate blog post here!

After a full day of sipping and sightseeing, I had a DIY charcuterie dinner in my Airbnb while catching up on the British Grand Prix. Priorities.

Day 3: Markets, Cable Cars, & Gluten-Free Gold

Airbnb breakfast, then off to explore again

Walked across Ponte Luís I

Iconic bridge with incredible views of the Douro River. Great photo op spot.

Jardim do Morro

Grassy hillside garden full of locals sunbathing and relaxing. Very peaceful vibe.

Gaia Cable Car (€7 one way)

I took the cable car down to the Ribeira de Gaia. Bought the ticket on my phone. It was super easy and a great way to get scenic views over the city.

Explored the Gaia Riverside Markets

On the Gaia side of the river, the market was full of locally made products and less touristy finds. Once I crossed back to Porto, the markets turned into “I ❤️ Porto” t-shirt territory.

Lunch at Com Cuore (100% GF)

A fully gluten-free café with sweet and savory crepes. I had the Nutella + banana crepe and honestly would’ve gone back every day if I had found it sooner. Cash only, again.

Souvenir shopping + rest break

Did some last-minute browsing for keepsakes and packed up for my early flight.

Dinner at the famous McDonald’s Imperial

Yes, that McDonald’s. The one with chandeliers. They also offer gluten-free buns (!!) and I got a cheeseburger that actually was tasty. It was my first fast food in forever, and it hit the spot.

Final Thoughts

Three days in Porto was just enough. I didn’t feel rushed, but I also didn’t feel like I missed out. There are still more restaurants and wineries I’d love to try, but this felt like a perfect starter trip to the city.

Would I go back?

Sure, but there’s more to the world to see. But I’m proud of how much I got to see, taste, and experience. Porto is a gem especially if you’re someone who likes walking around colorful streets with a camera in one hand and a coffee in the other.

Have you been to Porto?

Drop your recs in the comments! I’d love to know what else to try next time.

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