For me, Porto is not only the most beautiful city in Portugal, but also one of the most beautiful ones in Europe. A city trip to Porto is therefore an absolute travel tip! The city not only combines history and architecture, but also incredible viewpoints, culinary delights and of course – the world-famous port wine!
This Porto travel guide covers the best things to do in Porto, including popular sights, quieter viewpoints, and personal tips to help you plan your trip. I’ve also included a map so you can easily find all the places mentioned in this guide.

When is the best time to visit Porto?

The best time to visit Porto is in the low season, whether in spring or fall. In the summer months, Porto – like most European destinations – is very crowded. But in spring and fall, the weather is usually pleasant and sunny, there are fewer visitors than during the summer vacations and hotel prices are cheaper.

How many days should you plan for Porto?

For the city itself, two to three full days are enough to see the main sights and enjoy many of the best things to do in Porto. If you have more time, I recommend adding two or three extra days to visit the nearby Douro Valley.

Is it worth renting a car for Porto?

For me, Porto is the city of walking. In hardly any other city is it as difficult to get from A to B by car as it is here. A rental car is therefore only worthwhile if you want to explore the surroundings of Porto! (You will find a tip at the end of this article). As Porto is very hilly, you should also bring comfortable walking shoes with you! Or you can use public transport such as the cable car or mountain railroad!

Book your hotel in Porto for the best prices:

Porto Travel Guide: The best things to see with secret spots

The Douro River flows through the Douro Valley wine region, past Porto and into the Atlantic Ocean. Porto is therefore divided into two parts, which are connected by several bridges and offer numerous viewpoints. However, the southern part, below the Douro River, no longer belongs to the city of Porto, but officially marks the beginning of the city of Vila Nova de Gaia (Gaia for short). In this post, however, I am adding Gaia to the best places to visit in Porto, as both cities merge seamlessly into one another and both parts make up the magic of Porto!

The Luís I Bridge

The iconic iron bridge offers unique views of Porto and the Douro River with its passing boats. It is the most famous connection between Porto and Gaia. The special thing about the bridge is that it can be crossed on several levels: At the bottom on foot and by car and a few meters higher up, on foot or by tram. Both levels offer a unique perspective of the city.

The blue churches

In addition to port wine, Porto is also known for its blue-painted ceramic tiles! Here are some of the most beautiful sights where you can see these unique wall decorations:

– The church Igreja Paroquial de Santo Ildefonso is decorated on the outside with beautiful hand-painted tiles
– The most famous and probably most photographed façade in Porto is that of the Capella das Almas chapel
– The Igreja do Carmo church also has a beautifully designed exterior wall made of blue and white ceramic tiles

Livraria Lello

Just a few meters away from the beautiful Igreja do Carmo church, you will find the bookshop declared to be the “most beautiful library in the world”. It was probably the inspiration for Harry Potter and has therefore become world-famous. The Lello library is so popular that it can only be entered with a ticket for a specific time slot. You can find the link for online bookings → here! The entrance fee can be redeemed as a voucher during your visit to the store.

Admission: 8€
Opening hours: from 9 am to 6:30 pm

Tip: The library is relatively small and always packed with visitors. If you would like to take photos without the crowds, you either need to go early in the morning at the first time slot or just before closing time.

The Torre dos Clérigos church tower

Climb the 75m high church tower of the 18th century Igreja dos Clérigos church to enjoy one of the most beautiful panoramic views. The church is located in the middle of the historic center of Porto and therefore offers a unique perspective. For me, it is an absolute highlight in Porto that you should definitely not miss!

Admission: 5€
Opening hours: from 9 am to 7 pm (last admission: 6:30 pm)

The cathedral of Porto

Especially on a clear day, you should definitely not miss the square in front of the Sé do Porto, Porto’s 12th century cathedral. It is located at the top of the hill and therefore offers great views over the city in various directions. It’s worth strolling around to discover the most beautiful views.

Photo spot insider tip in Porto: Passeio das Fontainhas

Above the roofs of the houses located directly on the Douro River, a small staircase leads to a tiny platform. The view, in combination with the red tiled roofs and the Luís I bridge in the background, is a special and little-known photo spot! As the location is in a residential area, you should be especially respectful and quiet when taking photos here to avoid disturbing local residents.

