The 20 things to do in Porto

Visiting Porto, a cosmopolitan and vibrant city, is full of sensations. Follow our guide to make sure you don't miss out on his pears!

Porto, it’s first this entanglement of colorful buildings that nibble the shore of the Douro , watched by the towers of the cathedral. Or this nostalgic air, impregnated with saudade . But it is also a rapidly changing city that offers multiple facets. Everywhere, the vestiges of a prosperous past combine popular alleys and some contemporary architectural beads.

The spirit of the city is like its looks. Visiting Porto is plunging into the traditions of an authentic Europe that intertwine with today’s cultures. The inhabitants also seem at ease in the traditional taverns as the Dragon stadium stands. And you will see, their joy of living is communicative!

So, to live the best of what the city has to offer, discover the best things to do in Porto.

1. Make a mini cruise on the Douro

Here is a beautiful way to visit Porto: over the water! Majestic river, the Douro crosses the city before reaching the green wine valleys. And it is probably from its waters that we enjoy the most beautiful views of the city.

There is a must-have mini-belt in Porto, which is called the . This walk of a little less than an hour along the historic road of the " Rabelo", these traditional Portuguese boats on which was transported the famous wine of Porto to the cellars of the city.

Over the water you will pass under 6 bridges (from which its name) and climb the river to the coast (Foz do Douro).

2. Explore the Douro valley

If you stay in Porto 3 days or more, you must visit the valley of Porto Douro . Sometimes nicknamed "enchanted valley", it actually offers beautiful landscapes. The river winds between the hills carved by the terraces of the vineyards, bathed in sun.

You have two ways to visit the Douro Valley:

By leaving : you leave Porto early in the morning. During this day, it is planned to visit two wineries, during which you will enjoy Porto. A typical meal of the region is planned for lunch, while a boat cruise to Pinhão (in the heart of the valley), concludes the tour before a return at the end of the afternoon.

♪ renting a car : go to Régua and take the N222 to Vila Nova de Foz Coa. It is said here that this is the most beautiful road in the world. On this one, beautiful fields or agricultural cooperatives offer you to taste their products (Vin du Douro, Porto wine, olive oil, almonds...). Enjoy being on site to buy these cheaper products.

3. Visit the porto cellars

As you may have guessed, the city has given its name to the famous drink that is the porto. If this "mute wine" comes from valleys more upstream of the Douro Porto welcomes famous cellars.

It is more precisely on the commune of Vila Nova de Gaia , located on the shore facing Porto, that you will discover them. And without a doubt, the visit of the cellars is one of the must-see activities in Porto! Of course, you will have the opportunity to taste some samples of the delicious sweet wine.

The most famous cellars are those of Calèm. You can choose one (14€) or choose the (23€).

The Calèm cellars are the most frequented, so you have to book your tickets in advance. You can also visit other cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia: the , , or the cellar .

4. Listen to the fado traditional

The fado was declared an intangible cultural heritage in 2011, and is one of the main jewels of Portuguese music. After a day of visits, relax during a traditional fado concert. We particularly recommend the show at the .

Let yourself be carried away by the fado songs for an hour, tasting a glass of porto.

5. Walking around the neighborhood Ribeira

If you leave with an image of Porto in mind, it is surely this one. I mean, the neighborhood. Ribeira on the north shore of Douro , has postcards. Once dilapidated, this colorful and lively corner is for tourists the great must in Porto.

Yet he managed to keep this authentic and popular "I don't know what" that makes the charm of the city.

So take the time to sip a drink at the coffee table on the river. And don’t forget to stroll the nose in the air at random from alleys, admiring the narrow and colorful facades!

6. Take height in Porto

What’s better for immersing yourself in a city than admiring it from above? Moreover, Porto lends itself particularly well to exercise, with its roofs of tiles and its spectacular bridges. To take height, the first option is to borrow the pedestrian bridge Dom-Luís . This "ir de fer" built by a disciple of Eiffel enjambes him Douro , connecting Ribeira and Vila Nova de Gaia .

Then you can test the funicular (including also includes access to the tram and bus) that leaves at the foot of the bridge Ribeira , and rises up to the heights. During the short ascent you will admire several emblematic monuments of the city.

