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Seven Night Porto City Break
Spend seven nights exploring Porto: the capital of northern Portugal.
Highlights
A half-day walking tour of Porto.
A full-day Douro River cruise
A half-day tour of Aveiro
Portugal’s capital city Lisbon is known for it’s great art scene, it’s music and a wealth of grand architecture. Second city Porto has all three in spades and is growing in popularity as the go-to destination for a European city break.
As the unofficial capital of northern Portugal, Porto is most famous for it’s Port wines – sitting on the mouth of the Douro river, it’s the historic gateway to the Alto Douro wine region where wine has been produced for over 2,000 years.
You’ll spend time exploring Porto’s medieval streets, historic architecture and bustling plazas. You’ll also visit the old roman city of Braga and the UNESCO-protected historic town of Guimaraes: the birthplace of Portugal.
We’ve designed this holiday with couples in mind, but it’s easily tweaked if you’re travelling as a family or with friends. We specialise in personalised holidays so just fill out an enquiry form or call for a chat on 017687 75672.
Day 1
Fly direct from the UK to Porto. You’ll be collected by our driver on arrival for the twenty-minute transfer into the centre of Porto. Your apartment is on the banks of the Douro River, close to Porto’s most famous landmark: the Ponte Luiz I bridge.
Accommodation on this day: Porto River Apartments
Day 2
For your first morning in the city, we’ll include a half-day walking tour to help you get orientated. You’ll visit Porto’s Sé Cathedral and the famous Azulejo mosaic at the Sao Bento train station, before crossing the Ponte de Dom Luis I Bridge to the Port Wine district where you’ll learn more about Porto’s most famous export.
Accommodation on this day: Porto River Apartments
Day 3
You’ll have plenty of time to explore the city at your leisure – beginning with a visit to the Livaria Lello bookshop; one of Portugal’s oldest (established in 1881), whose decor is said to have inspired J.K. Rowling as she wrote the first Harry Potter book. If you’re feeling energetic, you could climb the 240 steps to the top of the Clerigos Tower for a 360⁰ view of the whole city.
Accommodation on this day: Porto River Apartments
Day 4
You’ll spend today on our Douro Valley Wine Tour, with visits to Quinta do Portal, the riverside town of Pinhao, and Quinta do Bomfim where the both Dow’s and Graham’s Vintage ports are produced.
Accommodation on this day: Porto River Apartments
Day 5
You might like to walk the riverfront – downriver to the mouth of the Douro at Foz do Douro, to the visit the Castelo do Queijo, returning along the grand Avenida da Boavista and the Praça de Mouzinho de Albuquerque.
Day 6
You’ll take a guided tour of the historic cities of the old roman city of Braga, with a visit to the baroque roman catholic monument at Bom Jesus do Monte and popular pilgrimage site. Leaving Braga, you’ll move on to the historic city of Guimaraes, with visits to the Paço Dos Duques De Bragança, the Museu de Alberto Sampaio and the Murlahas de Guimaraes.
Day 7
For your final full day, you could head over the top deck of the Ponte de Dom Luis I Bridge to the Miradouro da Serra do Pilar – Porto’s most famous viewpoint. The Teleferico da Gaia cable car will take you back down into the porthouse district; a great place to buy souvenirs and gifts for family and friends.
Day 8
You’ll be transferred to the airport for your flight home.
Jeep Tours
Our jeep tours are the best way to explore those off the beaten track locations that you’d otherwise miss. Our guides will always have a plan for your day, but our tours are very relaxed and can be personalised to your particular interests.
Canyoning
Canyoning is one of the most popular pastimes in Portugal – a sport in which you scramble, jump, swim and abseil along a narrow river gorge. It’s a great sport for beginners and experts alike, and the Peneda-Gerês National Park in the north of country has some of the most beautiful rivers and canyoning routes in the whole of Portugal.
Guided tuk tuk city tour
Let the tuk tuk take the strain as you explore the seven hills of Lisbon in the company of our guides. You'll duck in and out of the tuk tuk to see the sights, architecture and history of this fascinating city. As it's electric, your guide can describe the passing streets to you as you travel to your next stopping point. The best possible introduction to Lisbon.
Food and wine
Portugal’s cuisine is very underrated. It’s always been wonderfully seasonal; an all important philosophy on food that the country’s never lost. As you’d expect, it’s also very regional; Lisbon has its famous crowd-pleasing dishes - the Pasteis de Bacalhau and Pasteis de Belem, but it’s down her narrow back-streets that you’ll find unexpected seasonal gems like coal-roasted blue lobster and Bulhao Pato clams.
