📝 About the Author: Matthias
The old, but enchantingly romantic port city of Porto, with its characteristic gray granite buildings and red roofs, sits above the Douro River and is the namesake of the world-famous port wine. I’ll tell you 10 Porto tips with highlights that you shouldn’t miss when you visit.
The inhabitants of the second largest city in Portugal are considered to be very business-minded; after all, Porto has always been a commercial center. From here, the sweet port wine is exported all over the world. Since its existence, however, the city has repeatedly had to defend itself against constraints and attacks. And it has done so very successfully, which is why Porto is also called the “invincible city”.
If you want to experience as many highlights as possible in a short time, then a guided tour of Porto is not a bad idea. There are many different options:
- Sightseeing by Hop-On/Hop-Off Bus
- City Highlights 3-hour guided electric bike tour
- Guided tour by tuk-tuk and Douro river
All the following tips are also available on the map here:
Best time to travel to Porto?
You can actually always travel to Porto. In winter, however, it is not as warm here as in the south of Portugal, in the Algarve. In spring, on the other hand, around March and April, it is much nicer than in Germany and the crowds of tourists are not yet here.
Even in summer it is actually very pleasant. The Festa de São João (see point 9) takes place at the end of June. Porto is quite crowded then. But there is also a lot of action going on throughout the city. From September it gets a bit cooler again, but still pleasant. And fewer tourists travel to the country from September.
1. Explore the Ribeira – Porto’s old town
One of the most beautiful parts of Porto is the Ribeira, starting at the banks of the Douro. This part is part of the historic old town and is full of old buildings, Portuguese restaurants and cafés.
The rest of the old town climbs up in terraces through narrow streets and steep stairs. Many buildings are being renovated and are listed. It is so beautiful there that the Ribeira was even included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1996.
2. Walk over the bridge “Ponte de Dom Luis I”
Cross the Ponte de Dom Luis I bridge from the Ribeira to the other side to Vila Nova de Gaia, the center of port wine production. On the bridge itself, you have a great view of both banks of the Douro.
Vila Nova de Gaia is located on the other side of the Douro, right next to Porto, and you might think that it is just a district of Porto. However, this is far from the truth, because in 1841 the municipality of Vila Nova de Gaia, which was formed from two settlements, was granted a town charter.
However, it is part of the metropolitan area of Porto. Almost all of the port wine cellars where the famous port wine matures for decades are also located here.
3. Learn everything about Porto’s red gold
You can find it on almost every corner in Porto. Whether in a restaurant or at special wine tastings along the Ribeira: the port wine, with its intense, spicy sweet taste.
It is thought that the Romans were the first to plant the grapes used to make port in the Douro Valley around 2000 years ago. According to legend, it was first discovered by British traders in the 17th century when they mixed brandy with grape juice from the Douro Valley.
This process preserved the wine for transportation to England, but also gave it its special flavor. The influence of the British on port wine can also be seen in some of the names of the wineries, such as Taylor’s, Graham’s or Cockburn’s, but these are usually only responsible for distributing the wine around the world. The cultivation itself is completely in Portuguese hands. There are also German and Dutch port wine distributors in Porto, such as Kopke, Burmester, Andresen or Niepoort.
You can learn everything about the history, the origin and the different types of port wine on a tour of one of the port wine houses. The best known is Taylor’s and Graham’s. I myself was in the port wine house Feirrera, which was run by the lady Dona Antónia Adelaide Ferreira for many years in the 19th century. She set the course for the worldwide success of the company. The most important part of the tour comes at the end: a wine tasting in the cellar.
You can also book online tours that take you to several port houses:
4. Read a book at Lello
bookshopThis bookshop, opened by the Lello brothers in 1906, is now one of Porto’s most popular attractions. No wonder, because the venerable library exudes the charm of a Harry Potter book.
Bookshelves stretching to the ceiling of the upper floor, wooden bridges with hand-carved Art Deco railings winding from one end of the room to the other, as well as paintings and busts of the founders and famous writers of a bygone era create an imposing atmosphere. In fact, Joan K. Rowling is said to have found inspiration for her novels here.
Admission costs €10. You can purchase tickets online.
5. Take a trip to the cradle of Portugal.
If you are interested in Portuguese history, you should definitely not miss a visit to the city of Guimarães. It was the country’s first capital under King Alfonso I and is therefore considered the birthplace of the nation of Portugal. The city, with its castles and center criss-crossed by narrow stone streets, which are also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers a special medieval flair.
6. Stroll along the Avenida Dos Aliados
The Avenida Dos Aliados is the city’s largest boulevard. Along it are magnificent buildings with impressive architecture, most of them banks or hotels. At the end of the street stands the town hall, in front of which you can marvel at a sculpture by the famous Portuguese writer Almeida Garrett.
7. Admire the azulejos on the many churches
Porto’s cityscape is characterized by many churches. These include the striking, approximately 76-meter-high bell tower Torre dos Clérigos, which is also one of the city’s landmarks. Opposite the university is the Igreja do Carmo, with the typical Portuguese azulejos (square ceramic tiles) on the exterior walls. You will find many more churches in this style throughout the city.
8. Enjoy the sunset at the Jardins do Palácio de Cristal do Porto
You have a breathtaking view over the city from one of Porto’s most beautiful gardens, the Jardins do Palácio de Cristal do Porto. It is particularly romantic here at sunset. Pack a bottle of wine, some cheese and bread and sit on one of the stone steps to soak up the evening atmosphere with a view of the Douro.
9. Celebrate the Festa de São João
If you are in Portugal on June 23rd, you should definitely stay overnight in Porto. Because every June 23rd, Porto is transformed into a colorful sea of flags, garlands and lanterns. Because then is the Festa de Sao Joao, the city festival of Porto.
People celebrate with parties and music everywhere on the streets, but especially in the city center. There are concerts and competitions, such as walking over fire. The atmosphere is cheerful and exuberant, almost crazy.
The typical traditions for the festival are also crazy. You’ll be pelted with garlic cloves or small plastic hammers by strangers everywhere. To this day, I still haven’t quite figured out what it’s all about. But it probably has something to do with throwing things at people you love or find attractive. So watch out!
10. Explore the Douro by boat
Porto is best explored on foot. Just drift along, get lost in the narrow streets and discover something new every time. But if you’ve had enough of all the walking around, then a boat tour is just the thing.
A “Bridge Tour” allows you to explore all six bridges along the Douro and also drive along the banks of the Ribeira:
Have you been to Porto before and still have good Porto tips? Then scroll down and leave me a comment.
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