Portugal: What to do in Porto – 2 or 3 days itinerary

Last updated: 09/01/2022

Complete itinerary to enjoy the best of Porto, the largest city in northern Portugal! Attractions, information, accommodation, restaurants and many unmissable tips!

THE CITY OF PORT

Founded in 1123, Porto is the second largest city in Portugal. Located along the estuary of the River Douro, the city has around 230,000 inhabitants, and its metropolitan area (combining Vila Nova de Gaia, Matosinhos and surroundings) has around 1.7 million people. O Historic Center of Porto it is the oldest area of Porto and the city of Vila Nova de Gaia. Since 1996, it has been listed as Humanity's cultural heritage, including the interior of the Fernandina Wall, built in the 14th century, in addition to some regions in the surroundings, from Avenida dos Aliados to Fontainhas, the Luiz I Bridge, passing through the entire riverside area of Vila Nova de Gaia, where the cellars are located. of Port wine to the Monastery of Serra do Pilar. Although many changes have taken place over time, the old medieval structure can still be seen in some parts of the city.

Portugal: What to do in Porto - 2 or 3 days itinerary — Historic Center of Porto with São Bento Station on the left and Porto Cathedral in the background

A LITTLE OF HISTORY….

The settlement of Porto dates back to many centuries, when Celtic peoples occupied this place considered an outpost of the Roman Empire. Archaeological finds reveal that there were also human settlements at the mouth of the Douro River as early as the 8th century BC, probably from Phoenicians. A curiosity is that Porto is the city that gave its name to the Portuguese State, even when it was called Portus Cale, around 200 BC, when it was part of Roman Galécia. After the reconquest of the Iberian Peninsula, the city of Portus Cale was the first capital of the Condado Portucalense.

During the Roman occupation of the Iberian Peninsula, the city developed as an important trading port and was also occupied by the Suevi and Visigoths. In 1387, Porto was the site of the marriage of D. João I of Portugal and D. Filipa of Lancaster, daughter of D. João of Gaunt, which resulted in a long-standing military alliance between Portugal and England, which is older. of the world still in force.

Currently, highly industrialized, Porto is the most important city in the north of Portugal, bringing together some of the top companies from different economic sectors, both in the city and in the metropolitan region.

SOME HIGHLIGHTS OF THE PORT

PORT WINE: One of Portugal's most famous exports, wine is named after Porto, as the metropolitan area, and in particular the cellars (cellars) of Vila Nova de Gaia, were responsible for packaging, transporting and exporting the wine. It is possible to visit the Port wine cellars, take tours, tastings and participate in interesting experiences.
UNIVERSITY OF PORTO: THE University of Porto is listed among the top 200 universities in the world and top 100 universities in Europe. It is the second largest Portuguese university in terms of enrollment. If you have time, take the opportunity to visit the Porto Botanical Garden | Museum of Natural History and Science of the University of Porto.
DRAGON'S STADIUM: Estádio do Dragão is the official stadium of the main football team in the city, the Porto Football Club. Inaugurated in 2003, the stadium has a capacity for 50 thousand people. Even if you don't have time to see a football match, you can visit the stadium and take a tour of the club's museum. buy tickets here.

6 BRIDGES ON THE DOURO RIVER

One of the popular activities in Porto is the Cruise of the 6 Bridges that cross the Douro River and connect the city of Porto to the city of Vila Nova de Gaia. Until 1952, there was only one bridge between Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia, which proved to be insufficient to meet the growing number of vehicles that had to cross it every day. Thus, new bridges were built from the 1950s onwards. They are:

Arrábida Bridge: built between 1956 and 1963
D. Luís I Bridge: Porto's most famous bridge was built, between 1881 and 1886
Infante D. Henrique Bridge: fcompleted in 2003, this bridge is the newest
D. Maria Pia Bridge: designed by Gustave Eiffel, famous for the Eiffel Tower, it was built in 1877
Saint John's Bridge: inaugurated in 1991, honors the most popular saint in Porto
Freixo Bridge: opened in 1995, it is the main road to and from Porto

WHEN TO VISIT PORTO

Porto presents a hot summer mediterranean climate, providing hot and dry summers and winters with mild and rainy temperatures. O rainfall is high and concentrated in the winter months, making Porto one of the wettest cities in Europe and the wettest city with a Mediterranean climate. Summers are typically sunny, with average temperatures between 16 and 26°C, but can reach 38°C during occasional heat waves. Winter temperatures generally range between 6°C in the early morning and 15°C in the afternoon, but rarely drop below 0°C at night. The city is emptier in the rainiest months (October to March) because of the weather, and accommodation prices tend to drop. In general, the best time to visit the city is: from april to october, with highlight for the month of june, packed with events.

Festivals and commemorative dates in Porto are times to consider as well, as they can make the city much more attractive. Check out the most important ones:

EVENTS IN PORT

from february to may

FANTASPORTO – Porto International Film Festival (February): Started in 1981, this film festival gives space to experimental, fantastic and even horror genres.

ESSENCE OF WINE (February/March): Event at Palácio da Bolsa that brings together national and international producers. The 10 best Portuguese wines are chosen by an international jury.

INTERCELTIC FESTIVAL OF PORTO (March/April): Started in 1986, it is a festival that brings together artists from all over Europe with the aim of playing and singing Celtic music and lasts for 10 days.

BURNING OF TAPES OF PORTO (May): Queima das Fitas is an event for university students. For a week in May, the city becomes the stage for concerts, processions and various festivities. It is considered the second biggest party in Porto.

INTERNATIONAL IBERIAN EXPRESSION THEATER FESTIVAL (May): In force since 1978, the festival's objective is to promote theater and the performing arts, helping artistic expression to find new audiences.

FESTIVAL OF THE LORD OF MATOSINHOS (May): Festival dedicated to religious tradition and pilgrimages. There are 3 weeks of varied activities, cultural and sports. In addition, thousands of lamps decorate the Church of Bom Jesus de Matosinhos.

from june to july

SERRALVES AT PARTY (June): The Serralves Foundation organizes 40 uninterrupted hours of music, theatre, dance and exhibitions with national and international artists.

PORTO BOOK FAIR (June): It is a grandiose event that brings together many editors, authors and lovers of reading.

FESTIVAL OF SAINT JOHN (June): The main event of the year in the city is São João, the most important festival in Porto! In addition to the party, which lasts for more than 12 hours during the 23rd of June, the city hall organizes many events related to the date during the month of June.

RABELOS REGATA (June): The Rabelos are wooden sailing boats that formerly transported Port wine down the Douro River. Every year, several wine producers sponsor competitions to promote their wines.

RHYTHMS OF THE WORLD FESTIVAL (June): Music festival that honors Portuguese and Brazilian culture. In addition to presentations, it concentrates workshops, exhibitions, circus arts, among others.

IN SPRING SOUND (June): Music festival that lasts 3 days and takes place in the Parque da Cidade do Porto, the largest urban park in the country, with 83 hectares.

PORTO CARTOON WORLD FESTIVAL (June): Festival held by the National Press Museum that promotes a contest with many cartoonists and has a different theme each year.

