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Look, if you're traveling to porto anytime soon, you are in for a seriously good time. I just got back, and my legs are still burning from those hills. Seriously, nobody warns you about the calf workout. But it is totally worth it. The food is heavy, the wine is cheap, and the buildings look like they are straight out of a really old movie.
When you first arrive, maybe hit up the tourist info porto portugal office near the main station. São Bento train station, by the way, is covered in about 20,000 blue and white tiles. You'll probably take way too many photos there. But anyway, grab a map from the info desk, get a feel for the layout, and then just start walking.
Let's talk timing. People always ask me about the best time to visit porto. Honestly, summer gets hot. Really hot. We're talking 35°C sometimes, and dragging yourself up a 45-degree cobblestone incline in that heat? No thanks. The absolute best time to go to porto is late spring or early fall. May and September are golden. The weather sits around 22°C to 25°C, so you can walk around in a t-shirt without sweating through it.
If you are wondering how long to stay, I think three days in porto is the sweet spot. It gives you enough time to see the main sights, drink too much Port, and maybe take a half-day trip out to the coast. You don't want to rush this place. The whole vibe is about sitting at a cafe for two hours just watching people go by.
Okay, so what should you actually do? Let's break down the best places in porto portugal. You have to walk across the Dom Luís I Bridge. The views from the top deck? Absolutely incredible. Try to do it right around sunset. Below the bridge, you've got the Ribeira district. Yes, it's packed with tourists, but it is right on the water and looks super cool. Grab a 3 euro Super Bock beer, sit by the river, and just chill.
If you want some actual adventures in porto, you could climb the Clérigos Tower. It is 225 steps to the top. I thought I was in good shape until I did that climb. It costs about 8 euros, and the view up there lets you see the whole red-roofed city.
You can't come here and skip the river stuff. Seriously, look into boat trips river douro porto. They have these old wooden boats called Rabelos that used to carry wine barrels down the river. Now they just carry tourists, but who cares? A standard 50-minute cruise costs about 18 euros. It is a super relaxing way to see the city from the water, especially after you've been walking all day.
Now, let's talk about the alcohol. You physically cannot leave without doing a porto wine cellar tour. All the famous cellars aren't actually in Porto; they are just across the river in a town called Vila Nova de Gaia. You just walk across the lower level of the bridge. Book a tour at Taylor's or Graham's. It usually runs about 20 to 25 euros, and you get to taste three or four different types of Port wine. Spoiler alert: it is stronger than normal wine. Pace yourself. I learned that the hard way.
If you hate planning, just hire a porto tour guide for your first morning. There are a ton of free walking tours (you just tip what you want at the end, usually 10 to 15 euros is fair). A local guide will point out things you'd totally walk right past. Like the skinniest house in the city, hidden right between two massive churches. Why is it there? To stop the monks and nuns from sharing a common wall. Pretty funny, right?
Looking for unusual things to do in porto? Skip the famous Lello Bookstore. I know, hot take. But the line is massive, you pay to get in, and you can barely move once you are inside. Instead, go check out the old abandoned train branch line, or hit up the Matosinhos fish market. It's a quick 500-bus ride out of the center. You literally pick out a fresh fish from a bucket, hand it to a guy working a sidewalk grill, and he cooks it right in front of you. Add a side of boiled potatoes, and you are eating like a local king for 15 bucks.
Food in general here is wild. Have you heard of a Francesinha? It's basically a heart attack on a plate. Bread, ham, steak, sausage, melted cheese all over the top, and then it sits in this thick tomato beer sauce. Oh, and it usually has a fried egg on top. You have to try it once. Go to Cafe Santiago for it. Expect to wait maybe 30 minutes for a table, but grab a beer while you stand in line.
If you've got some extra time, take the historic Tram 1 down to Foz do Douro. It costs about 5 euros for a ticket, and it rumbles right along the river edge. Foz is where the river actually meets the Atlantic Ocean. The beaches here? Rough, rocky, and absolutely freezing. You probably won't be swimming unless you're heavily insulated or completely crazy. But the promenade is super wide and flat, which is a massive relief after dealing with the city's insane hills. Grab an ice cream, sit on the seawall, and watch the waves smash against the lighthouse.
You'll find street food on every corner. And it's cheap too. Bifanas are these amazing, greasy pork sandwiches. They slice the pork super thin, boil it in a spicy, garlicky sauce, and shove it in a bread roll. You can grab one at Conga for like 3 euros. Pair it with a cold draft beer, and you've got the ultimate midday snack. Or if you want something sweet, just pop into any pastelaria. A coffee and a warm pastel de nata will run you maybe 2 euros total.
At night, everyone just hangs out in the streets. The Galerias de Paris street is where you want to be. The bars are tiny, so people just buy their drinks and stand outside. You'll meet people from all over the world. Drinks are cheap too—maybe 5 or 6 euros for a cocktail or 2 euros for a beer. It's not pretentious at all. You just show up as you are, grab a drink, and see where the night takes you.
Honestly, this city just feels real. The paint is peeling off some of the buildings, laundry is hanging from the balconies, and seagulls are constantly screaming at you. But that's exactly why I love it. It doesn't feel like a museum. It feels alive. You just put on some comfortable sneakers, grab a pastry (or three), and get lost in the alleys. Most tourists skip the random side streets. Their loss, honestly. Pack some really good walking shoes, eat everything, drink the port, and talk to the locals. You are going to have an absolute blast.
