Port Wine and Potter: Incredible Things to See and Do in Porto
Porto is often considered simply a diversion or a secondary destination in any Portugal travel itinerary, with the focus on Lisbon. But that mindset has been changing over the years. Previously known primarily for its port wine, savvy travelers are discovering this charming, budget-friendly European city in droves. Porto is refined, yet inviting. Exotic, yet accessible. So if you’re unable to add any other Portuguese city to your itinerary, don’t despair. Porto is an excellent standalone destination, whether you’re traveling to Portugal for the first time or you’re looking for yet another reason to return.
Things to See and Do in Porto
Take a Douro River cruise
The stunning Douro Valley landscape
Wine production in Portugal’s Douro Valley goes back 2,000 years. Its most famous export, port wine, has established quality standards which have been regulated since 1756. Besides wine, the Douro River was also used to transport other luxuries like almonds and olives produced in the valley, earning it the nickname the River of Gold. The scenic hillsides are dotted with charming quintas (wine estates), making it one of the most picturesque places to visit.
Options to explore the Douro Valley are plentiful. You can make a day trip out of a river cruise from Porto, and even throw in a wine tasting or two. If you’re interested in exploring some of the towns along the river, you can take the scenic railway or drive part of the way. The train ride from Sao Bento to Régua takes just under 2 hours, and an additional 25 minutes will get you to Pinhão. Both are fun to explore, and offer 1-2 hour tours on rabelo, which are flat-bottomed boats traditionally used to transport wine barrels.
Porto is also known as the City of Bridges, with six bridges crossing the Douro River. Ponte de Dona Maria Pia is attributed to Gustave Eiffel of Eiffel Tower fame, and was honored as an International Historic Civil Engineering Landmark. If you’re a fan of bridges, there are specialty Douro River cruises that will take you to all six, in as little as an hour.
Explore stunning examples of Portuguese azulejos
Church of St. Anthony’s Congregations across from Sao Bento Station
Portuguese azulejo are the ceramic tiles central to the country’s national culture and identity. As we learned from our excellent experience at the National Museum of Azulejo, blue-and-white designs were popular in the 18th century, and Porto has several stellar examples from the period. The Chapel of Souls has an azulejo exterior depicting scenes from the lives of saints. Three additional religious structures bathed in beautiful azulejo design are the Santo Ildefonso Church, Carmo Church and Church of St. Anthony’s Congregations. All are within close proximity to each other and easy to explore as you wander central Porto.
Azulejo mural at Sao Bento Station
And perhaps one of the most significant examples of the craft can be found in the Sao Bento Station, where the azulejo mural illustrates the history of transport in Portugal, as well as the country's landscapes and defining historic moments.
Enjoy Porto’s varied architecture
Gothic architecture at Porto Cathedral
More beautiful azulejos at Porto Cathedral
Porto’s abundance of cultural sites go hand in hand with its incredible history and wide variety of architectural styles. You’ll see exquisite examples of Baroque, Gothic, Romanesque and Neoclassical structures and facades. The Porto Cathedral sits in the city center, perched on a hilltop. The cathedral is an incredible 12th century Romanesque monument, which, throughout its storied history, later incorporated both Baroque and Gothic elements. Besides the beautiful museum and cloisters, a trip up the tower also offers an amazing panoramic view of the entire city and the Douro River.
Arabian Hall in Bolsa Palace
One of our favorite stops was Bolsa Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site originally built to impress potential European business partners and encourage investment in Portugal. With its exquisite Neoclassical facade, impressive Hall of Nations and ornate gilded Arabian Hall, it seems impossible to believe it was home to something as practical as the Porto Stock Exchange through the mid 1990s. For contemporary architecture lovers, the Serralves Foundation shouldn’t be missed. With its Art Deco villa, sculptured park and modern museum, there’s much to admire and explore.
Visit Livraria Lello, despite debunked Harry Potter rumors
There have long been rumors connecting Livraria Lello to Harry Potter and its author, J. K. Rowling. Some believe the bookstore was the inspiration for Hogwarts, while others believe she actually conceived her iconic characters there. Though this drives hordes of fans to make a pilgrimage, there is really no basis whatsoever to the claim. In fact, Rowling herself disputes it.
But Harry Potter mania notwithstanding, Livraria Lello is hailed as one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world. At the center of the Neo-Gothic building, you’ll find a dramatic, spiral staircase with red steps and inlaid wood carvings on its underside. The ornate ceiling is embellished by a gorgeous stained glass window by the Dutch master Samuel Van Krieken. Go for the lovely design, to soak in the bookstore’s rich history, or to simply buy that book you’ve been itching to read.
Pro Tip: Livraria Lello requires advance online purchase of an entry ticket. The standard Ticket Voucher costs €5 per person, which you can credit against the purchase of a book. The Priority Ticket Voucher is €15,90 per person and includes both priority access as well as a book from their curated collection. If you’re short on time, the priority ticket may be beneficial as the lines can be long at this popular destination.
Discover Porto’s amazing coffee scene
Senzu Coffee Roasters at Creative Cru Hub
While seeking out the best coffee shops in Lisbon, we discovered coffee–and particularly espresso–is an important part of Portuguese culture. Like Lisbon, Porto has a plethora of excellent cafes, coffee shops, and roasters where you can get first rate espresso and coffee beverages.
Senzu Coffee Roasters is an excellent specialty coffee roaster located in the Cru Creative Hub, a coworking complex earmarked for creatives. Among the artisanal leather goods, clothing and jewelry, a simple bar offers coffee and conversation. Though espresso shots are not available here, you’ll find excellent cups of coffee from pour over, batch brew and cold brew extraction methods. Combi Coffee Roasters is a local success story, growing from a coffee truck to a brick-and-mortar location with an in-house roastery and a small kitchen in a converted garage on Rua de Morgado de Mateus in São Lázaro. At SO Coffee Roasters, coffee is treated with passion and attention to detail. Small batch roastings detailed on information cards will please any coffee aficionado.