Port wine tasting

Port wine belongs to Porto like a cherry on an ice cream sundae. Even if you are not normally a fan of sweet and strong wines, you should still not miss a port wine tasting.

In Porto

Here is my insider tip for a cozy wine tasting with the best location, at reasonable prices: Right by the iconic Luís I bridge (on the Porto river side) is the little bar Bacchus Vini. It is a must on any visit to Porto. It serves the best port wine from small producers, the owners are incredibly friendly and the location and atmosphere by the river is wonderful, especially in the evening! Make sure you save this insider tip for Porto!

In Gaia

However, all the wine cellars are not located in Porto itself, but on the other side of the river in Gaia, as this side is less sunny and therefore cooler, which is very important for the storage and ageing of port wine.

The big producers such as Sandeman and Burmester are particularly popular. We ourselves booked a tour of the Burmester cellars followed by a tasting. The tours take place several times a day in larger groups and are very interesting, but not very personal due to the large number of participants.

→ I’ve linked our Port Wine Tasting tour here!

Strolling along the river side of Gaia, you will find numerous small and medium-sized wine cellars and restaurants where you can sample both port wine and classic Portuguese cuisine. A typical Porto dish is called Francesinha. It is a toast filled with meat and sausage and topped with cheese and sauce. It is a bit of an unusual taste, but not bad either! If you try it yourself, you’ll understand what I mean!

Viewpoints in Gaia

In Gaia, you can not only drink good wine, but also enjoy unique views of Porto – this side of the river is particularly ideal at sunset!

Here are the three best viewpoints in Gaia, including a secret tip:

1. The upper station Jardim do Morro of the Teleférico de Gaia cable car offers a great perspective over the river.
2. The Miradouro da Serra do Pilar viewpoint is located directly above the Luís I bridge.
3. My secret tip: Kitties Rock
Below the famous Miradouro da Serra do Pilar viewpoint, a dirt path leads from the road along the wall of the monastery, Mosteiro da Serra do Pilar. After a few meters you will discover a large round rock, which offers a unique view of Porto and the Luís I Bridge! To get to the rock, you have to climb a short distance. This is no problem with sturdy shoes. However, if this is too strenuous for you, you can enjoy the same view from below the rock! I have marked the exact location on my map at the end of this post.

Map with all mentioned sights, tips and photo spots in Porto

Douro Valley – The home of port wine

If you follow the Douro River upstream, you will reach the dreamlike green birthplace of port wine: in the Douro Valley, the grapes grow on picturesque vineyards through which the Douro Valley meanders.
Various day tours are offered here from Porto, but I would recommend traveling here yourself and spending at least two nights in the Douro Valley. It’s a quiet area, perfect for relaxing, cycling, hiking and of course visiting a winery or two.

One of my favorite hotels in Europe is located in the Douro Valley: → The Six Senses Douro Valley is an incredibly romantic hotel located in an old residence.

→ Be sure to check out my hotel review of the Six Senses Douro Valley – you’ll fall in love with it
→ Here you can book the Six Senses Douro Valley for the best prices!

If you prefer something a little more rustic and unusual, then this is definitely the right choice for you: At Quinta da Pacheca you can sleep in converted wine barrels in the middle of the vineyards! I’ve never seen anything like it before! → Book this unique stay here!

Porto is truly a city like no other with beautiful places to visit and lovely sights which should definitely be on your bucket list! It is especially a paradise for wine & architecture lovers. So make sure to pack your camera and enough time to soak in the atmosphere and get a taste of the world famous and unique Port Wine!

Do you have any other questions about Porto? Leave me a comment or send me a message via Instagram!

Portugal is becoming more and more popular as a travel destination. This is not only because of the beautiful coastline and historic towns but also because of its wine regions. In the picturesque Douro Valley there is a romantic resort of the Six Senses chain, which we visited in late summer and immediately fell in love with the region. In this post I will introduce you to the Six Senses Douro Valley Hotel, give you my honest review and share with you all the details about the resort and what our overall experience was like.