PORTO WINE FEST (July): Largest Port Wine festival in Ribeira de Gaia, with the participation of the main Port Wine brands. The festival includes various activities and gastronomic events.

from august to december

ROCK RITUAL NIGHTS (August): Rock concerts with little-known local bands that take place in the Crystal Palace Gardens. In addition to music, there are exhibitions and photography workshops.

PORTO INTERNATIONAL PUPPET FESTIVAL (September): A good option to see the most varied puppets that, during the festival, put on several shows.

VINHO VERDE WINE FEST (September): This festival takes place at Alfândega do Porto and brings together wine tastings, exhibitions, music, gastronomy and many different activities.

RED BULL AIR RACES (September): Aerial acrobatics delight visitors in the sky over Porto, defying gravity.

PORTO BLUE JAZZ (September): Jazz festival that bring together some of the biggest names in jazz in the Crystal Palace Gardens.

FRANCESINHA FESTIVAL (October): Francesinha, one of the city's main gastronomic icons, has its own festival when several restaurants come together to serve traditional and innovative versions of the dish.

PORTO MARATHON (November): The Porto Marathon starts and finishes in Porto City Park and has many participants from all over the world.

YEAR-END EVENTS (December): The streets of Porto are decorated with Christmas lights to celebrate the end of the year. Traditional fairs, craft fairs and Christmas markets complement the festive atmosphere. At the end of December, the São Silvestre Race takes place, whose departure and arrival takes place on Avenida dos Aliados, close to the City Hall. At the turn of the year, keep track of the time on the town hall clock and wait for the fireworks. One option is to see the fireworks display during a boat ride on the Douro River, with the lights being reflected in the waters of the river.

HOW TO GO FROM THE AIRPORT TO THE CENTER

Opened in 1945, Porto Airport (OPO), whose official name is Francisco Sá Caneiro Airport, is located in Greater Porto, in the municipality of Maia, less than 15 km north of the city center. It is formed by a single terminal that serves national and international flights. These are the main transport options from Porto airport to the city center:

SUBWAY: Metro is probably the most practical way to get from Porto Airport to the city centre. To do this, just use the Line E (violet) which connects the Aeroporto station to the Trindade station and passes every 20 or 30 minutes, depending on the time, day of week and time of year. Travel time is around 30 minutes. The ticket from the airport to the city center (Zone 4) costs €2 + €0.60 for the card. To use the metro, you will need a Walking Card, Porto's individual public transport card.

Portugal: How to get from Porto Airport to the center — Porto metro map | Photo: publicity

BUS (BUSES): Another option for public transport is to use the bus network, or buses as it is spoken in Portugal. The path can take up to 1 hour, depending on time and traffic. It is possible to use the Andante card on the buses as well. There are two companies that serve the airport: STCP and the Matosinhos tide.
SHUTTLES: Porto Airport has a wide range of shuttles that connect the site to the center of Porto and many other locations in the surroundings. There is options from €5. Among the companies are Airport Shuttle (100 Directions), getBUS and Goin'Porto. See more options, prices and schedules by visiting this link.
TRANSFER: If you don't want to worry about transportation when you arrive in Porto, you can hire a transfer from the airport. Check out some transfer options below (there are shared and also private options):

CAR RENTAL: There is various car rental companies in the airport. Don't leave to rent a car directly at the airport desk because availability is lower and prices are more expensive. Get a comparative quote on car rental companies using this link.

HOW TO GET AROUND IN PORTO

The best way to get around Porto is walking. The Historic Center, where most attractions are concentrated, is relatively small and easily accessible on foot.
When needed, the public transportation it is very efficient, with metro, bus, tram and cable car options. I always recommend doing a simulation on Google Maps because it helps a lot to know which line to take, which station to get off. Use the Walking Card to walk around the city.
Bus hop-on hop-off are those buses with an open top that are a good choice for walking around the city and getting off at various points of interest. see options in this link.
O Uber it also works well in the city and is not very expensive, which can be a good option to go to places a little further away like Foz do Douro.
Rent a bicycle and electric scooter it can also be a good option to have fun in the coastal region because it is flatter and pleasant to walk around.

PORT CARD: SAVING TIP IN PORTO

Port.CARD is the official discount card in the city of Porto, Portugal, which is the best way to explore the city while saving big! The card includes free entries and discounts on more than 150 attractions. The card can be purchased for 1, 2, 3 and 4 days and can be purchased with unlimited access to public transport or not. Those who buy the card also receive a benefits guide and a map of the city of Porto.

WHAT TO DO IN PORTO

To help you plan an amazing trip in Porto, we've put all the information on the interactive map below. We divided the attractions by areas and each one by colors. tips for shopping and restaurants are in red and hosting and other important points in black. Our suggested route looks like this:

DAY 1: DOWNTOWN FROM THE PORT & SURROUNDINGS OF THE HISTORY CENTER
DAY 2: RIBEIRA & VILA NOVA DE GAIA
DAY 3: SERRALVES FOUNDATION + FOZ DO DOURO + MATOSINHOS

DAY 1: DOWNTOWN FROM THE PORT & SURROUNDINGS OF THE HISTORY CENTER

Baixa do Porto is the central area of the city, full of old buildings, shops, shopping centers and where the city hall of Porto is. After going through a period of decadence, Baixa was reborn when the Historic Center of Porto was classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996.

>> DOWNTOWN FROM THE PORT

1. SQUARE ALMEIDA GARRETT & PORTO-SÃO BENTO RAILWAY STATION

Praça Almeida Garrett is located in the heart of the city of Porto. It is also known as São Bento, as in the past there was a monastery in the area that was called the São Bento de Ave-Maria Monastery. On the monastery site, the important Porto-São Bento Railway Station was built in the early 20th century. The name of the square is a tribute to the Portuguese poet Almeida Garrett, which was born in the city in 1799. The square houses a series of buildings with typical facades from the 19th century and, to the north of the square, is the Igreja dos Congregados.

The Porto-São Bento Railway Station, more commonly called São Bento Station, is known not only for its importance (connecting Porto to the cities of Braga, Guimarães, Aveiro, among others), but also for its architectural and artistic beauty. The building that houses the station has a French-influenced architecture and the main atrium of the station is entirely covered in tiles with a historical theme.

The tiles cover an area of more than 550 m² and have drawings that show historical data that occurred in the north of Portugal. Representing a typical Portuguese Art Nouveau style, the tiles have pastel tones and were installed between 1905 and 1906. Among the main highlights are the panels: “Battle of Arcos de Valdevez”, “Entry of João I in Porto”, “Conquest of Ceuta”, “Rural Views and Scenes” and “Transport Stories”. A curiosity is that, although the station entered service provisionally in 1896, it was only officially opened 20 years later!

2. CHURCH OF SANTO ANTONIO DOS CONGREGADOS

Built around 1700, the Igreja dos Congregados was built on the site of an old 17th-century chapel dedicated to St. In 1842, the church tower was demolished. In the 19th century, the chancel of the church was built and murals and beautiful stained glass windows were added, in addition to the beautiful tiles on its facade, around 1920.

