Top Things To Do In Porto, Portugal

Porto, Portugal’s 2nd largest city, is less touristy than Lisbon, so full of authentic, local charm. From visiting the lively Ribeira district, to admiring the beautiful architecture, with Portugal’s lovely, azulejos tiles, getting a better perspective on the Douro River, by walking it’s many bridges, and tasting the local port, there are many things to do in Porto. This post covers the top spots.

About Porto

The Celtic-Latin name for this city, when it was an outpost of the Roman Empire, was Porto Cale. Called Condado Portucalense, or Country of Portucale, in medieval times, this eventually wove its way into the name of the country, Portugal.

Porto also has an interesting nickname, Invicta, which means invincible. It dates back to a civil war in the 19th century, as it survived a siege, undefeated, that lasted over a year.

This city is world-famous for its port wine, which is aged in Vila Nova de Giai, on the south side of the river, after being grown in nearby Douro Valley, as well as it’s charming Ribiera district, and beautiful azulejos tile art. The following are the top things to see and do in Porto.

Top Things To See and Do In Porto

Explore The Historic Ribeira District

Porto’s Ribeira district is where the city originated and is an UNESCO World Heritage site. Ribiera means ‘stream’, which is how the area got its name, from historical trade done by a stream along the Douro River.

Sitting on the south side of the Douro, the Ribeira district is a mish-mash of new and old buildings in a colorful montage of yellows, oranges, blues, and greens. It’s full of winding, cobblestoned alleys, loaded with lively cafes and bars, many with prime spots overlooking the Douro River. They’re the perfect place to try traditional Portuguese food and taste its famous port wine, while watching the sunset.

St. Francis Church

See Its Famous Azulejos Tilework

Azulejo tiles, an art Portugal perfected centuries ago, are prominent everywhere in Porto. It’s a must-see in Porto. The following are some of the best examples.

Sao Bento Station

The square outside the station is remarkable as well. Although my train arrived after midnight on a rainy night, I could sense its grandness in a heartbeat. I distinctly remember stopping on the street, in the dark, to admire it, even though I still had to walk to my room with my luggage.

A few days later, we stumbled upon this area in daylight and I immediately recognized it. I could see the beauty of the azulejos tiles on St. Anthony’s Church Congregados, made even more beautiful with the blue and white sky as a backdrop. The art here tells the story of St. Anthony and the Assumption of the Virgin Mary.

All are within walking distance of the Sao Bento Station, making them easy to see in an afternoon.

Walk Some Of Its Many Bridges

Porto is also called the city of bridges as there are 6 bridges spanning the Douro here (it actually shares this distinction with Vila Nova de Gaia, as the bridges span between the two). Walking its bridges provides a stunning way to view the city, and the Douro River.

Taste Portugal’s Famous Port Wine

Portugal is famous for it’s port wine, which can only officially be labeled as port if made in this region. The grapes are grown, and the wine produced, in the Douro Valley, before being shipped down the Douro River to Vila Nova de Gaia, where it is aged at various port cellars. This is why the south side of the river is the best place to go for multiple tastings.

Some of the best port houses, or cellars, include Graham’s Port House, Taylor’s, Kopke, and Calem, but explore the ones that call to you. Just keep in mind that sometimes the best are a little farther down the road. Also, the better quality ports are usually not the free, or low cost ones.

Wine bars (back on the Ribeira, or north side) are another option for tasting, like Wine Quay Bar, which overlooks the Douro and Luis I Bridge, making it a perfect place for happy hour, or Prova-Port Wine Bar, where they can help you select the perfect port to accompany your meal.

There are also endless low cost tastings in the tourist shops, where they sell port in a chocolate cup for 1€. The quality may not be the best, but hey, it’s fun! And cheap! Just don’t judge port from this one taste. 😉

Visit Livraria Lello Bookstore

This popular bookstore, in business since 1906, became a major attraction as it was one of JK Rowling’s favorite spots when she was working on her Harry Potter novels and lived here. It’s so popular, there’s usually a line, and a cover charge to enter. Arrive at Livraria Lelo early in the day, or late afternoon, to try to avoid the crowds.

This bookstore is located southeast of Igreja do Carmo.

Try Its Signature Sandwhich – Francesinha

Francesinha, Porto’s signature sandwich, is the unique food to try, even though it’s nothing like a French sandwich. This decadent delight is five layers, made with a variety of meats, including sausage, cheese, and a beer tomato sauce. Some say it’s a cure for a hangover…

Want More of Portugal?

There are several great options for side trips from Porto. For more port wine adventure, and to see the mountainous countryside, a visit to the Douro Valley  is a great option. It’s only a 3 hour, or so, drive from Porto. Here, you can see where port wine is born and produced, with many lovely wineries dotting the landscape along the river.

Aviero and Obidos make perfect stops when traveling between Porto and Lisbon. Each city offering a unique perspective on Portugal’s history and culture.

Of course, no visit to Portugal is complete without a visit to Lisbon, full of charming old neighborhoods and hilltop vistas overlooking the Iberian Peninsula.

And if you have more time, I highly recommend the beaches of Lagos and Sagres, in the Algarve region. They are simply stunning!

For an overview of all the highlights, how to get around, safety, scams, logistics, and more, see my Portugal Travel Guide.