6 Days in Porto: My Honest Food, Wine and Culture Guide for First-Time Visitors
At the end of May 2026, my mum and I spent 6 days in Porto, and honestly, we could not have picked a better time to visit. The weather was sunny and warm without being exhausting, which made wandering around the city much more enjoyable. It was our first time in Porto, and while I had researched plenty before going, there was one thing nobody seemed to mention: the hills.
We felt those hills every single day.
Still, Porto quickly became one of those cities that makes you slow down, sit on a terrace for an extra drink, and somehow convince yourself that another plate of seafood is always a good idea.
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First Impressions: Porto Is Beautiful, But Bring Comfortable Shoes
One of the biggest surprises for me was how hilly Porto is. Google Maps doesn’t really prepare you for it. Distances often look short, but the steep streets can make a 15-minute walk feel much longer.
We stayed at the lovely Artcore Hotel Porto, which was about a 30-minute walk from most places we visited in the city centre. That actually worked well for us because it gave us time to digest after dinner and enjoy the city at a slower pace.
If walking isn’t your thing, budget for a few Uber rides. They are affordable and can save your legs after a long day exploring.
Start With a Walking Tour
One thing I almost always do when visiting a new city is book a walking tour with a local guide.
For Porto, this turned out to be one of the best decisions of the trip.
Our guide was not only knowledgeable but also passionate about the city’s history. Within two hours, we had a much better understanding of Porto’s neighbourhoods, landmarks, and practical shortcuts.
We finished near the famous Dom Luís I Bridge, where I learned something I had always misunderstood. The bridge was not designed by Eiffel himself, although one of his associates was involved in bridge projects in the region.
What I love about these tours is that they help you understand a city before exploring it on your own. We also received useful local tips, including free museum access opportunities that I would never have discovered myself.
Our Stay at Artcore Hotel Porto
I honestly cannot remember the last time I felt so welcomed at a hotel.
From the moment we checked in, the service at Artcore Hotel Porto was exceptional. The staff seemed genuinely interested in making sure guests enjoyed their stay.
Our room was surprisingly spacious; the art-inspired design gave the hotel character, and the minibar was replenished daily with water, soft drinks and beer. An important note: the minibar was free.
Breakfast was one of my favourite parts of each morning. Rather than a buffet, everything was made to order, and you could order multiple dishes if you wanted. Breakfast was served from 7am until 11am, which worked perfectly with our relaxed holiday schedule.
The hotel also offered a pool and sauna, although we never managed to use them because we preferred spending our time exploring the city.
We also arranged airport transfers through the hotel. It cost more than public transport, but after a busy few months at work, the convenience was worth every euro.
Our first dinner in Porto was actually at the hotel restaurant, where we had a delicious sea bass and the famous dry and salted cod after arriving later than planned.
Day 2: Markets, Local Food and Porto’s Atmosphere
After our walking tour, we spent the afternoon exploring the area around Mercado do Bolhão.
This quickly became one of my favourite places in Porto.
I visited multiple times during the trip because there was always something new to discover. One day we browsed artisan stalls and bought a beautiful cotton jacket and a linen blouse. On another visit, we focused entirely on food.
We tasted everything from oysters and octopus to cured ham, sea urchin and fresh passionfruit juice.
A surprisingly practical detail I appreciated: the market has plenty of clean public toilets. When you spend entire days walking around a city, those little details become important.
For dinner we visited Bolhão a Gosto, where we enjoyed traditional Portuguese dishes such as grilled sardines, a meat platter and finally came face to face with the famous Francesinha.
In the end, we were already too full to properly enjoy it, so they were kind enough to cancel this order and save us from a very heavy evening.
Nearby, we also discovered several second-hand shops, including Humana, which became a fun recurring stop throughout the week.
Day 3: A Full Day in the Douro Valley
I booked our Douro Valley excursion about a week before departure because I had heard tours can sell out.
It turned out to be one of the highlights of the entire trip.
Our day started at 7:15am with a small-group tour heading into the famous Douro Valley.
The organisation was excellent from start to finish.
We first stopped in Peso da Régua for coffee and a quick breakfast. Two espressos and a ham sandwich cost only around five euros, which felt surprisingly affordable considering the quality.
The boat cruise through the Douro River was refreshing and offered beautiful vineyard views that stretched across the hillsides.
We then visited Kopke, where we tasted tawny, white and ruby ports. I had somehow convinced myself that Kopke was South African, so discovering its Portuguese roots was a surprise.
Our second stop was a smaller cooperative vineyard near Santa Marta, where we enjoyed another tasting followed by lunch.
The fish and mashed potatoes were genuinely excellent. Even though the meal was prepared for large tour groups, it felt homemade and comforting.
After multiple wine tastings and generous refills during lunch, I was very grateful for the two-hour journey back to Porto. Most of the bus fell asleep.
