Three days is enough to get the shape of Porto without treating the city like a scavenger hunt. I’d give the old centre one day, the neighbourhoods another, and keep the third for either the coast or the Douro. Don’t schedule both on the same day.
Day one: old Porto and Gaia
Start at São Bento for the tile hall, then walk up to Sé and down through the old lanes to Ribeira. The route is steep and cobbled; if it has rained, take your time. For lunch, Casa Guedes at Praça dos Poveiros does a roast-pork sandwich with the option of Serra cheese. Map
Cross the upper deck of Dom Luís I Bridge if you want the big view, stop at Jardim do Morro and choose one port cellar in Gaia. If you’re not interested in a tasting, don’t force it; the riverfront is a good end to the day on its own.
Day two: Bolhão, Clérigos and Cedofeita
Go to Mercado do Bolhão in the morning, especially if you enjoy looking at food stalls; it is closed on Sundays. Walk Santa Catarina, then cut across Aliados to Clérigos. The tower is worth the stairs if the sky is clear, but check the current hours and ticket information before you commit.
After lunch, wander toward Cedofeita and Bombarda for galleries, independent shops and cafés. Keep the afternoon loose; the best bit may be the coffee stop you didn’t plan.
Day three: choose the coast, Douro or city gardens
For the Atlantic: take Metro line A to Matosinhos Sul, walk the beach and have grilled fish at São Valentim. Check the route and restaurant hours for the day, then return by Metro or bus. Coast map
For wine country: take a Douro Valley day trip. It’s a longer outing with travel time, so book transport and a winery ahead rather than trying to improvise it after breakfast.
For a slower city day: spend the morning at Serralves and the afternoon in Foz. Check the museum, park and event hours; this is a full outing, not a quick add-on between central sights.
Make the days fit your legs
Plan one main area per half-day. Porto’s hills turn a short-looking map route into real effort, and a taxi for one steep leg can be money well spent. Book the dinner you care about, eat simply the other times, and leave a gap for the place that catches your eye.
You will miss things. Good. It means the trip still has a reason to come back.
