Porto: A Portuguese Gem along the Douro
Igreja do Carmo, Porto
The country of Portugal has seen a steady increase in tourism in recent years. In 2024, there were around 32 million tourists- approximately a 5% increase over 2023. Despite only occupying 15% of the Iberian Peninsula (Spain occupies the remaining 85%), Portugal has numerous global contributions such as innovations in exploration (particularly of the sea), science and technology and is also the world’s largest producer of cork. The culture of Portugal is quite distinctive with captivating landscapes, architecture and gastronomy. The beauty of this small country is astounding and the Portuguese people are warm, friendly and fervently proud of their heritage. Furthermore, it is one of the most affordable European countries to visit. There is truly no place like it and those with wanderlust in their soul have taken note.
Portuguese cork trees
The most visited destination in Portugal is its capital, Lisbon (Lisboa in Portuguese). Porto, known locally as Oporto, is a city in northern Portugal that is 200 miles (around 300 kilometers) north of Lisbon and is often visited as a day trip. Porto’s Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport has many flights options from America and Europe making easy to access by air. It is also easy to access by train with a trip from Lisbon lasting less than 3 hours. While Lisbon is beautiful and worth exploration, Porto has remarkable culture and feels more like a large town than a busy city. This enchanting place has so much to discover and to enjoy. Read further to discover what you should see during your stay in Porto and to learn why this amazing city deserves more than a day to explore.
Mitad de Conejo (Half Rabbit) street art, Vila Nova de Gaia
Dom Luis I Bridge, the Douro River and the Ribeira
One of the most iconic destinations in Porto is the grand Dom Luis I Bridge. This double level, arched bridge connects the old town district with the neighborhood of Vila Nova de Gaia. Its construction, completed in 1886, was managed by German engineer, Théophile Seyrig, a disciple of the famous Gustave Eiffel (yes, that Eiffel). Today, it remains a fully operational bridge with pedestrian access on both levels. The Porto Metro crosses the top level however, I recommend taking a walk across the bridge for incredible views of the city and of the Douro River. It’s difficult to have a bad view of the Dom Luis I Bridge but the best view is from the Vila Nova de Gaia side at Mosteiro do Pilar.
View of Dom Luis I Bridge from Mosteiro do Pilar, Vila Nova de Gaia
There are many ways to experience the Douro River. Exploring the Ribeira district is one of my favorite ways and is also very leisurely. This colorful, scenic neighborhood in old town Porto sits on the edge of the river and is a great place to eat and relax while you watch the ships (known as rabelos) sail by. I had a delicious Portuguese lunch with a great view at Taberna Rio. To experience the Douro River even closer, book one of Porto’s famous river boat cruises. While a bit touristy, these cruises are popular for a reason. From short excursions up the river and back to full day excursions paired with wine tours of the Douro Valley, a river cruise is a beautiful way to see this region. Another authentic experience in the Ribeira district is a Fado show. Fado is Portugal’s traditional music and many restaurants in Porto offer dinner paired with a performance. I chose to watch fado at Aniki Restaurante. The meal and the artists at Aniki were both excellent.
Enjoy lunch with a view at Taberna Rio, Porto
Marvel at Portuguese Tiles
Azulejos, Porto
I would argue that there is nothing more iconic to Portugal that the incredible display of tiles, known as azulejos in Portuguese. Azulejos are ceramic, hand-painted tiles that are found on virtually every type of surface in Porto. From lining churches and homes to adorning ceilings and floors, azulejos are everywhere. The history of these tiles in Portugal began in the 13th century after the Arab invasion. In the 15th century, the King Manuel I of Portugal fell in love with tiles he witnessed in the Spanish city of Seville. From that point forward, Portuguese azulejos spread prolifically. In addition to the aesthetics of the azulejos, they are also a practical choice as they help regulate a building’s temperature and make it more fire-resistant. You can marvel at these titles throughout the city but some of most impressive displays are found on the Capela das Almas (Chapel of Souls), Igreja do Carmo (Carmo Church) and Igreja de Santo Ildefonso (Church of Saint Ildefonso).
Igreja de San Antonio de los Congregados (Church of St Anthony's Congregation), Porto
A City of History
Muralha Fernandina (Fernandina Walls), Porto
In 2009, Porto received the impressive designation of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With a history that goes back over 2,000 years, this designation is justly earned. Influences of this expansive history are seen in Porto’s many monumental structures. The Porto Cathedral, or Sé do Porto, is an incredible display of Romanesque architecture that was started in the 12th century and was completed in the 18th century. Torre dos Clérigos (Clérigos Tower), an 18th century bell tower, was built in the Baroque style and remains the tallest religious structure in Portugal today. While the outside of Torre dos Clérigos is impressive, the inside is really beautiful. View the tower at night by booking the Spiritus Immersive Show. This performance includes a dynamic light exhibition that projects across the walls and ceiling. It is an incredible way to view the tower’s internal design. Palácio da Bolsa (the Stock Exchange Palace) was built in the neoclassical style and the Igreja de São Francisco (Church of Saint Francisco) is Porto’s most impressive Gothic structure.
Torre dos Clérigos, Porto
Igreja de São Francisco, Porto
São Bento Train Station
While exploring old town Porto, you’ll likely pass the centrally located São Bento Train Station. The building is tall and erected in stone with beautifully intricate carvings. The real treasure of this train station, however, is the interior. Walk through the front doors and you are greeted by a sun-filled atrium with a stunning display of Portuguese azulejos. The grandeur of this display must be seen in person to be appreciated and makes it one of the most beautiful train stations in Europe. After viewing the atrium, enter the station and on the left, you’ll find one of my favorite restaurants in Porto- Tapabento. This beautiful venue serves up delicious tapas and international cuisine. It’s a lovely place to pause for lunch or dinner.
São Bento Train Station, Porto
Enjoy Porto’s Food & Drink Scene
Pastel de Nata at Fábrica da Nata
Lastly but certainly not least, a trip to Porto is not complete without indulging in the local gastronomy. In a separate article that you can find here, I discuss Portuguese cuisine in more detail. Must-try foods in Porto include the famous pastel de nata, the bifana and the hearty francesinha. I highly recommend that you book a foodie tour to enjoy a wide variety of Portuguese fare in a fun afternoon or evening. I booked my tour through Taste Porto and had a fantastic host who also delighted us with Porto’s history. We visited local Portuguese restaurants and tasted authentic food at the famous Mercado do Bolhão (Bolhão Market). If you don’t opt for a foodie tour, a visit to Bolhão Market should still be on your list to access fresh produce, seafood, tea, baked goods and local wines all under one roof.
After you cross the Dom Luis I bridge, indulge in a port tasting. Port is Porto’s famous fortified wine that sources its grapes from the nearby Douro Valley. If it’s not made here, it’s not port. You’ll find numerous port producers located in the Vila Nova de Gaia neighborhood including major names such as Graham’s and Taylor’s. For my tasting, I chose to tour Ferreira, Porto’s only port producer that has consistently remained Portuguese-owned. If you’d like to explore other Portuguese wines and their production, rent a car and explore the beautiful Douro Valley which is a little over an hour east of Porto. Here, you’ll discover award-winning wines in a picturesque scene of rolling hills and terraced vineyards that sit along the Douro River.
Douro Valley, Portugal
Making a friend in the Douro Valley, Portugal
It’s time for you to go explore Porto!
