Category: Portugal

Although Porto has been on my travel bucket list for a long time, I still never managed to get there. By now, it was almost a little too late—this former hidden gem in Portugal is more popular than ever and packed with visitors! Anyway, I was still thrilled: Here, I’m sharing my favorite sights in Porto!

Tips for Porto:
➜ Save money on admission fees and public transportation with the Porto Card*
➜ Be sure to try port wine at one of the wineries in Vila Nova de Gaia
➜ Great deals on accommodations in Porto
➜ If you have more time: River cruise on the Douro*(full day)

I always felt right at home in Lisbon, and it wasn’t much different in Porto. As a Brazilian, the language barrier isn’t really an issue for me, and the Portuguese are so warm and hospitable!

The Best Way to Explore Porto’s Sights

In general, Porto is a good place to spend a few relaxing days. Porto is the second largest city in Portugal, but you can still reach a lot on foot. The only drawback are the occasionally very steep hills, if you want to walk back to your accommodation after a long day of sightseeing – depending on where you are staying. For this case, you can always resort to public transport, cabs or Uber. All very well priced, like everything else in Porto. Or you can be happy about the extra calf workout.

You get lots of discounts with the Porto Card*—and you can use it to ride all public transportation for free!

#1 Cais de Ribeira

Ribeira is the port district of Porto – and sooner or later you’ll end up here anyway: life happens at the Cais de Ribeira, in the evenings there’s an atmosphere with street musicians, popcorn cars and full bars and restaurants, even in winter. Many of them are tourist traps, but sitting on the quay with a glass of Douro wine and watching the sunset is priceless.

Restaurant tip: At Bacalhau (a little off the beaten path and not quite as touristy), you can enjoy wine along with Portuguese bacalhau dishes given a modern twist. Eating bacalhau (salted cod) is an absolute must in Portugal.

The streets behind the promenade still have a truly quaint atmosphere, and in the dark, narrow alleys, you get that harbor charm for free!

#2 Dom Luís I Bridge

Arguably the most striking of all Porto’s sights: At the end of the Cais de Ribeira, the gigantic Ponte Dom Luís I towers over the Douro River, connecting Porto with Vila Nova de Gaia across the river, which is known for its port wine cellars. Vehicles travel on both the lower and upper levels of the bridge. Pedestrians can also cross the bridge on both levels and enjoy the view of Porto, especially from the top.

#3 Clérigos Tower

One thing in advance, claustrophobically inclined people may not make it all the way to the top of the clock tower of the Igreja dos Clérigos (or Clérigos Church). The climb is very narrow at the end and the viewing platform is more of a narrow walkway around the top of the tower. Fear of contact with strangers is out of place here, otherwise you will neither go forward nor back.

On busy days, access is probably restricted here, but even on quieter days it can quickly get crowded at the top of Torre dos Clérigos. But you will be rewarded with the very best view over Porto: The Torre dos Clérigos is the highest church tower in all of Portugal and one of Porto’s landmarks.

Buy a ticket online*

#4 São Bento Station

Can a dull train station be a place of interest? Yes, definitely! Especially when inside it is tiled all over with hand-painted azulejos, the typical tiles of Portugal. The white-and-blue artwork stretches from floor to ceiling in the Estação São Bento station concourse, leaving you in awe.

The station itself is a terminal station; trains depart from here to the rest of Portugal and also to the scenic Douro Valley. And if you’re traveling by train anyway and don’t feel like walking far, you can stay right at the station: The Passenger Hostel features ultra-modern accommodations and offers everything from dorms to large, maisonette-style family rooms.

You can find the Portuguese railway company’s schedules here: CP – Comboios de Portugal

#5 Palácio da Bolsa

One of the reasons I love Lisbon is its charm from days gone by, when Portugal was still a great seafaring nation and proudly displayed its wealth through its architecture. It’s not much different in Porto: The Palácio da Bolsa, the Stock Exchange Palace, is simply brimming with splendor. This is where major deals used to be struck—and a little cheating went on in those grand halls as well. What looks like ornate wood paneling at first (and even second) glance is, in many halls, simply cheap plaster. You wouldn’t notice it at all. A technique that was also used at Livraria Lello.