A curiosity is that the church claims that it houses the remains of the Pope Clement I, fourth pope in history (between 88 and 97), considered the father of the Roman Apostolic Church that helped to expand Christianity. Supposedly, he would be the only pope whose body does not rest in the Vatican and his body would be inside the Church, along with his relics. However, there are data and historical facts that contradict this statement. Go to the back of the church to see the altarpiece dedicated to him.

Address: R. de Sá da Bandeira 11, 4000-433 Porto, Portugal
Schedules: daily from 7:15 am to 6:30 pm, according to the official site

3. AVENIDA DOS ALIADOS & CÂMARA MUNICIPAL DO PORTO

along the important Avenida dos Aliados, is at Town Hall Square (Praça Gen. Humberto Delgado 269, 4000-286 Porto, Portugal), a square directly opposite the Porto City Hall (R. Clube dos Fenianos 5, 4000-407 Porto, Portugal), the city hall. It is located in the Paços do Concelho do Porto, a beautiful building whose construction began in 1920 and has 6 floors, a basement and two interior patios. The building has a beautiful granite facade and richly decorated marble and granite interiors, as well as a 70-meter-tall central clock tower that is accessible by a 180-step staircase.

In Praça do Município, there is also the Monument to Almeida Garrett (Av. dos Aliados 291, 4000-035 Porto, Portugal), a bronze statue in honor of the writer born in the city that was inaugurated in 1954 on the occasion of the centenary of his death. Opposite the City Hall is the Allied Fountain (Av. dos Aliados 211 221, 4000-196 Porto, Portugal), a kind of reflecting pool, which was inaugurated in 2006. The tip is to take a picture of the City Hall with this fountain in front, to have an even more beautiful.

South of Avenida dos Aliados is Liberty Square, which houses the Monument to D. Pedro IV (the Pedro I in Brazil), a bronze equestrian statue. Almost opposite is a very special McDonald's unit, known as McDonald's Imperial (Address: Praça da Liberdade 126, 4000-322 Porto, Portugal). With crystal chandeliers and stained glass windows, this McDonald's is known as the most beautiful in the world. It opened on the site of the former 1930s Café Imperial, in a building that is an example of Art Deco architecture.

4. BOLHÃO MARKET

The Bolhão Market is one of the iconic and traditional markets of Portugal, considered cultural heritage of Porto. Its origins date back to 1839, when the city council decided to build a square in this place, which was filled with mud through which a stream of water passed that formed a water bubble, which ended up giving the name to the market: “Bolhão”. The market is housed in a two-story neoclassical building and offers mainly fresh products. The vendors are divided by sectors: fish, meat, vegetables and flowers.

There are 4 main entrances to the market: the south entrance gives access to the ground floor via Rua Formosa; the side entrances from Rua de Sá da Bandeira and Rua Alexandre Braga give access to an intermediate level with stairs that connect both floors; and the north entrance through Rua de Fernandes Tomás gives direct access to the upper floor. On the outside of the building there is a huge variety of stores, including clothes, fabrics, perfumeries, among others. Since May 2018, the market is undergoing renovations and has been operating in a temporary location two minutes from the original market, becoming known as Bolhão Temporary Market. The forecast is that the refurbished market reopens in second quarter of 2022.

Adresses:Bolhão Market: R. Formosa, 4000-214 Porto, Portugal
- Bolhão Temporary Market: La Vie Porto Baixa Shopping Center, Rua de Fernandes Tomás, 506 / 508, 4000-211 Porto, Portugal
Schedules: Monday to Friday from 8 am to 8 pm and Saturdays from 8 am to 6 pm | closed on Sundays and holidays

5. CHAPEL OF SOULS

The Capela das Almas, also called Capela de Santa Catarina, which is located on the same street, famous for having several shops. This chapel, whose origins date back to the end of the 18th century, is incredibly ornate, with the tiled facade. Blue and white panels made up of almost 16,000 tiles cover an area of around 360 m² and depict scenes from the lives of various saints, including the death of Saint Francis and the martyrdom of Saint Catherine. Although the tiles are from 1929, they were painted in a classic 18th century style. To the left of the building is a two-story bell tower.

Address: Rua de Santa Catarina 428, 4000-212 Porto, Portugal
Schedules: Monday, Tuesday and Saturday from 7:30 am to 1 pm and from 3:30 pm to 7 pm | Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 7:30 am to 7:00 pm | Sunday from 7:30 am to 1 pm and from 6 pm to 7 pm

6. MAJESTIC COFFEE

Café Majestic is a historic Café opened in 1921, considered one of the most beautiful in the world. At the time, it was frequented by people from Porto's high society and personalities from the city's cultural and artistic life. What draws the most attention is its architectural style with a beautiful marble facade, a beautiful example of Portuguese Art Nouveau. Its rectangular interior is marked by wooden frames and elaborate decoration with many refined details, mirrors, metal lamps and sculptures. From the 1960s onwards, the Café went into decline and ended up closing its activities. It remained closed for the next two decades. In 1983, it was declared a cultural heritage of the city, triggering a process of restoration.

Café Majestic reopened stunningly in 1994, seeking to maintain the same style as the “Belle Époque”. In its former basement, an art gallery was created for small exhibitions and there is a winter garden to guarantee a more reserved space. The restaurant is proud to receive distinguished visitors and, apparently, writer JK Rowling spent a lot of time on site working on the first book in the Harry Potter series. With prices a little steep for tourists' pockets, the Café offers meals for all times of the day, including breakfast, lunch, 5 o'clock tea, tapas and dinner. Among the specialties of Café Majestic are the French toast topped with an egg cream and nuts. The full menu can be seen here. We won't be able to say if the food is good or not because the restaurant doesn't offer any options without animal products.

Address: Rua Santa Catarina 112, 4000-442 Porto, Portugal
Schedules: Monday to Saturday from 9 am to 11:30 pm | closed on sundays

7. CHURCH OF SANTO ILDEFONSO

Inaugurated in 1739, the Church of Santo Ildefonso was built in the early 18th century on the ruins where, in the past, there was a small church. One of the great highlights of the church are its beautiful tiles on the facade installed in 1932. There are about 11 thousand pieces that give life to the iconography referring to Saint Ildephonsus, from Eucharistic allegories to episodes from the New Testament. The building consists of two ornate bell towers and the nave is of the polygonal type, with a wooden ceiling and ornamental stucco on the walls. Inside, there are several neoclassical and baroque details.

Address: R. de Santo Ildefonso 11, 4000-153 Porto, Portugal
Schedules: Monday from 2:30 pm to 5 pm | Tuesday to Friday from 9 am to 12 pm and from 2:30 pm to 5 pm | Saturday from 9 am to 12 pm | Sunday from 9 am to 12 pm
Entrance: free for church | €2 for the museum

>> SURROUNDINGS OF THE HISTORY CENTER

8. CHURCH & CLERIGOS TOWER

Built between 1732 and 1763, the Clérigos Church, the Clérigos Tower and the Casa da Irmandade (which connects the church to the tower) are part of an emblematic complex in Porto. This national monument erected in the late Baroque style manages to unite several important elements of the Baroque Rococo, including undulating facades, overhangs and recesses. With an elliptical plan, the church was built almost entirely in granite in a single nave, covered by a dome, with the coat of arms of the Clérigos Brotherhood in the center. With the church completed, the fellowship saw the need to build additional facilities to host a range of services. Later, the Casa da Irmandade was transformed into a museum that brings together images of saints and sacred works of art.

