5 Things to Do in Porto, Portugal

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A coastal city in north-west Portugal famed for its Port wine and majestic bridges, Porto is the country’s second largest city, dubbed the capital of the north. It’s consistently ranked by holidaymakers as one of Portugal’s top tourist destinations – not to mention one of the most popular places to visit in Europe. However, the city’s ancient cobbled streets and old-world charm are slowly, but surely, being transformed by the arrival of new restaurants and bars. So, if you’re visiting the city for a short city break, what are the best things to do in Porto?

1. Visit the Douro Valley

The birthplace of Port wine and one of the most beautiful wine destinations in the world, seeing the Douro Valley should be top of your list of things to do in Porto, although it’s actually situated a 1.5- to 2-hour drive to the east of the city.

Picture terraced vineyards stretched across lush green and golden rolling valleys, with utter silence all around all except for the distant sound of the rushing River Douro and the gentle buzzing of the occasional bumble bee pollinating the postcard-perfect flowers that sway to and fro in the breeze.

You can visit the Douro Valley on a day trip from Porto, although I recommend spending around three days here in order to fully explore the scenery, gastronomy and wine. It can be really fun to book a food tour with a local to find out all the insider tips on where to eat out in the area.

Stay at the Douro Palace Hotel Resort and Spa in Santa Cruz do Douro, Baião, boasting breath-taking views over the valley and the river, as well as a restaurant serving contemporary Portuguese cuisine, and three separate bars.

2. Climb Clérigos Tower

The unrivalled 360° views from Porto right across to Foz from the top of this 75m high bell tower make it worth climbing the 225 steps to get there. Inaugurated in 1763 and classed as a national monument in 1910, Clérigos Tower (the Tower of the Clerics) is Porto’s most iconic landmark, keeping watch over the entire city.

Inside the Church and Museum, you can expect to find religious art collections dating from the 13th – 20th Century, old furniture, sculptures, goldsmithery and canonicals.

Access to the Tower and Clérigos Museum is priced at €5 per person or free for children under the age of 10, while a guided tour of the Tower, Museum and Church costs €6.50 per person.

3. Cross over to Vila Nova de Gaia

You can’t visit Porto without crossing the famous Dom Luis I, or Luis I Bridge to Vila Nova de Gaia, also known simply as Gaia.

A major hub of the Port wine industry, Gaia is peppered with ‘caves’ or cellars used for ageing and storing Port wine. Today, the caves are used for holding tasting sessions and tours.

Meanwhile, if it’s sun, sea and sand you’re after. Gaia is home to more Blue Flag beaches than anywhere else in Portugal, with highlights including Lavadoras Beach, Salgueiros Beach, Magdalena Beach and Miramar Beach.

The short Metro journey from Aliados to João de Deus will only set you back around €1 – €2.

4. Explore Cais de Ribeira

Known as Cais de Ribeira or the Ribeira, Porto’s cosmopolitan riverfront zone is dotted with so many restaurants, cafes and bars, it’s widely regarded as the best location for eating and drinking in the city.

Named a UNESCO World Heritage site, it’s also one of the most idyllic spots in Porto and a popular spot for Instagrammers, framed by the traditional Port wine boats bobbing up and down on the river, with colourful old houses in the background.

After dinner, burn off some calories by weaving your way through Ribeira’s labyrinth of time-old cobbled streets and alleyways. Alternatively, enjoy a guided cruise down the River Douro from around €15.

For more inspiration on where to eat out in Porto, check out this informative guide on how to eat like a local in Porto.

5. The Crystal Palace Gardens

Based at the centre of Porto, the 19th Century Crystal Palace Gardens (known locally as the Jardins do Palácio de Cristal) on Rua D. Manuel II consist of eight hectares of botanical gardens and green space, with breath-taking views of the Douro and the city in the distance.

The centrepiece of this idyllic park is an enormous domed structure built in 1956 to replace the original iron-and-glass Crystal Palace. Today, this is used to host entertainment and sporting events.

While strolling through the gardens, you may even spot a peacock or two wandering around. During the summer, this would be the ideal spot for a picnic.

Nearby, you’ll find the Port Wine Museum and the Porto Romantic Museum of Quinta da Macieirinha. Entry into these museums will cost around €2.

Enjoyed the read? Check out my other posts on Portugal:

• A guide to eating out in Lagos, Algarve
• 9 amazing destinations for your next Algarve holiday
• ‘Prawns Amigo’ at O Amigo Snack Bar in Lagos, Algarve

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