The Palácio da Bolsa can only be visited as part of a guided tour. Guided tours are available in Portuguese, Spanish, French, and English.

Tickets for guided tours of the Palácio da Bolsa*

With the Porto Card*, you’ll get a 25% discount on in-store purchases.

#6 Rua das Flores

The Rua dos Flores (Street of Flowers) is something like the cozier shopping street in the old town of Porto. In contrast to the Avenidas dos Aliados, it is less spectacular and has fewer to no mainstream stores like Rua Santa Catarina, but you can still experience traces of the real Porto here. Small stores with goods for everyday use, traditional cafés and lots of art: even the electricity boxes here are all artistically painted throughout. Unfortunately, a form of gentrification is also setting in here – small, long-established stores like the bookstore further down have to leave Rua dos Flores and with them goes a piece of flair.

#7 Vila Nova de Gaia and Port Wine

On the other side of the Douro, in Vila Nova de Gaia, are the port wineries that have made Porto so famous (or vice versa). Port wine is definitely something you should have tried in Porto! How this works and where to go there, I tested in my port wine self-experiment. i

➜ Drunk in Porto: Port Wine and Me

#8 Bolhão Market

The Mercado do Bolhão is one of Porto’s most famous markets and is located right in the heart of downtown. The Mercado do Bolhão was recently restored and now shines in new splendor. Here you can stock up on Porto’s signature delicacies: canned sardines in all varieties, bacalhau (salted cod—absolutely delicious—I could have lived on nothing but bacalhau dishes during my time in Porto!), and wine, wine, wine. Alternatively, it’s also worth visiting the Mercado Bom Sucesso, located just outside the city center near the Casa da Música concert hall.

#9 Livraria Lello

Livraria Lello is one of the most beautiful bookstores in Europe and is justifiably hyped. And it’s the first bookstore I’ve paid admission to. Unfortunately, the queues are now almost too long during the summer months, and you can’t really browse through books anymore: books are reduced to a minimum. Read also my article about the Livraria Lello.

#10 Foz do Douro

Porto is located on the sea, I had forgotten even on the spot before loud Douro panorama and old town hills. It takes only 20 to 30 minutes by bus or streetcar from the center to the suburbs of Matosinhos and Foz do Douro, located on the Atlantic coast. I was amazed how different Porto is here – rough sea, wild Atlantic. Total contrast to the tranquil old town.

Foz do Douro is also home to the Pergola da Foz, a formerly grandiose (and now restored) portico right on the promenade – but it’s not much of an attraction. There are a few beach bars right on the beach. Even in winter one or the other bar was open! So I could soak up some sun and enjoy the salty-fresh sea air.

Where to stay in Porto

I stayed at the Porto Republica Hostel & Suites, and I couldn’t have found a better place. In addition to typical hostel beds in shared rooms, there are also cozy private rooms with en suite bathrooms. A room in the old building, with worn old wooden floorboards and a double door leading to the balcony, through which the sun always shone in the mornings—what more could you ask for? The hotel is relatively small and has a family-friendly atmosphere. It wasn’t fully booked during the off-season, though that’s certainly different in the summer. For me, it was the perfect mix of a great location, price, style, and just the right amount of coziness.

Arrival and Departure / Transportation within Porto

Porto is becoming more and more popular, which is also noticeable in the numerous flight connections. Among others, you can get to Porto from Germany with Lufthansa* or Eurowings*.

Within Porto you can get around the city very well by public transport. But even those I have used only little, because much is very good to reach on foot, and one explores cities anyway best walking.

However, there are affordable day passes for public transportation, or you can buy the Porto Card*—it includes many other discounts, such as admission to the Palácio da Bolsa.

