The Brutally Honest Porto Portugal Travel Guide: Eat, Drink & Get Lost (In A Good Way)

If you’re looking for the most comprehensive Porto Portugal travel guide out there, you’re in the right place.

I’ve walked (and eaten) my way through this entire city to create this ultimate Porto Portugal travel guide based on real experiences, not some boring tourist brochure.

Trust me, those cute little alleyways, the crazy-gorgeous Douro River, seafood that’ll make you cry, and that famous port wine (born right here!) are just a few reasons why you should totally book tickets like yesterday.

I spent almost a week wandering around, and I’m telling you – this place is a must-visit for literally anyone with a pulse.

Porto’s got something for everybody – history buffs can geek out on old buildings, couples can take those long walks holding hands, Instagram addicts can snap killer views, and foodies can go nuts on Portuguese dishes (and not just Portuguese!).

What else could you possibly want from vacay? Still on the fence about adding this gem to your bucket list? Keep reading this guide, and I’ll convince you.

I’m gonna spill all the tea on what to see in Porto, plus when to visit, how to get there without a hassle, and where to dive into the best eats. Ready? Let’s roll!

Porto Portugal Travel Guide: The Basics

So, Porto sits right where the Douro River meets the Atlantic in northern Portugal, and I swear it’s the prettiest city in the whole country (fight me on this!).

It’s home to around 240k people, making it Portugal’s second biggest city after Lisbon.

The place is ANCIENT – we’re talking 300 BC when the Celts were running things. Fun fact: the name “Portus Cale” from back then eventually morphed into “Portugal” itself. Mind blown, right?

Porto’s old town is so ridiculously well-preserved that UNESCO slapped a World Heritage label on it. No shocker there.

Honestly, you’d have to be blind not to see why it’s considered one of Portugal’s crown jewels.

What really put Porto on the map? That sweet, sweet port wine. The Brits went crazy for it and shipped it everywhere.

Here’s the thing about port wine – it ONLY comes from grapes grown in Alto Douro region (about a 2-hour drive from Porto). Anywhere else? Not real port wine, sorry not sorry.

The magic happens when they add grape spirits (aguardente) to stop fermentation just right, giving it that sweet kick and boozy punch we all love.

These days, they make port throughout the Douro Valley, not just in Vila Nova de Gaia, but Porto is still the big daddy of port wine. Wine nerds flock here every year to get their fix.

When I checked out the Douro Valley (which you absolutely SHOULD), I learned there are different types of port. Here’s the lowdown:

• Ruby: Sweet red stuff, cheapest option, only chills in big oak barrels for like 2 years.
• Tawny: My personal fave – less sweet with vanilla vibes. Hangs out in small oak barrels for 3-5 years (sometimes up to 40!).
• Vintage: The fancy pants option from the best years (which only happen 2-3 times every decade). Spends 2 years in barrels then ages in bottles for decades.
• Late Bottled Vintage (LBV): Non-blended from better years, hangs in barrels for about 5 years, making it drier than vintage.

Porto Portugal Travel Guide: Must-See Spots

For a small city, Porto packs a serious punch. No wonder millions of people flock here every year!

Cobblestone streets, houses painted like a box of crayons, epic bridges, insane viewpoints, and churches old enough to make your grandma look young – Porto’s got it all.

Here’s my list of places you absolutely can’t miss:

Cais da Ribeira

Look, if you skip Ribeira district and that famous Cais da Ribeira walkway along the Douro River, did you even go to Porto? For real.

The waterfront’s lined with these buildings painted in colors that shouldn’t work together but somehow do.

They’re packed with little restaurants where you can demolish some grilled sardines, get tipsy on port wine, and stare at the massive Luis I Bridge until your neck hurts.

When you’re done with the river views (as if), you can wander deeper into the maze of stupidly narrow streets to hunt for more cool stuff.

Don’t miss Casa do Infante (where Henry the Navigator was born – that dude was a big deal), Palácio da Bolsa, or the Church of St. Francis.

