Porto
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Porto is the second largest city in Portugal (the first being Lisbon). The city lies along the Douro River, where beautiful bridges connect spaces and places while providing ample views of many colorful, pastel buildings. Known for its hilly cobblestone streets, port wine production, delicious cuisine, and historic architecture, Porto is the perfect place for a laidback European vacation or a short weekend trip from Spain.
Travel tip #1: Porto is the only city in Europe with 6 bridges. All six—Doña María Pía, Dom Luís I, Arrábida, Infante Dom Henrique, São João, and Freixo Bridge—run over the Douro River and connect Porto with the neighboring city of Vila Nova de Gaia. Dom Luís I is the most popular bridge out of the six, but all are worthwhile to see and even cross if you have the time.
Places of Interest
Historic Center: The Historic Center of Porto, as well as the Dom Luís I Bridge and Monastery of Serra do Pilar, were deemed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1996. The Historic Center is home to several of the most important monuments of Porto and is rich in Portuguese architecture. You’ll more than likely stroll through here several times while in the city.
Capela de Santa Catarina: Also known as Capela das Almas, which means “Souls’ Chapel,” this religious structure dates back to the late 18th century. Its outer walls are covered in approximately 16,000 azuléjos (blue tiles) that tell the story of São Francisco de Assis and Santa Catarina. It’s difficult to miss this stunning blue and white chapel if you’re on Rua da Santa Catarina.
São Bento Station: This gorgeous train station is located just a few meters from the Avenida dos Aliados in the city center of Porto. The French Beaux-Arts structure has more than 20,000 azuléjos that depict Portugal’s past royalty, wars, and transportation history and were created between 1905-1916 by artist Jorge Colaço. Even if you are not catching a train from São Bento, be sure to make a stop here to admire the station’s beauty.
Rua das Flores: This centuries-old street is now one of the most cosmopolitan areas in Porto that is lined with tasteful restaurants, hip cafes, souvenir shops, and boutiques. This strip runs down to the Igreja da Misericórdia, the Museu da Misericórdia do Porto, and the Largo São Domingos which is across the road from São Bento Station.
Bolsa Palace: Palácio da Bolsa in Portuguese, the Stock Exchange Palace is built in Neoclassical style and features an ornate gilded Arabian Hall that was inspired by the Palace of Alhambra in Granada. This building is one of the most-visited sites in Porto due to its renowned decor and architecture.
Porto Cathedral: The Porto Cathedral, also known as Sé do Porto and Sé Cathedral, is a Roman Catholic church that is one of the city’s most important religious and Romanesque monuments. This cathedral was built in the city’s highest point when the first band protective walls were built—in the 12th century.
Miradouro da Vitória: This cenic view point is perhaps one of the best known within Porto for its fantastic view over the Ribeira and River Douro. From atop this miradouro, you can see the wine lodges across the river, Dom Luís I Bridge, Palácio da Bolsa, and Porto Cathedral. If you visit at dusk, you can watch the buildings slowly light up and glimmer as darkness sets upon the city.
Clérigos Tower: Clérigos Tower opened in 1763. It is the highest bell tower of Portugal, measuring over 75 meters in height. There are a total of 240 steps that you can climb to reach the top. Being a popular spot, there is sometimes a line to climb the tower.
Livraria Lello: The 110-year-old Lello Bookstore is regarded one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world with similar appeal to the Coex Mall Starfield Library in Seoul, South Korea. Its walls are filled to the rafters with new, old, and antiquarians books. During my visit in April 2023, entrance was free if you purchased a book but this can always change.
Caís da Ribeira: Soak in this picaresque view of Porto, complete with riverfront views and pastel buildings. The Ribeira is one of the liveliest areas in the city and has a collection of restaurants, bars, and cafes overlooking the Douro River. This is a nice place to grab a quick bite to eat in between sightseeing.
Jardim do Morro: Across from Porto you will find Jardim do Morro, a beautiful green space and garden at the highest point of a hill in Vila Nova de Gaia. You can access the gardens by crossing the Dom Luís I Bridge by metro or cable car. This is a popular spot to grab a bottle of wine or some beer, pack a bag of snacks, and watch the sunset with friends.
Pedra dos Gatinhos: Another nice nighttime view point, Pedra dos Gatinhos (also known as Kitties Rock) is a bit more challenging to access compared to Jardim do Morro. After crossing the Dom Luís I Bridge, follow a dirt path and climb up some boulders to enjoy the view.
World of Wine: This is the best place to see the centuries old Port Wine cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia and also taste a variety of port wines that are made in Porto. World of Wine (WOW) pays homage to this region of Portugal through exhibits, museums, restaurants, and bars that focus on port wine and its production.