Including me.
Dinner at Trama
That evening we had dinner at Trama.
I had originally hoped to book Pátio 44, but I left it too late.
Lesson learned: many of Porto’s popular restaurants fill up quickly, especially during weekends, and several close on Sundays and Mondays.
At Trama, the grilled octopus was outstanding. We also shared flatbread, labneh and chickpeas.
The dishes were slightly saltier than I usually prefer, but everything was beautifully prepared.
This was also where I tried orange wine for the first time. After spending the day learning about wine in the Douro Valley, curiosity got the better of me.
It’s definitely an acquired taste.
Day 4: A Michelin-Starred Memory
One of the most memorable evenings of the trip was dinner at IN Diferente.
Traffic around Porto becomes surprisingly busy during dinner hours, so we arrived slightly late despite taking an Uber.
Thankfully, our hotel manager kindly informed the restaurant.
The experience deserves its own Foodtober article later this year because there is far too much to say in a single Porto guide, and I’ll be sharing more about it there as well.
What made it special was sharing the experience with my mum. Travel memories often become more about the food itself and more about who you are sitting across the table from.
Day 5: Is Livraria Lello Worth Visiting?
This might be controversial.
Yes, I think Livraria Lello is worth seeing, but only if you plan carefully.
We booked the Livraria Lello Entry Ticket and Foundation Combo Ticket through GetYourGuide. What I had not fully realised when booking was that the Foundation is located separately, around 8 km outside Porto’s city centre, and transport is not included. We decided to visit only the bookstore, and several reviews suggest that other visitors made the same choice.
We booked an early time slot, arrived about fifteen minutes before our 10 am entry and went inside on schedule. The wait was not long at that time, but the queue was dramatically longer by midday, so I recommend choosing an early-morning slot.
The bookstore is busy and undeniably touristy, but the interior is beautiful. Another bonus is that the value of the ticket voucher can be used towards an eligible book purchase. I left with a collection of Portuguese short stories and a copy of The Little Prince.
A Beautiful Evening of Fado
One of my favourite cultural experiences in Porto was attending a Fado performance inside a historic monastery.
The evening began with a guided tour before moving into the chapel for the concert.
The acoustics were extraordinary.
The voice of the singer combined with the traditional Portuguese guitars created an atmosphere that felt intimate and emotional in a way that recordings simply cannot capture.
It reminded me why I always try to include live music experiences whenever I travel.
Dinner at The Door
After the concert, we walked next door to The Door.
The restaurant had been recommended online, and while it definitely attracts a younger crowd, we had a lovely evening.
The Black Angus carpaccio was excellent.
The kitchen accidentally forgot our steak order due to how busy the restaurant was, but the staff handled it so professionally that it actually improved our impression of the place.
They apologised, prepared the missing dish quickly, and surprised us with a complimentary sticky toffee pudding.
Sometimes it’s not the mistake that matters but how a restaurant responds.
Day 6: A Sunset Dinner to End the Trip
For our final full day, I intentionally planned very little.
We wandered through the city, enjoyed the sunshine, revisited Mercado do Bolhão and picked up a few souvenirs.
That evening we crossed the river for dinner at Ponte de Ferro Restaurant.
The views overlooking the Dom Luís I Bridge, the Douro River and the sunset were spectacular.
We paid an extra five euros for a window table per person, and I would absolutely do it again.
What surprised me most was the level of service. It felt comparable to restaurants charging significantly higher prices.
Booking through The Fork app also gave us a 30% discount on food, making it one of the best-value dinners of the trip.
This dinner will also be featured in Foodtober later this year, because it was one of those meals where the setting, the service and the food all came together perfectly.
What I Loved
- The relaxed pace of life.
- The friendly locals.
- Mercado do Bolhão and its incredible food stalls.
- The Douro Valley wine tour.
- Discovering Fado in such an intimate setting.
- Sunset views across the river.
- The genuinely warm hospitality at ARTcore Hotel Porto.
- How walkable the city feels despite the hills.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Porto is much hillier than many visitors expect.
- Reserve popular restaurants in advance.
- Book Livraria Lello early in the morning.
- Expect dinner to start later than in many other European cities.
- Uber is affordable and useful after long days walking.
- The Douro Valley deserves a full day.
- Comfortable shoes are essential.
Is It Worth It?
Absolutely.
Could you see Porto in two or three days? Yes.
Would I recommend staying longer if you enjoy food, wine and culture?
Also yes.
Six days allowed us to explore at a comfortable pace without feeling rushed.
I still left with a list of places I want to visit next time, including more vineyards, the coastline and several restaurants that I simply could not fit into this trip.
For food lovers, wine enthusiasts and travellers who enjoy discovering a city slowly, Porto is incredibly rewarding.