Finally, the last option is to climb to the top of the at the church of the Clerks. From there, you can enjoy a diving view of the roofs of Ribeira .

7. Penetrate in La Se, the Cathedral of Porto

A millennium city that has experienced a great boom in the Middle Ages, Porto is full of spectacular monuments. True to the Christian tradition, it offers in particular a beautiful collection of churches. The most essential is of course La Se The Cathedral of Porto. His silhouette overlooks the alleys Ribeira . Don't miss pushing her doors to discover her beautiful cloister.

If you are interested in places of worship, note that you will cross churches at every corner of the street. But we have a small weakness for the Igreja do Carmo , whose walls are surrounded by brightness azulejos .

8. Discover the Museum of FC Porto and its Dragon Stadium

If you’re a football fan, you’ll probably know FC Porto, which is one of the best European clubs. As you can imagine, the inhabitants of the city are particularly attached to their team and support it with ardour.

Thus, in the stages of the Dragon stadium ( Estádio do Dragão ), the atmosphere is really gray! So, fan or novice, attending a game is one of the most entertaining things you can do in Porto.

If no match is scheduled during your stay, you can always visit the excellent , which offers the possibility to ascend into the rostrums of the Estádio do Dragão .

9. Tasting Francesinha and other delights

francesinha , or "small French", is probably the most typical of Porto and tastes in every tavern. Inspired by our croque-monsieur, hence its name, it is a more gourmet variant. Indeed, the sandwich is covered with cheese and sauce. And above all, the premises are not afraid to slip three or four different meats!

But Porto has more than one round in its sandwich bag. For example, cafés and snacks compete in inventiveness to offer delicious pork sandwiches (slowly cooked for 24 hours. To discover our favorite, direction Casa Guedes , a family address from Porto to visit absolutely.

10. Do it Mercado do Bolhão

Let's stay on the gourmet side of Porto by visiting the famous market Bolhão . Built on several floors, this large semi-covered market embodies the essence of Porto, where the atmosphere is as vibrant as nostalgic. From fish stalls to florists and primers, the visit is a cocktail of colors and images.

So, even if you don’t intend to buy anything, it’s a walk to make in Porto. And then you'll be tempted by a few little ones pasteis de nata ?

11. Enter into the Librairie Lello

The Lello bookstore is not a bookstore like the others and once the door passes, you will no longer want to get out of it. With its glass, woodwork and large staircase, the place is truly magical.

No wonder, moreover, that a legend tells that this scenery inspired the writer J.K. Rowling to invent the universe of Harry Potter ... No matter whether it is true or not, the Lello bookshop is a must to visit Porto!

12. Admire the architecture of the Palacio da Bolsa

The Palais de la Bourse is one of the most beautiful monuments in Porto. Built in the middle of the 19th century in a classical neo style, it welcomes the first commercial association of the city. It still houses the seat of the Porto Chamber of Commerce.

One 30 minutes allows to visit the impressive rooms like the Pátio das Nações , an interior patio, the Sala das Assembleias Gerais (General Assembly Hall), Sala Dourada (gold slab, due to gold leaves covering its ceiling, and Salão Árabe (salon mauresque), inspired by the Alhambra of Granada. This room is worth visiting her alone.

13. surrender Rua Miguel Bombarda, the arty epicentre

Street art lovers, contemporary creation, but also nice cafés, don't miss Miguel Bombarda Street. Here you will find a mix of fine arts galleries, pleasant terraces and alternative shops.

In addition, street walls are a real museum of street art open sky, which makes it as cheerful as it is alive. So it’s an inspiring trip to Porto!

14. Admire them azulejos of Porto

In Porto, azulejos , these cement tiles painted by hand, typical of Portugal, are present at all corners of streets. The painted faiences of blue dress the walls of several churches, while many buildings relate to colourful motifs.

If you visit Porto by train, you will discover from the train station São Bento A spectacular fresco. Indeed, it recounts the history of Portugal over 20,000 tiles of faience!

If you have the soul of an artist, know that it is possible to learn from the painting of azulejos during dedicated workshops. And what a better memory than a work born from your hands according to an ancestral technique.