Everyone and their mother has a photo of those rainbow houses along Ribeira waterfront on their Insta. Soon you will too.

Ponte Dom Luís I

After you’re done wandering Ribeira, you gotta check out Porto’s biggest celeb – the Luis I Bridge.

This two–level iron monster is HUGE and connects Porto with its neighbor Vila Nova de Gaia.

When they built it (late 1800s), it was the longest bridge of its kind anywhere on the planet (lower level: 564 feet, upper level: about 1296 feet). Talk about overachieving!

The absolute BEST view of the river and Porto’s kaleidoscope of houses is from the top level. Just walk up from Sé Cathedral along Avenida Vimara Peres and boom – postcard views.

Pro tip: Go at sunset. Thank me later. But maybe bring a jacket – it gets windy up there!

Miradouro da Vitoria

You absolutely gotta hit up Miradouro da Vitoria – one of the city’s best lookout spots.

From here, you can see Porto’s terracotta rooftops spreading out like a crazy patchwork quilt.

You’ll spot Ribeira, the Luis I Bridge, Sé Cathedral, and the Bishop’s Palace all at once. Photography enthusiasts, this one’s for you (and it won’t cost you a cent!).

Sé Cathedral

Next up on your Porto bucket list: the ancient cathedral they call “Sé” (way easier than saying “Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary” every time).

This beast is one of the oldest buildings in town, originally rocking a Romanesque vibe before getting a Baroque makeover in the 1700s.

What makes it special? Those massive walls hiding a pure silver altar inside. Obviously, UNESCO was like “yep, that’s on our list.”

São Bento Station

Another must-hit spot is São Bento station, which is definitely NOT your typical boring train station.

Built in the early 1900s, this place is famous for its jaw–dropping blue and multi-colored azulejo tiles covering the walls.

These tiles tell Portugal’s story with scenes from the country’s history and rural life.

Fun fact: These tiles cover over 5,920 square feet! It’s basically a massive art gallery disguised as a train station.

Clérigos Church and Tower

If you’re into old religious buildings (or just killer views), you need to visit the Baroque Church of the Clerics.

Built in the 1700s by Italian architect Nicolau Nasoni, this church and its towering spire (over 246 feet high!) are basically Porto’s version of the Eiffel Tower.

From the top, you get a mind-blowing 360° view that’s totally worth climbing 225 steps for.

Unfortunately, the tower was closed when I visited, which gives me the perfect excuse to book another trip!

Jardim das Virtudes

Another spot worth checking out: the terraced Virtudes gardens.

These gardens are perfect when you need a breather from pounding the pavement all day. It’s a little slice of chill in the middle of the city hustle.

Perfect for a romantic picnic or, let’s be real, that perfect Instagram shot. The view of the Douro River and Vila Nova de Gaia from here is fire.

Definitely don’t skip this during your Porto adventure!

Hot tip

When you’re near Virtudes gardens or Clérigos Tower, pop into Garrafeira do Carmo at Rua do Carmo 17.

They’ve got tons of port wines at decent prices, and the staff actually knows their stuff and will help you find your perfect match.

Livraria Lello

Bookworms and fantasy fans HAVE to visit the famous Lello bookstore at Rua das Carmelitas 144.

It’s one of Portugal’s oldest bookshops (only Bertrand in Lisbon is older) and one of the most iconic bookstores on the planet.

What makes it special? Not just its age (opened 1881) but its straight-up magical interior.

We’re talking stunning wooden staircases, intricately carved ceilings, and stained glass windows that look like they belong in a cathedral.

No wonder J.K. Rowling used this place as inspo when writing Harry Potter!

Heads up though – it’s so popular you have to pay to get in (€15.95), and there’s still usually a massive line.

Pro tip: Book tickets online way before your trip (you can do it here).

Igreja dos Grilos

Besides Sé and Clérigos, check out the Baroque-Jesuit Church of St. Lawrence.

Locals call it “Igreja dos Grilos” (Cricket Church), probably because the Jesuits who built it came from Rua do Grilo (Cricket Street) in Lisbon. Random, I know.

