Are you travelling solo to Porto? Then this guide is for you! Travelling alone has many benefits, and you can easily create a fun Porto itinerary just for you! Porto is a very safe city, and in two or three days, you get a great first impression of it. Let’s take a look at some highlights, group activities, and solo ideas for your city trip to Porto!
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Join a walking or cycling tour
You can join a walking or cycling tour to get a first impression of Porto. This way, you get to meet other travellers and also learn more about the Portuguese city and its history! There are many free walking tours available, and you can leave a tip afterwards or book one ahead of time.
Whether you go cycling or walking, most excursions take around 3 hours. You’ll visit the historic neighbourhood Ribeira and see the Douro River with its famous Luís I Bridge! Some other highlights along the way are the Porto Cathedral and Clérigos Church.
Visit the prettiest bookstore in the world!
Did you know one of the most beautiful bookstores is in Porto? Livraria Lello has a very long history and is nowadays one of the most visited sights in Porto. It’s important to book tickets ahead of time and come early in the morning if possible. You’ll get 30 minutes to enjoy the store, and your ticket includes a store credit!
The exterior is already stunning, but once inside, you’ll spot the famous red stairway. Ask someone else in line to take your picture before heading up! You’ll see amazing woodwork, and the glass ceiling is incredibly beautiful! Many people think there is a link with Harry Potter, too, but whether that is true remains to be seen.
Porto for food and drinks
You might already know that Porto is famous mainly for its Port wine. In Vila Nova de Gaia, on the other side of the Douro River, you can visit a port house and take a tour! You’ll learn about Port wines and get to taste them! There is even a whole museum dedicated to wine! Do you have time? Then a day excursion to the Douro Valley is highly recommended!
If you’re up for visiting a local market, Mercado do Bolhão is amazing! You confined all sorts of cheese, hams, jam, olive oils and salt. Fun to bring home, but also great to try! For lunch, Mercado Bom Sucesso is the place to be!
A visit to Portugal is only complete when eating a pastel de nata. But did you know you can also join a postal de nata baking experience? After the workshop, you will know all the ingredients so you can impress your loved ones back home.
Admire the viewpoints
After your first excursion, you’ll notice Porto is very hilly! But with these hills also come incredible viewpoints! The most famous one is, without a doubt, Jardim do Morro. It’s a small garden in Vila Nova de Gaia, and the sunset from this hill is incredible! People often play music, and the atmosphere is fantastic!
However, there are many more viewpoints to discover in Porto, such as Miradouro da Vitória. The Clérigos Tower, for example, is the highest point in town and with clear weather, you’ll be able to see the Atlantic Ocean! The view from the Luís I Bridge is also impressive, and during your time in Porto, you should cross the bridge at least once!
Enjoy a boat cruise
Seeing Porto from the river Douro is one of the best things to do alone (or not) in town. The famous river starts in Spain but ends in Porto in the Atlantic Ocean. In Porto, the six bridges are renowned, and most boat cruises will sail along each one! You’ll learn much more about the city’s history and the bridges!
Boats depart from both the Porto Ribeira docks and Vila Nova de Gaia. There is also an option to join a sailing cruise towards the Atlantic Ocean. The sunsets are incredible here, and although romantic, this is a great activity for Porto solo travellers!
After a boat trip, you’ll probably notice that Porto is not far from the sea! If the weather is good, you can even enjoy an afternoon at the beach. Head over to Foz do Douro, where you’ll discover the first beaches. Visit the Pérgola da Nevogilde for a photo stop or enjoy a swim at Praia dos Ingleses. Vila do Conde or Aveiro are recommended if you want to spend a few days on the coast. Perfect to combine a city trip with a beach holiday!
Cultural sights in Porto
Like many Portuguese cities, Porto is full of churches. And some of them are just mind-blowingly beautiful. Take the Porto Cathedral, for example. The 12th-century Sé do Porto is built on a hill, and the view is fantastic too! Next door you can also visit the Bishop’s Palace.
The Church of Saint Francis is another highlight. Inside, you can visit one of the most beautiful churches in Portugal and many tombs. Right next door, you’ll find Bolsa Palace. This building is used as the Stock Exchange and is open by appointment only. Book in time, as time slots fill up quickly!
There are also many spots in town with colourful azulejo tiles. One of the most notable places is the São Bento Station! Maybe you will even arrive in Porto by train and be welcomed in one of the most beautiful stations! The panel Azulejos Ribeira Negra at the Luís I Bridge is also stunning! And you’ll find an entire staircase made from traditional tiles in Vila Nova de Gaia!
Museums in Porto
Do you fancy visiting a museum? Parque de Serralves is great for art-lovers. You’ll visit a huge park, the House of Cinema, and the contemporary art museum. Architecture lovers will also enjoy the stunning building! The area is enormous, so it is best to block at least half a day for the Serralves sites.
There are more amazing museums in Vila Gaia de Nova. These are especially great on a rainy day! You can explore multiple museums at WOW Porto. Examples are the rosé museum Pink Palace, the Chocolate Story Museum, and Planet Cork. Tip: Take the Gaia cable car back to Jardim do Morro when heading back to Porto. The views are amazing!
Is Porto safe for solo (female) travellers?
Portugal is one of the safest countries in the world, and Porto City is an incredible destination for solo travellers. Even at night, you’ll feel secure in the city centre. The Portuguese people are super friendly, and many speak excellent English!
There are many incredible restaurants to eat in, and you can even join a pub crawl if you like. This way, you can enjoy some alcoholic beverages in a safe environment. Another great thing to do at night is to enjoy a Fado Show. It’s the traditional music Portugal is so famous for!
As with any destination, be mindful of your surroundings, don’t share too much information, and make sure someone knows where you are. Overall, Porto is a great city to get to know fellow solo travellers, and there are plenty of activities to do alone or with others.
Where to eat in Porto?
Eating alone can also feel a bit funny, but there are so many good restaurants in Porto to try! Along the river Douro, for example, there are plenty of restaurants on the Ribeira side and in Vila Nova de Gaia. The views are amazing! One of the most famous dinner experiences is at Chama, and a reservation is definitely needed.
Another reservation is lost lily needed for Brasão! Their menu is fantastic, and they also serve the famous Francesinha. This is a sort of steak sandwich with many types of meat, cheese, and a fried egg on top. Served with a glass of beer and some fries, you’ll be satisfied for hours! There are many other options, too, including vegetarian dishes.
Aduela and Casa Guedes are other great options. Tip: Majestic Café is one of the most beautiful cafes in the world! It’s pricey compared to other Porto spots, but it’s well worth it! If you’re looking for a great brunch spot, Zenith is really nice!
Hotels in Porto for solo travellers
You’ll also need an excellent hotel for your Porto solo travel trip! There are plenty of hostels in the city centre. The Ribeira area is great if you like a bit of hustle and bustle at night. There are many bars and restaurants in this area, and there are plenty of hotels and hostels!
The Poets Inn has fantastic private rooms (some even with a view)! Other great hostel options are the Porto Lounge Hostel & Guesthouse by Host Wise and the Porto Republica Hostel & Suites. For a luxury solo stay, Porto also has a lot to offer. Rent a hotel room with a Douro River view, for example!
Author’s Bio: Meet Marga, a travel writer and photographer who was a flight attendant and has travelled extensively for many years. After settling in Portugal, she started the Discover Portugal blog with insightful and engaging travel stories.
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