Insiders Guide to Visiting Porto

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BEST THINGS TO SEE & DO IN PORTO

Porto is one of Europe’s most vibrant and fascinating cities. While very much “on the radar” for food and wine lovers and culture vultures, Porto is not saturated with mass tourism and remains an absolute gem and a pleasure to visit. The problem? There is so much to see and do!! This fascinating 2,000-year-old city with Celtic, Roman, Moorish, and English influences features a kaleidoscope of architectural styles, monuments, and wonders. The mighty Douro River separates the legendary Port wine lodges of Vila Nova de Gaia and the historic center of Porto- a protected UNESCO world heritage site. The attractions are many and varied, so we have narrowed down our Cellar Tours list of the best experiences and things to see, eat, and do- our insider guide to visiting Porto!

THINGS TO DO IN PORTO

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Private Food Tours

The Portuguese passionately live to eat. Porto offers a treasure trove of artisan food producers and unique vendors, colorful markets, historic pastry shops, art deco cafes, and charming riverside wine bars. Embark on a gastronomic journey with a local specialized guide who will take you on a private walking tour, discovering where the locals go and what they love to eat and drink. Highlights include an olive oil tasting, Queijo da Serra da Estrela (stunning sheep’s cheese referred to as the “King of Portuguese cheese), the iconic and utterly indulgent “Francesinha” sandwich, razor clams, Tarte de Amêndoa (exquisite, local almond tart) and of course plenty of delicious wines along the way.

For more information on a Private Food Tour in Porto: Contact us

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Private Cooking Classes

Another “must” for food lovers in Porto is booking a private cooking class experience in a chef’s home. Learn how the Portuguese choose ingredients, what they shop for, what they cook, and how they eat in cultural terms. With your chef, you will hit a food market and a few gourmet shops together to stock up on the food and wine you will enjoy with the lunch or dinner following the class. Then head to the chef’s cozy apartment for a convivial, hands-on cooking class, sipping wine as you work and sitting down to chat and laugh as you feast. Get settled in with a Port and Tonic cocktail with a twist, and then try your hand at dishes like grilled garlic and Piri-Piri prawns, Gaspacho from the Alentejo, and Portuguese custard tarts. This is an intimate and relaxed experience that is very memorable!

For more information on a Private Cooking Class in Porto: Contact us

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WoW (World of Wine)

Just below the beautiful Yeatman Hotel grounds in Vila Nova de Gaia, in historic, converted port wine cellars, the massive WoW World of Wine is a hugely ambitious new project (launched in July 2020). This is a paradise for wine lovers, taking over five years to develop at over $115 million and spread out over 420,000 square feet. The goal of the project, led by the Fladgate Partnership (who also own the Fonseca and Taylor’s wineries, the Yeatman Hotel in Porto, and the Vintage House in the Douro Valley), is for Porto to become a prime cultural destination and to attract the next generation of wine lovers.

You could easily spend a few days taking in their various museums & experiences, trying their nine restaurants (including fine-dining “1828”, a premium fish restaurant, and even a dedicated “dessert café”), and attending sessions at the wine school. Highlights include the “Wine Experience for wine enthusiasts and wine experts alike. This is an “everything you wanted to know” introduction to wine production, “Planet Cork” (an interactive exhibition about the world of cork), and the Chocolate Experience (taking you through 5,000 years of chocolate history).

World of Wine website: Read more

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Wine Tasting in Port Lodges

Porto’s supremely atmospheric port wine lodges, soaked in history and mystery, are incredibly unique. They are not to be missed, located in the Vila Nova de Gaia neighborhood on the Douro River’s south side. These port lodges were built in the 1800s (some are older) as shipping warehouses on the river to age and store wine from the wineries upriver in the Douro Valley. Many of these shipping warehouses (wine lodges) were owned by foreigners (English, Irish, Scottish, German, etc.), who created brands for their respective markets. Most port brands we see today, like Churchill’s, Offley, Croft, Sandeman, Kopke, etc., are a testament to this.

Our favorite port wine lodges for the quality of the private visits and super premium tastings would have to include Taylor’s (with wonderful 300-year-old cellars, a multitude of private tasting spaces both inside and outside, beautiful grounds complete with gardens, peacocks, and classic restaurant with drop dead gorgeous views over the river and Porto); Graham’s (exceptional wines and cellar, they also offer the best high dining experience at Vinum, with its spectacular terrace); Cockburn’s (the largest and most impressive lodge, with an onsite working cooperage and cozy tasting room where their vintage ports will blow you away!). 

Other notable lodges include Burmester (founded in 1750, this is an elegant house that also makes dry whites and reds from the Douro so that the tastings can include non-port wines); Fonseca (this exceptional and much-loved winery has just opened their lodge after extensive renovation works); and Vasques de Carvalho (for a total contrast, this pretty, smaller scale lodge is primarily known for its high-end luxury Tawny ports bottled in unique, stylish squat bottles).