They started building this bad boy in the 1500s but didn’t finish until the 1700s (talk about construction delays!). Today it’s not just a church – there’s also a monastery and the Museum of Sacred Art and Archaeology inside.

They host concerts here too, so if you’ve got extra time, definitely check one out!

Miradouro da Rua das Aldas

When you’re visiting the Cricket Church, take a quick detour to another awesome viewpoint – Miradouro da Rua das Aldas.

The view here hits different – you still get the city panorama and the Douro River, but from a fresh angle. Like Miradouro da Vitoria, it’s free and impossible to miss!

Santa Catarina Chapel

If you’re hunting for Insta gold, hit up the Santa Catarina Chapel on Rua de Santa Catarina. Its facade is covered in stunning blue azulejo tiles.

Get this – in the early 1900s, the chapel was just plain white! They only added the gorgeous tiles in 1926 (about 16,000 of them!).

The tiles show scenes from saints’ lives and look absolutely incredible in photos. Your followers will be drooling.

Mercado do Bolhão

Another must-visit: Mercado do Bolhão, one of Porto’s busiest markets.

This is where you’ll find everything from super fresh food to local crafts and souvenirs.

They recently renovated this historic two–story building, and it’s looking fresh AF. The vibe inside is something else. Trust me – swing by and see for yourself why everyone raves about it!

Vila Nova de Gaia

You haven’t done Porto right if you haven’t tasted its famous port wine.

If you can’t make it to the Douro Valley where they actually make the stuff, hop across the river to Vila Nova de Gaia instead.

This town is packed with wineries offering tastings from €20-50. Skip the super famous places like Sandeman – they’re often more about the brand than quality.

Instead, try Quinta dos Corvos or Caves Cálem. You’ll thank me later!

Teleférico de Gaia

When you’re in Vila Nova de Gaia, you absolutely MUST ride the Teleférico de Gaia cable car that goes all the way up to the Luis I Bridge.

The ride is short (just a few minutes) but the views of Porto from your little glass pod are seriously epic.

One-way costs €7, round-trip is €10. Check current prices and info here.

Porto Portugal Travel Guide: Best Places to Eat

Not gonna lie – a HUGE reason I dragged myself to Porto was for the food. Portuguese grub is seriously underrated, and Porto’s restaurant scene is insane.

You’ve got all kinds of spots to choose from – old-school traditional joints where grandma’s still cooking, and hipster places doing weird (but delicious) twists on the classics.

Before you go food-crazy though, here’s some insider knowledge to save you headaches:

• Weird eating hours: Forget what you know about mealtimes. These people eat LATE. Lunch happens 12-3pm, and dinner doesn’t even START until like 7:30pm and goes till 11pm. Show up at 6pm for dinner and you’ll be dining with the ghosts.
• Book it or regret it: Popular spots fill up FAST. Do yourself a favor and reserve online (The Fork app is clutch). Nothing worse than walking hungry for an hour because everywhere’s full.
• Those sneaky appetizers: If you sit down and suddenly – BAM – olives, bread, and spreads appear, those are “couverts” and they ain’t free. Don’t want ’em? Just say no or push ’em away, otherwise they’re going on your bill.
• Wine strategy: Portuguese wine is stupid cheap and crazy good. Skip the by-the-glass nonsense and get a whole bottle. Two people can easily kill one (no judgment here!).
• Tipping situation: 10% is nice but not required. Nobody’s gonna chase you down the street if you don’t tip. I always do though because the service is usually awesome.

Here are my absolute favorite food spots that I personally tested (you’re welcome):

Zenith Brunch & Cocktails

First up: Zenith Brunch & Cocktails near the Lello bookstore. Perfect for brunch or a quick lunch.

Their menu’s got everything from pancakes (sweet or savory), bagels (veggie or meaty), salads, and the best shakshuka I’ve had outside the Middle East.

They’ve also got amazing cocktails – try the porto Zenith with white port, orange juice, lemon, mango, and passion fruit. It’s basically vacation in a glass.

