Just a quick flight (or train ride) from Lisbon you’ll find the charming city of Porto. As soon as we decided on Lisbon, we knew we wanted to make a stop in Porto. While we only had about 2 days in Porto, we tried to squeeze in as much as possible. If you find yourself in Lisbon, I would definitely recommend a stopover in Porto and spending a few days in this beautiful city.
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Where to Stay in Porto
We stayed near Balhāo. It’s very centrally located and we loved our location. We stayed in the most charming Airbnb with an orange tree in the backyard. We had a group of 5 so we opted for an Airbnb, but if a hotel is more your thing, here are the ones that caught my eye.
Here is our Airbnb listing. If you’ve never booked through Airbnb before, click here to sign up and receive $40 off your first booking.
Where to Eat + Drink in Porto
- Taberna Santo António – We arrived in Porto about 4 hours before our Airbnb check-in, so we had to find a place to drop our luggage. The hostess at The Cloakroom (luggage storage), recommended that we eat at this local spot right around the corner. It was a very authentic, inexpensive Portuguese lunch. Would recommend if you’re close by and want to grab lunch, but don’t go out of your way.
- Bacalhau – This is the kind of place that makes you realize why you travel. The day we went to Bacalhau, we had a very long day, the jetlag was hitting us, and we were tired. The meal at Bacalhau rejuvenated and relaxed me. It’s a seafood spot, specializing in cod, overlooking the Douro River. All of the dishes we had were incredible. Cj says it’s forever changed the way he looks at sardines from a can. We can’t stop buying them since we’ve been back.
- República dos Cachorros – After eating delicious seafood for about 3 days straight, we were all pretty excited for a sandwich. CJ had heard that these small grilled sandwiches were a specialty in this region, but couldn’t put his finger on where he had heard this. As soon as we walked in we realized this place was on Parts Unknown with Anthony Boudain! We’re huge Bourdain fans and were stoked to happen upon a place he had blessed. The food was quick, delicious and cheap. What more could you ask for after a long day of touring?
- 7gRoaster – One of the things we always hunt for during any trip is a good coffee spot. While espresso abounds in Europe, the coffee shop scene is not quite as robust as the US. Cj’s brother found this place, went by himself, then dragged us all there the following day. It was well worth it. Great coffee, and chill vibes.
- Mercado GAIA – We stumbled upon this place after taking the gondola from the Jardin do Morro. There is an incredible food market with a large variety.
- Try a Port and Tonic – This is a specialty cocktail served in Porto. The best one I had was at MiraJazz. We got there during happy hour and drinks were 5 Euro. Can’t beat it.
- MiraJazz – We came here for the live Jazz, but there was no band (they only play on the weekend). That being said, this is still a perfect spot for happy hour and small bites. It has a beautiful deck that overlooks the Ribeira, and a very relaxing atmosphere. This was our last stop on our last night in Portugal, and it was the perfect representation of how I feel about this country. LOVE IT.
- Drink Port Wine + visit a Winery – As you may have guessed, Porto is known for its Port wine. A few wineries that were recommended to us were Porto Cruz, Sandeman, Quay Wine Bar. We didn’t get a chance to stop by a winery but we had a few different Ports at restaurants throughout the city. I haven’t traditionally been a fan of Port wines but there were a few here that I really loved.
Things to do in Porto
- Walk the Cais da Ribeira – This is Porto’s riverside area that runs along the Douro river. There are tons of shops and restaurants along this street (a few on our list above). It is a great place to stroll and take in the beauty of Porto. We also walked along the Av. de Diogo Leite, on the south side of the river. A lot of the Port wineries are located on the banks of this side of the river. This side of the river also offers the best view of Porto and the Ponte Luis I Bridge.
- Walk Across Ponte Luis Bridge – After our cachorro lunch, we had a short (downhill) walk to the top of the Ponte Luis Bridge. This is the iconic bridge overlooking Porto. Just be cautious if you get off the walkway to snag a photo, as this is an active railway, and the trains don’t slow down for tourists.
- Check out Monsteiro da Serra do Pilar and Jardim do Morro. At the south side of the Ponte Louis I Bridge it’s a short walk up to the Monsterio. This basilica is closed most of the year unless you’re lucky enough tocatch it on a day it’s open for a wedding. Still, there are great views of Porto and the bridge. Across the street from the Monsteiro there is the Jardim do Morro. This garden is a great place to relax and have a snack. From there we took the Gondola down to the riverside. The gondola wasn’t anything special, but it’s a relaxing ride, saves you a steep walk down the hill, and it’s only 5 euro. It also drops off near the Mercado GAIA.
- Livraria Lello – This bookstore was allegedly J.K. Rowling’s inspiration for Harry Potter/Hogwarts Castle. One of the most famous bookstores in the world, and one JK Rowling’s favorite spots when she lived in Porto. We were going to check it out, but the line was insanely long and the tickets were 5 Euro. Backpacks also aren’t allowed, so you’ll have to rent a locker as well. There is a tasty gelato spot next door so we opted for that instead. That being said, it does look quite majestic inside, so try going earlier or later in the day.
- Igreja do Carmo- this is the iconic Porto photo with the blue and white tiles. It was definitely worth the stop and surprisingly, not very crowded.
- Clerigos Church and Tower – A short walk from Igreja Dos Carmaletias you’ll find the Clerigos Church and Tower.
Money-Saving Tip
- We flew TAP Airlines and had such a great experience. TAP has this amazing stopover program. If you’re headed to Europe, I’d recommend making a stopover for 1-5 days at no added cost. This is a great way to see two cities for the price of one.
I’m already dreaming of our next trip and I hope these tips help you plan the most perfect adventure. Let me know if you have any favorite spots in Porto that I missed. 🙂
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