Known for its elaborate tiled architecture, incredible seafood and outstanding wine, Porto is quickly becoming one of the most popular destinations for a girls’ trip. As it’s largely cheaper than other major European cities like Lisbon, Paris, London and Barcelona, it’s also a budget-friendly spot, giving you more disposable money to spend on experiences and, of course, wine.
I recently visited Porto for four days with some of my oldest friends, so here’s the ultimate Porto girls’ trip itinerary to see all the best sights and check out the best wine bars.
Are you ready to explore off the beaten path? Let us inspire you!
Day One
The first day is about getting your bearings and seeing the historic side of Porto. We start on the Porto side of the river, and meander across to Vila Nova de Gaia later in the day. Experience incredible food and drink today to set you up right for the rest of the trip.
Morning
Start your morning off right with a trip to the Mercado do Bolhão. This historic food market is one of the best places in the city to try traditional Portuguese food and drink. Grab yourself a pasteis de nata and an espresso while you wander around the various stalls.
This is half a tourist attraction and half a locals market. You’ll see locals buying their fresh produce alongside organized street food tours, sampling meats and cheese with a generous glass of wine.
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Afternoon
Our afternoon takes us across the river to Vila Nova de Gaia. You can either walk across the Ponte Luis I Bridge or you can hop on the metro, which is super cheap and easy to navigate with ticket machines in English at every station.
Technically, Vila Nova de Gaia is not in Porto; however, it’s one of the main reasons people head to Porto. That’s because this historic neighborhood is home to the port cellars. Grab lunch at DeCastro Gaia, the restaurant for the Porto Cruz port house. They have a gorgeous restaurant, but head up to the roof terrace for incredible views.
After lunch, wander the cobblestone streets to a port tasting or two. We opted for the Fonseca cellars. This was a reasonably priced tasting, and you could customize it based on your preferences. The staff are super knowledgeable, and the old-world vibe of the tasting room is magnificent.
SheBuysTravel Tip: Remember to book popular port house tours, like Graham’s or Sandeman’s, in advance.
Evening
Nightlife in Porto is great and mostly revolves around incredible wine bars. Bonita Wine Bar is a great spot with a very eccentric owner who spends a lot of time dancing and pouring liberally. They specialize in local producers and smaller vineyards, so you get something pretty unique.
Down the road from here, you can find a huge range of restaurants. Two of our favorites were Rua Tapas and Music Bar, with incredible live guitarists, and Callejero, a vibrant taco spot with amazing cocktails.
Day Two
The second day of our Porto girls’ trip itinerary takes us out of the city to the incredible wine regions of the Douro and Vinho Verde areas. There are plenty of great tours available on sites like GetYourGuide. The trip we chose was a full-day tour with A Day In Douro.
Daytime
Your second day in Porto means getting up relatively early, grabbing a coffee on the move and meeting up with your tour guide for a day of wine and vineyards. The Douro Valley is the largest wine region in Portugal, and the Vinho Verde region is fast becoming popular as well.
On the tour we went on, we visited both wine regions in one day, had a three-course lunch and enjoyed a boat tour down the Douro River, complete with return bus transfers to Porto. This was a no-brainer, and we ended up with at least 11 tastings of different wines and ports along the way.
Make sure to wear comfortable shoes for exploring the wineries and bring a water bottle to refill at the different stops. A highlight was definitely getting the opportunity to stomp some of the red wine grapes for the upcoming harvest, even if my legs did get slightly stained for the rest of the day!
SheBuysTravel Tip: Bring some snacks with you for the bus ride, it’s over an hour from Porto to the wine regions, and it’s a lot of wine for one day!
Evening
Once you arrive back in Porto, you’re likely going to be tired and more than slightly buzzed. We opted for a relaxed, quick local meal near our accommodation and rolled into bed. However, if you have more energy than us, head to the wine bars and indulge a little bit more!
Day Three
For your final full day in Porto, it’s time to tick off some of the more iconic city sights. This involves a lot of walking and some sizable hills, so make sure to wear comfortable shoes and bring a water bottle.
Morning
The morning is for visiting the iconic Livraria Lello. This stunning bookshop is a tourist favorite, and you absolutely need to book a slot in advance. Tickets cost 10 euros, but that’s refundable against the price of certain books in the store.
It’s super hectic in the bookshop, so I’d recommend going early to avoid the peak crowds. You’ll notice it’ll start to quiet down towards the end of your slot once everyone’s gotten their photos, so wait it out!
From here, wander around the historic center of Porto, checking out the Fonte dos Leões and the beautifully tiled Igreja do Carmo church.
SheBuysTravel Tip: Be methodical in Livraria Lello. Start up top with your photos and exploration, then start scanning the shelves. By that point, the people who are only there for photos will have left, leaving more room to browse.
Afternoon
Your walking tour of Porto continues into the afternoon, heading down the winding Old Town streets to the riverfront. Along the way, check out the incredible viewpoints, such as the Miradouro da Rua das Aldas near Porto Cathedral.
Enjoy lunch on the riverfront, soaking up the hectic market vibes and the beautiful views across the Vila Nova de Gaia. There’s plenty of music around here, which adds to the laid-back but historic vibe.
Evening
On your way back up the hill to your accommodation, stop off at the incredible Arco Das Verdades. In a city full of exquisite wine bars, this tiny spot built into the arches and back alleys of Porto was one I’d return to in an instant. It’s known for having one of the best views in the city, but you have to be quick to bag a table.
Even if the tables are full, there are a couple of steps outside and bean bags to recline on. It’s ideal for people watching, and the wine list is second to none. The tasting notes are some of the best I’ve seen. It’s not the cheapest wine bar in the city, but it’s 100% worth it.
FAQs About Visiting Porto
To finish off this ultimate Porto girls’ trip itinerary, here are a few answers to your frequently asked questions. Let’s dive in.
How Can You Get Around Porto?
If you don’t mind cobblestones and hills, you can walk around a lot of Porto. However, the metro system and trams are a great way to get around Porto. You can buy multi-journey or single-use tickets from the ticket machines in each station, and you can get a metro directly from the airport.
When’s The Best Time To Visit Porto?
The best time to visit Porto is in the spring or in the fall. This is when the city is slightly quieter, so it’s easier to get into the restaurants, wine bars and tourist hotspots. It’s a temperate city, so the cooler climes of the shoulder seasons make it more comfortable to wander and explore.
How Many Days For A Porto Girls’ Trip?
Carve out three or four days for a Porto girls’ trip. If you’re doing day trips to wine regions or neighboring cities, you might need more.
What Are The Best Day Trips From Porto?
The best day trips from Porto include tours to the Douro Valley or the short train journey to Aveiro, known as the Venice of Portugal for its canals and brightly colored boats.
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