I went for their vegan burger with beyond meat and sweet potato chips, plus a salmon bagel with creme fraiche. Both were stupid good. And the staff? Super friendly.

Voltaria – Petisqueira Portuguesa

Another must-try spot: tiny restaurant Voltaria, which both locals and tourists are obsessed with.

I’m a sucker for these hole-in-the-wall places! Located right in the center near a cute street, they make probably the best francesinha in the entire city (I tried several, so this is FACTS).

Francesinha is basically a sandwich on steroids – layers of different meats (cured ham, linguiça sausage, beef) and yellow cheese, all smothered in this thick tomato–beer sauce.

The dish was invented just a few decades ago when some guy named Daniel da Silva created it after being inspired by the French croque-monsieur.

It was so good I immediately ordered a second one despite being stuffed. Worth the food coma!

Also try their appetizers (codfish cakes, yum) and another Portuguese classic – bacalhau “à Brás.”

This dish is salt-preserved cod torn into pieces and fried with onion, garlic, potatoes, parsley and eggs. MUST TRY.

Empanadas Malvon

If you’re heading to Mercado do Bolhão, make a pit stop at Empanadas Malvon for the best little savory pies in Porto.

As the name suggests, they serve Argentine empanadas with all kinds of fillings – veggie ones with mozzarella, tomatoes and basil; meat versions with beef, chicken, bacon or tuna; even Thai–inspired ones with coconut milk and curry.

These bad boys are so good you should just go for their deal: six empanadas with two free drinks. You’ll be in heaven.

Tapabento S. Bento

If you’re a fan of traditional Portuguese cuisine done right, head to the highly rated Tapabento S. Bento.

Their menu’s full of classics like:

• Saffron risotto with shrimp
• Cod with tapenade
• Duck with sweet potato puree, forest fruits, and sweet-sour foie-gras sauce

But my absolute favorite was their salmon ceviche with chili, lime, orange, and sweet potato chips. Just… wow.

Add some quality Portuguese wine and the friendliest service ever, and you’ve got a winner. Perfect for date night, but definitely book ahead!

Insider tip

Besides port wine, try vinho verde – a super refreshing wine from the Minho region in northwestern Portugal.

Despite the name (“green wine”), it comes in different colors (red, white, rosé). The “verde” part comes from using young, not fully ripe grapes.

Elemento

Another amazing find: Elemento restaurant. They do contemporary Portuguese food but with a twist – they’ve got a Michelin award!

You can order à la carte or go for their eight-course tasting menu (highly recommend).

Chef Ricardo Dias Ferreira makes sure every single dish looks like it belongs in a food magazine. Everything’s cooked in front of you in this special wood–fired oven and grill.

There’s zero compromise on quality – each dish is basically edible art. Absolute must-visit during your Porto trip!

Heads up: Book WAY in advance (like days before).

MISTU

Last but definitely not least: MISTU, which is part restaurant, part bar, and all awesome.

Perfect spot for a date night or evening out with friends. Their cocktails are INSANE (try several, I won’t judge). No surprise it gets such high ratings from everyone who visits.

Besides great food, I fell in love with their colonial–style interior design. I could hang there for hours.

Try their white fish ceviche, grilled octopus (which tastes amazing in Portugal) with egg and sweet potatoes, or steak with grilled veggies. All winners.

Porto Portugal Travel Guide: Helpful Tips

Getting to Porto

Coming from the US? United flies straight from New York in about 7 hours and you’re looking at roughly $670 round-trip. Not bad for crossing an entire ocean, right?

Euro travelers have it even easier. From London, airlines like Ryanair will get you there in just 2 hours 25 minutes for as little as €75 (seriously, that’s like the price of a decent dinner). 

Frankfurt flights take about 3 hours and cost around €205 with carriers like Lufthansa.

Other solid options include TAP Air Portugal (duh), Brussels Airlines, and Etihad connecting through their hubs. Lots of choices!

