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Cobblestoned hillsides, waterfront bars, and sunset vistas are all things you can expect to find in Porto. Lisbon usually gets all the attention, but while Porto is less widely known, it’s equally marvelous. With the Douro river cutting right through the city, museums and parks abound, and wine that’s heavily poured, you’re sure to enjoy the metropolitan escape.
Here is what you can’t miss when visiting Porto.
Explore the Cais da Ribeira riverfront promenade
One Google image search of Porto and you’re sure to find pictures of its iconic waterfront. Set right on the Duoro River, Porto glistens as all its hills converge on the Cais da Ribeira waterfront and set the scene for the illustrious Dom Luís I Bridge.
Duoro means “golden” in Portuguese so it’s no wonder that tourists and citizens alike flock to the shimmering waters. Porto sits on the Northern side of the river and while you can’t swim in its waters, there are plenty of other activities to partake in.
At the waterfront, you’ll find a plethora of lively bars, patio restaurants, and people promenading along either side of the river.
If you’re looking for more adventurous activities, you can float above the river on the Teleferica de Gaia cable cars. The short ride will cost you €9 roundtrip but it’s well worth the view. If you’re keen, you can also get a one-way ride for €6 and then walk your way back over the iconic bridge. In theory, it should only take you about five minutes, but if you stop to enjoy the view it could take you triple the time and you’ll wonder where the time has gone.
Of course, you can also take full advantage of the Duoro and book a boat tour. If you can afford a private tour of the river and caves, that’s the way to go. You’ll be able to soak in the sun and enjoy a little bit of peace and tranquility with a smaller group. Otherwise, you can score a great deal on a bigger tour that takes you to all the main, and many, bridges in Porto in under an hour.
Crack open a book at Livraria Lello
Porto, or Oporto as the locals call it, has a rich history in the world of literature. Livraria Lello is nearly as iconic as Porto’s riverfront bridge but its beauty is presented in the form of a bookstore. The bookstore dates back to 1881 when two brothers, José and António Lello, opened up the store. Eventually, they became responsible for publishing some of the most famous Portuguese writers. It’s even said that the unique architecture inspired JK Rowling’s Harry Potter books while she was in Porto working as an English teacher.
Livraria Lello is so breathtakingly beautiful that it easily earned a spot as one of the most beautiful bookstores on the planet by many publications and it’s easy to see why. Its sweeping, curved staircase is in the heart of the establishment along with its gothic facade and stained glass windows all keep lines stretching down the block.
Pro tip: Show up early and don’t get confused by the lines. If you don’t buy your ticket online, you’ll have to go inside the ticket office and get one and then go back outside and wait in line to get in. The line starts well before opening, so we recommend showing up early.
See a traditional Fado show
Saudade is an untranslatable Portuguese word that roughly means the melancholic and nostalgic feelings of longing for something or someone who is absent. For such an evocative terms to be so prevalent in a culture must mean that all the love poems, literature, and even music are of high emotion. That’s where Fado comes in.
Fado, which originated in the 1820s, is the traditional music genre of Portugal. It’s emotional, expressive, and moving to watch performed live. And, while these mournful tunes might seem like a bummer to watch while on vacation, it’s really a stunning emotional feat to witness–trust me, you don’t have to know the words to understand the sentiment.
Porto is chockful of outstanding Fado locales. For a truly traditional and authentic Fado experience, head to the Ideal Clube de Fado. There’s no food but for €20 you can see some of the best Fado performers in an intimate setting and you get a free glass of port wine.
If you’re big on lyrics and want to have some context for what you’re listening to, Fado na Baixa. Each of their shows begins with a translated documentary (in Spanish, French, or English) that explains the songs you’re about to hear. They are also one of the few places that still performs Fado de Coimbra, which is a version of Fado that was created by university students long ago. The tradition has academic roots and to this day singers who perform it follow a strict dress code and wear the traditional academic dress of trousers, a cassock, and a black cape.
Enjoy the sunset vistas
The worst part of hilly cities? They are a literal pain in the a** to walk around in. The best part? Big hills mean big views and in Porto, you can catch some of the most spectacular sunset vistas.
Porto has a bevy of excellent spots to enjoy the ending glow of a day, but one of my favorite spots is the Passeio das Virtudes. It’s a small park but there you can do as the locals do and grab some food to go and show up early for a picnic. Then, enjoy the orange and pink hues from one of the best spots in the city.
My other favorite spot is the Jardim do Morro. This garden offers a view of the hillside homes and apartments in all their colorful glory. There’s something truly magical about the way the soft glow bounces off the water. Just be prepared for a lot more people than our first suggestion.
Explore the Museu Serralves
Though the namesake has the word museum in it, Museu Serralves is much more than that. The Serralves Foundation is a cultural hub that intertwines contemporary art with natural landscapes. It’s the perfect example of the urban and natural landscapes coming together in harmony.
The area consists of the Museum of Contemporary Art, a cinema house dedicated to the late and prominent Portuguese director Manoel de Oliveira, the Art Deco style Serralves Villa, and the 18-hectare Serralves Park that features an elevated treetop walkway so you can stroll amongst the birds.
The grounds are truly unlike anything else you’ve ever seen. From the eye-catching pink building exterior to the giant outdoor sculptures of shoes and shovels, you’re sure to keep your brain stimulated. The elevated treetop walk is the perfect thing to top off the day. You can even visit after the sun goes down and stroll in the quiet darkness.
Have a religious experience at the Chapel of Souls
It’d be nearly impossible to visit Porto and not have the Chapel of Souls catch your eye. Located right in the middle of the main shopping district, the blue and white tiled building is as gorgeous as it is culturally and religiously significant. Its dual-tone exterior features painted scenes from the lives of saints.
The chapel dates back to the 18th century but the tiles were added in the 20th century. Portugal is known for its azulejas, or tiles, but this blue and white chapel is truly a work of art. Though its iconic walls have made it one of the most photographed buildings in Portugal, make sure to not just snap a photo but get up close and look at the meticulous paintings.
The inside is remarkable as well. The buttressed ceiling and a glistening chandelier offer an impressive view in their own right. Be sure to keep an eye out for the stained glass windows which depict souls in purgatory, hence the name.
Also, don’t get this church confused with the Sao Bento train station which also has blue and white tiles. Although, I think it’ll be easy to tell because most churches don’t have trains running through them.
Sip on sweet port wine
You can’t go to Porto and not sip on some sweet port wine. I mean, come on, it’s in the name. Porto is the only place where you can experience true port wine authentically, and believe me, there is no shortage of it. I won’t even try to summarize all the amazing wine-tasting experiences in Porto. Instead, check out our in-depth Porto wine-tasting guide here.
by your friends at The Daily Navigator
