Porto should definitely be on your bucket list. The Portuguese city enchants with beautiful houses, narrow picturesque streets, great people and a wonderful bar culture. Enjoy long warm summer nights by the river, try Portwine and listen to the street musicians - you'll be amazed!
The metropolis is also called "Baroque City", and if you so stroll through the streets and alleys, you can not avoid admiring the many beautiful facades. It is the atmosphere of these houses with the crumbling plaster and so many crooked shutters that captivates everyone in a short time. While strolling on one side of the river through an old town that has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996, on the other hand you can taste real port wine straight from the barrel. I would like to show you why a city trip to Porto is essential for a holiday in Portugal. And of course I also have one or two insider tips for you.
From the airport to the city
The airport of Porto is located 16 km outside the center and is perfectly connected to the metro of the city. So you will board the Metro Line E directly at the terminal and drive about 25 minutes to the city center. The one-way ticket costs € 1.40. If you prefer to travel by bus, simply hop on the bus 601, 602 or 604 and let it rock you to the center. Again, the trip costs around € 1.40.
Sights in Porto - The hotspots of the city
Porto is a typical walking-town, as it is very hilly and winding. Just for the way across the bridge to the other side of the river is worth a ticket for public transport. And of course, if you want to go in the direction of the sea, because walking is the way to the beaches a bit too far. I always recommend to explore the city by bike, and this time is a great way to visit large parts of the city center and also various outlying districts. Only in the Old City are you certainly wrong. Be sure to bring comfortable shoes that will take you through the city for a few hours.
Sao Bento and the Cathedral of Porto
The Porto São Bento station is a real eye-catcher and completely free to visit. Not only from the outside, the former monastery is nice to look at, because just inside the entrance hall you can trace parts of the history of the city and the country based on the blue, famous tiles (Azulejos). Let your eyes wander to the high ceilings and admire the fine, artistic work.
Very close to the train station is the 800 years old Porto Cathedral. If you like, take a look inside - these old baroque churches are always impressive. What I can recommend as a real insider tip, is the visit of the Igreja de Santa Clara (Rua Saraiva de Carvalho). The small nave is made of gold and lies hidden behind a very unspectacular front door. Once you have explored all the corners of the church, turn right as you exit and go through a gate to the parking lot of the associated offices. There you can climb a very long wall and walk to the end to the tower. Here you get a very special view of the bridge Ponte Luís I, the wine bars on the Douro and the old town.
Wine cellar in Porto with a view
If you are ever on the other side of the road, you should not miss visiting the port wine cellars. Along the Rio Douro, the cellars nestle against the slope and invite you to long-lasting visits. Here you can almost certainly taste the matured wine and get a picture of the famous flagship of the region. Personally, Taylors Port has been particularly convincing, because here is not only the winery, but also short tours with wine tasting, a hotel and an excellent restaurant. So much praise at once is not enough. To top it off, you also have the best view of the beautiful old town Ribeira from here.
Back on the other side of the river, you can then walk along the shore towards the old town and treat yourself to a delicious lunch in one of the many restaurants. Particularly popular are the so-called Francesinhas, floating in sauce sandwiches with chips that have it all. Of course, there are also many lighter specialties to try - but more on that later.
My tip for your sightseeing tour: Every Sunday morning, admission to the museums of Porto is free.
A touch of Harry Potter in Porto
After a break, you should go to Igreja da Nossa Senhora do Carmo das Carmelitas. This church is almost completely clad on the sides with the famous blue azulejos and fits into the quite portotypical cityscape. If you turn around and take a look over the square, then you have the University of Porto directly in view.
Do not be surprised if some students cross your path in typical Harry Potter cloaks. The coats are traditionally worn here, if there is something to celebrate. Right here you can try another glass of port wine in a typical student bar.
