Porto as you have never seen: 10 top secret addresses

Do you want to enjoy a Portuguese weekend while avoiding crowds of tourists? Discover our 10 top secret addresses in Porto!

Porto, its Douro, its « mercados », its narrow streets and its habitats made of azulejos... If the “undefeated city” has long remained in the shadow of Lisbon , she has today the wind in her stern. For several years, Porto has been one of the most represented cities in all sorts of rankings.

In 2021, she was elected as the best “city to live with a family”, the second “most entertaining city” in the world, and for certain the third best “city of the future” in Europe. Indeed, the one that was formerly named “Portus” attracts the crowds, and the trips to Porto are increasingly requested.

But no problem! If you wish to organize a trip to Porto away from the crowds, we have the perfect solution for you: a custom trip. Wanderlix and The Offline, a high-end travel agency specializing in tailor-made travel, offer the ideal alternative to discover 10 secret addresses in Porto. So you can enjoy the city without having to face the crowds of tourists. And as a bonus, we offer you 5% discount on your next booking with the WanderlixXTO code!

So don’t hesitate anymore and discover our selection of the best typical and secret places of Porto by yourself with The Offline !

Cultural addresses

1. La Casa de Serralves and its park

Originally designed as a private home, Casa Serralves is now one of the main places to visit in Porto. The villa, considered the most remarkable example of Art Deco in Portugal thanks to its rosé walls, is classified as a Public Interest Building. His particular architecture, shaped by Frenchman Charles Siclis in collaboration with Portuguese architect José Marques da Silva, still inspires the greatest engineers today.

Thanks to its museum and its large park, it will welcome a family or group of friends during a sunny afternoon. Alternating games of proportions, geometry and lights, the open-air museum is a real distraction for the little ones like the big ones, while the 200 plant species of the park will shelter you the time of a picnic in the shadow of the Portuguese sun. In short, this first travel address in Porto will offer you an unusual afternoon for the whole family.

2. The Portuguese photography centre

Located in the former prison of Porto, the Portuguese photography centre offers a collection with cameras and cameras of the twentieth century. Founded in 1997, it was in a historic building of the 18th century. Less than 30 years ago, the walls of the centre housed the court and the city prison.

This offers a unique experience of travel to Porto, especially when you find yourself admiring the exhibitions of the centre in the heart of the old cells and torture rooms. Today, the museum has an annual exhibition and multiple temporary exhibitions. You can visit it throughout the year without ever getting tired of the works you will find on site.

Guided addresses

3. Café Santiago

Dating from the 1060s, Café Santiago is, for those wishing to discover new local flavours, the address not to be missed! Known for locals, it will offer you to discover one of the most delicious Portuguese specialties: the Francesinha. The latter is actually a sandwich (classified as one of the 10 best sandwiches in the world), made of ham, Portuguese smoke sausage, fresh sausage, all covered with cheese.

The address is one of the classics of the inhabitants of Porto, and we understand why. Although it is finally unknown to tourists, it remains widely frequented throughout the day. So you will have to appeal to your patience before you taste this Portuguese wonder.

4. The Mito

If the Mito is distinguished from other restaurants in the city, and will embellish your trip to Porto, it is largely due to its map provided. The latter is classified in four sections: hot, cold, grilled and sweet. The atmosphere is also warm, friendly, and the service is fast. We particularly recommend that you taste beef croquettes, while enjoying a Medronho Sour, a typical cocktail in the region.

Value for money is particularly interesting. On the other hand, the quantity is less, and you will not have to wait to leave the Mito the belly full. Finally, this travel address in Porto will be perfect for a lunch with friends before leaving on the assault of the rest of the city.

5. La Confeitaria do Bolhao

In front of the famous Bolhao market in the heart of Porto, you will find the Confeitaria do Bolhao, an ideal address to calm your little hunger while discovering Portuguese culinary specialties. Present since 1896, it will offer you a multitude of treats.

Pastel de Nata, Berlin balls, or Salame de chocolate will make you an eye, and will be perfect to soften a summer ride on the edges of the Douro. But the surprises presented by this confectionery do not stop there, since you can also enjoy a varied offer of grocery, cellar, catererer, or tea room, so that local culinary specialities don’t have any secrets for you anymore.

Addresses to sleep

6. Rosa et al townhouse

If you are looking for a high-end accommodation for your trip to Porto, Rosa et al townhouse has all the answers to your questions! This spacious suite set, located in the city centre, will offer you a luxurious stay. Each of them will have a view of the city, or the large garden.

The latter, particularly worked, will offer you the possibility of walks in peace and shelter from the bustle of the city. Guests can also enjoy the gastronomic meals offered by the hotel, made from the organic products that have pushed into the hotel garden. Finally, the geographical location is perfect for a trip to Porto, as you will be surrounded by art galleries, artist studios and design shops to discover Portuguese crafts.

7. Duas Portas

Located about ten minutes from the beach, and offering panoramic views of the sea or the river, the Duas Portas is a small boutique hotel very charming. Located in the heart of a restored 19th century house, this property will offer you a stay in an atypical setting, where the decoration is typical Portuguese.

Perfect for a couple stay, it will become your foot-to-ground during your next trip to Porto. In the early morning you will enjoy a breakfast included, which you will enjoy on the terrace while the sun will rise in the backdrop. A culinary treat as a visual, for an absolute feeling of appeasement.

The addresses for a drink

8. The Royal Cocktail Club

How do I imagine a week of holiday traveling to Porto without imagining with its own, on the terrace, sharing a drink in the sunset? To do this, we offer our essential address to sip a cocktail: the Royal Cocktail Club. Located not far from the Cathedral of Porto, this sometimes festive, sometimes fierce, bar offers a multitude of cocktails worked, some of which will delight you by their originality.

On the decoration side, the bar is also atypical, since it is located in the middle of the room. So you can watch the bartenders spread all their know-how. Finally, know that you can order shared cocktails, which will be served in vases of more than one litre!

9. Taylor’s

The Taylor’s is our favorite address of this selection of top secret places to travel to Porto. The hotel, located away from the city centre in a quiet and natural place, is both a bar and a factory of the classic Portuguese liqueur: the porto! Also, you can enjoy this famous wine from the region, delighting you from some bottles dating back to 30 years!

You will also discover an atypical place in which the atmosphere is particularly family.

The address to bring back memories

10. Armazem

If you want to make a detour through the best shops in Porto so you don’t get back empty, then here’s an address not to be missed: the Amazon! With its 6 vintage shops in a chic and chill area, you will find your happiness. Travel to a specific universe of antiques and typical objects reminiscent of the history of Portugal, before strolling through the avenues of the common space.

The latter offers a multitude of bars and restaurants to relax after strolling through the shops several hours. You can also enjoy cultural exhibitions and events throughout the year. This cultural place is a real classic for your next trip to Porto.