One of the great highlights of the complex is the 75 meter high granite bell tower, one of the tallest towers in Portugal. It has two bell towers and a carillon with 49 bells, one of the largest in the country. Its 225 steps take visitors to admire panoramic views of the city. The architect Nicolau Nasoni, who designed the complex, was later buried in the church.

Address: R. de São Filipe de Nery, 4050-546 Porto, Portugal
Schedules: daily from 9 am to 7 pm
Entrance: free to church
- Day ticket (9am to 7pm): €6 (Museu da Irmandade dos Clérigos + Tower) – buy here
- Night ticket: €6 (Tower, only at certain times of the year)
- Torre dos Clérigos + Palácio da Bolsa + MMIPO (Museum of Mercy): €18
- Porto Card: 50% discount on the day ticket

9. LELLO BOOKSTORE

Opened in 1906, Livraria Lello is one of Porto's landmarks. It is one of the oldest bookstores in Portugal and is considered one of the most beautiful in the world. With one neogothic facade impressive with a downed arch, windows on the sides and paintings depicting “Art” and “Science” above; A beautiful colored stained glass on the ceiling with a monogram and the Latin phrase “Decus in Labore” (Glory to Hard Work) and a red staircase dazzling film worthy, Lello offers a huge variety of titles, in several different languages.

Porto: Lello Bookstore, the most beautiful bookstore in the world — The beautiful Lello Bookstore

The bookstore is so popular that you have to buy a ticket to visit it. It is actually a ticket-voucher that simultaneously serves as a discount voucher or book-ticket that includes the purchase of a pre-selected book along with priority entry. Buy your ticket voucher at official site before leaving.

A curiosity is that for a long time it was suspected that the Lello staircase had served as the inspiration for the staircase where the little wizard Harry Potter met Professor Gilderoy Lockhart in the book “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets”, since the author JK Rowling lived for a few years in Porto. However, the writer herself refuted the suspicions, stating that he never entered the bookstore.

Address: R. das Carmelitas 144, 4050-161 Porto, Portugal
Schedules: daily from 9:30 am to 7:00 pm
Entrance: Ticket Voucher: €5 | free for children under 3 years old (reservation required)
- Ticket-Voucher with priority entry (includes a book):
  - €15.90: “Romeo and Juliet” or “The Art of War”
  - €16.90: “Os Lusíadas” or “The Jungle Book”
  - €17.90: “The Wizard of Oz”

10. OLIVEIRAS GARDEN

Practically located between Igreja dos Clérigos and Livraria Lello, is Jardim das Oliveiras, opened in 2013. It is a renovated green area that replaced an old square. Its name is due to the fact that it is home to about 50 olive trees (trees that produce olives), in addition to a lawn located at the top of the Lisbon Square, a semi-open gallery with underground parking with restaurants, varied shops and cafes. A very nice place to relax after a long walk through the city center.

11. CHURCH OF CARMO & CHURCH OF THE DISCALCED CARMELITES

passing through Lions Fountain, in front of University of Porto, you can reach two important churches in Porto. The Igreja do Carmo and the Igreja dos Carmelitas Descalços were built on a divided plot of land, one next to the other. THE hidden house do Porto separates the two churches by just over 1.5 meters. In 2013, they were jointly declared national heritage sites.

CHURCH OF CARMO

Built between 1756 and 1768 in the Rococo Baroque style, the Igreja do Carmo (whose full name is Igreja da Venerável Ordem Terceira de Nossa Senhora do Carmo) was built on land shared with the Igreja dos Carmelitas. THE facade of the Church of Carmo presents Santa Ana, patroness of the church, in relief. Two niches near the door contain images of the prophets Elijah and Elisha.

THE side of the church is decorated with a large tile panel of 1912, which tell stories about the foundation of the Carmelite Order and Mount Carmel, a hill located in Haifa, Israel where, according to the bible, the spiritual duel between the prophet Elijah and the prophets of Baal took place. The interior of the church is decorated with carved wood covered by a gold film on the main altar, side chapels, statues and various paintings. There are several images that tell the story of the Passion of Christ until the Resurrection with a beautiful painting on the ceiling.

CHURCH OF THE CARMELITES

Older than the Igreja do Carmo, the Igreja dos Carmelitas was built between 1616 and 1628, but the interior decoration was only completed in 1650. The church belonged to a former convent of the Carmelite order, occupied by the Republica National Guard today. . The facade of the church is made of granite and there are three arched entrances with the images of São José, Santa Teresa de Jesus and Nossa Senhora do Carmo, in the centre. The church has a bell tower covered in blue tiles. Its interior in the form of a Latin cross, has a single nave and six side chapels. In Baroque Rococo style, like the Igreja do Carmo, it is decorated with carved wood covered with a gold film on the side chapels and on the main altar.

Adresses: Church of Carmo: R. do Carmo, 4050-164 Porto, Portugal
- Church of the Carmelites: R. do Carmo 1, 4050-456 Porto, Portugal
Schedules: unofficial informationChurch of the Carmelites: Monday, Wednesday 8 am to 12 pm and from 1 pm to 6 pm | tuesday and thursday from 9 am to 6 pm | Friday from 9 am to 5:30 pm | Saturday from 9 am to 4 pm | Sunday from 9 am to 1:30 pm | holidays from 9 am to 12 pm
- Igreja do Carmo: Monday to Friday from 9 am to 12 pm and from 2 pm to 6 pm
Entrance: €3.50 (includes Igreja do Carmo, Casa Escondida, catacombs, Noble Hall, Room of Parameters, Room of Habits and Gallery of Crucifixes)

12. PARK OF VIRTUES

This vertical park that develops on terraces is located in what was formerly the Companhia Hortícola Portuense. It is formed by beautiful terraces that provide panoramic views of the Douro River and Vila Nova de Gaia, where the Port wine cellars are located. The park was purchased by the city of Porto in 1965 and renovated a few decades later. Inside it is the Chafariz das Virtudes, a national monument built in 1619 and fed by the Rio Frio. Later, it was replaced by the Fountain on Rua das Taipas, built in 1772. The Park is a good option to see the sunset in Porto.

Address: Passeio das Virtudes 53-3, 4050-091 Porto, Portugal
Schedules: from October to March from 9 am to 6 pm | April to September from 9 am to 7 pm

13. SOARES DOS REIS MUSEUM

The Soares dos Reis National Museum is considered the most important museum in Porto. It is located in Palácio dos Carrancas, the oldest palace in the country that was the residence of Manuel Mendes de Morais e Castro. With more than 13 thousand pieces, this museum of fine arts, decorative arts and archeology, has as highlights the collections of about 3 thousand paintings and sculptures, mainly by the sculptor Antônio Soares dos Reis, who names the museum. The collection also has prints, decorative arts (furniture, porcelain, glass, goldsmiths, jewellery, textiles) and archaeological collections. In addition, the museum complex has relaxing gardens. Allow at least 2 hours to visit.

