Family-friendly Porto itinerary: What to see, eat, and do in 48 hours

When searching for our next family trip, we based it on direct flights within a few hours and what we could see in a week without feeling rushed. We decided on Portugal, starting off in Porto for two days. We arrived very early on our first day, picked up our rental, and went directly to our boutique apartment-style hotel, Village by BOA, to drop our stuff.

Flights: Direct from Stuttgart into Porto via Eurowings

Lodging: Village by BOA

Views of the Ribeira district from the Dom Luís I Bridge

Since our room wasn't quite ready, they recommended we walk down the road for brunch at Garden Porto. We waited about twenty-five minutes for a table, but it was worth the wait. We ordered a lot of food and ate every bite. The kids had mac and cheese, and then we also ordered a yogurt bowl, banana pancakes, eggs Benedict, and tacos. Yes, a very random assortment of food, which kicked off a few days of eating our way through Porto.

Banana pancakes at Garden Porto Cafe

Porto, also called Portus Cale during the Roman Times, is the second largest city in Portugal. It is famous for port wine (hence the name, Porto), and you can find many old cellars to tour on the Vila Nova de Gaia side of the Douro River. Port trade began in 1678.

Throughout Porto, you will see beautiful tile work (azulejos) on many buildings, cathedrals, and throughout the train station (the outside is currently under renovation as of June 2025). These tiles originated in the 15th century but did not start appearing on buildings until the 19th century. The bright tiles became part of the Portuguese culture and identity. You can take a workshop in Porto to learn how to paint your own tile, the perfect souvenir to take home.

What to See & Do

There is so much to do in Porto, and a bonus is that walking the hills provides plenty of exercise in between meals, especially if you're pushing a stroller uphill, as we did.

Take a boat tour along the Douro. On our last evening in Porto, we took a one-hour leisurely boat ride in a sailboat. It was enjoyable and a great way to see Porto from the water. Our kids loved it!

Our guide sharing some of Porto’s history during our boat tour

Church of Saint Ildefonso: An 18th-century church that was completed in 1739.

Vila Nova de Gaia: Located on the left bank of the Douro River, Gaia is home to the famous port wine cellars. This side also offers the best views of the Ribeira district across the water.

Dom Luís I Bridge: Take a stroll on the double-decker metal bridge to the other side of the river to the Gaia district. Construction took just five years for the completion of this iconic bridge, starting in 1881 and ending in 1886. It was designed by Théophile Seyrig, a long-time student of Eiffel.

La Ribeira: The area is situated by the water, featuring cobblestone streets, restaurants, and hotels offering fantastic views of the Douro River.

Morning views from the La Ribeira district. Dom Luís I Bridge and Mosteiro da Serra do Pilar in the background.

Mosteiro da Serra do Pilar: Located on the Gaia side, this church is a replica of the church of Sainta Maria Redonda in Rome. The completion of it took 72 years due to the lack of funding.

Igreja dos Carmelitas & Igreja do Carmo: Churches built in the Rococo style during the 1700s and covered with tiles outside. Located near each other, they are often referred to as the "twin" churches.

Sao Bento Station: Inside the train station, you will find beautiful tile murals. It's always busy inside during the day, so if you are into photography, it's the perfect time to try a long exposure indoors with moving people.

Inside the Sao Bento Train Station

Chapel of Souls: Another beautiful church adorned with blue tiles on the outside. Located in the shopping district on Rue de Santa Catarina.

Porto Cathedral: A Catholic church located in the Batalha district. Construction began in the 12th century but was rebuilt numerous times over the centuries. Due to these renovations and rebuilds, the church features a mix of architectural styles.

Livraria Lello: A famous bookstore in Porto. Ticket times required to visit (early morning is recommended for the best photos).

Where to Eat

There are so many fantastic places to eat in Porto, and we barely scratched the surface. Here are the restaurants we enjoyed during our time there. I'm looking forward to adding more to this list when I return in September.

Garden Porto Cafe: Brunch. Order the banana pancakes.

Casa Guedes: Traditional pork sandwiches, pair it with a Porto spritzer.

Gran Cruz House/ Casario Restaurant: Dinner & cocktails (make a reservation). Order the scallops!

Mercado do Bolhão: Walk around and grab bites from the various vendors. Fresh seafood, mini charcuterie plates, and cheese are just a few of the things you will find.

Fábrica da Nata: For the best pastel de nata in Porto.

I recommend spending at least two full days in Porto to enjoy all of the sights and fabulous restaurants. This gives you enough time to wander through the historic Ribeira district, take a scenic Douro River cruise, and sample the city's renowned port wine. With the hills, this is a city you want to explore at a relaxed pace.

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