Author: 
Porto is second only to Lisbon in popularity with tourists visiting Portugal. It’s a large city nestled in the lush Douro Valley and is best known for its production of delicious Port Wine, which is exported not only throughout Europe but all over the world. Porto is packed with interesting historic and cultural sights, and in this travel guide, we recommend 18 of the best things to do in this fabulous city.
1. Take a Sightseeing Cruise Along the Douro River
A sightseeing river cruise in a traditional Rabelo boat is one of the most relaxing ways to see Porto’s waterside landmarks. There are multiple routes to choose from, but the Douro 6 Bridges Cruise is one of the most popular.
On this tour, you’ll learn about the importance of the Douro River in Porto’s history while following the route that wine merchants once took as they transported Port into their cellars from the valley. You’ll also sail beneath the famous Gustave-Eiffel-inspired Dom Luis I Bridge and see the traditional pastel-colored homes that lie along the Ribeira riverfront.
2. Watch the Sunset from the Miradouro da Vitória
Miradouro da Vitória is a scenic vista surrounded by abandoned buildings. It’s one of the most popular places to watch the sunset because it offers fantastic views of the Douro River with a jumble of terracotta rooftops sloping towards it.
You can spot several famous landmarks, including Porto Cathedral, Bishop’s Palace, and Dom Luis I Bridge. Give yourself ample time to explore this part of town before dusk because it’s one of Porto’s oldest neighborhoods and features charming medieval cobblestone laneways and historic buildings.
3. Eat Pastel de Nata at Confeitaria do Bolhão
Pastel de Nata (Portuguese tart) is a delicious sweet treat comprised of crisp, flakey pastry filled with creamy custard and dusted with cinnamon. Fantastic bakeries all over Portugal make excellent pasteis, but some of the best in Porto can be found at Confeitaria do Bolhão.
This 120-year-old patisserie started life serving breakfast to the city’s wealthiest residents before they did their shopping in the Mercado do Bolhão. Today, the bakery’s clientele is significantly more down to earth, but its baked goods are just as delicious.
4. Tour Porto’s Azulejo Tiles
Azulejo tiles are glazed blue and white ceramic tiles with beautifully intricate designs. They have been popular in Portugal since the 15th century when King Manuel I introduced them from Seville in Spain — they were a common feature on buildings in the Iberian Peninsula since the Middle Ages. However, it wasn’t until the 16th and 17th centuries that Portugal widely adopted the tiles.
Over the years, their designs have moved from simple geometric shapes into highly detailed scenes that depict religious stories and cultural events in Portugal’s history. You’ll see gorgeous azulejo displays throughout Porto, but these must-see landmarks have some of the very best:
- Igreja de Carmo
- São Bento Train Station
- Porto Cathedral
- Iglesia de San Ildefonso
- Capela das Almas
5. Travel Across Porto By Tram
Porto’s historic tram system offers a fun and convenient way to explore. Although Lisbon is renowned for its trams, Porto was the first Portuguese city to create an electric tram network in 1895.
Although trams have waned in popularity as a mode of transport for locals, the quaint yellow cars still run on three lines and they are beloved by tourists. Line 1, the most popular, departs from Infante and passes through Ribeira to Jardim do Passeio Alegre in Foz. Line 18 runs from the Porto Tram Museum and completes a loop of the historic center. Line 22 runs in a loop from Carmo, and it stops near many well-known sights along the way, including Clerigos Tower, São Bento Train Station, and Rua de Santa Catarina.
6. Eat the Famous Francesinha
Francesinha is one of Porto’s best-known traditional dishes, but you’ll need a big appetite to take it on. It’s a huge toasted sandwich with layers of steak, sausage, ham, and cheese. The sandwich is smothered in a rich tomato-based sauce, topped with an egg, and served with crispy fries on the side. There are plenty of great eateries serving Francesinha, but Café Santiago, which has been operating since 1959, serves one of the best.
7. Shop in the Mercado Do Bolhão
Mercado de Bolhão is a historic market that originated in 1839 and has resided in its current neoclassical building in Rua Formosa since 1914. You can pick up a wide variety of fresh produce here, including cured meats, fresh fish, locally-made cheese, and artisanal bread. Some of the traders have been operating for decades, and they love chatting with visitors.
8. Take the Harry Potter Walking Tour
J.K. Rowling wrote part of the first Harry Potter book while she lived in Porto, and many details of the book are inspired by the city. For example, Livraria Lello, an epic bookshop on Rua das Carmelitas, was the inspiration behind Flourish and Blotts bookshop in Diagon Alley thanks to its floor-to-ceiling shelves, carved neo-gothic paneling, grand staircase, and stained-glass skylight.