Address: Rua de Dom Manuel II 44, 4050-522 Porto, Portugal
Schedules: Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 5:30 pm
Entrance: €5 | Porto Card 50% discount | free for children under 12 | free on Sundays and holidays until 2pm

14. GARDENS OF THE CRYSTAL PALACE

Opened in 1860, the Palácio de Cristal Gardens are a green area that offers stunning views of the Douro River. They were developed to surround the Palácio de Cristal, a building designed to house the Porto International Exhibition. The structure, which hosted several events and exhibitions, was eventually demolished in 1951 to make way for the Sports Pavilion, later renamed to Super Bock Arena: Rosa Mota Pavilion, which hosts cultural and sporting events.

The name “Crystal Palace” was inspired by the Crystal Palace (a structure of cast iron and glass) in London. The 8 hectares of the Palácio de Cristal Gardens include several attractions, including the Almeida Garrett Municipal Library, the Emílio David Garden which has beautiful examples of flowers and Avenida das Tílias which is one of the highlights of this park. Thematic gardens are also represented, namely by the Garden of Aromatic Plants, the Medicinal Garden, the Garden of Twin Cities and also the Garden of Feelings, the Roseiral Garden, among others.

You can also take a look at the Extension of Romanticism, an arm of the Museum of the City of Porto, installed in the Quinta da Macieirinha (Address: R. de Entre-Quintas 220, 4050-240 Porto, Portugal | Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm | closed on Mondays | Entrance: €4 | free with Porto Card).

Address: Rua de Dom Manuel II, 4050-346 Porto, Portugal
Schedules: daily from October to March from 8 am to 7 pm | from april to september from 8 am to 9 pm

15. RUA DE MIGUEL BOMBARDA

Opened in 1810, Rua Miguel Bombarda is a 650 meter long street known as “Rua das Galerias” for being famous for housing several art galleries. It starts at Rua de Cedofeita and ends at Rua da Boa Nova. Nowadays, Rua Miguel Bombarda is a heart of Porto in terms of art. Over time, the street has become an interesting, modern and extremely innovative place.

At least six times a year, every 1.5 months, 20 contemporary art galleries simultaneously open exhibitions by national and international artists, attracting art lovers, artists and many visitors. The street also has restaurants, bookstores and several stores, including furniture, design and music.

16. MUSIC HOUSE

Opened in 2005, Casa da Música is Porto's main concert hall and home to the Orquestra Nacional do Porto. Its construction was challenging as its geometric design is unique. Its architect, the Dutchman Rem Koolhaas, received critical acclaim for the project. The construction took place in the context of giving life to an innovative cultural project of Porto 2001-European Capital of Culture. The building, with its distinctive architecture, was designed to accommodate all types of music, from classical to electronic, from jazz to fado, from major international productions to small experimental projects. Thus, the concert hall seeks to offer dynamic, innovative and prestigious programming.

Casa da Música has two main auditoriums: a large one with a capacity for 1238 seats and a small one, with around 300 seats and 650 standing. There is also, at the top of the building, there is a third space for shows, for up to 250 seats. Casa da Música also has an international restaurant that uses quality ingredients, perfect for a dinner before a show. It is possible to take guided tours of Casa da Música, but tickets can only be purchased on the same day, in person, at the ticket offices on Floor 1.

Address: Av. da Boavista 604-610, 4149-071 Porto, Portugal
Tour times:Monday to Friday: 11am Portuguese | 4pm Portuguese and English
- Saturday, Sunday and holidays: 11 am and 4 pm Portuguese and English
Entrance: €10

DAY 2: RIBEIRA & VILA NOVA DE GAIA

With many bars, restaurants and entertainment, Ribeira is one of the oldest areas of the city and is part of the Historic Center of Porto, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The neighborhood extends to the Douro River and includes important historical sites. From the Ribeira region, you can access the Luís I Bridge and cross to Vila Nova de Gaia, a neighboring town on the south bank of the mouth of the Douro River, where the famous Port Wine cellars are located. Like Ribeira, the Gaia pier region is also home to several fish and seafood restaurants.

>> RIBEIRA

17. SE OF PORTO

The Sé do Porto is the city's Cathedral and a place full of history and that brings together different architectural styles. It has a Romanesque and Gothic style from the 12th and 13th centuries, with some changes made in the 17th and 18th centuries in the Baroque style, which greatly modified its exterior.

Porto Cathedral: Visit to one of the main Portuguese cathedrals — The beautiful Cathedral of Porto

Formed by 3 ships, she has a beautiful rosacea from the twelfth century to the center. The current chancel it dates from the early 17th century and features a beautiful gilded altarpiece. To the left of the chancel, in the Capela do SS. Sacramento, there is a beautiful “silver altar”, built in the second half of the 17th century by several Portuguese artists. Above the choir, there are two organs 17th and 19th century tubes. In the transept, on the left side, is the image of Nossa Senhora da Vandoma, patron saint of the city of Porto. On the right, there is the image of Nossa Senhora da Silva. There is also a gothic cloister from the 14th century which features large panels and tiles with scenes from the “Song of Songs”, in reference to the mystical dialogue between God and the Virgin, patron saint of the Cathedral.

A curiosity is that the King D. João I, known as Mestre de Avis, married Philippa de Lancaster in the Cathedral of Porto in 1387, in the context of the Luso-British Alliance, the oldest diplomatic alliance in the world still in force.

Address: Terreiro da Sé, 4050-573 Porto, Portugal
Schedules: daily from November to March from 9 am to 5:30 pm | from april to october from 9 am to 6:30 pm
Entrance: €3 (Cathedral + Cloisters + Museum + Tower) | 2€ with the Porto Card

18. CASA GUERRA JUNQUEEIRO

Close to the Porto Cathedral is Casa Guerra Junqueiro, a residence built in the 19th century which, in 1934, was acquired in 1934 by the daughter of the Portuguese poet Guerra Junqueiro and donated by her to the Porto City Council in 1940, together with the artistic estate of the writer. The museum's exhibition includes collections of ceramics, metal, jewellery, sculpture, furniture and textiles from the 15th and 19th centuries. The museum also houses the Gabinete do Desenho, a space for temporary exhibitions that are renewed quarterly, displaying works by various artists.

Address: Rua de Dom Hugo 32, 4050-305 Porto, Portugal
Schedules: Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 5:30 pm | closed on mondays
Entrance: €4

19. CHURCH OF SANTA CLARA & FERNANDINE WALLS

Built in 1457, the Church of Santa Clara appears to be a simple church from the outside. But your interior is richly decorated in baroque style with gilded carvings. (carved wood coated with gold foil), from the first half of the 18th century. The main entrance of the church has a beautiful baroque door from 1697. In the past, there was a monastery next door, built at the request of Franciscan Clare nuns. With the death of the last nun, at the end of the 19th century, the monastery was extinguished.

