If you’re planning your next vacation and looking for a destination that offers stunning architecture, delicious food and wine, and a rich history, then Porto is the perfect place for you. As the second largest city in Portugal, you simply cannot miss the opportunity to visit Porto and experience its vibrant culture, lively nightlife, and beautiful scenery. I’ll detail below some of the things I saw and did while in Porto and hopefully my experience can help you plan for an unforgettable visit to Porto. So pack your bags and get ready to experience the magic of Porto as you visit Porto, Portugal!
Table of Contents
- How to get to Porto
- Where to stay in Porto
- What to do in Porto
- Wine Tasting in Porto
- Eat a franscesinha in Porto
- Eat Pastel de Nata
- Things to see while walking around Porto
- Where to Next?
How to get to Porto
I got to Porto by plane from Vienna. Most cities in Europe will have a flight straight into Porto. From the airport in Porto I easily took a metro to my hostel in the city.
I bought a single journey ticket from the machines nears the metro station, which is located right in the airport. I also learned that you have to “validate” your ticket, something I’m not used to from riding the subways in NYC or Philly. Validating a tickets only means scanning the ticket in one of the machines near the metro track. Some times the ticket collector in the metro will confirm that you have a validated ticket otherwise you may receive a fine, or if you play the dumb tourist card you can get away with a slap on the wrist. I took the metro to Sao Bento station after switching metros once, and then walked to my hostel.
Where to stay in Porto
I stayed at Lost Inn Porto hostel located very close to the city center right by the Porto Cathedral. From the Sao Bento metro station, it is about a 4 minute walk to the hostel. Not very long but it can easily become 10 minutes because it is almost all uphill. So It was a bit of a struggle walking uphill with my backpack.
The hostel itself was great! I stayed in a big dorm room. The beds were comfortable and clean and they had curtains. The lockers are right under the bed and had to be scanned to be opened. The hostel gives you a wristband with a small white card attached and this is what you scan to open your locker. The shared bathrooms were located right underneath the 2nd floor dorms. There were only 3 showers, toilets, and sinks but somehow it never got too busy in the bathrooms. There is also a fully equipped shared kitchen where breakfast for 3 euros is served daily. The breakfast was pretty good and definitely worth the 3 euros.
The hostel also has social events throughout the week. There are pub crawls and walking tours often. There is also a free sangria event every day around 7pm that finishes off fairly quickly because they only make 2 pitchers. If you can get a good group together the pub crawl can be loads of fun.
To book at the Lost Inn hostel, find the best price using the links below:
What to do in Porto
From its bright sunny days perfect for exploring its charming streets to the occasional rainy days in Porto, Porto has plenty to offer for every type of traveler. Here are a few ideas to get your itinerary started:
Day trip to Braga or Guimaraes
Braga and Guimaraes are towns in the North of Portugal and can be an easy visit as a day trip from Porto. Braga is often referred to as the “Rome of Portugal” due to its numerous churches and religious significance. Guimaraes, on the other hand, is known as the birthplace of Portugal, as it’s where the country’s first king was born. It boasts a well-preserved medieval center, which makes it a great destination for history buffs.
How to get to Braga or Guimaraes
Getting to Braga or Guimaraes is very easy. Take the train from either São Bento or Campanhã station straight to Braga or Guimaraes. It should cost about 3.25 euros each way. The timetables can be found here: https://www.cp.pt/passageiros/en/train-times.
Things to see in Braga
- Bom Jesus do Monte: This is one of the most popular attractions in Braga, known for its impressive Baroque staircase leading up to a church and scenic views. The bus to this attraction is right by the train station. There is also a water driven funicular for 1.50 euros one way that goes from right by the bus stop to the top of the staircase.
- Sameiro Sanctuary: About a 35-40 minute walk from Bom Jesus do Monte, the Sameiro Sanctuary is further into the same park. This offers a beautiful panoramic view of the whole area.
- Braga Cathedral: This is the oldest and most important church in Braga.
- Jardim de Santa Bárbara: This is a charming garden located in the city center with fountains, statues, and greenery.
- The Roman ruins of Bracara Augusta: This is an archaeological site with the remains of a Roman town, including a forum, baths, and a theater.
- Museu dos Biscainhos: This is a museum located in a historic 17th-century palace that showcases the decorative arts of the Baroque and Rococo periods.
- Arco da Porta Nova: This is a historic arch located in the city center, which dates back to the 18th century.
Things to see in Guimaraes
- Guimaraes Castle: This is a well-preserved medieval castle that was once the residence of the first king of Portugal. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site and offers great views of the city. Entry fee is 2 euros.
- Palace Duques de Bragança: This is a palace located in the historic center of Guimaraes, which dates back to the 15th century. It houses a museum with a collection of art and artifacts from the region. Entry fee is 5 euros or if combined with the Guimaraes Castle is 6 euros.
- Largo da Oliveira: This is a picturesque square in the historic center of Guimaraes, surrounded by charming buildings and cafes.
