Porto First Visit: Classics in
The old town, the Ribeira riverfront, Gaia port cellars and the Crystal Palace Gardens, covering Porto's must-see sights in three days.
Organized by district: on day one, the Lower Town, Clérigos Tower and Livraria Lello; on day two, the Cathedral and Stock Exchange Palace, then Ribeira, crossing the Dom Luís I Bridge to Gaia for port tasting; on day three, the Crystal Palace Gardens and sunset at the Douro river mouth in Foz. Walking throughout with some metro use; there are many hills, so wear good shoes. Suited to first-time visitors with limited time. Day trips in the surroundings are left for longer itineraries.
November to March is rainy; group indoor sights for rainy days.
Day by day
Day 1 · Lower Town, tiles and Clérigos Tower
Porto（São Bento Railway Station、Avenida dos Aliados、Clérigos Church & Tower、Igreja do Carmo & Igreja dos Carmelitas）
Metro line E about 30 minutes from the airport to the city center, then walk around the Lower Town; sights are 5–10 minutes apart.
Clérigos Tower is less crowded at dusk, when you can watch the sunset over the old town rooftops.
Stay: Baixa and Avenida dos Aliados
Day 2 · Old town riverfront to Gaia cellars
Porto（Livraria Lello、Porto Cathedral、Palácio da Bolsa、Ribeira、Dom Luís I Bridge、Vila Nova de Gaia Port Wine Cellars）
All-day walking: downhill from the Cathedral to Ribeira, cross the lower deck of the bridge to Gaia, then return by the Gaia cable car or walk back on the upper deck.
Book Livraria Lello's first opening slot on its official site; the Stock Exchange Palace can only be visited on a guided tour.
Stay: Baixa and Avenida dos Aliados
Day 3 · Crystal Palace Gardens and the Foz river mouth
Porto（Crystal Palace Gardens、Foz do Douro）
Walk to the Crystal Palace Gardens, then take Tram 1, a vintage tram that runs along the river, about 25 minutes to Foz. In the evening, take the metro back to the city and transfer to the airport.
If your flight is late, watch the sunset at Foz before you go; the metro to the airport takes about 40 minutes.