She is very close to Funicular dos Guindais, which connects the Batalha neighborhood to Ribeira do Porto, in the lower part of the city, and to the Fernandina walls, as the walls that surrounded Porto are known, completed during the twelfth century during the reign of D. Fernando. It is possible to reach one of the surviving parts of the wall from the churchyard.

Address: Largo Primeiro de Dezembro, 4000-404 Porto, Portugal
Schedules: daily from 9 am to 1 pm and from 2 pm to 6 pm
Entrance: 4€

20. RUA DAS ALDAS VIEWPOINT & SÃO LOURENÇO CHURCH

Close to the Cathedral, is the Viewpoint of Rua das Aldas is a viewpoint, that is, a viewpoint where you can contemplate a beautiful view of the city of Porto. The location is relatively quiet, which is great for those who want to admire the views without large crowds. Although the view of the city is excellent, the Church of the Crickets (as it is popularly called the Church of San Lorenzo) prevents a panoramic view of the Douro River, being possible to see it only partially.

Next to the church, in the old Jesuit College of São Lourenço, the Museum of Sacred Art and Archeology of the Major Seminary of Nossa Senhora da Conceição do Porto, which has a nice collection. Unfortunately, when we visited it was cloudy and the view was not the best.

21. PALÁCIO DA BOLSA

Palácio da Bolsa is the headquarters of the Commercial Association of Porto, being used for various cultural, social and political events in the city. It is a beautiful building with a mixture of architectural styles. Its construction began in 1842 and it was inaugurated in 1848. In 1862, construction began on the Arab salon, with a decoration with Arabic touches and golden stucco, which ended up becoming the main highlight of the building. The place is used to receive heads of state who visit Porto.

Portugal: Guided Tour of the beautiful Palácio da Bolsa in Porto — Details of the beautiful Arab Hall

The palace can be visited through guided tours (it is not possible to book in advance) with a duration of about 30 minutes which are offered in Portuguese, English, Spanish and French. Confirm before you go that the place will be open to visitors on official calendar. Inside the Palace is also the restaurant The Commercial.

Address: Rua de Ferreira Borges, 4050-253 Porto, Portugal
Schedules: daily from 9 am to 6:30 pm
Entrance: €10 – buy your ticket here

22. CHURCH OF SAN FRANCISCO

The Igreja de São Francisco is a Gothic church whose construction began in 1383 and was completed in 1410, forming part of a complex next to a Franciscan convent. Consider one of the most important religious monuments in Porto, the church has three naves, a mixture of styles (Gothic, Baroque and Rococo), in addition to several altarpieces built throughout the 17th century.

In 1833, the convent's facilities were destroyed by fire. After the fire, the ruined cloister ended up being used for the construction of the Porto Commercial Exchange. Although the façade is simple, with a beautifully decorated Gothic rose window, the Baroque interior is spectacular, with 18th-century gilded carvings, the installation of which was part of a thorough renovation. A curiosity is that it is estimated that the Church of São Francisco has at least 200 kg of gold covering the altar, columns and pillars!

Under the church floor are catacombs, where many religious order of Franciscans and members of noble families of the city are buried. There is an ossuary with thousands of human bones that can be seen through a glass placed on the floor.

Address: Rua do Infante D. Henrique, 4050-297 Porto, Portugal
Schedules: from November to February from 9 am to 5:30 pm | from March to June and October from 9 am to 7 pm | July to September from 9 am to 8 pm
Entrance: €7.50 | 25% discount with Porto Card

23. INFANT'S HOUSE

Built in 1325, Casa do Infante is believed to have been the birthplace of Infante D. Henrique, in 1394, most important personality at the beginning of the Great Navigations. The building has undergone several changes over the years, but it is considered one of the oldest in the city.

Initially, it was built as a warehouse for the Alfândega do Porto, where all the goods arriving in the city were sent. To the east of the main building, there was another structure that was used as a Mint, concentrating several services of the Portuguese Crown. Customs services continued to operate at this location until the 19th century and Casa do Infante was used as a warehouse for goods. In the 1990s, archaeological excavations revealed a mosaic on the floor, which indicates that the site must have housed a mansion of someone wealthy during the Roman period. In this same period, the house was restored and is open to the public as a museum. In addition to permanent exhibitions, a series of exhibitions, called Time Cabinet, shows data and facts with the city chronology.

Address: R. da Alfândega 10, 4050-029 Porto, Portugal
Schedules: Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 5:30 pm | closed on mondays
Entrance: 4€

24. RIBEIRA WHARF & D. LUÍS I BRIDGE

The Ribeira Pier, riverside boardwalk along the Douro River close to the Luís I Bridge, it is considered one of the liveliest areas of the city. During the day, it's an ideal spot to see the pastel-hued houses stacked facing the water. Many restaurants in the area have terraces from which you can enjoy wonderful views of the river and the bridge. Nearby is the Ribeira Square, considered one of the oldest squares in Porto, has a fountain and a fountain known as Ribeira Cube, in addition to housing a set of very curious medieval houses. The square is also full of restaurants and lots of entertainment at night.

Portugal: Ribeira Square Restaurant in Porto — Ribeira Square

From there it is possible to have beautiful views of the iconic D. Luís I Bridge, built between 1881 and 1886. It crosses the Douro River connecting the city of Porto to Vila Nova de Gaia, where the Port wine cellars are located. It has two structures, an upper and a lower. Since 2005, the upper part serves the Line D (yellow) of Metro do Porto and at the bottom, it is used by cars and also by pedestrians.

>> VILA NOVA DE GAIA

25. GAIA CABLE CAR

The cable car was inaugurated in 2011 and has two stations, one in the upper part and one in the lower part of Vila Nova de Gaia, providing beautiful panoramic views of the Douro River and the D. Luís I Bridge in a 6-minute journey. The lower station is at Cais de Gaia and the upper station is near the Serra do Pilar Monastery.

To get to Estação Alta, you have to cross the Luís I Bridge on foot or take the metro from Line D (yellow) to the station Hill Garden, a green area with a wide variety of plants that serves as a viewpoint overlooking the Douro River and the Historic Center of Porto. Estação Baixa is accessible from the pier that borders the Douro River. The cable car has 14 cabins and each one can carry up to 8 passengers. Tickets are sold at the ticket office at both cable car stations or you can purchase them online at official site.

Adresses:Low Station (Cais de Gaia): Av. de Ramos Pinto 331, 4430-233 Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal
- Estação Alta (Monastery of Serra do Pilar): R. Rocha Leão 236, 4430-148 Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal
Schedules:end of April to end of September from 10:00 to 20:00
- late March to late April and late September to late October: 10 am to 7 pm
- late October to late March: 10 am to 6 pm
Entrance: One way – €6 adult, €3 child | Round trip – €9 adult, €4.5 child | 10% discount with Porto Card

26. MONASTERY OF SERRA DO PILAR

On the cable car station side of Vila Nova de Gaia, is the Hill Garden, a green area that provides one of the best views of Porto. Go straight ahead to reach the famous Monastery of Serra do Pilar. Built between 1538 and 1672, the Monastery of Serra do Pilar belonged to the Order of Saint Augustine and was modified over time.