Heading north, Porto’s famous Port wine Lodges are the gateway to the Douro Valley wine region. Portugal’s wines are some of the best in Europe however we don’t see them very often here in the UK as they don’t really produce enough for export. The rural heartlands of Alentejo also produce more amazing wines (including the unique ‘Invisivel’ - a white wine produced from red grapes), and arguably a superior Iberian Pork to their Spanish neighbours just across the border!
Horse riding
The Parque National da Peneda-Gerês is Portugal’s only National Park - a great way to explore the river valleys and high serras is on horseback, and there are trails to suit all abilities.
Cooking
Cook your own delicious meal under the watchful eye of expert chefs.
Kayaking
Kayaking is a wonderful way to experience Portugal’s beautiful waterways. The calm waters of the Caniçada reservoir in the north are perfect for beginners and younger children to get to grips with a kayak. For more experienced kayakers, the upstream rapids of the Cávado river offer some more challenging routes.
Porto River Apartments
The Porto River Apartments sit on the northern bank of the Douro River, in the Bairro da Ribeira, our favourite district of Porto.
The skyline is dominated by the stone architecture of the riverside warehouses which hark back to Porto’s industrial past when the city relied heavily on the Douro to export to the wider world. Away from the busy streets of central Porto, this timeless architecture now houses some of the city’s most popular riverside restaurants, hotels and apartments.
The Porto River Apartments have sixteen rooms in all; snug studios, spacious suites, and one and two bedroom apartments. The latter offer the best of both worlds; the feel of a private apartment with the convenience of a B&B. There’s a living room, bathroom, a well-equipped kitchenette, A/C and wi-fi.
The apartments are the perfect base from which to explore the city on foot and Porto’s most famous landmark, the Ponte Luis I bridge, is just a stone’s throw away as is Douro’s southern bank and the historic port warehouses of Vila Nova de Gaia.
Hi Max,
Just to let you know that we had a great holiday which went too fast. Each hotel was unique and amazing and each place gave us new experience and interest.
Glowing feedback on the arrangements which all went very smoothly right from start to finish. Keep performing your magic!
All the best,
Sue
Sue
Hi Max,
Tuktuk ride with Mario was exceptional. Lovely chap and made our trip memorable. This evening in a Fado restaurant was just fabulous. Hotel Solar do Castelo is amazing. After 2 postponements this holiday is truly worth it.
At the moment Archipelago Choice is on a pedestal.
John
John
Where is Portugal?
Portugal is the most-western country in mainland Europe, bordered by Spain in the north and east.
When is the best time to visit Portugal?
Portugal’s mild in the Autumn and Winter, and hot from around May through to November. It can be very hot (+40⁰C) in the Summer months.
How do I get to Portugal?
The UK is well-connected to Lisbon, with direct flights from London, Manchester, Glasgow and Edinburgh. You can also fly direct to Porto from Gatwick, Manchester and Edinburgh.
What languages do they speak on Portugal?
Portuguese, and English is widely spoken.
Is it safe to drive on Portugal?
Very – the quality of the roads is excellent and it’s very easy to navigate.
Do I need an international driver’s license for Portugal?
All you require is a valid UK driving licence.
Do I need travel insurance to visit Portugal?
We highly recommend that you have the right type of travel insurance that will cover your medical expenses, baggage loss, accidents and personal liability and repatriation.
Can I get WiFi in Portugal?
All our hotels offer WiFi – mostly in your room but in some smaller places it’s available in the shared, public areas.
Can I use my mobile phone in Portugal?
There’s an excellent mobile reception right across the country.
What is the food like in Portugal?
The restaurants in cities like Porto and Lisbon have a good mix of Portuguese more European style menus, and there’s usually a nice selection of vegetarian options available. In the smaller towns and villages, you’ll tend to find more traditional Portuguese menus.
Are credit & debit cards accepted in Portugal?
Yes, although in more rural locations you can find it’s a bit more cash-only in restaurants and cafe bars.
What type of plug adapter do I need in Portugal?
You will need a type F adaptor in Portugal.
Is tap water safe to drink in Portugal?
Yes, the tap water is safe to drink in Portugal.
Do I need to tip in Portugal?
Tipping is not compulsory but if you feel your guide or driver has done a good job then they’ll always be happy to receive a tip.
How do I go about booking my holiday to Portugal with Archipelago Choice?
We offer two options, either book one of our ‘Best of’ holidays from the website. Alternatively, many people choose the bespoke approach where we have an insightful conversation and create a personalised itinerary that gives you the unique holiday experience you’re looking for.
How far in advance should I book my trip to Portugal?
Our advice is to start planning around six months prior to your visit, as this helps us offer the best value airfares and secure your hotels of choice.
Can I book a last-minute holiday to Portugal?
Absolutely; it helps if you have a bit of flexibility with your dates as some of our hotels might be fully booked.