The Six Senses Douro Valley Review

LOCATION

The Six Senses Douro Valley Resort is beautifully situated in the middle of the vineyards on the banks of the Douro River, which the Douro Valley in Portugal owes its name to. Although the wine region is only 1.5 hours from the city of Porto, it has its own microclimate, which is why the Douro Valley is warmer and drier than the coast. Sunny weather can be enjoyed until late autumn and summer usually begins in the spring months.

Due to the very quiet location, the Six Senses Douro Valley can ideally be reached with a private shuttle transfer from Porto, which the resort organizes for its guests. A rental car also offers a suitable solution, especially if you are planning a longer trip through Portugal.

The concept of the Six Senses Douro Valley Resort

Not only the location of the resort but also the architecture of the Six Senses Douro Valley Resort enchants its guests. The main building is an impressive, newly restored 19th-century villa. During the restoration, the original design was retained and the building expanded. The modern extension is almost identical to the style of the main building, with the buildings flowing into one another. When walking through the grounds of the resort, you feel transported back to a bygone era.

The Six Senses Douro Valley isn’t your typical stuffy luxury hotel. All Resorts of the Six Senses Resorts Brand are characterized by the focus on the well-being of the guests and offer a special experience with all senses. Sustainability and good food with local products is an important factor, which can be found in all houses.

We were already enamored after our first stay in a Six Senses Resort – 2019 in Vietnam – and are therefore big fans of the concept.

The outdoor premises

The Six Senses Douro Valley is located in the middle of a spacious area, which consists of a private forest, a garden, an orchard and vines. For this reason, many of the ingredients for the restaurants, especially fruit and herbs, are homegrown. The Resort even offers a Six Senses wine and olive oil.

Even a waterfall, hidden retreats like cabanas, and gorgeous views can be found while strolling through the resort.

Main Pool

The heart of the large outdoor area of the Six Senses Douro Valley Resort is the spacious pool overlooking the surrounding vineyards. On sunny days the pool is the ideal place to relax while resting on the comfortable sun loungers. The pool bar offers both drinks and lunch snacks that can be enjoyed directly on the lounger. A highlight is the little ice cream stand, where you can order homemade ice cream all afternoon free of charge. This little treat is typical of all Six Senses resorts around the world and one of the many “little highlights” that make a stay at Six Senses so special.

Six Senses Spa

As a wellness resort, the spa area of the Six Senses Douro Valley is particularly spacious and extends over several floors. The highlight is without question the large indoor pool with several basins and a 60-minute water circuit. You switch from a warm pool to an ice pool and then into the large pool with several massage jets. Afterwards you turn a few tracks with underwater meditation music. This was an entirely new experience and I have never seen anything similar in any other resort.

Furthermore, the Spa hosts several saunas, including an infrared chamber and a glass-enclosed sauna with a view of the forest.

Sports fans also get their money’s worth in the well-equipped gym. In addition, there is an outdoor sports area on the edge of the forest. Here you can work out on a plateau overlooking the river or take part in yoga classes.

On our last day we treated ourselves to a massage and I absolutely loved it! First of all, I really liked the treatment rooms with large windows. But especially the massage was unique and one of the most relaxing I have ever experienced! The Six Senses therapist found and treated my tense areas precisely. In my opinion a must-do when visiting the Six Senses Douro Valley. 

Thanks to the spacious spa, the Six Senses Douro Valley is a wonderful relaxation hotel all year round and always worth a visit – in summer as well as in the colder seasons.

Rooms and Suites

Poolvilla

We spent our nights in one of the only two pool villas in the Six Senses Douro Valley Resort. It is located in a separate building with a private garden with terrace and pool. The villa consists of two floors with a large living room and a fully equipped kitchen on the lower floor. A staircase leads up to the bedroom and the bathroom with bath. The villa is the ideal choice for couples who want to enjoy special peace and privacy. The second pool villa even has two bedrooms and is therefore ideal for families or friends.

