Porto, vibrant city in Portugal divided from the river Douro . City overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and its immensity. Vibrant, warm and full of traditions. There are many things to do in Porto and I will tell you all the ones that I have had the pleasure of doing. I also wanted to tell you that I visited Porto also thanks to the help of two colleagues of mine.
Being them from Porto, they recommended me some things to do / see. At the end of the article I will tell you how to reach the city from the airport (very simple). Always at the end you will find a map with all the spots where you can take a nice photo as a memory! I just have to start, ready?
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How many days does it take to visit Porto?
This is the first doubt that I want to dispel you. For me, personally, 4 days (3 nights) , simply because there are some things out of town. Porto is a city of ups and downs and therefore you will have to walk a lot. Indeed, I highly recommend a day on foot to enjoy the alleys and stairways of this city.
Things to do in Porto: where to start?
Usually, when traveling, you know that between travel times and accommodation the first day is (almost) lost. So on the 1st day you could dedicate it, as I did, to visit the city center . The fulcrum around which the city of Porto revolves is the Bridge Luiz I . From here you can reach different places with a view to enjoy a little bit of the beauty of the city.
Jardim do Morro e Miradouro do teleferico
The 1st that I recommend, also because you can stop nearby for refreshment, is Jardim do Morro . The view from here is wonderful and you can see Porto and its colorful houses. The viewpoint is called
miradouro do teleferico . The place to stop is called Esplanada do teleferico . Outstanding view, good food and helpful staff.
Things to do in Porto: Miradouro da Serra do Pilar
This place is the most beautiful viewpoint in my opinion and is just a few minutes walk from the previous one. So once in Jardim do Morro, go here (just follow the signs for the Monastery). It is the view from the outer space of the Serra do Pilar Monastery . During the day you can admire all the colors of Porto, in the evening, when the lights come on, it will make you fall in love.
Things to do in Porto: Kitties Rock
Always in the same area but from a different perspective you will find this special rock . To reach this place you have to take a short path. You can find it in front of the funicular
and once at the end pay attention.
To reach the rock you have to cling to a steep wall, use your hands. From here you will have the complete (lower) view
of the Bridge Luiz 1st and Porto.
Walk on the Bridge
Once you have seen these 3 places you can take a stroll on the bridge and enjoy the view. When you reach the opposite side, you can walk down and reach the ribiera .
Walk along the ribiera
Strolling through Portuguese alleys should take you to the coolest area of the city. The ribiera is the long river and hub of restaurants and bars (in the end I mention several not to be missed). From this part of the city you have the view of the Monastery (and of the bridge).
Here you can stop for a coffee / beer or aperitif overlooking the Douro river and relax. For the first day I think it's just fine also because you have already walked enough.
Why renting a bike the following days for the things to see and do in Porto?
The following days you can organize yourself for visits that are far from Porto center. How? Renting a bike , as I usually do . The reason why I recommend the bike is because Porto is well organized with
cycle paths . Especially if you are out of the city center.
In Porto, you will find many shops where to rent bikes. I recommend the one on the side where I was staying, it's called Cyclas and
Biclas . I discovered this place by chance upon my arrival (early morning) due to my luggage. Since check-ins are usually in the early afternoon, the airbnb host advised me to leave it there.
When I arrived I then discovered that this very nice couple also rented bikes. After some advice I set out for the next destination: the lighthouse !
I leave you the link of the official website of biclas and triclas to do a cost check .
Things to do in Porto: the lighthouse and the ocean
It may seem trivial but maybe not. Before coming to Porto I had never seen the ocean . Some might say that always sea (water) is. This is probably true but at least I have updated my palmares as a traveler. In addition, the ocean gave me a feeling of fear. It must have been those giant waves (it is no coincidence that Porto has surf beaches ) but it's different from a closed sea.
Charming and majestic. You can reach the lighthouse after about 20 minutes by pedaling. The path is very pleasant also because the waterfront is very spacious. You can even take a path a stone's throw from the ocean. The lighthouse has its own charm and is not actually an attraction. I like them because they facilitate my relaxation while gazing at the sea. Reason why I included it in the list of things to see.
Also, a little further on, you will find a very nice spot where you can take nice photos. It is called "Pergola da Foz" and is a colonnaded section that always overlooks the ocean.
Things to do in Porto: wine tour
On the same day, you can return to the center to take a very interesting guided tour. That of port wine and its history. There is a cellar exactly in the center, on one side of the Bridge Luiz 1st and it is called Burmester Wine Cellar .
The visit lasts about 30 minutes on how the port was born and where it is geographically produced. The visit ends with a port wine tasting . In my opinion, the price is very modest and worth it, especially if you are a wine lover.
The basic price is 13 euros with 3 tastings. I opted for the 17 euro one with accompanying chocolate. Inside the cellar, there is also a not bad view from the large windows. I leave you the link to book the port wine tour
Things to do in Porto: Capela Senhor de Pedra
I highly recommend this place and not to go there too late. Capela de senhor de Pedra is outside Porto and it's a mystical place . It is a chapel located in the middle of a rock which is located halfway between the beach and the ocean. It can be reached in about 40 minutes by bike (depending on where you leave from).
