Porto
An old-world city with new-world comforts
The town that gave the country (and port wine) its very name, Porto is Portugal’s second-largest metropolis after Lisbon. Sometimes called Oporto, it's an age-old city that has one foot firmly in the industrial present. The old town, centered at Ribeira, was built on the hills overlooking the Douro River, and today is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The 14th-century São Francisco church is a main attraction, as are the local port wine cellars, mostly located across the river at Vila Nova de Gaia.
8 UNMISSABLE THINGS TO DO IN PORTO
#1 TAKE A SIGHTSEEING CRUISE DOWN THE DOURO RIVER
Jump aboard this six-bridge Porto city sightseeing boat tour by traditional rabello boat, and learn about the importance of the river to the city while passing many of its famous bridges and landmarks. You'll follow the old route once followed by wine merchants transporting Port from the valley to the cellars, pass under the famous Gustav Eiffel-designed Dom Luis I Bridge, admire the beautiful homes of the riviera from the water, and (hopefully!) soak up some sun.
#2 EXPLORE THE RIBEIRA, BAIXA AND BOLHAO DISTRICTS
The three suburbs of Ribeira, Baixa, and Bolhão make up Porto’s most historic and touristy areas; as a traveller, it’s where you’re likely to spend the majority of your time too. Ribeira, with its rows of colourful houses and riverfront views is vibrant and bustling, full of cafes, bars, and shops full of locals and tourists alike soaking up the atmosphere and views of the river Douro and famous Dom Luis I Bridge. Above the Ribeira are the Baixa and Sé areas, where you'll find most the majority of Porto's best attractions, including: Mercado do Bolhão, Majestic Cafe, Rua Santa Catarina, Palácio do Bolsa, and so many more.
#3 EAT ALL THE PASTEIS DE NATA AT CONFEITARIA DO BOLHÃO
Portugal is the birthplace of one of the best sweet treats you could ever hope to sink your teeth into: the small yet mighty Pastel de Nata (Portuguese tart). One of the greatest things about being in the home of this delicious treat is that it's not just socially acceptable to devour sugary pastries for breakfast, it's actually expected. No place will help you get your pastry on better than the Confeitaria do Bolhão, the beautiful 120-year-old patisserie serving up Porto's best Portuguese tarts, arrufadas (sweetbread), croissants, and other tempting flakey sweet treats.
#4 WATCH THE SUNSET FROM THE DOM LUIS I BRIDGE
Sunsets in Porto are absolutely magical, so make your way up to the famous Dom Luis I Bridge, designed by Gustav Eiffel, and watch the magnificent spectacle over the Ribeira District. The bridge, becomes the heart and soul of the city in the late afternoon, as locals and tourists alike come out to walk and cycle along the bridge or simply take in the views.
#5 VISIT LIVRARIA LELLO, PORTO'S MOST BEAUTIFUL LIBRARY
It's said to be the most beautiful bookstore in the world, and having wandered through it ourselves, we can tell you that Livraria Lello definitely lives up to its reputation. The splendour of Livraria Lello also has another (massive) claim to fame too - rumour has it that the bookstore (along with some key spots in Scotland) inspired the magic of JK Rowling's Hogwarts, after she spent 2 years living in Porto teaching English. It definitely feels as though you might bump into Harry or Ron amongst these shelves!
#6 CHECK OUT THE VIEWS FROM CLERIGOS TOWER
For centuries, Porto's Torres do Clérigos (Clérigos tower) has been one of the city's most recognisable landmarks, towering over the city from its place atop the Clérigos Church since 1763. These days, visitors can still access the top of the belltower via the 230 stairs (aka a very narrow, very claustrophobic and cramped staircase!), the top of which provides epic panoramic views over Porto and beyond.
#7 EAT PORTO’S MOST FAMOUS DISH, FRANCESINHA
Traditionally, Porto’s famous Francesinha was a meal strictly reserved for the meat eaters. Somewhere between a toasted sandwich and gluttonous meat burger, we’re talking layers of thick steak, sausage and ham, slathered with gooey melted cheese, doused in tomato-based sauce, and topped with an egg (in case you hadn’t had enough protein yet!) and served up with some crispy hot chips. Meat eaters: to try this heart attack on a plate yourself, we recommend Cafe Santiago, Cervejaria Brasão, and O Afonso. Thankfully, these days travellers who are vegetarian can still sample this notorious dish for themselves, with both vegetarian and vegan options popping up all over the city. To get your fix, we recommend the vegetarian and vegan Francesinha options at Cervejaria Brasão, Lado B, and Francesinhas Da Baixa.
#8 VISIT THE SÃO BENTO RAILWAY STATION
The São Bento station is so much more than merely a transport hub for Porto's residents; on the walls of the grand entrance, 20,000 azulejo (traditional painted tiles) depict Porto's history in breathtaking beauty. The story of its royalty, various battles, and transportation play out across the beautifully painted blue and white tiles, and when the afternoon sun hits in just the right place, soft golden light bathes the room in sheer magic. Basically, if you visit Porto and you miss São Bento, you've done it all wrong.
Explore Porto 🧭 🧳