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River Cruises

Porto is best admired from the Douro River itself, and few activities are more romantic than sipping wine from your luxury yacht at sunset while gliding past this beautiful city! You can cruise down the Douro River in style in one of the impressive fleets of super-luxe fully serviced boats (10 meters, 12 meters, 14 meters, and 26 meters) with skipper, assistant, and fabulous food and wine options onboard. Cellar Tours offers private cruises from 2 hours in Porto to full-day tours and even week-long tours into deep Douro Valley.

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Day Excursions from Porto to Wine Country

Douro Valley is the ultimate destination for red wine lovers and a viable day excursion from Porto. It is roughly an hour and a half, an extremely picturesque drive each way. Here, you can see the actual vineyards mesmerizingly terraced down steep cliffs falling into the Douro River. Visit top cellars like Quinta da Pacheca, Quinta do Crasto, Quinta do Noval, Quinta Nova-Bomfim, and more on one of our private luxury Mercedes chauffeured wine tours to the Douro.

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Vinho Verde is a delightful destination for white wine lovers and only a short drive north of Porto. Our favorite cellars include Quinta da Avaleda for its fairy tale gardens and premium wine experiences, and Soalheiro is arguably the best estate in the entire appellation. Based in Melgaço, they specialize in the Alvarinho grape variety. On private tours there, you can admire the panoramic views of the Monção and Melgaço Valley before sitting down to a Master class of Alvarinho (8 wines, all with totally different Alvarinho styles).

For more information on a Vinho Verde Wine Tour: Contact us

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Bairrada and Dão are two excellent and truly up-and-coming wine regions south of Porto. Taboadella is Dão’s most breathlessly awaited and recently opened winery (July 2020) by the powerful cork and wine family Amorim and is a game-changer for the region. We also love Julia Kemper in Dão. Bairrada has several excellent wine experiences, including legendary Luis Pato, historic Solar de São Domingos, and organic Quinta das Bageiras.

For more information on a Bairrada or Dão Wine Tour: Contact us

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Festivals and events

• Porto Film festival
• Essência do Vinho Wine Festival  in February
• Serralves Festival
• The midsummer Festa de São João do Porto in June
• Francesinha festival in October

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Art & Architecture

Serralves Villa

Porto is home to some of the country’s most groundbreaking and famous contemporary architecture. World-renowned architects like Álvaro Siza, Souto de Moura, and Carlos Castanheira have left a tremendous imprint on the city. Undoubtedly, our favorite and unmissable architectural gem is the sublime Serralves Foundation. Designed by Álvaro Siza, this stunning location features a 1920s Art Deco villa (flamingo pink, no less); elegant, manicured gardens; a “Treetop canopy walkway” (by Carlos Castanheira) and an extensive contemporary art collection (over 4300 permanent and temporary art pieces and installations).

Serralves website: Read more

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Casa da Música

Casa da Música is another cultural institution in Porto, a frankly bizarre yet quirky concert hall designed by Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas. This ultra-modern space also features a beautiful, traditional Portuguese blue and white azulejo tiled VIP hall.

Casa da Música website: Read more

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São Bento train station

Speaking of traditional tiles, the São Bento train station is home to a series of extraordinary azulejo tile panels dating back to the early 19th century. Featuring scenes out of Portugal’s history, from Henry the Navigator to the conquest of Ceuta in North Africa, this train station must be on your list of visits to Porto!

São Bento train station website: Read more

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Beaches & Coast

Matosinhos

Matosinhos is a fishing port with a surfer beach just 20 minutes from central Porto. Here, you can combine a morning’s swim or surf (the waters are bracing here) with an excellent grilled fish lunch. The best spots for ultra-fresh seafood are Meia Nau (amazing and stylish with great nautical décor) and O Gaveto (classically decorated with an “old school” vibe, excellent).

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Leça

In Leça, further north, the famous “Piscinas de Marés” (extraordinary saltwater swimming pools built into the rocks right over the ocean) are a “must.” Created by Alvaro Siza, one of the most talented Portuguese architects, in the 1960s, these pools are perfect for when you want to swim, but the sea is wild.

Vila Nova de Gaia

It is home to some of Porto’s best beaches, including Madalena, Francelos, and Miramar, reminiscent of Brittany.

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Football

Visiting the Portuguese Primeira Liga FC Porto’s Stadium is fun for football fans. They have a museum, and you can book a tour of Dragão Stadium.

FC Porto website: Read more

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Best shops

Lello Bookshop

Said to be one of the inspirations for the Harry Potter series (J.K. Rowling lived in Porto in the early 1990s), we have been in love with this magical bookshop since we first visited over 20 years ago. Dating back to 1906, the crimson, circular staircase, stained glass ceiling, and intricately carved timber paneling will take your breath away. While not a secret anymore, this Neo-Gothic gem has to be seen to be believed. It is a national treasure. They sell books in English, too.