Highlights
A half-day walking tour of Porto.
A full-day Douro River cruise
A half-day tour of Aveiro
Portugal’s capital city Lisbon is known for it’s great art scene, it’s music and a wealth of grand architecture. Second city Porto has all three in spades and is growing in popularity as the go-to destination for a European city break.
As the unofficial capital of northern Portugal, Porto is most famous for it’s Port wines – sitting on the mouth of the Douro river, it’s the historic gateway to the Alto Douro wine region where wine has been produced for over 2,000 years.
You’ll spend time exploring Porto’s medieval streets, historic architecture and bustling plazas. You’ll also visit the old roman city of Braga and the UNESCO-protected historic town of Guimaraes: the birthplace of Portugal.
We’ve designed this holiday with couples in mind, but it’s easily tweaked if you’re travelling as a family or with friends. We specialise in personalised holidays so just fill out an enquiry form or call for a chat on 017687 75672.
Day 1
Fly direct from the UK to Porto. You’ll be collected by our driver on arrival for the twenty-minute transfer into the centre of Porto. Your apartment is on the banks of the Douro River, close to Porto’s most famous landmark: the Ponte Luiz I bridge.
Accommodation on this day: Porto River Apartments
Day 2
For your first morning in the city, we’ll include a half-day walking tour to help you get orientated. You’ll visit Porto’s Sé Cathedral and the famous Azulejo mosaic at the Sao Bento train station, before crossing the Ponte de Dom Luis I Bridge to the Port Wine district where you’ll learn more about Porto’s most famous export.
Accommodation on this day: Porto River Apartments
Day 3
You’ll have plenty of time to explore the city at your leisure – beginning with a visit to the Livaria Lello bookshop; one of Portugal’s oldest (established in 1881), whose decor is said to have inspired J.K. Rowling as she wrote the first Harry Potter book. If you’re feeling energetic, you could climb the 240 steps to the top of the Clerigos Tower for a 360⁰ view of the whole city.
Accommodation on this day: Porto River Apartments
Day 4
You’ll spend today on our Douro Valley Wine Tour, with visits to Quinta do Portal, the riverside town of Pinhao, and Quinta do Bomfim where the both Dow’s and Graham’s Vintage ports are produced.
Accommodation on this day: Porto River Apartments
Day 5
You might like to walk the riverfront – downriver to the mouth of the Douro at Foz do Douro, to the visit the Castelo do Queijo, returning along the grand Avenida da Boavista and the Praça de Mouzinho de Albuquerque.
Day 6
You’ll take a guided tour of the historic cities of the old roman city of Braga, with a visit to the baroque roman catholic monument at Bom Jesus do Monte and popular pilgrimage site. Leaving Braga, you’ll move on to the historic city of Guimaraes, with visits to the Paço Dos Duques De Bragança, the Museu de Alberto Sampaio and the Murlahas de Guimaraes.
Day 7
For your final full day, you could head over the top deck of the Ponte de Dom Luis I Bridge to the Miradouro da Serra do Pilar – Porto’s most famous viewpoint. The Teleferico da Gaia cable car will take you back down into the porthouse district; a great place to buy souvenirs and gifts for family and friends.
Day 8
You’ll be transferred to the airport for your flight home.
Jeep Tours
Our jeep tours are the best way to explore those off the beaten track locations that you’d otherwise miss. Our guides will always have a plan for your day, but our tours are very relaxed and can be personalised to your particular interests.
Canyoning
Canyoning is one of the most popular pastimes in Portugal – a sport in which you scramble, jump, swim and abseil along a narrow river gorge. It’s a great sport for beginners and experts alike, and the Peneda-Gerês National Park in the north of country has some of the most beautiful rivers and canyoning routes in the whole of Portugal.
Guided tuk tuk city tour
Let the tuk tuk take the strain as you explore the seven hills of Lisbon in the company of our guides. You'll duck in and out of the tuk tuk to see the sights, architecture and history of this fascinating city. As it's electric, your guide can describe the passing streets to you as you travel to your next stopping point. The best possible introduction to Lisbon.
Food and wine
Portugal’s cuisine is very underrated. It’s always been wonderfully seasonal; an all important philosophy on food that the country’s never lost. As you’d expect, it’s also very regional; Lisbon has its famous crowd-pleasing dishes - the Pasteis de Bacalhau and Pasteis de Belem, but it’s down her narrow back-streets that you’ll find unexpected seasonal gems like coal-roasted blue lobster and Bulhao Pato clams.