Wanna save some cash? Book those non-stop flights between January and March when prices hit rock bottom.

Avoid July like the plague unless you enjoy paying premium for the privilege of standing in lines with every other tourist on the planet.

When to Visit Porto

Thanks to that Mediterranean coastal climate, May through September is prime Porto time – sunshine for days with barely any rain.

Downside? That’s peak tourist season, so everything costs more.

If you’re planning to walk your feet off sightseeing, consider spring (March–May) or fall (September–October) instead. You might get a little rain, but there are fewer crowds and better deals.

Summer in Porto is actually pretty chill – temps rarely go above 20°C (70°F) and there’s always a nice breeze, so you won’t be a sweaty mess while exploring.

I went in July and had gorgeous weather almost the entire time (it rained for like 20 minutes one day).

Getting Around Porto

The absolute best way to see Porto? Your own two feet.

Just know that the city is HILLY with major elevation changes, so this might not work for everyone. I was fine, but definitely bring comfy shoes (not the cute but painful ones).

If walking’s not your thing, public transport in Porto is solid:

• Metro: six lines, tickets cost €1.25
• Old–school trams: three scenic routes, €6 per ride
• Buses: all over the city, €2 per ticket
• Cable car: connects Ribeira and Batalha, €2.5 per ride

For night trips or longer journeys, Uber or taxis work great. Uber from the airport runs about €35.

Where to Stay in Porto

Being Portugal’s second biggest city, Porto’s got accommodation for every budget – from cheap hostels to luxury hotels.

If you want to explore on foot, stay central. I recommend neighborhoods like Baixa, Miragaia, Massarelos, Ribeira, or anywhere near Sé Cathedral.

Don’t mind a short commute? Check out more modern areas like Boavista or Cedofeita, or even across the river in Vila Nova de Gaia.

City center hotels start around €90 a night, while hostels go from €25.

Hotel Torel Avantgarde: My Honeymoon Splurge

I actually went to Porto for my honeymoon (for real!), so I splurged on the five-star Hotel Torel Avantgarde.

When I first saw this place online, I was like “THAT’S THE ONE” immediately!

Located in the beautiful Miragaia neighborhood, this hotel has the most ridiculous view of the Douro River and those colorful Vila Nova de Gaia houses on the other side.

Every morning I’d wake up and have to pinch myself that the view was actually real.

What made me fall head over heels for this place:

• The outdoor pool – small but with views that kept me there all afternoon with Portuguese wine.
• Their spa area where we splurged on couples‘ massages.
• The restaurant with a chef who uses ingredients picked from their garden that morning.
• Common areas so beautifully designed I took about 500 photos.
• Breakfasts that made me lose track of time – their homemade bread and local jams are still in my dreams.
• Our room with a private terrace where we spent romantic evenings watching the river light up at night.

From the hotel, it was just minutes to Jardins do Palácio de Cristal (perfect for escaping midday heat), Lello bookstore, and Clérigos Tower.

Planning a romantic getaway? This hotel is worth every penny!

It’s not cheap, but those memories will last forever. Still not convinced? Check out their photos – you’ll be booking before you know it!

Porto Portugal Travel Guide: Bottom Line

OK, wrapping this up – Porto is freaking magic for a Portuguese getaway. That place put a spell on me or something. I seriously had to drag myself onto the plane home!

Loved pretty much everything – those moody streets with their vibe, views that made my jaw literally drop, seafood I still dream about, and locals who are just genuinely cool people.

What makes Porto special is it’s just… real. No fakeness, no trying too hard. It’s got this raw, authentic charm that hooks you and makes you start checking apartment prices there (just me?).

So now you’ve got the inside scoop on what’s worth your time in Porto. Really hope I’ve convinced you to book that ticket.

Next time your basic friend is all “OMG let’s go to Lisbon!” just look them dead in the eye and say “Porto or nothing.” Trust me on this one.

If this Porto Portugal travel guide helped you plan your trip, do me a solid and share it with your travel buddies! Spread the Porto love – the city deserves it!

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