Ana Valente picks out 10 of the best things to do in Porto, Portugal‘s northern metropolis, where the mornings are misty and the nights are long.
Top 10 things to do in Porto, Portugal
1. Climb up Torre dos Clérigos
The Torre dos Clérigos (Clérigos Tower) is the most iconic feature of Porto’s skyline. It also provides fantastic views of the city. The tower is part of Clérigos Church, a baroque building from the 18th century that is located at one of the highest points of town. After hiking 74 metres up 240 narrow steps, you’re rewarded with a breathtaking view of tall orange roofs fighting for space all the way down to the river. Schedule your visit for mid-to-late afternoon. The sunset light on the rooftops is unmissable.
2. Visit the Serralves gardens and museum
Located between downtown Porto and the seafront, Serralves offers a combination of culture and natural beauty. The vast green gardens of Serralves, which cover an astonishing 18 hectares, are home to exquisite flora and fauna. They are also free to access on Sunday mornings. The park surrounds a bright pink Art Deco villa and the Museum of Contemporary Art, which houses a collection of Portuguese art from 1960 onwards. Don’t forget to end your visit with coffee and cake at the lovely terrasse of the museum café. Serralves hosts several events throughout the year. Make sure to check the programme!
3. Enjoy the view from Ribeira
After a day walking the narrow streets in the shadow of the tall buildings of downtown Porto, descend to the true heart of the old city. It’s always a good time to visit, but night brings the best out of Ribeira. Pick a terrasse and enjoy a cold sangria as you face the Douro river. On the other side, the hill of Gaia (the neighbouring city across the river) is covered with lights marking the presence of the famous Port wine cellars, the D. Luiz bridge and the church of Serra do Pilar. It’s an unforgettable view.
4. Dance the night away in downtown Porto
You don’t have to go far from the city centre to find the hottest places for a night out on the town. The streets near the Clérigos Church are virtually empty during the day. But they bustle with people, good food and music from late afternoon to the (sometimes not so) early hours of the morning. There are cafés, restaurants, bars and clubs aplenty, with locals and visitors alike streaming in and out of their doors.
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5. Take a ride on the old trams
Porto can be very steep at times. So a good way of getting to know the city is by taking a ride in one of its restored electric cars. Also known as ‘American cars’, these classic yellow vehicles were first introduced in the early 1900s. But the trams gradually disappeared in the second half of the 20th century, as buses took over. However, in the past few years the vintage cars have been re-introduced on a few ‘heritage routes’ linking several downtown sites and the seafront. So, once again trams are part of the public transport system.
6. Take a stroll in Foz
Foz is one of the oldest quarters of Porto. It literally means ‘river mouth’ and spans the area between the end of the Douro river and the city’s seaside. Start your walk towards the sea in Passeio Alegre, a low and bright path that runs directly by the river and is lined with palm trees. Get lost in the narrow cobblestone streets of Foz Velha (‘Old Foz’) and never forget that your ultimate goal is to face the sea. The Atlantic and its many small beaches await you with gorgeous sunsets, ready for a romantic stroll or an end-of-the-day drink.
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7. Visit a port wine cellar
Take in the oaky smell wafting through the cold air of a dusty, dark port cellar. The foothills of Gaia, just across the Douro river from Porto, are home to all of the major cellars for the famous fortified wine, which is only produced in northern Portugal. Almost all of the cellars offer wine tastings and guided tours that reveal the secrets of port wine making. How the grapes are selected, how the wine is produced and what makes a vintage.
8. Eat a francesinha
Hungry? Craving a decent portion of meat? In Porto you won’t need to look hard to have your wish granted. One of the city’s food staples might not be fancy. And is certainly not good for the waistline. But it’s a source of local pride – not to mention an unforgettable experience. Francesinha is composed of steak, sliced hams and spicy sausage between toasted bread, all covered with melted cheese and a hot sauce. Its recipe is a well-kept secret. There is eternal competition for the best francesinha in town: just ask any local for their favourite and embrace the challenge.
9. Have an apéro in the quay of Gaia
Another perfect end of the day in Porto: sipping an apéro (maybe chilled white port wine or moscatel, a sweet wine from north-east Portugal) while looking at the colourful houses tiling the hills of Porto. As you snack on tremoços (lupin beans) and peanuts, the sun slowly sets and the blue skies turn darker. Your thoughts may turn to what to have for dinner in one of the many restaurants on the quay of Gaia, inspired by the bridges, the colours of the façades and the slight breeze that keeps the sea in your mind.
10. Explore the Douro river
The emblematic Douro river, which starts in Spain and cuts across northern Portugal to Porto, can be explored in many ways. Boats leaving from Ribeira will take you on a quick tour of the city’s bridges, or on longer cruises up the river to the valleys in the inner country. These valleys, which form a Unesco World Heritage site, are where most of northern Portugal’s wine is harvested and produced, including the famous port wine. The trip to this unique scenery can also be done by train and often includes visits to the vineyards, wineries and museums.
Read more: Top seven things to do in Lisbon
10 best things to do in Porto
| 1. Climb up Torre dos Clérigos |
| 2. Visit the Serralves gardens and museum |
| 3. Enjoy the view from Ribeira |
| 4. Dance the night away in downtown Porto |
| 5. Take a ride on the old trams |
| 6. Take a stroll in Foz |
| 7. Visit a port wine cellar |
| 8. Eat a francesinha |
| 9. Have an apéro in the quay of Gaia |
| 10. Explore the Douro river |
*Published March 2017. Any prices are lowest estimated prices only at the time of publication and are subject to change and/or availability.
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