1. Marvel at Ribeira’s district view Ribeira is the area along the river side. It is the oldest part of Porto, and definitely the most beautiful place to visit in the city. The view of the old houses appearing to be on the top of each other, the D. Luis I cast iron bridge, and the colourful Rabelo boats made this area recognized as world heritage by UNESCO. To see Ribeira and many other sights try joining our Walking Tours or one of our Douro River Cruises.
2. Visit the old historical district and learn more about the city The historical district of Porto goes from the downtown area to Ribeira. Here you will find all the important monuments such the Bolsa Palace, S. Francisco Church, S. Bento Station, Sé Cathedral or the Clérigos Tower. To learn more about the history of the city we recommend you to visit Casa do Infante, a museum that offers an overview of the evolution of Porto from the 12th century. And don’t forget to try the traditional form of transportation: take a tram to move between various points of your route!
3. Enjoy a wine tasting at the Port Wine Cellars People say you never tried a real Port until you tried it in Porto. To discover the history behind this world-known wine and become an expert in distinguishing the different kinds of Port, head across the river and visit the Port Wine Cellars.
4. Explore Bolhão Market and Santa Catarina Shopping Street Mix with Porto’s locals at Santa Catarina, the busiest street of the city, and by visiting the Bolhão Market. Everyone in Porto knows this market as a symbol of the real Porto spirit. More than finding fresh products, here you can exchange a word with the locals. To walk in some other local points of the city join our Bites and Sights Walking Tour!
Note: The Mercado do Bolhão building is closed for renovation works. However, the temporary Bolhão Market was created, located 2 minutes away from the old market. With more than 5,000 square meters, the Temporary Market has direct access through the street, in front of the Bolhão Metro Station, as well as through the interior of the La Vie Porto Baixa Shopping Center, with escalators, elevators and direct connection through the parking lot.
5. Have coffee at Café Majestic Originally a gathering point for artists and intellectuals, Majestic is one of the most elegant and best known cafés from Porto. Coming here is definitely a must-do.
6. Get a book from the most beautiful bookshop in the world All in crafted wood, with books from floor to ceiling, Lello´s Bookshop will definitely amaze you and you will not regret visiting it. Opened in 1906, it was considered the most beautiful bookstore in the world.
7. Try a Francesinha Francesinha is a typical dish from Porto. It consists of a sandwich with a steak, ham, and different kinds of sausages, all covered in melted cheese and soaked in a special sauce. It can, or not, have an egg on top and be served with French fries. The sauce is kept secret and varies from one restaurant to the other, but some common ingredients are beer and tomato, and it is usually spicy, varying on degree from place to place. It is recommended to be accompanied by beer on tap, or, as the locals call it: fino. Eating a Francesinha can be a different experience from one place to the other, so check our recommendations!
8. Go up the Douro river on a boat trip The Douro River is surrounded by beautiful and rich landscapes. The best way to have a full perspective of them is to do a boat trip. Take a 6 Bridges Tour to get a better view of Porto and Gaia’s riverbanks and have a better understanding of its bridges. But to be truly astonished, try a tour up the river to the breathtaking region of Douro Valley, where the river winds through the green mountains forming a landscape which has already been recognized as world heritage by UNESCO.
9. Explore the new Porto at Boavista district Boavista is the modern part of Porto, but don’t think for a moment that takes out its interest! Have a look at Casa da Música, visit the Contemporary Art Museum of Serralves, or go for a walk in Parque da Cidade for a more relaxed afternoon. 10. Matosinhos: Seafood and Beach Matosinhos is a fishermen´s city right next to Porto. If you want to try really good seafood, we recommend you to go to a restaurant here – there is a 99% chance that you get fish caught from the ocean that same morning! After that, and since you are close by, you can go for a walk or sunbathe at the beach.