Between its narrow streets with colorful buildings, the magnificent city of Porto is hiding bursts of flavor, delicious wines, and a hospitality that will linger long in the memory. The charming, decadent atmosphere seduces all visitors to the capital of northern Portugal, while fresh fish and the sweet potency of port wine delight their palates. With the help of The MICHELIN Guide, discover what to see and where to eat, drink, and relax in 48 hours in this famous coastal city.
Day 1: Ribeira to Bolhão
Morning
One of the best ways to start the morning in Porto is with a coffee (a cimbalino, as they usually call it here) accompanied by the incredible pistachio and cocoa cake served at My Ribeira Café. This establishment is hidden among the picturesque streets of Ribeira, a neighborhood on the banks of the Douro river that is the best place to discover traditional Portuguese architecture, colorful tiles, and narrow alleys.
A few minutes' walk away (albeit uphill), Bolhão Market awaits you, where the heart of the most authentic Porto beats. The market was reopened in September 2022 after a complete renovation, and it contains both stalls selling traditional fresh produce (fruits, vegetables, fish, or flowers) and upper-floor restaurants. It's an ideal place for soaking up the local culture and buying a souvenir or two.
Lunch
After a morning dedicated to sightseeing, it's time to regain strength at the cozy Gruta restaurant, located on the famous Santa Catarina street, very close to Bolhão Market. Gruta's dishes are prepared with fresh and top quality ingredients, mostly seafood from the Portuguese coast. Portuguese tradition is harmoniously combined with Brazilian notes thanks to the good work of Chef Rafaela Louzada, a Brazilian of Portuguese descent. The wine list helps to complete the experience by offering some of Portugal's best producers. The whites, easier to combine with the cooking and therefore more numerous, share the limelight with reds, rosés, and sparkling wines. In an elegant yet informal setting, Gruta offers variety, flavor, and quality.
Afternoon
After lunch, and on the way to the next gastronomic destination, you can admire Serralves Park, its vegetation, and its sculptures. The site houses two buildings designed by the architect Álvaro Siza: the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Casa do Cinema Manoel de Oliveira, which is home to a remarkable calendar of events and activities. The Casa Serralves, an unsurpassed exponent of art deco style, is also a must-see.Dinner and Hotel
To crown your first day in Porto, we propose two unforgettable experiences: a refined dinner and a peaceful night's rest at the ocean-side Vila Foz Hotel & SPA. Foz, a historic district with a lot of charm, is just a few minutes from downtown Porto, where the river meets the sea. After setting down your bags, all you have to do is settle in comfortably and enjoy a memorable gastronomic experience. The freshness of the Portuguese fish and shellfish is the driving force behind the MICHELIN-Starred cooking of Chef Arnaldo Azevedo at the Vila Foz restaurant. The talented chef prepares dishes that surprise with their textures and flavors, and that pair seamlessly with the wines offered by the sommelier.After dinner, a night of rest and wellbeing awaits you in a spacious, elegant room with the murmur of the sea in the background.
Day 2: Culture and Wineries
Morning
After a good night's sleep and knowing that Porto's pastry shops are some of the best there is, what better way to start your day than by having breakfast at Confeitaria Aliança, on Cedofeita Street, a stone's throw from downtown Porto? After taking in the beauty of its display cabinet, overflowing with various delicacies, it's time to get straight to the point: a good grilled mixed croissant with Douro orange juice, followed by a cimbalino and a 'pastel de arroz'. About the size we will only say that it is... generous! And so, with your batteries charged for the rest of the morning, the nearby Miguel Bombarda street will help you discover the most artistic and avant-garde side of Porto. Continuing our morning dedicated to culture, a few hundred meters away awaits the iconic Livraria Lello, considered by some to be the most beautiful bookstore in the world.
Lunch
Just a few minutes down the street, you'll arrive at Cantinho do Avillez, renowned chef José Avillez's first restaurant outside the Lisbon region. It's a colorful, cozy, and casual place where tradition blends with modernity. Every day, the menu is filled with dishes inspired by contemporary Portuguese cuisine and the chef's travels. Imagine combining in a dish everything you already know with sensations you've never experienced before. That's Cantinho do Avillez.Afternoon
A perhaps not very original option, but irresistible on a Sunday afternoon, is to pay a visit to the wine cellars in the Gaia area. Crossing the Don Luis I bridge you will have the opportunity to admire the Ribeira district and the river from a new perspective. A visit to the Cálem cellars (with port tasting included) will allow you to learn more about the history of one of Portugal's most famous products; discover the different types of port and learn the best way to store, serve, and pair them. Its museum also offers an interactive experience that will teach you about four generations of the Cálem family. The final tasting will help you to understand why this wine is perhaps the greatest symbol of Portugal in the world.
The end may be in sight, but there's still time to climb the jagged hill of Serra do Pilar. The construction of its viewpoint, a former monastery declared a World Heritage Site, began in 1538 and was not completed until 130 years later. After the damage suffered during the Civil War of 1832-1834, it was restored in 1925. From the terrace of this unique building, you can see the riverside promenades of Porto and Gaia, the historic center, the cathedral, the Don Luis I bridge, the Fontaínhas area, and the San Juan bridge. Enjoy the view!
Dinner and Hotel
To end your trip, we suggest a dinner in Gaia, more precisely at The Yeatman restaurant, which holds Two MICHELIN Stars. It is located in The Yeatman Hotel, a luxurious wine hotel with spectacular views of Porto thanks to its hillside location. In the kitchen, Chef Ricardo Costa demonstrates his impeccable mastery when it comes to combining wine and gastronomy. The setting is perfect, the produce ultra-fresh, the cuisine creative, and tradition both respected and enhanced. Here, Portuguese cuisine (with a special focus on Aveiro, the chef's hometown) merges with the delicacy of premium produce to give life to an unforgettable tasting menu.
If you plan to stay one more night, you could do a lot worse than a room at this hotel. In each one, the decoration, inspired by the fascinating world of wine, will allow you to continue savoring the essence of this region. All rooms have balconies, most with views of the city.
Porto is a destination that exudes charm and history, and we hope this itinerary helps you to explore the best that its streets have to offer. Enjoy every moment and let yourself fall in love with the beauty, culture, gastronomy, and wines of this incomparable city.
Hero Image: A view of Porto (© GettyImages)