- Santuário da Penha: This is a hilltop sanctuary with a church and stunning views of Guimaraes and the surrounding countryside. There is a cable car from Guimaraes that goes to Penha for 7.50 euros round trip.
- Centro Histórico de Guimaraes: This is the historic center of the city, which is well-preserved and full of charming buildings and streets.
Wine Tasting in Porto
Porto is world famous for its Port wine. Nestled in the heart of Douro Valley, Porto offers an array of wineries, cellars, and tasting experiences that will tantalize your taste buds and provide a deep dive into the rich history and culture of Portuguese wine.
Here are a few worth visiting:
- Espaço Porto Cruz
- Sandeman Cellars
- Ramos Pinto
- Calem Port Wine Cellars
- Graham’s Port Lodge
Eat a franscesinha in Porto
A francesinha is a popular Portuguese sandwich that originated in Porto. It consists of layers of bread, ham, linguiça (Portuguese sausage), and steak, all covered with melted cheese and a tomato-based sauce. Occasionally topped with an egg. The sauce is what makes a francesinha unique, as it’s usually made with beer and other ingredients like tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, and spices. The francesinha is delicious and was difficult for me to finish on my own so I highly recommend sharing with someone.
Some of the best places to try a francesinha is Cafe Santiago, Cervejaria Brasão, O Afonso, and Brasão Aliados. Your trip to Porto is not complete until you have tried this!
While at Brasão Aliados I also tried a sausage dish and a cool looking drink. Overall had an awesome experience here and would recommend a visit to anyone in the area.
Eat Pastel de Nata
Pastel de nata is a famous Portuguese pastry that features a crispy pastry shell filled with a rich and creamy egg custard. It’s flavored with vanilla and cinnamon, and often served warm with a sprinkle of powdered sugar or cinnamon on top. I thought it was very sweet, almost too sweet, but if this is something you enjoy then you will love it.
The best places to try Pastel de nata is at Nata Lisboa, Confeitaria do Bolhão, Manteigaria Fábrica de Pastéis de Nata, and Fábrica da Nata. You MUST try this on your visit to Porto!
Things to see while walking around Porto
Dom Louis Bridge
This is an iconic double-deck metal bridge that spans the Douro River in Porto, Portugal. It’s a walking bridge and also has the occasional metro that passes by forcing all the pedestrians to squeeze to the side. It’s very safe, don’t worry! I spent most of my evenings watching spectacular sunsets from here, which I highly recommend during your visit to Porto. However, it gets a bit crowded in the area around sunset but with people constantly moving around, you will be able to find a nice spot to stand.
Sunset in Porto
Sunset in Porto was beautiful every day I was there, even when it was cloudy. A couple places to watch sunset from are: Serra do Pilar, Jardim de Morro, and Dom Luis I Bridge.
Miradouro da Vitória
Miradouro da Vitória is a beautiful viewpoint located in the heart of Porto. It offers stunning views of the city and the Douro River.
Mercado de Bolhao
Mercado de Bolhão is a historic market in Porto that has been selling fresh produce and local delicacies for over 100 years. It’s a popular spot for foodies and visitors looking to immerse themselves in Porto’s vibrant culture.
Praça Ribeira
Praça Ribeira is a picturesque square located on the banks of the Douro River in Porto. It’s a popular spot for tourists to relax, dine and enjoy the beautiful view of the river and the colorful buildings.
Cais da Ribeira
Cais da Ribeira is a lively promenade located along the Douro River in Porto. It’s lined with colorful buildings, restaurants, bars and street performers, making it a popular spot for locals and tourists alike.
Clerigos Tower
The Clérigos Tower is a Baroque bell tower that dominates the skyline of Porto.
Praça da Liberdade
Praça da Liberdade is a historic square in the center of Porto that features beautiful gardens, statues, fountains, and grand buildings. It’s a popular spot for visitors to relax and take in the beauty of Porto’s architecture and history.
Azulejo tiles around Porto
The Azulejo tiles in Porto are ceramic tiles that are intricately designed with various patterns, colors, and themes. They are found on buildings, churches, and even train stations. They date back to the 13th century and have been an important part of Portuguese art and culture ever since. The use of blue on the Azulejo tiles became popular during the 18th century, when the Royal Manufactory of Rato in Lisbon started producing blue and white tiles in large quantities. The blue color became a symbol of Portuguese culture and is now an integral part of the country’s artistic heritage. You simply cannot miss these during your visit to Porto, you will find them quite easily.
Some places where you can see the azulejo tiles are:
- Igreja de Carmo
- São Bento train station
- Porto Cathedral
- Church of Saint Ildefonso
- The Chapel of Souls
Where to Next?
Porto was an amazing first stop on my trip through Portugal. I had a great visit in Porto and can’t recommend it enough. From the beautiful city views, to the wine tastings to the bar crawl, I had an awesome time here. My plan while in Portugal was to keep traveling south, so my next stop takes me to the quiet town of Aveiro where I spent only one night. I continued my journey to the magnificent city of Coimbra.
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