A Day Trip to Porto From Lisbon | Detailed Itinerary

Considering a day trip to Porto from Lisbon? This guide covers everything you need to know for a successful visit, including how to get from Lisbon to Porto, what to do once you arrive, and the best order to see it all!

On my first trip to Portugal, I chose to spend four nights in Lisbon and save Porto for a return visit. Long story short, after three days in Lisbon, Jake and I had our fill of the city and decided at the last minute to take a day trip to Porto.

We hadn't originally planned on doing this. It's a three-hour train or bus ride each way, which seemed like a long time to spend traveling just to get a sneak peek of another city.

I'll admit, I was nervous we'd spend hours in transit only to have a so-so experience.

Well, both Jake and I ended up agreeing that our day trip to Porto was more than worth it—and it actually convinced us to return to Porto on a later trip.

Porto feels very different from Lisbon. It's smaller, 100% walkable, filled with gorgeous views, and has a fantastic restaurant and coffee shop scene. It's also home to the famous Livraria Lello bookstore, and, of course, the Port tasting rooms.

Since we'd already spent three days exploring Lisbon, we were ready for a change of scenery—and Porto delivered.

If you're in Lisbon and ready for something different, or you know from the start that you want to see Porto but aren't able to spend the night, this Porto itinerary is for you.

I'll walk you through everything you need to know for a successful day trip to Porto from Lisbon, including how to get there, what to see and do, and the best order to do it all in.

This map shows everything listed in my Porto day trip guide. Click the icon in the top-left corner to view a list of each pinned location. Select the top-right button to enlarge the map (it will automatically save it to YOUR Google Maps). To access this map once saved, open Google Maps (on your phone/computer/tablet), tap the "You" icon at the bottom, scroll to the bottom, and select "Maps". Your newly saved map should be listed at the top.

• Blue - bus and train stations
• Red - things to do in Porto
• Purple - restaurants and Port lodges

How to get to Porto from Lisbon

You have two good options for getting from Lisbon to Porto: train or bus. Both take roughly three hours, and the bus and train stations in Porto are right next to each other. For most travelers, I'd lean toward the train, especially if you're staying in central Lisbon and can depart from Lisbon Santa Apolónia.

The fastest trains will get you to Porto in about 2 hours and 50 minutes. Train tickets are typically around $20 to $30 each way, while you can often find bus tickets for around $5 each way if you book in advance.

The two main train stations in Lisbon are Lisbon Santa Apolónia and Lisbon Oriente. If you're staying in central Lisbon, Santa Apolónia will likely be the most convenient as it's a 20-30 minute Uber to Lisbon Oriente. Trains arrive at Campanhã Station in Porto, which is about a 10-15 minute Uber ride from the historic city center.

For buses, you'll typically see departures from Lisbon Oriente or Sete Rios, depending on the operator and schedule. In Porto, most intercity buses now arrive at TIC (Terminal Intermodal de Campanhã), which is right next to the train station.

Compare the train and bus prices and schedules before booking, but don't overlook the location of the departure station. If you're staying in central Lisbon, the train may be the easiest option.

Our Day Trip to Porto via Bus

Jake and I opted to take the bus because it was considerably cheaper and the schedule worked well for us. We took the earliest bus at 6:30 a.m. and arrived in Porto at 9:45 a.m. For our return trip, we took one of the latest buses at 7:50 p.m. and arrived back in Lisbon at 11:05 p.m.

That gave us 9.5 hours to explore Porto, including the time it took to get to and from the bus station. This was plenty of time for a day trip without feeling rushed.

Several bus companies operate this route, including FlixBus and Rede Expressos. I've used both companies and found them to be comfortable, reliable, and affordable. The journey takes about three hours.

I typically use Busbud to compare bus schedules and prices. It makes it easy to see your options and find the best departure times for your day trip.

SEE ALSO:

BEST COFFEE SHOPS & CAFES IN PORTO | TOP 5

PORTO VS LISBON – WHICH CITY SHOULD YOU VISIT?

10 BEST THINGS TO DO IN LISBON PORTUGAL

TOP 5 LISBON CAFES AND COFFEE SHOPS

A Day in Porto – Itinerary for What to Do Once You Arrive

Livraria Lello

Livraria Lello is consistently ranked as one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world. You'll find it featured in publications like Lonely Planet and Time Out. It's known for its dramatic staircase and ornate interior.

Even though it's now packed with tourists, I still think it's worth visiting. 

You must book your €10 ticket in advance, and I'd suggest choosing a time shortly after your scheduled arrival in Porto. This gives you some wiggle room in case your bus or train is delayed.

The €10 ticket can also be applied toward the purchase of a book.

Tour: walking, e-Bike, food

When you're short on time, a tour is a great way to see the highlights without wasting time getting lost or figuring out where to go next.

A private tour is my preference. You won't have to wait around for a group to check in, and you'll have much more flexibility with your start time. Group tours typically only offer two or three departure times.

Highlights & Hidden Gems of Porto: Private City Tour is three hours and led by a local guide. It's also not a bad price for a private tour, especially if you're traveling with a small group.

If you're comfortable on a bike and want to cover more ground, consider an E-bike tour. Porto is very hilly, so an E-bike is definitely the way to go. 3-Hour Porto Highlights on an Electric Bike - Guided Tour is a good option.

