How to Spend 3 Days in Porto
From strolling coastal towns and Douro Valley vineyards, to exploring museums and hilltop castles, here’s how to make the most of 72 hours in Portugal’s 2nd-largest city.
Palace of the Stock Exchange (Palácio da Bolsa)
Rua de Ferreira Borges, Porto, 4050-253
The basics
A stop outside of the Palace of the Stock Exchange features on most Porto sightseeing tours, particularly those of the Old Town, however, a tour of the interior is not always a given; ensure your tour includes an interior visit if you’re keen to admire elaborate ballrooms and stone staircases. Some Palace of the Stock Exchange tours also include a cruise on the Douro River and a visit to the historic wine cellars.
Things to know before you go
- The Palace of the Stock Exchange (Palácio da Bolsa) is a significant historic sight in Porto’s Old Town, therefore a must-see.
- The popularity of the palace means that admission tickets often sell out, so book ahead to avoid disappointment.
- The obligatory guided tour lasts around 45 minutes and is available in Portuguese, Spanish, French, and English.
- Wheelchairs and strollers can access the palace.
How to get there
The palace is open to visitors between 9am-1pm and 2-5:30pm October to March, and between 9am-6:30pm April through October. You can admire the exterior of the place at any time of day, but for the most magical views then visit during the early evening when it's illuminated.
Trip ideas
When to get there
The Palace of the Stock Exchange is located on Rua de Ferreira Borges in Porto’s historic center, and is a 5-minute walk from the famous Ribeira waterfront district. If you’re taking the tram, disembark at the Infante stop on Linha 1—which travels a scenic route along the Douro river—or take buses 10, 900, 901, or 906 to the Ribeira stop.
Inside the Palace
Highlights of the palace interior include the Nations’ Room, with its collection of international flags, exquisite parquet floors, and a grand staircase adorned with chandeliers but the undisputed star attraction is the Arabian Room, where arabesque décor and gilded pillars are reminiscent of the UNESCO-listed Alhambra Palace in Granada; music concerts are held here throughout the year.
- Church of São Francisco (Igreja de São Francisco)
- Museum of Our Lady of Mercy of Porto (Museu da Misericórdia do Porto)
- Porto Cathedral (Sé Catedral do Porto)
- Ribeira
- Clérigos Church and Tower (Torre & Igreja dos Clérigos)
- Dom Luis Bridge (Ponte de Dom Luis I)
- Porto Calem Wine Cellars
- Liberdade Square (Praça da Liberdade)
- Avenida dos Aliados
- Rua Santa Catarina
- Casa da Música
- Porto Bridge Climb
- Serralves Museum (Fundação de Serralves)
- SEA LIFE® Porto
- Matosinhos Beach