Harry Potter Bookstore Lello & Irmão
Only a few steps away from the university you can find something very special. The time-honored bookstore "Lello & Irmão", which Joan K. Rowling has inspired to the well-known library in the Harry Potter novels. Admission is now 5 € per person, but if you buy a book, you will be granted a discount equal to the entrance fee. It is always crowded, but the small bookstore should be on the list of any Harry Potter fan.
Overall, you will notice that Porto has helped the well-known author to many great ideas. If you walk in the dusk and some students in their coats and with books under the arms scurry past, the city seems to you certainly quite mystical.
Shopping in Porto
Take the time to stroll through the many streets and alleys of the old town and taste some of the many sweet and savory pies. Amidst the many blue-tiled old buildings with crumbling facades is the pedestrian zone, where you can shop really well. Many shops that you may already know from Spain are also here.
Avenida dos Aliados is the shopping area of the city. Here you will not only find the usual boutiques, but also one or the other famous designer. Not only here, but throughout the city you will notice the clean streets that stand in direct contrast to the battered facades of the houses. This mix of decay and enchantment makes Porto unique.
Beaches in Porto
To get to the beaches of Porto, you have to take about half an hour on the metro, but I did not mind that, as I could just look out and see the area. With such leisurely rides you get to know a city very well - and by the way. Take the metro line A towards Matosinhos Sul. Get out and follow the smell of the sea to the long beach promenade. Joggers and many other sports enthusiasts are out and about at any time of the day. Maybe it'll itch in your feet and you'll run a round.
The sea here on the Atlantic Ocean is perfect for surfing, but for swimming it is usually a bit too cool. If you still want to jump in the cool water, you should definitely visit the pool area Piscinas do Marés. The swimming pools are carved directly into the rocks by the sea and provide protection from the high waves. Sometimes one of them spills from the sea into the pool, then you can look forward to a cool refreshment. Along the Atlantic coast in Foz you will find beautiful mansions and beautiful, palm-lined promenades. If it were not for the rough Atlantic, you could feel like on the Côte d'Azur.
Culinary delights
Porto is a city for connaisseurs. In the old town you not only taste the famous port, but also super vegan food, the typical Portuguese beer. On Mondays there are many bars in the Old Town happy hour and many drinks are much cheaper than on the other days of the week. If you want to enjoy typical Portuguese food in a great atmosphere, then come back one evening to Escondidinho (Rua de Passos Manuel Nº 142). Typical Portuguese dishes, fresh salads, crispy potatoes and selected wines make an evening here definitely a highlight.
Porto & Tonic
Trendy and delicious is the combination of the traditional port wine and Tonic Water, which you should order on one of the warm summer evenings. Something like that only exists here, in the pretty town of Port wine. Drinks and snacks are the way very cheap, rarely you pay as much as in the US. So try the many patties, eat fresh fruits and be introduced to the art of Portuguese cooking by connoisseurs. You will be surprised how varied the Portuguese cuisine is.
By bike through the streets
It's like in any city - a city trip will not be that good until you borrow a bike and explore the area. Also in Porto this is an absolute recommendation, because so you can drive to one of the beaches and enjoy fresh salads directly from the garden in small villages. For just under 2 € per hour you get cozy city bikes and can cruise around the lovely long day, let the sea breeze blow through your hair and enjoy life.
In love with Porto
Once you have explored the city for a few days, you will be in love, I can promise you that. Because the beautiful old town with its special charm, the location on the river with a view of the beautiful port wine cellars and the nearby Atlantic Ocean with its beach promenade make this city simply unique. I can understand that the Portuans do not want to stand in the shadow of the capital city of Lisbon, because they live in a city that they can justifiably be proud of. If you have the opportunity to explore their secrets, then do not miss them. Once you are in one of the city's many viewpoints and enjoy the beautiful panorama and city sights, you will know exactly what I mean.
I hope I was able to inspire you with this report a little for Portugal and especially for postage. In any case, this country and its cities is worth a visit. I wish you an amazing time in a great city with wonderful people.