Curator’s statement
The good news: I was fortunate enough to accompany my husband on a recent work trip to Porto, Portugal. The bad news: after travel days, I only had about 72 hours to experience the city, so we had to make the most of it. Our days were packed with sightseeing, guided tours, port tastings, and delicious food. It was short, but long enough for me to fall in love with Porto—and I’ve been dreaming about returning ever since. Since I only had three nights, I splurged on a stay at The Yeatman, a five‑star wine hotel perched on the Gaia hillside. With sweeping views of the Douro and Porto’s tiled rooftops, it’s an ideal home base for exploring—and unwinding. The pool deck view is ridiculous and the terrace is the perfect spot to share a bottle of wine at the end of the day.
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Day 1: Porto arrival
View from The Yeatman Hotel
Check‑in at The Yeatman (around 3 pm). Settle in and enjoy your welcome amenity—we received a half bottle of port and fresh pastéis de nata in our room. Take a self‑guided tour of the hotel grounds and the pool deck to soak up that Douro view.
If you want a short first outing, walk down toward the riverside in Gaia (10–15 minutes) to stretch your legs and get your first riverfront views.
Dinner nearby: Barrica by YoursPorto is a relaxed yet refined spot for modern Portuguese dishes and local wines. Try to reserve a terrace table for the sunset over Porto.
Day 2: Classic Porto sights and cellars
Private yacht tour
Morning
Quick breakfast at The Yeatman: enjoy pastries, local cheeses, and strong Portuguese coffee with panoramic views.
Take a private Tuk-tuk guided tour through central Porto: a great way to hit São Bento Station (azulejos!), the Sé Cathedral, and the steep, scenic streets without tiring yourself out. I suggest booking a tour early in the day to avoid traffic and crowds.
Midday
Ribeira riverside stroll: Cross the Dom Luís I Bridge into Porto’s Ribeira district for lunch or a quick snack. This area is packed with cafés and photo ops of the colorful riverside houses.
Take a private short river cruise: A 50–60 minute cruise under Porto’s bridges is an incredibly peaceful way to see the city from the water. Alternatively, a private yacht cruise (highly recommended, have your advisor prebook) can be arranged from Gaia—perfect for a leisurely afternoon with chilled vinho verde.
See if you can squeeze in a guided port tasting at Taylor and enjoy a glass of your favorite while relaxing in the picturesque garden.
Late Afternoon (easy logistics)
Check out the out all of the booths for trinkets and souvenirs along the riverfront.
Take the Teleférico de Gaia cable car up to Jardim do Morro, which is located on the upper level of the city and next to the Porto Metro and the Dom Luís I Bridge. The route offers panoramic views of the Douro River, the historic Porto Ribeira district, and the Port wine cellars.
From there, you can visit the grounds of Serra do Pilar Monastery then post up at the park across the street, grab a beer from a local vendor, and watch the sunset with the other visitors and locals.
Dinner options (back near the hotel or in central Porto):
Cantinho do Avillez: Creative Portuguese cuisine by chef José Avillez (reservations recommended).
Brasão Cervejaria Aliados: Lively spot for a francesinha or seafood and local beer.
Nightcap: Return to The Yeatman terrace or bar for a final pour of port, classic cocktail, or bubbles and enjoy the view. The bridge is beautiful.
Day 3: Douro Valley day
The Douro Valley
Pick up at The Yeatman for a Douro Valley day trip (a driver‑guided tour is a must). The valley is roughly 1–1.5 hours away depending on traffic. Visit two or three quintas (wine estates) for tastings of port and DOC Douro reds, and enjoy a leisurely riverside or vineyard lunch (often included). I enjoyed a small group tour while my husband was working with lovely people visiting from all over the world.
Optional add‑on: a short ride in a traditional rabelo boat or a scenic river cruise on the Douro (seasonal and weather dependent). This was included in my tour and a fantastic end to a beautiful day. Grab a few bottled beers from the convenience store near the launch point to bring with you.
Evening
Return to Porto/Gaia and keep it simple: a casual bite at The Yeatman bar or a relaxed dinner in Gaia. After a full day in the valley, you’ll appreciate staying close to the hotel.
Day 4: Last moments & departure
View from The Yeatman
One last hotel breakfast and a final look at the Douro from The Yeatman terrace. If you have time before your flight, pick up a few local treats (port, preserves, or canned fish) from a nearby shop for the journey.
Head to the airport or on to your next adventure!
Make sure to arrive earlier than you think you need to, the airport is busy with long lines for everything
Need to know
Base yourself in Gaia at The Yeatman to avoid packing up between nights. Most Porto highlights are a quick taxi away.
Practical note on travel times: The Yeatman sits in Vila Nova de Gaia on the riverbank opposite Porto. Most central Porto highlights are a short taxi ride (about 8–15 minutes) or a 20–30 minute walk (including crossing the Dom Luís I Bridge). Port lodges in Gaia (Taylor’s, Sandeman, Cálem) are very nearby and can often be reached on foot or with a 5–10 minute cab. This suggested itinerary keeps most back‑and‑forth to a minimum so you can maximize your time in this incredible city.
Book the Douro Valley tour for a full day that includes the river cruise.
Reserve port lodge tastings and any private cruises or yacht trips well in advance—they fill up, especially in high season.
Use taxis or tuk‑tuks for uphill or longer hops. Porto is very hilly and walking can be strenuous. Be prepared for a lot of stairs!
If you get a complimentary Yeatman tasting as part of your booking, consider doing that on arrival afternoon as a gentle intro and save the major cellar tours for another day.
Don’t worry about learning Portuguese! I tried, assuming it would be close to Spanish (it’s much harder) but most locals you encounter speak excellent English.
Travel Advisor
Erin Ewing
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