Lello bookshop website: Read more

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A Vida Portuguesa

The perfect Portuguese lifestyle shop is just a hop, skip, and jump from Lello Bookshop. They have beautiful “Made in Portugal” high-quality gourmet goodies, textiles, artisan toiletries, clothes, and more. Apart from the Porto location, they have shops in Lisbon where they sell their gorgeous wares online. This can be your one-stop shop for gifts in every price category (from fancy chocolates to luxury blankets from Alentejo) and your souvenirs, which are genuinely excellent, authentic, and carefully selected.

A Vida Portuguesa website: Read more

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WHERE TO STAY IN PORTO

Neighborhoods

The colorful, riverside, super buzzing Ribeira quarter is the classic Porto postcard full of charming architecture, laneways, and secret corners. Many well-heeled locals live in Foz, right on the sea and “close enough, far enough” to downtown Porto. Foz is excellent for a more extended, relaxed, quiet, and upmarket stay. Locals consider the bohemian and trendy Cedofeita neighborhood the most “up and coming” district and is home to students, artists, and a vibrant nightlife scene. And, of course, for wine lovers (also our favorite), Vila Nova de Gaia is the place to stay as you are steps from the wonderful Port wine lodges (many of which are right on the river with lovely terraces and great views).

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5* Hotels

The Yeatman

This is always our top choice, with a glamorous location in Vila Nova de Gaia (above Taylor’s wine lodge). Onsite, you will find a gastronomic, Michelin-starred restaurant and a delightful casual eatery (“Orangerie”), and they also offer private dining options. They have a Caudalie Vinothérapie Spa with wine-based treatments. Apart from their range of elegant room categories, they have one particular suite that is always a favorite- their Presidential Suite, whose king-sized bed is inside an actual wine barrel!

The Yeatman Hotel website: Read more

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Maison Albar Le Monumental Palace

It is a recently opened luxury jewel. Located in historic, central Porto just next to Torre de los Clérigos, Praça da Liberdade, and the Dom Luís I bridge, this hotel is super chic! The service is possibly the best in the city, the atmosphere is luxe Parisian, and even if you don’t stay here, do come for a cocktail and try their excellent Japanese restaurant, which is very charming.

Maison Albar Le Monumental Palace website: maison-albar-hotels-le-monumental-palace.com

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Porto Bay Flores

Porto Bay Flores is another favorite five-star hotel located close to the marvelous Palácio da Bolsa, right on beautiful Rua das Flores. This is a large hotel, surprisingly with an intimate feel thanks to the 16th-century palace architecture of graceful arches and tilework, the light and airy color scheme (off-white beige, greys, chrome, mint green), tropical plants, and the incredibly tasteful and sophisticated decoration and furniture. Highlights include their indoor pool, Mandalay spa, and stellar restaurant.

Porto Bay Flores website: Read more

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Vila Foz

Vila Foz is your luxury beach retreat in Porto! This enchanting hotel is located in a gorgeous art deco villa facing the Atlantic Ocean, and the whole vibe is very 1920s Agatha Christie. The décor is sublime, designed by the mythical interior decorator Nini de Andrade Silva. Being right on the water, Flor de Lis’s elegant restaurant has a delightful fish focus. If you want to visit Porto for a more extended stay and want to be a 15-minute taxi to the main attractions but fall asleep to the sound of the waves crashing in a quiet neighborhood, this is your hotel!

Vila Foz website: Read more

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4* Hotels

Porto Bay Teatro

It is an excellent four-star option, and as the name suggests, it is housed in a former theatre, the former Baquet Theatre, which opened in 1859. This beautiful hotel’s mood is romantic and theatrical, with dimmed lighting, gold and bronze tones, claw foot bathtubs, and decadent, stage-worthy curtains. The Plateia cocktail bar feels like the perfect theatre lounge!

Porto Bat Teatro website: Read more

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NH Collection Porto Batalha

It is a contemporary four-star hotel in a wine-red, 18th-century palace in the historic center’s heart, facing Batalha Square. This is an excellent value option for guests wanting to be right downtown and have a range of facilities. Onsite, you will find an indoor heated swimming pool, gym, spa, and gastro bar. The rooms are on the larger side for Porto and have amenities like espresso machines, “sleep better” mattresses, and rain showers.

NH Collection Porto Batalha website: Read more

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Self Catering

Casas do Porto

For stays longer than a night or 2, booking an apartment with more living space and kitchen facilities is always a fantastic option, particularly if traveling as a family. Our TOP recommendation for luxury apartments in Porto is Casas do Porto, located in the iconic Ribeira quarter. This historic building features six apartment types, all fully renovated and thoughtfully decorated, with great views. You can choose a deluxe, romantic, or vintage house (our fave, a luxurious, 100-square meter duplex apartment). The apartments have carefully fitted-out kitchens and comfortable living rooms, perfect for relaxing, candlelit evenings with wine and Portuguese “patiscos” after a busy day. We highly recommend it! Don’t miss our fave wine bar in Porto just across the street-  Prova, Wine, Food & Pleasure.