Heading north, Porto’s famous Port wine Lodges are the gateway to the Douro Valley wine region. Portugal’s wines are some of the best in Europe however we don’t see them very often here in the UK as they don’t really produce enough for export. The rural heartlands of Alentejo also produce more amazing wines (including the unique ‘Invisivel’ - a white wine produced from red grapes), and arguably a superior Iberian Pork to their Spanish neighbours just across the border!
Horse riding
The Parque National da Peneda-Gerês is Portugal’s only National Park - a great way to explore the river valleys and high serras is on horseback, and there are trails to suit all abilities.
Cooking
Cook your own delicious meal under the watchful eye of expert chefs.
Kayaking
Kayaking is a wonderful way to experience Portugal’s beautiful waterways. The calm waters of the Caniçada reservoir in the north are perfect for beginners and younger children to get to grips with a kayak. For more experienced kayakers, the upstream rapids of the Cávado river offer some more challenging routes.
Porto River Apartments
The Porto River Apartments sit on the northern bank of the Douro River, in the Bairro da Ribeira, our favourite district of Porto.
The skyline is dominated by the stone architecture of the riverside warehouses which hark back to Porto’s industrial past when the city relied heavily on the Douro to export to the wider world. Away from the busy streets of central Porto, this timeless architecture now houses some of the city’s most popular riverside restaurants, hotels and apartments.
The Porto River Apartments have sixteen rooms in all; snug studios, spacious suites, and one and two bedroom apartments. The latter offer the best of both worlds; the feel of a private apartment with the convenience of a B&B. There’s a living room, bathroom, a well-equipped kitchenette, A/C and wi-fi.
The apartments are the perfect base from which to explore the city on foot and Porto’s most famous landmark, the Ponte Luis I bridge, is just a stone’s throw away as is Douro’s southern bank and the historic port warehouses of Vila Nova de Gaia.
Hi Max,
Just to let you know that we had a great holiday which went too fast. Each hotel was unique and amazing and each place gave us new experience and interest.
Glowing feedback on the arrangements which all went very smoothly right from start to finish. Keep performing your magic!
All the best,
Sue
- Sue
Hi Max,
Tuktuk ride with Mario was exceptional. Lovely chap and made our trip memorable. This evening in a Fado restaurant was just fabulous. Hotel Solar do Castelo is amazing. After 2 postponements this holiday is truly worth it.
At the moment Archipelago Choice is on a pedestal.
John
- John
Where is Portugal?
Portugal is the most-western country in mainland Europe, bordered by Spain in the north and east.
When is the best time to visit Portugal?
Portugal’s mild in the Autumn and Winter, and hot from around May through to November. It can be very hot (+40⁰C) in the Summer months.
How do I get to Portugal?
The UK is well-connected to Lisbon, with direct flights from London, Manchester, Glasgow and Edinburgh. You can also fly direct to Porto from Gatwick, Manchester and Edinburgh.
What languages do they speak on Portugal?
Portuguese, and English is widely spoken.
Is it safe to drive on Portugal?
Very – the quality of the roads is excellent and it’s very easy to navigate.
Do I need an international driver’s license for Portugal?
All you require is a valid UK driving licence.
Do I need travel insurance to visit Portugal?
We highly recommend that you have the right type of travel insurance that will cover your medical expenses, baggage loss, accidents and personal liability and repatriation.
Can I get WiFi in Portugal?
All our hotels offer WiFi – mostly in your room but in some smaller places it’s available in the shared, public areas.
Can I use my mobile phone in Portugal?
There’s an excellent mobile reception right across the country.
What is the food like in Portugal?
The restaurants in cities like Porto and Lisbon have a good mix of Portuguese more European style menus, and there’s usually a nice selection of vegetarian options available. In the smaller towns and villages, you’ll tend to find more traditional Portuguese menus.
Are credit & debit cards accepted in Portugal?
Yes, although in more rural locations you can find it’s a bit more cash-only in restaurants and cafe bars.
What type of plug adapter do I need in Portugal?
You will need a type F adaptor in Portugal.
Is tap water safe to drink in Portugal?
Yes, the tap water is safe to drink in Portugal.
Do I need to tip in Portugal?
Tipping is not compulsory but if you feel your guide or driver has done a good job then they’ll always be happy to receive a tip.
How do I go about booking my holiday to Portugal with Archipelago Choice?
We offer two options, either book one of our ‘Best of’ holidays from the website. Alternatively, many people choose the bespoke approach where we have an insightful conversation and create a personalised itinerary that gives you the unique holiday experience you’re looking for.
How far in advance should I book my trip to Portugal?
Our advice is to start planning around six months prior to your visit, as this helps us offer the best value airfares and secure your hotels of choice.
Can I book a last-minute holiday to Portugal?
Absolutely; it helps if you have a bit of flexibility with your dates as some of our hotels might be fully booked.
