What to do during a trip to Porto?
25 July 2024
With its narrow tiled buildings set against the riverside, a beautiful waterfront and tons of cultural attractions, the city of Porto in Portugal is a destination not to be missed.
The city seems more down-to-earth and working-class than Lisbon and some say its residents are more open and welcoming than those in the capital. Porto tends to be wetter and colder than the south of Portugal and, despite much redevelopment work in recent years, the city still has its share of faded facades, but these aspects also give it a unique charm.
1) Climb the Torre dos Clerigos
The top of this narrow baroque bell tower offers the best view of the center of Porto. We suggest making this your first stop, as the panoramic views give you a great overview of some of the neighborhoods and sights you can explore later.
While you’re here, check out the Praca de Lisboa, a beautiful two-level square: it has shops and cafes on the lower level, and a public green roof with olive trees on the top.
2) Walk around the Cais da Ribeira
The Ribeira district, located along the Douro River, is one of the oldest parts of the city. Famous for its narrow, colorful houses on the quayside, as well as its views of the iconic double-decker Dom Luís Bridge, this UNESCO World Heritage site is simply unmissable.
To get a real taste of Porto, be sure to explore the maze of windswept streets behind the shore.
3) Cruise on the Douro River
One of the most popular things to do in Porto is to take a Douro River cruise. You can opt between two types of river tours.
The longest ones take a whole day and go to the Douro Valley, the region that gave birth to the famous Port wine. You will pass by many cute villages and green hills covered with vines.
A quicker option is to take a one-hour tour along the Douro River in the city, passing Porto’s six bridges and up to the mouth of the Douro River. These visits are generally done aboard small traditional boats used in the past to transport barrels of Port wine.
4) See the Igreja do Carmo
This church is interesting not only for its magnificent tile wall paintings, but also for its unusual construction. Look closely and you’ll notice that these are actually two adjacent churches (the other on the left is the Carmelite Church) that have somehow been merged.
Apparently there was a complicated rivalry between these two churches. Due to a law stating that two churches cannot share the same wall, a small house was built between them. You can still see the meter-wide house, squeezed inside, with its own little front door. Someone still lived there about twenty years ago.
5) Browse the Livraria Lello bookstore
Livraria Lello is a magnificent bookstore. Opened in 1906, it is one of the oldest in Portugal. Apparently J.K. Rowling frequented this place when she lived in Porto as an ESL teacher in the 90s. Some say this place gave her inspiration for Hogwarts, which doesn’t seem to be an isolated case .
The situation at Livraria Lello is a bit strange: on the one hand, it’s a bookstore that sells Portuguese and English literature, non-fiction and coffee table books. On the other hand, it has also become a paid tourist attraction. Entrance costs 5 euros and entitles you to a 10% reduction on any book purchase.
Tip: The site has exploded in popularity and there may be a long queue during the summer months. In that case, there are plenty of other things to do that don’t require waiting!
6) Port wine
Port wine is recognized throughout the world.
A few of the wineries, like Real Companhia Velha, Sandeman and Taylor’s Port, have a history that dates back hundreds of years and are accompanied by museums that document their history.
As for the wine, it is fortified by the addition of grape alcohol, which stops fermentation and helps the port retain its sweet flavor.
From there it is stored in oak barrels for two years to four decades depending on the style before being unblock and enjoy in its best state.
7) Take the old trams
Porto has many vintage trams still in service, and you’re more likely to catch one here than on Lisbon’s overcrowded lines. Line 1 runs from the center to the west along the Douro River, it is quite picturesque and provides easy access to the beaches of Foz do Douro. Lines 18 and 22 wind through the old town. Everything from traffic signs to track switches are still operated manually.
8) Visit the Fundação Serralves Museum
The Fundação Serralves Museum hosts various temporary exhibitions focusing mainly on contemporary Portuguese artists. The art is intriguing, but so is the minimalist architecture of the museum, not to mention the surrounding sculpture gardens and farmland.
