Portland in 3 Days: a guidebook for getting the most out of your visit

Portland is a city that can be easily covered in 3 days, especially if you know how to organise your itinerary. In any case, I would start with the Old Town, which surprisingly is the very heart of Chinatown. Here you can't miss the Lan Su Chinese Garden and its incomparable natural beauty.

The idea is to take advantage of the best things to do in Portland, so you should also stop by the East Side and the waterfront. On the following days, be sure to include stops at the Pittock Mansion, the International Rose Test Garden and Nob Hill. Still not sure how to organise yourself? Here's a guide to make the most of your 3 days in Oregon's largest city!

Portland's Chinatown is also its oldest district, so it makes sense to start where it all began. Then head to the East Side, another popular area that's best explored on foot. At the end of the afternoon, be sure to make time for the waterfront or a romantic boat experience.

Cadillac Café

Start your day at Callidac Café to fill up on energy. From 10 euros you can have a nutritious American-style breakfast. Note that this place is a special stop as it is a historic restaurant that opened in 1989 and serves huevos rancheros, Monte Cristo sandwiches, omelettes and traditional pancakes.

Lan Su Chinese Garden

It's time to start in the historic district surrounding the Willamette River. While the world's largest Chinatown is in Toronto, I have to tell you that Portland's Chinatown is no slouch. This area preserves Asian traditions and, during your tour, you can see cultural manifestations that will transport you to China. Especially in places like the Lan Su Chinese Garden, which you can reach via Portland TriMet, on the 8 and 77 bus line or the red and blue tram route.

Spend at least two hours meandering through its spaces, where real pagodas, pavilions and Chinese cherry trees are preserved. Inside, you'll have an enriching experience in a natural environment that preserves more than 400 species. In fact, 90% of the garden is believed to be home to plant species native to China.

Before you leave, be sure to enter the Fragrance Impregnated Heavenly Hall, used by expert scholars, with a respectful attitude. I also encourage you to join the tea ritual to feel like an Asian.

East Side

Next stop is the East Side, where mid-afternoon is a good time to take advantage of the vibrant atmosphere. From the garden you can take a taxi to get there in eight minutes, or save a few euros on the bus which connects in less than 20 minutes. You can start by walking around the neighbourhood at your own pace to see the highlights which include a contrast of industrial, old and contemporary buildings.

The main attraction here is the microbreweries, where you can do a tasting of craft spirits. Portland' s best tours offer guided experiences to get to know the neighbourhood and sample different types of beers.

Portland Boardwalk

To watch the sunset in one of the city's best locations, just take a 15-minute taxi ride to the waterfront. Here you can choose what to do depending on your mood, but if you're in a thrill-seeking mood you should end the day on the waterfront, which incidentally is home to the Oaks amusement park with trains through the facility, roller coasters and a host of kid-friendly activities.

Another reason the waterfront is so popular is for the boat rides, ideal for dining under the stars, and the Segway rides along the river which offer a refreshing experience.

By the second day you'll probably have a clearer sense of the city, so you'll be ready to take it up a notch and head through Downtown. Here you can see a rose sanctuary, see the iconic Washington Park, dip your toes in Poet's Beach and join learning tours of the Art Museum and Pittock Mansion.

Poet's Beach

A good option is to rent a bike or join a guided tour to visit Poet's Beach. It's known for its crystal clear waters and is easily accessible by bus, tram or cycle lanes. In the morning it is clear and a great place to watch the sunrise.

The water is warm most of the year, especially in summer. Here you can spend the morning splashing and sunbathing. It's definitely one of the most interesting things to do in Portland for its authenticity and tranquillity.

Washington Park

The next destination is a ten-minute taxi ride away, but if you don't mind taking public transport, you have the option of the tram. This will take you to one of Portland's most popular outdoor spaces, which you're likely to hear about as soon as you set foot in the city. This is Washington Park, the Oregon Zoo's neighbour, noted for its quiet areas available for watching outdoor movies and playing escape games.

It's also home to the Jewish Holocaust Memorial, which will leave you pondering for a while. Considering the zoo is right next door, if you plan to visit Portland with kids you can head inside to see plenty of animals, take part in educational workshops, ride the train around the facility and much more.

International Rose Test Garden

To continue your itinerary you have a proposition right next to Washington Park. However, because it's so large and stretches over 1,600 metres, you'll need to take a taxi or bus. If you are near the exit that connects the two points, you only have to walk a short distance. Then you will come to appreciate the International Rose Test Garden, a place with a large collection of rose bushes.

Specifically, it has more than 7000 rose bushes of about 550 species. In addition, you can see miniature sizes and stroll through the Shakespeare Garden, where all the flowers are named after his works.