* * *

Browse more articles about Porto and Lisbon here:

No wonder J.K. Rowling is said to have been inspired to write her Harry Potter books in this bookstore! The Livraria Lello in Porto is one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world. Even if you are not a book nerd, you will be highly impressed by the intricate interior. Porto itself is already a fascinating city. Still full of history of when Portugal was a majestic country of seafarer, Porto is now one of the new trendy destinations in Europe. It’s welcoming, charming and young – and with its new fame it’s now keeping quite well with the ever-popular Portuguese capital Lisbon.

Tips for Porto:
➜ You can book a complete Harry Potter tour of Porto here*
➜ The 10 best sights in Porto
➜ Spend the night in a beautiful old building: hotel tip for Porto*

Livraria Lello: From Harry Potter to worldwide fame

While J.K.Rowling was most likely often able to browse the shelves of the old Livraria Lello alone in her Porto days, today it’s so crowded that you even have to buy a ticket before visiting. You’ve read it right: Livraria Lello is probably the only bookstore ever to charge an admission fee. There was no other way to cope with the crowds of visitors in what is actually a small bookstore! On many days, there is even a queue outside the bookstore because the store’s capacity is exhausted.

Livraria Lello: One of the Instagram hotspots in Porto

I would have loved to have a look around Livraria Lello with more time, because the selection of books across all genres is absolutely gorgeous . But somehow you don’t feel much like browsing when people are pushing right and left to get the best Instagram photo in that limited space. Especially a place on the stunning red spiral staircase, which goes from the first floor to the second floor in the middle of the store, are highly sought after. But who could blame them? It’s really beautiful.

You can find out more about Portugal in my Portugal blog!

The secret of the Livraria Lello

The entire bookstore is completely paneled in ornately carved wood from top to bottom. At least it seems so. Because in addition to the Harry Potter story, the Livraria Lello also hides a small, not very well-known secret: The wood carvings, such as the imposing ceiling with its many scrolls, are in many places not made of wood at all, but of painted plaster, a technique that was also used in the Palácio da Bolsa in Porto. (Read more about the Palácio da Bolsa in my Porto Guide!)

Information & Admission Livraria Lello Porto

The entrance fee to Livraria Lello is currently 5€. You need to buy the ticket this next door in the separate ticket store, where you can also get lots of Harry Potter merchandise. Which is actually absolute unnecessary, because Livraria Lello is an amazing location even without all the hype around Harry Potter.

The entrance fee can be offset against a purchase, but often you won’t be able to browse in peace or finding something for exactly €5. If you don’t find anything, you get a small brochure about the history of the bookstore of the Lello brothers for your 5€ at the exit. Well, at least it’s something. 🙂

Harry Potter in Porto

If you are even more interested in Harry Potter, then this small but nice tour is definitely worth a visit. The admission fee is already included. Also great with kids, who will definitely remember their Harry Potter experience for a long time, because Livraria Lello is truly magical.

➜ Book your Harry Potter tour through Porto here!*

Special bookstores in the world

It should be no secret by now that I’m a book nerd – and in foreign cities I’m usually drawn to bookstores or libraries. Books are just so fascinating. And by books I mean “real” ones made of paper! I couldn’t get used to eBook readers and PDFs until today. There’s nothing like the feel of books on paper, is there?

Here you can find more about another very special bookstore that also fascinated me:

➜ Acqua Alta in Venice

More tips for Porto

Do you like the Livraria Lello? Porto has so much more to offer. Maybe you’ll find more inspiration for a little trip to Porto in my other articles:

➜ The best sights in Porto
➜ Port wine tasting in Porto (be sure to try it!)

Where to stay in Porto

Great places to stay aren’t hard to find in Porto, but I can especially recommend the Porto Republica Hostel & Suites*! Don’t let the word “hostel” in the name put you off: they also have gorgeous double rooms with private bathrooms.

The Porto Republica is located in a large historic building with high ceilings, herringbone parquet flooring, and a stylish atmosphere. It’s perfect for a city trip if you’re on a tight budget but don’t want to miss out on some eye candy.