And if food is your priority, a food and wine tour is another great way to spend your time. 3-Hour Food and Wine Tasting Tour offers both group and private options and is led by a local guide.

If you prefer to do your own thing, I recommend buying Rick Steves' Portugal guide and following his Porto walking route. This is an easy way to make sure you hit the major sights without wasting time figuring out where to go next.

The Must-See Sights in Porto

Whether you're exploring on your own or with a guide, these are the sights I'd prioritize during your day in Porto. Many are quick stops, so you can see quite a bit of the city without spending hours at each attraction.

• Igreja do Carmo – Beautiful Baroque church famous for its blue-and-white tilework
• Livraria Lello – Porto's famous bookstore
• Clérigos Tower – Climb the tower for some of the best views of the city
• São Bento Station – Stop inside to see the gorgeous blue-and-white tilework
• Rua das Flores – One of Porto's most popular pedestrian streets
• Avenida dos Aliados – Grand avenue in the heart of downtown Porto
• Bolsa Palace – Historic palace with an impressive interior
• Church of São Francisco – One of Porto's most ornate churches
• Cais da Ribeira – Walk along Porto's lively riverside promenade
• Luís I Bridge – Cross the upper level for incredible views over the Douro River
• Praça de Lisboa – Small elevated park near Livraria Lello and Clérigos Tower

Coffee Break at Majestic Café

Ranked as one of the ten most beautiful cafés in the world, a coffee break at Majestic Café is a must—even if it is crowded and overpriced.

Expect to pay around €7 to €10 for a coffee, tea, or cappuccino. But hey, it's not every day you get to sit in one of the world's most beautiful cafés.

Quick Walk Along Rua de Santa Catarina

Majestic Café is ideally located at the start of Porto's most popular shopping street. It's usually packed in the late afternoon and early evening with both locals and tourists.

Since you only have one day in Porto, you won't have much time for shopping, but you can take a quick walk along the street to enjoy the vibe.

Stop at Fábrica da Nata to try the bite-sized custard pastry Portugal is famous for: Pastéis de Nata. They're addictive, and one is never enough.

Port Lodges and Cais de Gaia

Cross the river into Vila Nova de Gaia, where you'll find many of Porto's famous Port lodges. I love this area for the lively riverfront, sunny terraces, tasting rooms, and, of course, the incredible views looking back toward Porto.

A day trip to Porto isn't complete without visiting a Port lodge. This is the birthplace of Port, after all! Even if you're not a big Port fan, I'd still recommend doing at least one tasting.

A few of my favorites:

• Taylor's Port – My favorite Port tasting, with a charming courtyard.
• Graham's Port Lodge – Beautiful terrace with views of Porto.
• Angel's Share at WOW Porto – A great option if you're traveling with people who aren't all interested in Port. You'll find cocktails, wine, and Port, along with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Porto.
• Enoteca 17•56 – Technically a restaurant, but a great option for a cocktail, wine, Port, or snack on the terrace. It has a more polished, posh feel and beautiful views.

Early Dinner in Porto

Since you're visiting Porto as a day trip, chances are you'll be catching a 6:00, 7:00, or 8:00 p.m. train or bus back to Lisbon. The problem? Many restaurants in Porto don't open for dinner until 7:00 or 8:00 p.m.

That means you'll want to plan for an earlier, more casual dinner.

One option is to try a Francesinha, Porto's famous sandwich. It's definitely a meal! The sandwich is piled high with ham and sausage, covered in melted cheese, and swimming in a spicy tomato-and-beer sauce. It sounds strange, but it's actually really good—although extremely heavy.

Casa Guedes is a popular casual spot where you'll find Francesinhas along with other Porto specialties, including codfish croquettes (Pastéis de Bacalhau) and little pork sandwiches with melted cheese.

Café Santiago is another casual option known for its Francesinha.

If you happen to find a later train or bus and can make a 7:00 p.m. dinner work, check out Brasão Aliados or Brasão Coliseu for traditional Portuguese food. Both have a lively, homey atmosphere and reasonable prices. They can get busy, so I'd arrive early.

Another option? Don't leave Gaia hungry. Many of the Port tasting rooms, including Graham's and Taylor's, have small food menus and stay open until 6:00 or 7:00 p.m. You can linger over your tasting and grab a few snacks before heading back to Lisbon.

In Summary

A day trip to Porto from Lisbon is absolutely doable—and worth your time. It provides a nice change of scenery from Lisbon. Porto is smaller, 100% walkable, and has a completely different feel from the capital.

Unlike Lisbon, Porto was not destroyed by the 1755 earthquake, so much of the city's historic architecture and original layout remain intact. It's one of the things I love most about Porto.

Livraria Lello is worth a stop, even though it has become extremely touristy. The beautiful, ornate interior makes it one of the most memorable bookstores I've visited.

And, of course, you can't visit Porto without experiencing the Port lodges. The tastings are fun, and the views looking back toward Porto from Gaia are fantastic.

All in all, if you're basing yourself in Lisbon and find yourself with an extra day, I would absolutely recommend making the trip to Porto.

Yes, the three-hour journey each way may sound like a long time, but you can sleep, read, or work on the way. And with early morning and late evening departures, you can still have more than 9 hours in Porto, which is plenty of time to get a great taste of the city.

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A Day Trip to Porto | Itinerary and Guide

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Come back after your trip and share your tips for a successful day trip to Porto from Lisbon in the comments below!