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The best things to do in Mallorca, Spain
Your vacations are fast approaching and you’d like to visit Mallorca in the Balearic Islands? Discover our complete guide on our travel blog!
- Portugal
- Travel Guides
Just two hours by plane from Paris or Bordeaux, it’s very easy to come and discover Porto and Portugal in general. We headed to Portugal this summer for two weeks, to enjoy Alex’s family who live in Aveiro. The city of Porto is less than an hour away by train, so we decided to head there for a weekend.
If you have time during your stay in Portugal, we also recommend a visit to Lisbon, the country’s capital. In this article, you’ll find a list of our must-see places in Porto, with good addresses to match! We hope this blog post helps you find out what to do in Porto. Let’s hit the road!
This apartment hotel in Porto, close to the Ribeira district, appealed to us above all for its designer decor! As well as being beautifully decorated, these apartment hotels are super functional because you could cook in them, which makes it feel like you’re living in Porto during your few vacation days! The hotel’s location is a real plus, right opposite the Douro river. Price-wise, you can get a night for 80€.
This apartment hotel in Porto is very well located and offers a breathtaking view of the city and the Douro. We found it super cozy and loved its terrace! It is equipped with a kitchen, which is very practical for visiting Porto over several days. You can rent a loft or studio for one night, also at around €80/100 per night.
The city of Porto boasts one of the most beautiful railway stations in Europe, thanks to its Azujelos walls. What are Azujelos? Sets of decorated tiles that have become a symbol of Portugal. The tiles in the station are magnificent, depicting the major discoveries and conquests of the Portuguese people. With its excellent location and good transport links, the station is the first stop for many visitors to Porto.
Little tips: If you have several days during your stay in Porto, don’t hesitate to take the train to Aveiro. Located just an hour from Porto, the city nicknamed “Little Venice” is one of the region’s must-sees 😉
Next, head for Porto’s main street, Rua Santa Catarina. This is where you’ll find numerous stores and cafés, including the most famous of them all: the Café Majestic. An emblem of the 1920s, this café is one of the top 10 most beautiful in the world, no less! So don’t hesitate to stop in to admire the architecture and enjoy a sweet. Fans of pastéis de nata? You’ve come to the right place!
Good to know: Beware of the (much) higher-than-average prices: coffee, for example, costs €3.90, compared with €1 elsewhere in the city. Despite the price difference, the products on offer are very good and the setting exceptional, enough to make you want to go there at least once during your stay!
For this stopover, head for the Bolhão market; how pleasant it is to stroll through this typical Portuguese open-air market. You’ll find local produce and specialities (fruit, vegetables, cold meats, flowers, etc.) at very reasonable prices! The market is open Monday to Friday from 07:00 to 17:00 and Saturday from 07:00 to 13:00.
For fans of Azulejos: Don’t miss the Capela Das Almas (understand Chapels of the Souls), which is less than 50 meters from the market!
Change of atmosphere with a visit to the very famous Livraria Lello. The place is ranked third best bookshop in the world by the Guardian and Lonely Planet. Special mention for its double staircase, which we loved – just magnificent! Opened in 1906, it attracts many tourists every day, so be prepared to queue before you enter 😉 Fun fact: Harry Potter fans, you’ve come to the right place 😉 And yes, J.K. Rowling, who lived in Porto for several years, is said to have written several pages of the first volume in the series Harry Potter in the café on the second floor. The place is even said to have inspired the Fleury & Bott bookshop in the series! If you’re looking for what to do in Porto, this could be a great idea for an unusual visit!
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Once out of the bookshop, continue your exploration of the city with the Clérigos Tower. After paying the entrance fee (€4) and climbing the (very) many steps of the bell tower you’ll get a magnificent 360° view of the city! Practical info: The staircase to the top of the cloister is very narrow, making it difficult for people with reduced mobility to climb. As there is no elevator, we advise you to avoid the visit if you are concerned.
Then head for one of Porto’s best-known streets, Rua das Flores. It’s impossible to visit Porto in 3 days without taking a stroll here. Long ignored, this street has been completely rehabilitated in recent years. It’s a landmark street for tourists and locals alike. It’s a great place to stroll through the artisanal stores and grab a bite to eat. Indeed, it’s an ideal place to find a wide range of restaurants at all prices. What’s more, the street is lively both day and night, with a host of talented musicians and other street performers.
Where to eat? : If you like typical, accessible and delicious dishes we recommend le Picota: typical Portuguese cuisine with very good value for money, ideally placed in the street. Prego no Prato and other Francesinha have to watch out!
A Unesco World Heritage site since 1995, the Ribeira district is the city’s tourist heart. Its highlights? Its multicolored facades, its restaurants and its incredible view of the Douro and the Dom-Luís Bridge. The atypical, unconditional charm of the buildings is sure to win you over, just as it did us! A not-to-be-missed spot on your visit to Porto!
This is also where you’ll find the departure point for boat cruises on the Douro. Then continue your tour of the district by crossing the Dom-Luís Bridge on foot, to enjoy a pleasant stroll and a unique panorama of the entire district!
Tip: Stop for a coffee at the bar Ponte Bresil, just a few meters from the Dom-Luís Bridge, for an exceptional view ! 🙂
End the day with a visit to an old wine cellar, Taylor’s Cellars. For 12 euros, you’ll be treated to a one-hour audio guide tour on the history of port. You’ll also be treated to a tasting of two ports in a magnificent garden. All in all, a great visit not to be missed!
Practical info: If you end your stay in Porto here, allow 30 minutes to walk to São Bento station.
To find the best mode of transport (plane, train, bus) to get to your destination, we advise you to always look on the OMIO comparator. This will give you an overview of all the modes of transport available for your destination, and make it very easy to compare prices.
If you’re looking to rent a car during your trip, we recommend looking on the RentalCars website. This will help you find the best prices and conditions for your rental.
In order to find the best hotels and benefit from the best conditions (security, cancellation…) we go almost exclusively through Booking.com for our trips. We recommend that you take a look at the available hotels and filter them according to their ratings. There are plenty of recent customer reviews, so there are no unpleasant surprises when you’re traveling!
If you want to get ideas for things to do on your vacation and want to book in advance, we’d also advise you to take a look at the GetYourGuide website. This will give you an overview of the activities on offer in your destination, so you don’t have to wait until you get there to book your places.
We hope the tips and good addresses on our travel blog will help you know what to do in Porto!
You can also follow our daily adventures on Instagram 🙂
Clem & Alex
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