It’s so beautifully called “Vinho do Porto” in Portuguese. And while you’re there, what could be more natural than a port wine tasting in Porto? Port wine is, after all, one of Porto’s oldest export hits and THE city’s signature product. Porto lies on the Douro River, and further east along the Douro lies the Douro Valley. This is where the grapes for this special wine are grown and pressed. In the past, boats known as “rabelos” transported the wine to Porto, to the most beautiful port wine cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia. There, the wines continue to age—for years or even decades, depending on their quality. By the way, today tourists cruise along the Douro on the Rabelos instead of transporting port wine—and I’ve heard it’s really worth seeing.

Are you planning a trip to Porto?
If so, I highly recommend my Porto Travel Guide!

What is port wine?

Actually, I’m not a big fan of port wine. Port wine is one of the sweet wines, they say, but it makes me sick to my stomach because it is so strong and reminds me more of cognac. And wine-wise, I’m generally not an expert. Although I’ve had plenty of opportunities to taste good wines, my wine knowledge doesn’t get beyond a simple “I like it” or “I don’t.” I’m sure they could slip me wine from a tetrapak and sell it as the most expensive wine ever. But I like to get to know new things on my travels, and Porto doesn’t work without port wine!

When and how do you drink port?

Traditionally, port is enjoyed as a digestif and paired with a cheese platter or dessert. It is served in tulip-shaped glasses that are slightly smaller than standard red or white wine glasses. Since port has a high alcohol content, only small amounts—typically about 80 to 120 ml— are usually served. However, port is also excellent when served chilled as an aperitif, as an accompaniment during a meal, or as an ingredient in cocktails.

Port wine tasting in Porto: Where to go for a good port wine tasting?

The friendly hotel employee recommended Graham’s Winery to me. Because when you stand on the banks of the Douro and look across to Vila Nova de Gaia, the dilemma becomes clear: one port wine winery follows another. Whether it’s Sandeman, Graham’s, Ferreira, Taylor’s, or Calem—one neon sign competes with another for attention. All the wineries offer guided tours followed by tastings; the Sandeman grounds even feature a hotel or hostel.

Guided tour of Graham’s Lodge

The tour of Graham’s winery is offered in different languages and is really informative: after a short film about the production in the Douro Valley, a tour guide leads you through the winery.

Port wine tasting with Tawny and Ruby

By the way, I ended up in the Portuguese-speaking tour with a handful of Brazilians. Which made it all the more amusing, because we Brazilians are communicative by nature and even more so after three glasses of port wine. In summer it must be even more beautiful up here: from the in-house restaurant you have the best view over Porto! Incidentally, I could taste out differences despite my untrained palate: I am more Tawny than Ruby. Further insight: Three port wines – and I’m blue.

The tour includes three different varieties, but connoisseurs can also go all out and sample the crème de la crème of port wines—provided they have the necessary cash on hand, since the wine tasting alone can cost as much as 200€.

Prior reservation is strongly recommended in high season!

➜ Tickets for Graham’s Port Lodge* (with food pairing)

How do you get to Graham’s Lodge in Vila Nova de Gaia?

Vila Nova de Gaia is located on the other side of the Douro River. If you’re staying in downtown Porto, it’s a bit of a trip to get to Graham’s Lodge by public transportation. However, with the Porto Card*, you can use public transportation—including the metro and buses—for free. There are many port wine cellars in Porto, but Graham’s Lodge is particularly beautiful with its impressive view of Porto.

If you don’t feel like looking up addresses and directions, you can also join a walking tour and visit several wineries in a single day:

➜ Walking tour of Vila Nova de Gaia with several port wineries*

Other port wineries in Vila Nova de Gaia

If you don’t feel like or don’t have time to drive all the way out to Graham’s (I took the bus there and strolled back along the Douro in the evening—but it’s quite a distance), you can also visit the Calem wineries and sample some port there! Calem is also located on the other side of the Douro, but right on the riverbank and near the Ponte Dom Luís I.

➜ Fado evening with port wine tasting at Calem*