Portland Museum of Art

A seven-minute taxi ride away is the Portland Museum of Art, ideal for sampling the city's artistic offerings. This place has an extensive collection with more than 42,000 pieces that can be seen in permanent exhibitions. It is best to take a tour with an expert guide, but in general it is easy to get to know the museum.

It is divided into areas according to the origin of the works, so you will find rooms for European, American and Asian art. They are also arranged according to periods of history or chronology, making it easy to understand. Fancy a visit? You can find tickets from 24 euros.

Pittock Mansion

Another seven-minute taxi ride will change the mood, taking you to discover the legacy of a legendary American family. You may have heard of the Pittock Mansion, a family home that now serves as a museum and houses personal items, period newspapers and even an antique piano.

It was built around 1909 and belonged to Henry Pittock, the pioneering publisher of one of Portland's most important newspapers. For decades it was lived in by family members, who tried to continue the legacy. However, it was sold to the government, which fortunately took care of converting it into a cultural space for the general public. You can find tickets from 15 euros

Its interior is wonderful, but it also has a very popular spot that offers panoramic views of the whole city. In addition, the beauty of its gardens rivals other green spaces in Portland, as they have been tended to honour their predecessors.

Portland is a very privileged metropolis, as it is connected to nature-filled destinations. The best thing is that you don't have to travel long distances to get to know them, and you can organise everything on your own or book a guided experience from the city.

There are plenty of getaways you can take advantage of, but for the brevity of your itinerary on this last day I suggest you opt for nearby routes such as the Columbia Falls or Mount Hood. On the way back to the city you can have fun at Nob Hill and/or the Willamette River Canal.

Columbia Gorge Waterfalls

There are many reasons to visit the Columbia Gorge Waterfalls, starting with its proximity to Portland. The route can be completed in an hour and a half, depending on the type of transport you use. As the most distant destination for the day, I recommend that it tops your plans. Of course, you'll have to get up early to squeeze in every second, but I promise it's worth it.

Here you'll see the Columbia River George Gorge and be surrounded by over 90 waterfalls that sprawl through the area. The soothing sound is unparalleled and is ideal to accompany your breakfast or sunrise. Another option is to take a light aircraft flight from the city to fly over the falls and save time. This way you'll see Multnomah and Latourell Falls, the beacon rock that surrounds the coast and a sandy river that creates a peculiar desert in the middle of the jungle.

Mount Hood

The next destination is the peak of Mount Hood, an hour's drive away. It's difficult to get transport between the two areas, so I suggest combining both activities into one organised tour from Portland so you don't have to worry about any of the details. This place is a year-round dream, but its winter beauty is unparalleled.

No matter what time of year you choose, it's a wonderful retreat with outdoor activities such as skiing, local wine tasting, trails to the historic Refuge in the Woods, hiking or mountain biking, camping under the stars, boating or fishing with the family.

Nob Hill

It's time to head back to the city and, if you still have a little time left, you can explore the charm of the Nob Hill neighbourhood. This area is characterised by restaurants with some of Portland's tastiest flavours, as well as vintage shops, craft spaces and quirky vibes emanating from the Peculiarium and Museum. It's a museum with bizarre exhibits and scary products. While it's fun for adults, I wouldn't take the kids.

Admission starts at 6 euros and gives you an interactive experience with the option to buy some unique souvenirs.

Willamette River

It's a shame to say goodbye to Portland, but to end the tour on a high note I suggest you take a cruise on the Willamette River which usually starts at sunset. It offers over two hours of delight with a delicious dinner included that is accompanied by live music and piano, as well as interesting stories of the city.

The tour takes you past the sights and attractions that surround Oregon's largest city, so keep your eyes peeled for the Hawthorne Bridge and other architectural gems with modern and antique designs that are sure to captivate.

• Take a break: seeing the attractive images of Portland on the Internet, you're bound to think of a lot of things to do. However, the healthiest thing to do is to create an itinerary with breaks in order to enjoy the trip to the fullest and not end up overwhelmed.
• Route: As you can see, I have suggested one area per day, as this is the best way to get to know Portland and its best activities.
• Transport: It's easy to get between destinations by public transport in the city, but it's clearly quicker to take a taxi (though also more expensive).
• Food: Make stops to eat and fall in love with the local cuisine, which fuses Mediterranean, Mexican and Asian elements with typical American fare.
• Time: consider that there may be unexpected delays or changes to the itinerary, so be flexible and have alternative plans so you don't get stuck in the hotel or at a standstill.
• Weather: June through August is the best time to take advantage of outdoor activities and outstanding tours of the city, although it is also the busiest time of year.