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Before you go
Your trip to Portland.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Portland – Maine Destination Portland and the coast of Maine
How to get there
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Portland International Jetport (PWM) 5 km
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Portland Transportation Center 3 km
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Casco Bay Lines Ferry Terminal 1 km
Approximate distances. Check flights and bus, train or boat schedules before you travel.
The airport (PWM) is about 5 km from downtown, with city buses and taxis. The Downeaster train and intercity buses arrive at the Portland Transportation Center, about 3 km from downtown. Island ferries depart from the Commercial Street terminal.
How many days
Two days: one for the Old Port, the waterfront and the Museum of Art, another for Portland Head Light, the Observatory and the Eastern Promenade. A third day allows for a ferry trip to the islands of Casco Bay.
When to go
June through September, with temperatures between 20 °C and 27 °C and the busiest activity at the harbor and on the ferries. October brings cool days and colorful foliage. From December to March it’s cold, below 0 °C many days, and it snows frequently, but museums and restaurants remain open.
The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.
Do you need a car?
For downtown and the Old Port, no: everything is walkable or reachable by city bus. A car helps to get to Portland Head Light, about 7 km away, and to explore the coast. Drive on the right.
Suggested itinerary
An order that works
Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.
One day in Portland
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Morning
Old Port and the waterfront
Walk the Old Port’s cobblestone streets from Exchange Street to Commercial Street, and along the piers where the lobster boats dock.
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Afternoon
Portland Head Light
Drive or take a bus to Cape Elizabeth and spend the afternoon in Fort Williams Park, around Portland Head Light.
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Evening
Dinner at the harbor
Return to the Old Port for seafood dinner near the pier.
2 days in Portland
Day 1
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Morning
Portland Museum of Art
Start at the Museum of Art, in Congress Square, with Winslow Homer’s coastal Maine paintings.
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Afternoon
Old Port
Go down to the Old Port and the piers on Commercial Street; at dusk, take a short ferry ride to Peaks Island.
Day 2
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Morning
Munjoy Hill
Climb up to the Portland Observatory on Munjoy Hill and walk the Eastern Promenade, with views of the islands.
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Afternoon
Cape Elizabeth
Spend the afternoon at Portland Head Light and Fort Williams Park, with the lighthouse keeper’s house museum.
Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.
Before you go
Frequently asked questions
What’s the difference between Portland, Maine, and Portland, Oregon?
They are two cities on opposite sides of the country. The one in Maine, on the Atlantic coast, is older and smaller; the one in Oregon, on the Pacific coast, was named in its honor. When buying a ticket, check the airport code: PWM is Maine’s, PDX is Oregon’s.
How do you get from Portland, Maine airport to downtown?
The airport is about 5 km from downtown. There are city buses, taxis and ride-hailing cars; the drive takes about 15 minutes.
What to do in Portland, Maine, in one day?
Walk the Old Port and the waterfront in the morning and spend the afternoon at Portland Head Light in Cape Elizabeth. If you have time left, climb the Portland Observatory.
Can you visit the Casco Bay islands from Portland?
Yes. Ferries run year-round from the Commercial Street terminal to Peaks Island and other inhabited islands. The trip to Peaks takes about 20 minutes.