Porto is underrated and surprised me in the best way possible. Porto is one of those magical cities that draws all kinds of travelers with its relaxed vibe. Promising post-card perfect views, azulejo facades and golden rooftops, it’s no wonder Porto is a European destination on the rise. If you’re looking for a healthy dose of culture, beautiful architecture, incredible cuisine, and not overrun by tourists- Porto is the place for you.
WHAT WE SAW:
Livraria Lello: In recent years this bookstore has become a huge deal in Porto, so much so that it often has one of the longest lines in the city. That’s because this bookstore is famous for its beautiful interior that inspired JK Rowling when she was writing Harry Potter. Be sure to go right before closing because it’s much less crowded than the morning.
Palacio Bolsa: The former stock exchange building was built between 1842-1910 to impress potential European investors. And impress it did. From the marble and granite grand staircase, you can also explore some of the buildings more impressive rooms. You can only discover Palacio Bolsa by taking a tour so be sure to look online at the tour times in the language you prefer.
Luis I Bridge: One look at this bridge and you probably won’t be surprised that it was designed by Gustav Eiffel, the man behind the Eiffel Tower. Coming from the direction of the old city walls you can walk across this bridge and admire the views along the Douro river. We walked across the bridge to Gaia and the views were incredible.
Clérgios Tower: Rather than being covered in dazzling tiles, this church is positioned at the top of a steep road adding to its imposing nature. The narrow, slightly claustrophobic staircase which leads up the spindly tower offers exceptional views over the orange tiled rooftops of old downtown Porto.
Explore the streets of Ribiera: One of the best ways to get to know Porto is to put on your walking shoes and explore the curves and hills of Porto’s cutest neighborhood. Getting lost in the hills of Riberia is the perfect way to see the city.
Matosinhos: If the crowds in Riberia, Baixa, and riverside Gaia become a little too overwhelming (this happens, trust me), then the perfect way to escape them for the day is to take a day trip to the neighboring seaside city of Matosinhos. Matosinhos is much less touristy more chilled out and authentic feeling. A short walk from the beach there is a street lined with restaurants with open charcoal grills, grilling up the fresh catch of the day. Matosinhos’ beach is THE place to go and sample grilled fish in the sunshine and wash it down with a glass of chilled white wine, with grapes from the Douro valley.
Admire the Azulejos: For those of you who don’t follow me on Instagram, I’m low key obsessed with tiles. This obsession was brought to a whole new level in Porto. The mosaics of painted tiles which dress the buildings of old Porto are the most captivating aspect of the city’s architecture. The azulejos are responsible for making the city pop so splendidly. The following four places are a must see to admire the azulejos.
Igreja do Carmo:
Praça de Carlos Alberto
São Bento train station
Chapel of Souls
WHAT WE ATE:
Eat Many, many, many Pastel de nata: If you’ve never tried these very traditional Portuguese tarts before, then your few days in the city offer the perfect opportunity to start your own addiction. You will find pastéis de nata in bakery windows and cafés all over the city. I made it an unofficial goal to eat as many of these as possible.
Devor Francesinha: I first tasted this classic dish and my first thought was- this is the ideal hangover meal. It’s a sandwich made with thick bread, ham, Portuguese sausage, steak, and then covered in melted cheese, a tomato beer gravy and topped with a fried egg and served with French fries on the side.
Cantina 32: Not only is the space super cool, but the food was divine. I mean they make banana butter- what’s not to love?! It’s best to book a reservation here in advance.
Chocolataria Equador: This elegant store sells dark, milk, and white chocolate bars with flavors including sea salt, port wine, crispy rice, the list goes on! The chocolate is from around the world, but the bars are handmade in Portugal, with beautiful packaging. Though a little pricey, the bars come in a variety of size, are super dense, and make the perfect gift or souvenir.
WHAT WE DRANK:
VinoFino: The delightful staff made us feel very welcome and the wine from small Portuguese producers was excellent. If you want to try the local wines and Port or sample a variety at reasonable prices, this is the place to go. We also enjoyed local cheeses and olives which were also amazing! If you’re looking for a tapas style meal, this place is perfect.
Fabrica Coffee Roasters: Fabrica roasts and grind their own coffee from Brazil, Ethiopia and Colombia. They also have their own mixes to give the customer the best possible coffee experience. To go with the coffee, small pastries and light meals are all served in a cool retro environment that will not disappoint.
Combi Coffee: Started in a vintage van, Combi is now one of the leading specialty coffee roasters in Porto. Their first permanent location they converted from an old garage. It’s brightly lit with quality coffee and decorated to perfection.
Ramos Pintos Caves: A visit to Porto wouldn’t be complete without a port tasting. I mean PORTugal and PORTo literally have the name port in them. I’m going to be honest with you…I don’t really like port (there I said it), so I was skeptical about consuming large quantities of this sweet and rich wine. We chose to try the three different ports; white, ruby, and tawny along with their house red and white wines. There are over 50 port companies to choose from in Vila Nova de Gaia, just over the other side of the Douro River. We chose Ramos Pintos mostly because our Airbnb host recommended them. I couldn’t recommend them enough, the service was incredible, and it was a nice, quiet, relaxing environment.
TIPS:
While port wine is the talk of the town, I discovered vinho verde (green wine) which is native to Porto’s wine region. It’s slightly sparkling has citrus notes and it’s perfect to drink on a hot day. It’s a must try!
My number one tip for Porto would be to pack comfortable shoes. We walked everywhere, and almost all streets are cobblestone and tile. It’s also very hilly, so sneakers are a must.
When flying into Francisco Sa Carneiro (OPO) you can take the purple metro line into the city.
Daniel and I both work in customer service so we ALWAYS notice good service. I have to say we received extremely kind, professional thoughtful service while in Porto. Literally every place of business we were treated incredible, which is saying a lot considering we don’t speak any Portuguese.
