Porto Marathon: running by the Douro and the Atlantic

The Porto Marathon takes runners along the Douro River and the Atlantic seafront of one of Portugal's most charming cities. It is a friendly autumn race with plenty of scenery and great food waiting after the finish.

Fun facts

• Large parts of the course follow the Douro River and the ocean promenade.
• The historic centre of Porto is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Porto gave its name to port wine, aged in cellars across the river in Vila Nova de Gaia.

What to see

• The Ribeira riverside with its colourful houses.
• The Dom Luís I Bridge with its two decks.
• The Clérigos Tower and the azulejo tiles of São Bento station.

What to taste

• Francesinha, a hearty sandwich with meat, melted cheese and sauce.
• Bacalhau, salted cod cooked in many ways.
• Pastel de nata, the classic Portuguese custard tart.

What to do

• Visit the expo to collect your race number.
• Cheer runners along the river near Ribeira.
• Recover with a port wine cellar tour in Vila Nova de Gaia.

💡 Tip: The metro runs directly from the airport to the city centre. Fly in at least a day early and book accommodation early, because hotels fill up on race weekend.