It is considered one of the best examples of classical architecture, with a plan composed of the church, with a circular plan; the chancel, with a rectangular plan; and the cloister, also with a circular plan, all arranged sequentially. The monastery is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, next to the Historic Center of Porto, and has one of the best viewpoints on the Vila Nova de Gaia side, Serra do Pilar viewpoint.

Address: Largo Aviz, 4430-329 Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal
Schedules: Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm | closed on mondays
Entrance:Monastery of Serra do Pilar, exhibition Heritage to the North: €2
- Monastery of Serra do Pilar, exhibition Heritage to the North and Zimbório: €4

27. PORT WINE CELLS

Port wine is one of the symbols of the region. There are several possibilities to visit the port wine cellars, that is, the places where the wines are stored underground, with controlled temperature and lighting. In these places, visitors can learn more about the history of the producing region and, of course, details about the production of the delicious wine. At the end of the visit, you can have a tasting, take a guided tour and even pair the wines with a meal. We have selected 10 of the main cellars to visit:

Real Companhia Velha (from €12)
Ramos Pinto (from €15)*
Graham's Port (from €18) – buy here
Sandeman Museum basement (from €17)*
Cave Taylor's Port (from €15)

Cálem cellars (from €14)* – buy standard ticket and with fado show
Ferreira Cellars (from €14)*
Croft Port (from €14)
Cockburn's Port (from €17)
Burmester cellars (from €13) – buy here

DAY 3: SERRALVES FOUNDATION + FOZ DO DOURO + MATOSINHOS

On this last day, the idea is to visit areas further away from the Historic Center of Porto, such as the beautiful Serralves Foundation and the incredible area of Foz do Douro, where the Douro River meets the Atlantic Ocean. If you have time, take the opportunity to visit the coastal city of Matosinhos, which can be accessed by metro, making its beach one of the most popular in the region.

28. SERRALVES FOUNDATION

Created in 1989 as a result of a partnership between the Portuguese government and several institutions, Fundação Serralves is a cultural institution located in the beautiful Serralves Park, a park that has a wide variety of plants, trees and a small lake, which also offers a tree-walking activity known as Treetop Walk. At certain times of the year, especially during summer nights, there are several musical events in the Serralves Foundation garden.

Inside the park is also Serralves House, built at the request of the 2nd Count of Vizela, Carlos Alberto Cabral. It is considered a unique example of Art Deco architecture in Portugal. Another highlight is the Serralves Museum of Contemporary Art, founded in 1999. It has exhibitions of modern and contemporary art with installations that are periodically renewed with works created from the late 1960s to the present day. All attractions can be visited with a joint ticket or individually.

Address: R. Dom João de Castro 210, 4150-417 Porto, Portugal
Schedules:from april to september: from tuesday to thursday from 10 am to 7 pm | Friday and Saturday from 10 am to 10 pm | Sundays and holidays from 10 am to 8 pm
- October to March: Tuesday to Thursday from 10 am to 7 pm | Friday and Saturday from 10 am to 10 pm | Sundays and holidays from 10 am to 7 pm
Entrance: Access to all spaces: 20€ (includes Museum of Contemporary Art, Serralves Park, Treetop Walk, Casa de Serralves and Casa do Cinema Manoel de Oliveira) | 20% discount with Porto Card | buy hereMuseum of Contemporary Art or Serralves House or Serralves Park (includes the Treetop Walk) or Manoel de Oliveira Cinema House: €12 each | 20% discount with Porto Card
- Who lives in Portugal: free entry on the first Sunday of each month from 10 am to 1 pm | Separate tickets cost €10

29. FOZ DO DOURO

Foz do Douro is where the Douro River flows into the Atlantic Ocean. Nearby is an area on the banks of the Douro River, famous for its beautiful beaches and many restaurants along the waterfront. To visit the place, you can explore the streets on foot or rent a bicycle is also an excellent option.

In this region, we can highlight some attractions:

GARDEN OF PASSEIO ALEGRE & PALÇADÃO: 19th century garden with several monuments, sculptures, fountains and a bandstand that hosts some concerts in the summer. It is surrounded by beautiful old buildings. There is also a mini golf for children. Take the opportunity to walk around the boardwalk along the Douro River to admire the beautiful views. (Address: Rua do Passeio Alegre 828, 4150-570 Porto, Portugal)

FORTALEZA DE SÃO JOÃO DA FOZ: This fort, built from 1570, during the reign of D. Sebastião and initially consisted of a simple structure that included a monastery and a church. The structure was remodeled and fortified due to the War of Restoration of Independence (1640-1668), fearing that there would be a Spanish invasion. Over time, it lost its defensive function, as it became outdated, being used as a prison for political prisoners. In the 20th century, it served as the residence of the poet Florbela Espanca before being abandoned. In the 1990s, it was renovated to house the National Defense Institute. (Address: Foz do D'Ouro, 4150-196 Porto, Portugal | Hours: Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm, closed on weekends)

FOZ DO DOURO MARKET: Public market founded in 1944 that sells various products and food, in addition to housing fashion stores and art galleries. (Address: Rua de Diu, 4150-276 Porto, Portugal | Hours: Monday from 7 am to 5 pm, Tuesday to Thursday from 7 am to 11 pm, Friday and Saturday from 7 am to 11:45 pm, closed on Sundays)
FELGUEIRAS HEADLIGHT: An iconic 17 meter long lighthouse that was built in 1886 that has even appeared on the cover of National Geographic magazine. The lighthouse is formed by a hexagonal masonry tower with granite and was deactivated in 2009.

BEACHES: Beautiful beaches for sunbathing include the Praia dos Ingleses, a beautiful beach with rocks facing the Atlantic Ocean; The Pastoras Beach and Carneiro Beach, both with views of the Felgueiras Lighthouse. Be sure to visit the beautiful and photogenic Pergola da Foz in front of Praia do Molhe.

CHEESE CASTLE: This is the Forte de São Francisco Xavier do Queijo, an old military fort from the 17th century, with towers and granite walls. It is called Castelo do Queijo because it was built on a rounded granite rock that resembled a cheese. Inside there is a military-themed historical museum that also includes a program of cultural events. (Address: Praça de Gonçalves Zarco 20, 4100-274 Porto, Portugal | Times: Tuesday to Sunday from 1 pm to 5 pm, closed on Mondays)

30. MATOSINHOS BEACH

Matosinhos is a municipality located in the Porto metropolitan area, north of the city. The city has a number of important structures, such as the Monastery of Leça do Balio, the Church of Senhor Bom Jesus de Matosinhos, the Obelisk of Praia da Memória, the Casa do Mar and Roman Tanks, among others. But, for sure, the biggest highlight of the city is Praia de Matosinhos, the largest beach in the Porto region and easily accessed through Matosinhos Sul da Line A (blue) of the metro. It is close to Castelo do Queijo and has an extensive stretch of golden sand with many restaurants in the surroundings.