Travel tip #2: Exploring the Historic Center and Ribeira is easiest on foot, but there are many hills and slopes between the various sites. Planning a route based on area rather than site is probably best because it can be difficult and more time-consuming than anticipated to navigate the windy streets of Porto.
Food & Drink
Café Majestic: Opened in the early 1920s, Café Majestic on Santa Catarina Street is a Belle Epoque-era eatery with gorgeous carved wood, mirrors, and chandeliers. The café is popular amongst tourists for its Art Nouveau Facade as well as its stonework.
Chocolataria das Flores: Here you’ll find handmade artisan chocolates as well as small gifts and coffee. Their hot chocolate is phenomenal, as it’s more of a melted chocolate sauce/ drinking chocolate rather than a traditional hot chocolate drink made with milk.
Café Santiago: One of many eateries in Porto known for serving francesinha, the sandwich of Porto. Café Santiago is affordable, convenient, and fast. It’s popular amongst locals and tourists alike because they serve good food in a casual environment throughout the day and night.
Zenith – Brunch and Cocktails Bar: If you’re tired of Portuguese cuisine but still looking for Western-style brunch, Zenith is a great spot to check out. The space is fairly industrial feeling, giving the restaurant a modern vibe. Find a variety of options to choose from alongside alcoholic beverages.
O Forno do Leitão do Zé: This chain eatery is known for their tasty suckling pig sandwiches. They serve leitão alongside potato chips and drinks; a very simplistic menu. What I liked is they have the original sized sandwich and also a mini version if you are not incredibly hungry but want to try it. Other than their location outside of Bolhao Mercado in Porto, you can find them in Mercado Bom Sucesso.
MUU Steakhouse: For those who are fans of meat, specifically steak, this is definitely a place you’ll need to reserve a table in advance. Unassuming from the outside, MUU is known not only for their stellar food but also their impeccable service. A flute of champagne was given to each guest upon walking in while the servers were knowledgable, helpful, and kind.
ODE Porto Wine House: Small and cozy, this rustic eatery serves amazing Portuguese dishes and wine. The entire team is incredibly passionate about the food they create and serve as well as the stories behind these thoughtfully crafted dishes. As of April 2023, they were mainly operating as a cash only establishment.
Mercado do Bolhão: This historic market was recently restored, spotlighting the neoclassical building it’s located in. Various vendors sell local sardines, fresh produce, and prepared foods like tiny toasts topped with tasty morsels as well as sandwiches and pastries.
Travel tip #3: Francesinha (fran-ses-seen-ya) is a Portuguese sandwich that originates from Porto. It’s quite heavy, as its comprised of layers of assorted meats (steak, ham, linguiça, or chipolata) stacked into two thick slices of bread and topped with melted cheese and molho de francesinha, which is tomato-and-beer sauce. Usually, you’ll find it served alongside french fries. Many places sell francesinha, but a local said you shouldn’t pay less than 11 EUR for one, so choose wisely.
Transportation & Accommodation
For those arriving to Porto by plane, you will fly in and out of Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport (OPO), typically referred to as Porto Airport. You can then take Line E, the purple metro line, into the city center if your flight is between 6 am and midnight. Otherwise, taxis or an Uber can get you into and around Porto for a fair price if you cannot or do not wish to use the metro system. Metro users, however, will want to purchase a Metro Andante Card to make using the public transportation system easier. If you arrive to Porto by train, Porto Campanha or Sao Bento Station will be where you alight. Porto Campanha is the more modern station of the two but Sao Bento is quite impressive.
Home to the city’s best nightlife and many famous sites—including Porto Cathedral and Clérigos Tower—Baixa is an excellent district to stay in. The Baixa District in Porto is located just above the Ribeira neighborhood, which features the iconic Dom Luís I Bridge. This is the most famous (and touristy) neighborhood in Porto yet gives visitors easy access to the beautiful riverside area. While in Porto, I opted to not stay in the Baixa District and rather at an apartment-style hotel called Casa da Figueiroa. Case da Figueiroa is located a 20-30 minute walk from the Historic District yet nearby many local establishments and the Lapa Metro stop. The owner was incredibly kind and helpful, and the apartment itself was beautiful and clean.
Travel tip #4: Metro and walking are usually faster than Uber if you are going a short distance due to how Porto’s roads are designed and the amount of traffic.
Climate
Located on the Douro River on the northern coast of Portugal, Porto experiences mild, rainy winters and pleasantly warm and sunny summers with a bit of humidity. The best months to visit are May and September due to the comfortable temperatures and lack of precipitation, however, any time between April and October is typically great. Compared to Lisbon, Porto and the surrounding areas are cooler.; if you do not prefer the heat, Porto is a better option in the summer months than Lisbon or Algarve.
