How to spend 4 days in Porto

#europe#porto#portugal

Porto swept me off my feet — quietly and completely. With its colourful tiles, riverfront magic, and the scent of grilled sardines in the air, it felt like the kind of place you don’t just visit, but sink into. Day 1 was for wandering without a plan. I got lost in the steep alleys of Ribeira, past crumbling facades and hidden chapels. I stopped for a pastel de nata and coffee, then crossed the Dom Luís I Bridge on foot — the view of the Douro River at sunset was unforgettable. Day 2 was all about art and tiles. The Serralves Museum is a modern dream, set in lush gardens. But the real showstoppers? The tiled walls of São Bento Station and Igreja do Carmo — pure blue-and-white poetry. Day 3 took me to the coast. I rode an old tram to Foz do Douro, dipped my feet in the Atlantic, and had grilled codfish with vinho verde at a seaside café. Simple. Perfect. Day 4 was slower. A port wine tasting in Vila Nova de Gaia, then back into town to browse bookstores and sip coffee in hidden courtyards. Porto has a soul. Four days felt like a deep breath — and I can’t wait to go back.