Things To Do and See in Porto
Porto is a city in the North of Portugal best known for two things: Port Wine and gorgeous Douro river views.
This Portuguese city has always been rather high on my bucket list and it did not disappoint when I visited. Especially taking in the city and river views from some of the viewpoints and watching the sunset felt somehow magical.
If you love strolling through beautiful and cute streets like me, then Porto is definitely the place for you.
Find below some of the best things to do in Porto, Portugal!
Stroll around Ribeira Old Town
Ribeira is the old part of the city, and is actually listed as a UNESCO World heritage site. I loved wandering here and admiring the old buildings and winding narrow streets. There’s also loads of cute souvenir and boutique stores around.
Watch out for the steep inclines of the street, which, in a way, is quintessential Portuguese. As such, you can find a few nice view points from which you can admire Porto, such as Miradouro da Rua das Aldas.
If you want to learn more about the history of this part of town, why not join a walking tour like this free one?
Do a Port Wine Tasting
You can’t miss doing a Port Wine tasting while in Porto, where this type of sweet and rich wine is from. I tasted a few port wines while I was there and thought the flavour was sweet and rich - I can see how they pair nicely with dessert and/or cheese!
There are several places you can do a port wine tasting:
Sandeman - one of the most famous port wine and sherry producers in Porto. You can visit their wine cellar as well in porto and do a tour of the cellars as well as try out some of their port wines.
Quevedo Lodge - a cozy spot for some excellent Port wine and cheese tastings. They even have an option to do a chocolate and port wine tasting!
Walk across the Dom Luís I Bridge
The Dom Luis I bridge is the famous bridge that connect the old town with the part of the city on the other side of the river called Vila Nove de Gaia.
You can actually walk over two different decks: the lower one or the higher one. The higher one will give you better views over Porto and the river of course.
Once you are across, head to Jardim do Morro, a little park from which you have a stunning view over Porto. It does get quite packed in the sunset hour though, so mornings might be a lttle less crowded.
If you’re feeling peckish, check out the food market at Mercado Beira-Rio.
Go on a Douro river cruise
The Douro river flows through the city, meandering to find it’s way to the Atlantic Ocean. One of the best ways to admire this river is by joining a river cruise. The sunset while overlooking the river is simply stunning! Many of the cruises also offer a wine tasting, because why not:)
Here are a few cruise options via GetYourGuide:
Climb the Clérigos Tower
This tower is one of the most famous landmarks in Porto and stands 76 meters tall and offers impressive views from the top of the Baroque bell tower. It’s definitely worth the 225 steps up to the tower as you will be rewarded with a 360 degrees view over Porto!
Tickets are 10 euros, and I would recommend to buy them online beforehand to skip the lines.
Visit the Harry Potter Library
Livraria Lello is the library in Porto that is often quoted as being the inspiration for the Harry Potter library. And it’s easy to see why when you visit it! The winding wooden staircase with the intricate glassworks in the windows make for a unique sight.
Do make sure to book a ticket beforehand, because there are timed slots to enter the library. You can use the ticket price as a voucher for a book from the book store as well. Just be aware that the books you can buy with the voucher are mostly classics and not newer books. I thought this is a great ‘nudge’ for people to read one of the classics!
See Porto Cathedral (Sé) and the viewpoints nearby
One of the most famous cathedrals in Porto is the Dé do Porto, located right in the heart of the Ribeira neighbourhood. Entrance fee is just 4€, and inside you can view also the beautiful blue tile art called azulejos which were introduced by the Moors in the 13th century.
Find the best specialty coffee in Porto
If you have read my blog posts before, you know that I am a huge coffee aficionado! And I was impressed of the amount of great specialty coffee places there are in Porto.
Here are a few of my favourites:
SO Coffee Roasters - excellent coffee that they roast themselves, set in a beautiful, minimalist cafe (see picture above).
Protest Kitchen - on top of great coffee, they also have delicious breakfast dishes
Caffen_pt - located in the old town, and set in a gorgeous historic building
Relax in the Palácio de Cristal gardens
The Palacio de Cristal gardens are situated to the west of the city centre of Porto and are a great place if you feel like being in nature after exploring the city.
These gardens also have a great view over the river, so it’s also a good spot for sunset views. On top of that, there are peacocks, so what’s not to like!?
Catch a Fado show
Fado is the traditional Portuguese genre of music that always sounds so melancholic,and is almost hauntingly beautiful. You can catch various Fado shows also in Porto, which can even be paired with a Port wine and cheese tasting!
One of the best spots to watch a Fado show in the Casa de Musica, which is the main concert hall in Porto.
You can also book a fado show that includes dinner and a night tour like this one.
Day trips
Douro Valley
The Douro Valley is famous for its terraced vineyards and wine estates, and if you’re a wine lover, then it is definitely a must-do to visit this area.
The easiest would be to join a tour that also includes the transfer to the valley and the wine tasting and vineyard tour.
Here are a few options on Viator:
Braga and Guimarães
These spots are easy to get to by train, so it’s a great day trip from Porto.
Braga is also called the “Rome of Portugal” because of the age of the city, as it was founded in 16 BC by the Romans and is Portugal’s oldest city. Guimarães is a UNESCO World heritage site and you can find a medieval castle, a palace and historic squares.
You can also join a tour with a local guide, which is the most convenient option.
Where to Stay
If you want to be close to all the main sights to see in Porto, then the best would be to stay in Ribeira (the old town). Here are a few hotel options:
LENSCAPE Coterie - boutique luxury hotel in the old town
Pousada Porto Rua das Flores - lovely little boutique hotel
If you’d rather stay a bit outside the city centre, but still within walking distance, I’d recommend some of the following hotels:
Cenica Porto Hotel, Curio Collection - Lovely, Mid-range option just outside the city centre of Porto
Jupiter Porto Hotel - Rooftop & Spa - Mid- range hotel with pools and spa
FAQ
How many days do you need in Porto?
A long weekend is probably more than enough, but if you want to include a day trip then 5-7 days makes for a more relaxed trip in my opinion.
Porto or Lisbon, which one is better?
I think both are worth visiting. Lisbon definitely is a bigger city with more neighbourhoods to discover, but Porto has a more relaxed vibe.
Is Porto good for digital nomads?
I think it is from what I’ve seen! There are plenty of cafes to work from and the prices are generally not too expensive (like in Lisbon). I don’t know about the digital nomad community though - I would say in that case Lisbon or Madeira have probably more to offer.
Is Porto walkable?
Porto is definitely walkable, however the streets have a very steep incline, just like in Lisbon.
There is also a metro and tram system in Porto, which work really well and you can tap in and out with your card (note: not all metro stations in Porto have this enabled yet (at the time of writing) so check which stations have it enabled.