15. See the concert hall Casa da Música

Whether you came to see a concert, or simply admire its architecture, Casa da Música is a place to visit in Porto. Indeed, this large block of white concrete with amazing geometric shapes alone is worth a look.

But even go there, so enjoy it to see a concert! In this case, the venue offers a beautiful musical programming throughout the year.

16. Make his bags Rua Santa Catarina

Do you want to make some shopping while enjoying the atmosphere of the city? So, date. Rua Santa Catarina , THE street to visit in Porto to make pretty finds. Borrow it from the square Batalha , in order to admire the passage church Santo António dos Congregados . With your stroll, you will only be spoiled by the choice of shops.

And for a well-deserved break, make sure you're at it Cafe Majestic . This coffee is a real institution in Porto, to visit without further delay!

17. Go out to Porto and enjoy nightlife

You will have understood it, the singular charm of Porto holds much to its vibrant atmosphere. And nothing better to take the pulse of the city than to go out there in the evening! To start your night odyssey, you can first enjoy the bars and restaurants Ribeira .

Then, go flaunt the side Baixa , historical district in full reinvention that is full of nice bars. Finally, for real noctambules who wish to dance all night in front of the ocean, the discotheques of Foz do Douro are all indicated!

18. Walking in the gardens of Palácio de Cristal

There is nothing better than a little greenery to take a bowl of air between two visits to Porto! And to be done, the park Cristal Palace is the ideal place. Built in the 19th century, these French gardens are perfect for a romantic walk.

Moreover, as they are perched in height, there is a breathtaking view of the city and the river. As for the UFO air cupola, the Pavilhão Rosa Mota , it welcomes off work periods of games and concerts.

19. Surf and bronze Foz do Douro

It’s at Foz do Douro that Porto opens on the ocean. And suddenly, the atmosphere is quite different, between sandy beach, lighthouse and fishing boats. So, to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city, don’t hesitate to spend half a day in the city Foz do Douro .

You can relax on the beach or even start surfing in Matosinhos. Finally, as we told you, the neighborhood also welcomes very nice nightclubs.

20. Attend the Saint-Jean Festival

Saint John, or São João, is the patron saint of Porto. And the least we can say is that the city knows how to pay tribute! Every year, throughout the month of June, the streets are moving to the rhythm of the balls and fireworks.

As for June 24, the exact date of the party is a real apotheosis! To enjoy this unique atmosphere, we can only advise you to visit Porto during this period.

How to get to Porto?

If it is possible to reach Porto by car or car, the aircraft remains by far the fastest option. It is also often the most economical, thanks to the many flights offered by airlines.

Moreover, Porto being a very popular destination of the French, there are direct connections with many cities of France . Thus, you can leave Paris, Lyon or Marseille as well as Lille, Toulouse, Nantes and many others.

To find the most advantageous flight on the dates that suits you, think of using a flight comparison as Ulysses . Finally, of course, it is easy to reach Porto from other cities like Lisbon by train car or car.

How to move to Porto?

Porto is a city that can be discovered on foot. The old city is human-sized, which allows to go from one point to the other of the city in a short time. In addition, the Dom Luis Bridge allows to cross the Douro to Vila Nova de Gaia.

If you intend to use public transport, especially to use the typical tram, you can opt to use it . This pass allows you to use public transport and enjoy more than 150 benefits and discounts including free access to 6 museums and 50% discount on a porto cellar. There is also one This pass.

Finally, if you intend to visit the surroundings of Porto by your own means, especially the Douro Valley, we advise you to rent a car on site during the day. To find your car, you can search it on Rentalcars .

Where to sleep in Porto?

You will only have the embarrassment of choosing accommodation and areas where to stay to visit Porto. The first option we recommend is to stay in the neighbourhood Baixa , which corresponds to the historic city center. Ribeira is also a good option to enjoy both the typical side and the nightlife. I mean, Boavista will be perfect for tight budgets, and Ceidofeita will delight those looking for a hipster atmosphere.

To find your hotel, you can search this hotel comparison . Think about looking at vacation rental offers on Airbnb .

Porto is not only a pretty city with a beautiful heritage, but also a place rich in experiences. Thus, there is so much to do in Porto that you will have no difficulty in concocting a perfect small program!