Recommended Stay Time

5-7 Days

Currency

Euro

Transportation

I recommend walking the whole city. This might seem like a lot, but to truly see this beautiful city, it is best to wander around the streets and discovering new areas. Porto’s city centre is not very big, and it is completely manageable to walk to each activity. Every time i’ve been to Porto, my family and I have always chosen to walk.

However, if you are staying outside of Porto or in the city’s outskirts, taking a cab or using the metro system to the heart of Porto is definitely a good idea.

Hotel

Again, I believe the best way to really get to know a city is to immerse yourself in the least touristic manner. I personally don’t recommended big hotels in an tourist area, that are surrounded by other hotels. I believe Airbnb’s are the best way to visit a new city and to make the most of your time there. They are normally not in a very touristy location, and anywhere near the city centre of Porto you can find great little hotspots to explore and meander through. Also, Airbnb’s can be a great way to save money on living accommodations as well. Like many things in Portugal, the Airbnb’s can be quite cheap – when booked far enough in advance.

Activities

One of the main attractions in Porto is in its name – Port wine. Porto is where port wine began and is a very flourishing industry in Porto. Port wine is a Portuguese fortified wine produced with distilled grape spirits exclusively in the Douro Valley in the northern provinces of Portugal.

Thus, visiting the port wine cellars is a must-do. I have gone on a few different wine tasting tours and visited a couple wine cellars. My favourite and most reasonably priced tour is a tour that takes you through the city on a train, then on a river cruise on the Douro, and to a wine cellar- all for 22 euros. This tour is a great way to see all the major parts of the city if you do not have many days in Porto.

After the tour, you will find yourself in a beautiful plaza called “Cais de Ribeira”. This gorgeous area of Porto is riverside, and in a very busy area. Bars and restaurants line the riverside, with incredible fresh seafood for an incredibly low price.  Also is a a great view of Porto’s famous Luís I Bridge, which is another main attraction here in Porto.

The Luís I Bridge opened in 1886 and it was created by the german engineer Theophile Seyring who co founded the Eiffel Company. It is on this bridge where you’ll have a stunning view of the river, and the riverside plaza Cais de Ribeira.

Food Tips

1. Ode Porto Winehouse

For all you wine lovers, you must try Ode Porto Winehouse for great port wine and traditional Portuguese food. This restaurant prides itself on the fact that all ingredients are organic and locally grown. The atmosphere in this restaurant can be both dressy and casual, but a very happy environment with often live music.

2. Camafeu

Another delicious restaurant suited for breakfast, lunch and dinner. This unique restaurant serves traditional portuguese food, as well as other common european dishes.

3. Bacalhau

Named after one of the most common and traditional portuguese dishes, Bacalhau is a beautiful restaurant located right beside the Douro river, giving a very peaceful and calm atmosphere. Additionally, this restaurant is not too expensive, and the quality of food will never disappoint.  

Packing

As Portugal is normally a very warm country, I recommend packing spring/ summer clothes. At night, it can get a little chilly so a light jacket will always be useful. Bring bathing suits if you believe you will make it out to some of Portugal’s famous beaches. Comfortable walking shoes are a must-bring, as you will be walking around the city centre many times, and it is much easier for travel. If you are not used to the warmer climates I recommended sunscreen as well. For dining, some restaurants are fancier than others, so pack 1-2 dressier outfits.