Casa do Porto Apartments website: Read more

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WHERE TO DINE IN PORTO

Porto has some excellent Michelin-starred dining options, and in terms of cooking standards, creativity, atmosphere, and service, we would very highly recommend:

• The Yeatman  (2**) in Vila Nova de Gaia
• Pedro Lemos in Foz (1*)
• Casa de Chá da Boa Nova in Leça (2**)

If you are looking for traditional Portuguese cuisine, you are spoiled for choice. Our personal favorites would have to be Taberna dos Mercadores and TapaBento—both serve great, authentic food made with much love and superb service.

With stunning river views on one side and wine barrels on the other, Vinum at Graham’s Wine Lodge is a top choice for wine lovers looking for a romantic setting.

Another cozy, romantic spot for dinner is at ODE Porto Wine House, with its warm stone interior and country house feel.

If you consider yourself a “foodie,” then don’t miss Euskalduna Studio, where supremely talented chef Vasco Coelho Santos will take you on a fun, gastronomic journey. Sit at the counter and enjoy the show.

For steak lovers, the comically named Muu is an obligatory stop. They also happen to have a top-notch wine list.

Sushi lovers, you are well served in Porto, with several great Japanese dining options. Without a doubt, the best in town is Ikeda. Simply amazing.

Vegans and vegetarians are not left out either. Essência is an elegant, “grown-up” option for vegetable lovers looking for a classy lunch or dinner (and not the much-seen and often brightly lit, informal vegetarian “cafe”)

And finally, it is hard to go wrong with fresh, casual fish in Porto, as this is a city that LIVES for seafood. Matosinhos (as mentioned above under “beaches and coast”) is an excellent spot for fish lovers. One of the best in Porto Center would have to be the bright and airy Ostras e Coisas, particularly lovely at lunchtime.

Romantic things to do in Porto

Have a wine picnic in Porto’s beautiful park, the Parque da Cidade do Porto, in the Foz neighborhood. This magical, leafy park near the Atlantic Ocean is the largest city park in the country and offers over 10 km of cycling and walking paths and 83 hectares of green space. There are more than 70 types of trees, a lake full of ducks and swans, and countless idyllic corners to set up a romantic picnic. Bring your blanket and picnic basket, or book a professional and elegant picnic complete with proper wine glasses, fine wines, and gourmet Portuguese cuisine.

For more information: Contact us

Watch the sunset from the best viewpoint in Porto- the Miradouro da Serra do Pilar. Located in Vila Nova de Gaia, facing Porto across the water, this lookout point is the absolute best location to take in panoramic views and the glittering lights over the river at nightfall.

Soak up the views and dreamy atmosphere while sipping wine on one of our favorite relaxing and trendy Porto roof bars and lounges, such as:

• PortoBello Rooftop Restaurant & Bar
• Graça Rooftop Bar
• Douro Sky Lounge
• Terrace Lounge 360º
• Rooftop – Porto Coliseum Hotel
• Miradouro Ignez
• Mirajazz
• OnTop

When to visit (best time of year) / weather

Porto offers so much culturally and gastronomically that it makes a fascinating and fun destination 12 months a year. Weather-wise, the best time of year, without a doubt, would be May to September, as these are the sunniest and driest months, with temperatures reaching an average of mid-seventies (F). If you plan to combine a visit to Porto with the wine country in nearby Douro Valley, Vinho Verde, and/or Dão, then the best months to visit would be September and October as the grape harvest occurs during this period, and the vineyards are at their most picture-perfect. Located right on the Atlantic Ocean, Porto’s climate is temperate, with a high humidity level thanks to the Atlantic and the Douro River. This keeps the temperatures cooler in summer and milder in winter. The wettest and coldest months are November to March, with an average of 13 rainy days in January.

How to get to Porto City center from the Airport

Porto’s Metro is clean, safe, and efficient. It runs from the Francisco de Sá Carneiro Airport (OPO) to the city center every 20-30 minutes (The Purple Line E), depending on the day of the week and times of the day, and takes about half an hour to get downtown.

Uber is reliable and fast in Portoas, as are taxis. Depending on the time of day and precise address, it is an approximate 20—to 30-minute journey to central Porto.

Private Mercedes transfers with English-speaking drivers can be organized through Amiroad, Portugal’s best private driver service. In this case, your chauffeur will meet you right in the arrivals hall and assist with your luggage.

With this insider’s guide to Porto, you will have the time of your life and experience all the best places and experiences!