Take the free Harry Potter Guided Tour to learn more about how Porto and Portugal as a whole influenced Rowling and helped to shape the Harry Potter series.
9. Sample Delicious Port Wine
A must-do activity when you visit Porto is visiting the famed wine cellars that have existed here since the 17th century. Port wine is a protected product that can only be produced in the Douro Valley region, and some of the most famed winemakers are based across the river from Porto in Vila Nova de Gaia.
Head to the Porto Cruz Space to learn about the winemaking process and enjoy a wine-tasting session with an expert sommelier. There are also many Port houses along the banks of the Douro River to visit, most of which offer wine tours and tastings of their finest products.
10. Watch a Fado Performance
Fado is a genre of Portuguese music characterized by mournful, melancholy lyrics and tunes. It’s such a distinctive form of cultural expression that it has a place on the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
One of the best places to watch an authentic Fado performance in Porto is Ideal Clube de Fado, where professional artists come together to perform in the most traditional style. Arrive early to chat with the performers beforehand to gain insights into Fado’s history and its various styles.
11. Witness Incredible Views from Gaia Cable Car
The Gaia cable car carries visitors up the steep banks of the Douro Valley to Miradouro da Serra do Pilar where beautiful panoramic views await. You’ll be able to spot many of Porto’s major landmarks on the ride, including the famed Torre Dos Clerigos, the bell tower of Clerigos Church that resides in Porto’s historic center.
12. Discover History at the Mosteiro da Serra do Pilar
The Monastery of Serra do Pilar in Vila Nova de Gaia forms part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site because it’s a classic example of a circular architectural design that is unique to monasteries in Portugal. The convent took 72 years to build in the 16th century. In the 19th century, it became an improvised fort as the Siege of Oporto took hold, and in the early 20th century, it was used as military barracks. There are some beautiful design features within the church to look out for, such as carved gold leaf alters and 18th-century polychrome wooden carvings of saints.
13. Wander Through the São Francisco Catacombs
The Church of São Francisco is a stunning attraction in its own right thanks to its classic Gothic exterior and lavish Baroque gilded interior, but many tourists are drawn to its catacombs.
Members of the Franciscan order have been laid to rest in tombs here, but tucked away behind a mysterious door lies a grated window in the floor where piles of human bones can be witnessed. These date back to the 18th and 19th centuries before it became illegal to make burials in churches.
14. Take a Day Trip to Matosinhos
Matosinhos is a seaside city northwest of Porto with a popular beach and plenty of lovely restaurants, cafes, and shops. Although the Atlantic waters of Matosinhos Beach are too cold for swimming, you can expect to see locals and tourists flocking to the sands to sunbathe.
Surfing is a popular pastime here because the waters get great waves. There’s also an excellent market and the beautiful Parque da Cidade to check out if you spend a full day here.
15. Unwind in the Jardins do Palácio de Cristal
The Crystal Palace Gardens are some of the most beautiful gardens in the city. They’re structured around a central fountain that is adorned with four statues symbolizing the four seasons. Several attractions are set within the Gardens, including the Porto Museum, the Port Wine Museum, and the Almeida Garrett Library.
16. Hear Live Music at the Casa da Musica
Casa da Musica was conceived in 2001 when Porto was named the European Cultural Capital. It opened its doors in 2005, and this stunning, ultra-modern building ensures audiences get the very best sonic experience.
A huge variety of performances take place here so you shouldn’t have trouble finding a concert that suits your tastes. Classical, Fado, jazz, electronic, opera, and many more genres are regularly represented. Casa da Musica also often hosts educational events to help visitors learn more about musicology and traditional Portuguese music.
17. Explore Porto by bike or Vespa
Consider taking a bike tour of Porto at the start of your vacation so you can get the lay of the land. The route will pass by many of the city’s main attractions, such as São João da Foz castle, Jardim do Cálem, and the Art Deco Museu Serralves. Alternatively, Porto by Vespa tours are a fun way to explore the city center on two wheels.
These unconventional moped tours let you cover far more ground than you could do on foot or bicycle while allowing you to zip through alleyways and narrow streets that are inaccessible to cars or buses.
18. Marvel at the Palácio da Bolsa Decor
The Palácio da Bolsa do Porto is a stately 19th-century building that once served as the city’s stock exchange. It continues to be the headquarters of the Porto Commercial Association and is regularly used for official receptions and major events. It hosted the English monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, in 1957. The decor inside the building is incredibly opulent, and you can explore all of the rooms and learn about their unique designs when you take a guided tour from the main entrance.
Plan Your Adventure in Beautiful Porto
Porto has a rich history and boasts incredible architecture and culture, which means there are plenty of interesting things to do. What will you get up to on your visit to this fascinating region of Portugal?