Cycle path also from this side which makes the journey very pleasant and relaxing. Along the way you will find many bars where you can take a break. I went to visit it because it intrigued me so much. As soon as you get there it looks almost surreal , honest. You remain stunned for a moment and wonder WHO built it ! Take a nice walk barefoot and feel free.
As a landscape photographer I couldn't miss the chance to take unique photos . Indeed, if you want to know, due to a very strong wave, I lost my camera. A wave threw it away while I was saving my bagpack.
Luckily I recovered the card and titled my last photo “última exposição“.
Things to do in Porto: Passeio das Fontainhas
Once back from Senhor de Pedra you can dedicate the remaining time to another spot with a view. It is the Passeio das Fontainhas which is nothing else than a small street with another beautiful view of Porto. Not far from the center on foot and from which you have a different view (see photo below). A very nice spot and to get there you have to cross alleys and alleys, recommended.
What to eat in Porto?
Many days of walking / pedelating correspond to many days of good Portuguese food . But the question is: what is typical to eat in Porto?
Francesihna
The francesinha is a typical Portuguese dish: a sandwich . It originates from Porto and is similar to the French croque-monsieur, from which it derives. In Porto they make several variations but anyway you have to taste it from SANTIAGO . I'm not even going to explain why, go there and then you'll understand.
Pastel de nata
Very famous and delicious typical Portuguese pastry made with puff pastry and eggs. I ate at least a couple a day, they are addictive.
Fish
It goes without saying that once you are in Porto, a seaside city, you have to eat fish. I ate every day in the restaurant and twice in seafood places.
Restaurante O Xarroco
The first time I had to go to a restaurant near Pergola da Foz but it was closed. The name of the restaurant recommended to me is “Salta o muro” in case you could go there. On the same road I found several restaurants and I threw myself into the first one at random: O Xarroco .
A very young boy welcomed me and advised me what to eat (all fish based). I leave you some photos of what I ate telling you that it was all fresh. In my opinion the fish a few hours earlier was still in the sea. I can highly recommend it.
Barris do Douro
The other restaurant where I ate (based on fish) is located in the center, along the Porto river with a ribiera view! It's called Barris do Douro and I was very surprised. Reason? Well we know that "usually" the center is very "tourist" even in terms of food.
But with great surprise I also ate here divinely with a "menu of the day". Appetizer, main course, dessert and coffee at a very low price but with excellent quality.
I leave you the link of the Barris do Douro site if you want to book a table .
Places not to be missed in Porto
Esplanada do teleferico
I quickly mentioned this place to you at the beginning of the article. It is located at the foot of Jardim do Morro and is at the entrance / exit of the funicular. It is no coincidence that it is called Esplanada do teleferico and it is very beautiful especially for the view. Here too I was surprised by the quality of the food, despite being very touristy. I recommend it for a quick lunch if you are in the area, a dinner at sunset or for a simple aperitif!
Majestic Café
The beauty and charm of this place have stolen my heart. A little expensive but the experience of going back a few years is worth it. Stop here to listen to some classical music and have a drink. As you do so, enjoy the thoroughness of the design that will catapult into 1921 (birth year).
Capela Incomum
That place under the house that you don't expect at all. Capela Incomum is something you see and say “really, seriously?”. A wine / cocktail bar in a 19th century chapel. I had it under the house (B&B) as I was staying in Travessa do Carregal.
This place is magnetic, as soon as you walk in and see the little altar you almost feel uneasy. You don't know whether you should make the sign of the cross or kneel down and say a prayer with a chalice of port in your hands. Highly recommended for something 'different'.
Cocktail bar Porto
Royal cocktail club Porto
In an area called Galeria de Paris, you will find this little gem within walking distance. Also mentioned in the infamous 50 best (discover) guide this cocktail bar is a must try. Soft lights and high-level cocktails ranging from 10 to 12 euros. The area (in the evening) is one of the liveliest in the city and you can find lots of entertainment. A stop at the Royal is more than necessary in my opinion if you want to drink well and experience a special atmosphere.
Where to stay in Porto
I leave you with two options for accommodation:
- The best b&bs in Porto selected by booking.com
- Links to Porto hostels on Hostelworld (in case of a low budget)
Porto airport to city center
Getting to the center of Porto from the airport is very simple. In Porto the metro line works very well even if, once in the center, you can move around on foot. From the airport to the center it is about 20 minutes by metro (in the form of a tram) and is the purple line .
Where you have to get off also depends a little on where you are staying. So my advice is to look for your final destination on google maps. In the travel options click meter and you will know exactly where to get off.
Things to do in Porto: conclusions
My trip to Porto is over. Obrigado as always for reading one of mine articles and that there is inspiration. Portugal surprised me a lot. Often, when I like a place so much, I always say: I have to go back.
When I left Porto I thought so! So, fate vobis. To the next stop ... and remember: who travels lives twice .
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