Americano, latte and homemade cinnamon roll at Mesa 325
A recommendation from a local brought us to Mesa 325, and this laid-back, welcoming, neighborhood cafe more than lived up to our expectations. As it turns out, Mesa 325 is one of Porto’s early specialty coffee purveyors, earning a loyal clientele for solid comfort food options (don’t miss out on the pastries!) and excellent no-fuss coffee and espresso beverages.If you’re lucky, you may even get some quality time with its resident black labrador, Pixie.
Uncover local gems along Rua de Santa Catarina
The Art Nouveau interior of Majestic Café
House specialty French Toast at Majestic Café
Rua de Santa Catarina is Porto’s main pedestrian-friendly thoroughfare.The lively atmosphere attracts a healthy mix of locals and visitors, with busy sidewalk cafes and friendly street vendors producing a musical cacophony. This commercial artery is full of delightful detours, but there are some local gems you shouldn’t miss.
The Majestic Café is an exquisite example of Art Nouveau design and has been carefully preserved thanks to its significant role in Porto’s historical and architectural landscape. It was a favorite haunt of the city’s elite, and it remains a source of pride as one of Porto’s main attractions. Pop in for a quick meal or cup of coffee, if just to travel back in time during your brief stay.
And one cannot reference the thoroughfare without mentioning the famed Bolhão Market, one of the city’s essential cultural centerpieces. The market originated in the 1830s, and its formal structure dates back to World War I. In 2006 it was formally designated as a heritage site. Today, purveyors of every stripe offer innumerable local and regional specialties, distilling the best delicacies under one roof. World-famous chef Anthony Bourdain was one of its many unabashed fans.
Note: The original Bolhão Market is undergoing an extensive restoration and modernization project and will reopen on September 15, 2022. A temporary location has been established 2 minutes away in the La Vie Shopping Center on Rua de Fernandes Tomás.
Try Francesinha, Porto’s most famous dish, if you dare
Once viewed as an underrated foodie destination, Porto’s dining scene has come into its own. Options encompass traditional and re-imagined local dishes as well as localized, creative spins on international cuisines. But a unique local specialty that shouldn’t be missed is the traditional sandwich called the Francesinha.
The name directly translates to “Little French Girl”, a nod to France’s Croque Madame. But comparing the Francesinha to the Croque Madame is like comparing Mount Everest to a grassy knoll. The sandwich is stuffed with meat and cheese, topped with an egg, and doused in a rich (often top secret) gravy. You’ll find “Best of” lists published every year, but you can’t go wrong with local favorites O Afonso or Bufete Fase.
Wander Porto’s coolest neighborhoods
Jardim do Passeio Alegre in Foz
When someone asks us for New York City travel tips, a recurring piece of advice we offer is to explore the local neighborhoods. Escaping the main tourist attractions, even just for a day, can offer a fresh perspective. When we find ourselves in other cities, we try to do the same.
Along the Atlantic coast lies Foz do Douro, one of Porto’s hottest neighborhoods. Known for its diversity of architecture, sublime beaches, and a bounty of excellent restaurants, it’s the perfect area to uncover local gems. First and foremost, it is home to the incredible Promenade Foz do Douro, a seafront walkway that would fit perfectly on the front of a postcard. Along its various sections, you can find palm tree-lined beaches with incredible views, a community garden, innumerable restaurants, lighthouses, and the famous Pérgola da Foz, a gorgeous decorative structure in a neoclassical style, painted in a striking pastel yellow.
Giant waves crash up against the Felgueiras Lighthouse
Pastries and coffee at Tavi Confeitaria in Foz
Another must-visit landmark is the Farol de Felgueiras, an incredible 19th century hexagonal lighthouse, with a bright-red balcony and lantern, at the very end of a long jetty. There’s also the Forte de São João Baptista, which is what remains of a 16th century fortress tasked with protecting the shoreline from pirates and other foregin enemies. Finally, you’ll have a dizzying variety of trendy restaurants and shops to explore. For our part, indulging in coffee and decadent pastries from Tavi Confeitaria, with its fantastic terrace and gorgeous seaside views, was the perfect respite after an enjoyable day in the sun.
Pro Tip: From the city center, Foz can be reached by way of the Line 1 Porto Tram, the Line 500 bus from Praça da Liberdade, or by taxi. If time permits, we also recommend a little lunchtime detour to Matosinhos, a town just north of Foz, for an incredible seafood meal at Mercado Matosinhos.
Tilsitt Art Gallery on Rua de Miguel Bombarda
If your travel itinerary doesn’t allow for such an ambitious outing, within Porto’s city center you can wander along Rua de Miguel Bombarda, also known as Porto’s Art District. With more than 20 contemporary art galleries as well as an abundance of vintage stores, hip bars, and restaurants, there are innumerable ways to pass the time. With art being its existential focus, Rua de Miguel Bombarda has quite a concentration of street art too. You’ll find something special when you least expect it.
Conclusion
Our travels to Portugal have taken us from Lisbon to Porto, with numerous fun detours along the way. And frankly, we’ve barely scratched the surface of what this breathtaking country has to offer. But Porto is an incredible standalone destination, with so many things to do that you’ll have a robust itinerary no matter how long your visit. So don’t pass up the opportunity to experience this budget-friendly, inviting, and accessible destination. It is worthy of being the primary focus of any trip to Portugal.
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