The Valley Building

The latest expansion of the Six Senses Douro Valley only opened in July 2022. The Valley building features both rooms and suites, all of which have access to a shared garden and gazebo, as well as a heated pool and whirlpool. All rooms are designed for two guests, but here’s the special thing: The building’s suites & rooms can be connected offering a great experience for families and larger groups.

Courtyard Suite

The final room category of the Six Senses Douro Valley Resort that we where able to glimpse in was also the one that I liked best. The Courtyard Suite is located in the resort’s main building – a former 19th-century mansion. What is special about the suite is not only the glass-enclosed bathroom with a view of the vineyards and the free-standing bathtub in the living room, but also the large balcony in the courtyard of the building with a view of the resort grounds.

Breakfast & Restaurants

In the Six Senses Resorts, everything revolves around the senses, and therefore also around taste. In the resort, the culinary focus is on the taste of Portugal – especially of course the Douro Valley. Almost all ingredients come from local suppliers or even from the resort’s own cultivation.

The „Vale de Abraão“ Restaurant

A seasonally changing dinner menu is offered in the resort’s main restaurant. In the open kitchen, you can look directly over the shoulders of the chefs as they prepare your meal. The restaurant itself is very cozy with a large fireplace and is furnished the style and matching of the villa.

Breakfast is also served here. It consists of a small buffet with lots of fresh fruit, local freshly baked pastries and more. In addition you can order from an extensive à la carte menu. The day can start relaxed by enjoying your breakfast on the terrace of the inner courtyard.

Summer garden

In the summer months there is another restaurant in the garden of the Six Senses Douro Valley. It is a BBQ concept that is completely outdoors – including the open kitchen. The menu features a “sharing menu” with local dishes, all of which are served as part of a four course menu. All courses are accompanied by matching wines and a port wine for dessert. It is an unforgettable experience with exceptional great food!

Bars

In addition to the Quinta Bar, which serves drinks, snacks and small dishes throughout the day in the main building, a real highlight of the Six Senses Resort is the Wine Library. Due to its unique location in the Douro Valley, wine plays a major role in the resort and the Wine Library is fully dedicated to this theme. Every evening you can take part in a tasting of local wines. A wine sommelier will find the right drop for everyone, selecting from several hundred bottles. And at the automatic wine bar you can order a delicious wine with your room card at the push of a button.

Activities in the Six Senses Douro Valley

The special nature of the Douro Valley offers a lot of opportunities to experience the region outside of the resort.

For all guests, the Six Senses offers free bicycles or e-bikes, which make exploring the hilly landscape particularly enjoyable. Guided tours through the region or to the neighboring small town are being offered with optional tastings in the surrounding port wineries. Some wineries are even within walking distance, eliminating the need to hop on a bike after enjoying a few glasses.

Among the best activities for sports fans is a kayak tour on the Douro River. From the water you see the landscape and vineyards from a completely different perspective. This activity should be on everyone’s must-do list while visiting the Douro Valley.

In addition to the activities outside the resort, there is also plenty on offer within the walls of the Six Senses Douro Valley: starting with tile drawing courses (typical for the region), do-it-yourself projects in the Earth Lab, yoga classes and much more. Everyone is guaranteed to find something fun to do among the selection!

→ Click here to book your stay at the Six Senses Douro Valley

The Six Senses Resorts are part of my hotel collection with A Small World. Which means that booking with us gets you extraordinary benefits like free breakfast, an upgrade, 100 USD stay credit and more! Additionally you will find the best available rate for each hotel. The sign up to my hotel collection is completely free and the best about it: You can use it for any other hotel booking in the future to ALWAYS enjoy the free benefits!

→ Click here to sign up for my Hotel Collection and book your next stay!

Résumé

A stay at Six Senses Douro Valley is not just an overnight stay in a hotel, but rather an unforgettable experience for all the senses. The valley is the ideal place to switch off and enjoy, to escape from everyday life and recharge your inner battery. Especially for couples, friends and families with older children, the Six Senses Douro Valley is the perfect place. Ideally, a stay can be combined with two days in Porto in order to combine sightseeing in the port city with subsequent relaxation.

→ Find more reviews about my favorite hotels around the world here!

We had a sponsored stay at the Six Senses Douro Valley, which does not influence my opinion and review about the resort.