This rustic northern Portuguese city is the perfect spot for a weekend home exchange in Europe.
The word is getting out that Porto (Oporto) is a gorgeous city to spend a weekend in. With cheap flights available direct from most European capital cities, Porto is an inexpensive destination with fabulous culture, art and good vibes.
When we arrived in Porto people asked us if we liked churches, because there are hundreds of pretty ones dotted around the city. Fortunately for us non-church lovers, churches are only one thing that Porto is famous for. There is plenty of culture, beauty and inspiration to be found on Porto’s winding streets and somewhat dilapidated buildings.
1. Sip some Port along the river
The Port cellars by the river in Porto. Photo by Fly on the Wall.
The famous drink Port, a fortified wine that may have been responsible for a few headaches in my household, comes from Porto. The Port Wine cellars are situated along the Douro river, and touring and tasting Port is a must on a trip to Porto. We went on a tour of the impressive Ferreira Port Cellar, which cost €4.50 and included tasting two port wines. You can tour three and taste at three cellars - Ferreira, Sandemans and Offley - with a three cellar pass.
2. Eat a Portuguese tart with an espresso
Delicious Portuguese custard tarts (Pasteis de nata) found at every bakery in Porto. Photo by Ricardo Bernardo
I was a tart spotter in Porto - Portuguese tart-spotter that is. I’m not generally a lover of sweets, but I found them irresistible. Every few hours I would duck into a café with Portuguese tarts to indulge… They have delicious flaky pastry and a baked custard center.
Cafés in Porto are cute and traditional, and with espresso and a tart only costing about €1,50 you can afford to enjoy a few!
3. Eat some cod
If you speak to any Portuguese person overseas they will tell you how they miss eating cod. It is the national dish and you will find that most menus feature at least 5 different ways to prepare the fish.We tried it a few times, and although it wasn’t our favorite thing, there are lots of nice fish to try in the city.
4. Walk by the river
Stroll by the river Douro and enjoy the colors! Photo by Fly on the Wall.
Gorgeous colorful houses in Porto by the river. Photo by Fly on the Wall.
We walked down the hill to the river and found gorgeous colorful houses, and a market. It is a gorgeous view from down there and although I’d avoid the tourist traps that are rife along there, it is a very pleasant place to walk.
5. Take the funicular
The funicular carrying people up the steep hill - it’s fun to walk down but not back up!. Photo by Jeroen Mul.
I just love saying the word - funicular! It gets you back up the hill in no time and is a novel experience, all the price of a regular public transport ride.
6. Use the excellent public transport
The metro was extremely efficient and inexpensive - and excellent way to get around the city. You can download the metro app before you go to make it easier to get around.
7. Visit the library Livraria Lello
The story is that this gorgeous bookstore inspired JK Rowling to write Harry Potter. Or perhaps it just inspired her to write scenes in her books. Regardless, this is a beautiful bookstore with unique winding wooden stairs that makes you feel a bit like you’re in a Harry Potter book. There are signs everywhere saying that you aren’t allowed to take photographs, but we heard a number of camera clicks when we were in the store so you can risk it, or allow your imagination to remember how beautiful it is (or buy a postcard).
8. View the gorgeous tiled paintings at the São Bento Train Station
The Porto train station in the center of the city is decorated with 20 000 Azulegjo ceramic tiles, which are painted and tin-glazed with blue painting on white tiles. It is the quintessential decoration in Portuguese architecture and tells stories from Portugal’s history.
9. Drink Portuguese beer at a side walk restaurant
Our photographer drinking a beer at a sidewalk cafe near the Douro river in Porto.
10. Go to a festival
Experience great live music in Porto - the Optimus Primavera Sound in 2012. Photo by Fly on the Wall.
The crowds at Optimus Primavera Sound festival in Porto. Photo by Fly on the Wall.
We traveled to Porto to go to the Optimus Primavera Sound festival - a small festival with a great line up. We saw Rufus Wainwright, The Flaming Lips, Wilco and The XX at the 2012 festival, held over three days from 5pm each day. We stayed in the center of town and were able to do touristy things until the festival gates opened each afternoon.
To help you plan your getaway to Porto, check out this great general information on Porto and visit the Porto tourism office.
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Jo,
for when an article about the Algarve region in Portugal!?
Ricardo recently posted…Eu comprador de vinhos me confesso
I’ve never been to the Algarve region, but I would love to go someday! Are you from the Algarve region? Do you have any tips?
Great list! Thank you. Porto is full of hidden gems but if you don’t have an inside connection you many not find them.
If you’re visiting Porto and Portugal, I recommend using services like http://www.WiserGo.com which connects you with Portuguese experts, who can help you decide what do to, book everything and provide customer support while you’re in Portugal. Since they are local agents, they know the ins-and-outs of everything and you get to experience the country as a local! Service is free and the testimonials in their homepage are pretty positive.
Thanks for the recommendation Pedro
Jo,
I live in Algarve for more than a decade!
What kind of places do you like to visit!?
Algarve it’s a special region with a fantastic mix of traditional places, luxury hotels, desert beaches, great restaurants and very popular places!
You are lucky to live in such a beautiful place! I really enjoyed visiting Porto and would love to come back sometime. We enjoy getting lost in interesting streets in cities, eating delicious food and meeting locals when we travel.