Matosinhos Beach is famous for sports activities such as surfing and windsurfing. One of the coolest activities in this region is to exercise by the sea on the Marginal de Matosinhos, like rollerblading, skateboarding and cycling or taking a walk feeling the sea breeze. We took the metro and went to Matosinhos Sul and did the whole journey on foot and by electric scooter until after Jardim do Passeio Alegre and it was a super nice tour.

HAVE MORE TIME? VISIT THE SURROUNDINGS AND OTHER CITIES

If you have more time in the outskirts of Porto, take the opportunity to discover other super cool and interesting areas, such as:

Douro wine region (check out tour tips here)
Historical cities Braga and Guimarães (see guided tour options here)
Viana do Castelo and Santiago de Compostela in Spain (excursions in this link)
Aveiro, the “Portuguese Venice” (excursion tips from Porto here)
Peneda-Gerês National Park (see tour options here)

TOURS AND EXCURSIONS IN PORTO

There are many nice tours, tours and excursions in the city of Porto and its surroundings. Below you will find some interesting options. Click to see more options and also detailed information about each one.

WHERE TO EAT IN PORTO

One of the strengths of Porto is precisely its gastronomy. There are several restaurants with cuisines from all over the world for visitors to choose freely. Many of them offer the most typical dish in Porto, Francesinha, which we had the opportunity to eat a few times in the vegan version.

FRANCE: Francesinha is a traditional dish of Porto cuisine. It was created by Portuguese people who were inspired by the French croque-monsieur sandwich, more popularly known as warm mix, to create something innovative. Typically, francesinha is made with bread, ham, sausage, steak or roast beef, all topped with melted cheese, surrounded by a special sauce of tomato, beer and piri-piri pepper. It is most often served with a fried egg on top and fries to dip into the sauce.

With a huge variety of options, below are just a few suggestions for restaurants in Porto:

DOWNTOWN FROM THE PORT

Maria Odete Restaurant (Portuguese food, fish, seafood)
daTerra Baixa (one-price vegan buffet) – Read more: daTerra: Network of vegan restaurants in Portugal
Side B Coffee (brewery, cafeteria, francesinhas, sandwiches, hamburgers)
Kind Kitchen (casual vegan food – Read more: Kind Kitchen: Casual Vegan Food in Porto)

Kind Kitchen: Casual Vegan Food in Porto — Falafel Wrap with Kind Kitchen Salad

world tree (vegan with vegetable cheese boards, hamburgers)
Vegan By Tentúgal (vegan, sandwiches, francesinha, sandwiches, pastel de nata)
Two Of Letter (hot dishes, hamburgers, sandwiches, sweets, there are veggie options)
Francesinhas Al Forno da Baixa (francesinhas, pizzas – Read more: Porto: Restaurant Francesinhas Al Forno da Baixa)

Porto: Restaurant Francesinhas Al Forno da Baixa — Tofu Francesinha at Francesinhas Al Forno da Baixa

The Macrobiotic (vegan, a different dish every day for lunch, soups, snacks, cafeteria, vegan sweets)
The Port of Cats (vegan, dish of the day, sweets, snacks and space for felines)
Hard Rock Cafe (famous American network)
Vegan Wine and Tapas (vegan tapas-style food with wines)
Table Addictions – Bad Habits (starters, pizzas, calzones, pasta, soups, salads, hot dishes, desserts – Read more: Vícios à Mesa - Maus Hábitos: Pizza and culture in Porto)

Vices at the Table - Bad Habits: Pizza and culture in Porto — Vegan pizzas from Vices à Mesa – Maus Hábitos

SURROUNDINGS OF THE HISTORY CENTER

Pink pepper (healthy food)
Holy Remedy (vegan, starters, hamburgers, assorted hot dishes)
Real Burger (hamburger, there is a vegetarian option)
In Living Flesh (vegan in beautiful green space)
Apuro – Vegan Bar (first vegan café bar in Porto, craft beers, organic food, tapas, burritos, burgers, bowls)

the diplomat (Coffee, teas, smoothies, pancakes, salads, snacks, brunch)
Porto season (Coffee, breakfast, brunch, salads, healthy dishes)
Stave Table (hot dishes, cheese boards, toast, starters)
Bonaparte Downtown (bar, good beers and cocktails)
The Youngest Restaurant (vegetarian, assorted dishes)
DUH! Vegan Donuts (vegan donuts)
Essence Restaurant (vegetarian)

RIBEIRA & VILA NOVA DE GAIA

The Orient in Porto (vegetarian that also houses a shop and yoga class room)
Ribeira Square Restaurant (soups, tapas, salads, fish, meat, pasta – Read more: Portugal: Ribeira Square Restaurant in Porto)

If we had known that there would be little food, apart from the Couvert, we would have ordered vegetable soup, chili tapa, mixed salad or even a ratatouille linguini. As we were in a hurry to continue visiting the area (we had a reserved time at Cave Cálem), we ended up not ordering anything else. — Mushroom Kebab with Peppers

Manel's Tavern (Portuguese dishes)
Horta delights (vegan, salads, soups, healthy dishes, fresh juices)

SERRALVES FOUNDATION + FOZ DO DOURO + MATOSINHOS

Restaurant Eleven (international dishes – Read more: Restaurante Onze: Haute cuisine in Porto)
daTerra Foz do Douro (vegan food buffet with single price)
daTerra Matosinhos (vegan food buffet with single price)
GAO (vegan restaurant)

Restaurante Onze: Haute cuisine in Porto — One of the tasty dishes at Restaurante Onze

We thank the Porto and Northern Portugal Tourism through the amazing garden at Restaurante Onze!

WHERE TO BUY IN PORTO

In addition to shopping malls and markets, the city of Porto has several traditional shops that sell incredible handcrafted products full of history. Check out some options for where to buy in Porto below.

ViaCatarina Shopping (shopping center)
Shopping La Vie Porto – Baixa (shopping center)
Claus Porto (fragrance store)
Ecuador chocolate shop (Portuguese artisan chocolate shop 100%)
rosemary heart (craft, vintage, sustainable clothing, decor, furniture store)
Moreira da Costa Alfarrabistas (one of the oldest second-hand bookstores in Porto, with books on law, philosophy and theology and 2,000 titles of French literature)
Stationery Template (complete stationery, with technical materials for Fine Arts and Architecture courses)
Arcozelo House (specialized in cheeses and sausages since the beginning of the 20th century)
idealBio (organic grocery store)
Porto herbalist (herbal store including food, supplements, hygiene and cleaning items)

The Pearl of Bolhão (traditional grocery store founded in 1917)
the sowing (specialized in products for agriculture and garden)
Belomonte Brush (factory, shop and museum of traditional brushes)
Warehouse Of Linens By Filipa Pinto Basto (factory and shop that started as a tailor shop in 1905 and went on to produce printed fabrics with traditional Portuguese designs)
Botónia – Sousa & Lobo (shop specializing in buttons and small items since 1936)
Paris bazaar (Oldest working toy store in Porto)
Bolhão Market (traditional super complete municipal market)
Good Success Market (municipal market)

WHERE TO STAY IN PORTO

There are many accommodation options in Porto and we prefer to suggest options in the Historic Center of Porto, as this is exactly where the main attractions are located.

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