By Lesley Pequeno de Orellana
and Melissa Elise Randall
Porto, Portugal extends a warm welcome to history-lovers and wine enthusiasts from all over the world! With an abundance of food, music, and art from all different cultures, Porto was deemed a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1996.
The city has also earned its nickname, Invicta, which stands for unconquered due to its withstanding of a year-long siege during the nineteenth century Portuguese civil war. People can experience most of Portugal’s treasures (e.g. vintage items, port, and azulejos) in the beautiful city of Porto.
Here are our favorite things to do when visiting the city.
Explore Weekend Markets
Porto, Portugal has numerous attractions and its Saturday markets are most definitely one of them. From coin collections and antiques to urban markets, (that provide services such as haircuts and massages,) Porto has a variety of markets to shop at.
For early birds who like to get the best deals within walking distance of a handful of main attractions, the Porto Belo market is the place to be. This popular Saturday market buzzes to life at 10 am and continues to buzz until 5 pm.
Porto Belo is located in Praça de Carlos Alberto and has a wide variety of products (e.g. local artist work, local food, antiques, and collector’s items). This market is considered a cultural, historical, and commercial hotspot, and all ages are welcome.
Read More: These Are The Top Markets In Porto
Shop For Thrift And Vintage
Repurposed items and old treasures that hold historical value go hand-in-hand in this beautiful city. There is an ample amount of locations and shops in Porto that are keeping vintage alive in the 21st century! Although vintage clothes seem to be the most popular vintage product to be sold in this historic city, furniture, accessories, and collector’s items also appear amongst the shelves and attention of tourist interests. Some popular thrift/vintage stores, such as Ornitorrinco and Mão Esquerda Vintage, typically open early in the day and close around early afternoon.
The Mon Père Vintage shop, on the other hand, opens at 2 pm and closes at 8 pm throughout Monday to Saturday. This charming hidden jewel has received only raving reviews from natives and tourists alike. It contains an assortment of vintage clothes, accessories, and shoes suitable for all ages.
Buy Tile
When contemplating what to go shopping for, tile is not typically the first thing that would pop into a person’s mind. However, in Porto, the tile as expressly unique and even have their own designated name: Azulejos. The reason behind this name for ceramic Porto tiles is because azul in ‘azulejos’ originates from the Spanish language and it means blue. Azulejos are abundantly displayed throughout the city and can be found in plenty of architecture, groundwork, and the occasional ceramic mural found along the streets of Porto.
The best place to buy azulejo tiles in Porto is Prometeu Artesanato, located at Rua de Mouzinho da Silveira. The store is open all week from 10 am to 9 pm and has a wide variety of ceramic tiles that are ready to be sold. This store is also popular for its azulejos tiles that are painted right on the spot by local artists, which allows the customer some freedom to pick and choose what design they would like painted on the tile.
Read More: Where And What To Shop In Porto, Portugal
Check Out Art Galleries
Since Porto was deemed a World Heritage Center by UNESCO, as previously mentioned, there are numerous kinds of art to be displayed and plentiful ways to display it. While most art galleries are found in established centers within a building, some art galleries are displayed on certain streets to provide a lively and refreshing insight of specific art.
One of the most popular art galleries that can be found in Porto is called the Galeria Presença, which is located on the Rua De Miguel Bombarda, a street well-known for its artistic activity and displays of talent. This gallery focuses primarily on contemporary art as well as the street it is situated on, and it is open based on the kinds of exhibits that are hosted at the location.
Read More: The Top Art Galleries In Porto
Attend A Writer Or Artist Retreat
Plenty of people travel to Porto, Portugal for a “creative holiday” otherwise known as a writing or artist retreat. This city has a deep appreciation for art and the written word that makes it an ideal getaway for creative thinkers and innovators to find some inspiration.
There is indeed even a unique program called The Disquiet program that targets North American writers who would like to participate in a collaboration with Portugal as a whole to improve the International Literary Program.
Read More: Writing Retreats in Portugal
Drink, Eat, Repeat
The million-dollar question when going on vacation is: “Where should we got to eat?” Luckily, Porto has a bounty of both casual and fine dining restaurants in which you can experience the mouthwatering taste of Portuguese food.
The best place that encompasses the overall charm of Portugal dishes with the unique Porto port wine is called Ode Porto Winehouse. This restaurant not only provides you with locally selected and produced ingredients, but it also impresses you with authentic décor full of wine barrels and crates.
Read More: Food & Drink 5 Traditional Dishes You Must Try When in Porto
Try Port
Porto is the best place to get the most delicious port. What is port? Well port is a kind of wine that is originally aged in Porto, Portugal. Port wine can vary in levels of sweetness and color, and its rich and intense aroma and taste distinguishes it from your typical wine.
The top place to get port wine in Porto is Caves Ferreira – Port Wine Cellar. Considered to be the best place to experience port wine, due to its extensive lineage to the origins of port. It is the only cellar of port wine that has remained in Portuguese control since its foundation in 1751.
Read More: 5 Port Wine Cellars You Can`t Miss in Porto
Take A River Tour
The River Douro, the main river in Porto, is a gorgeous spot to walk and take photos. If you want to go out on the water, there happens to be a very affordable Porto: River Douro 6 Bridges Cruise for tourists to explore the routes of the merchants that dealt with port wine in the past.
It only costs $17.37 USD per person and the duration is about an hour per tour.
Read More: Douro River Cruise Tips
Editor's Picks + Notes
By Melissa Elise Randall, Editor
Headed to Porto, Portugal? Expect abundant sunshine, pan fried rice, and lots of wine. Here are my favorite things to check out in this sunny, romantic city.
Snagging Portuguese Tile
When it comes to getting Portuguese tile, Lisbon is really the place to go. I, of course, went to Porto instead. Specifically, a shop named Azulmarmol.
"I came from America to buy tile here!" I excitedly told the store owner, who didn't speak a lot of English and seemed perplexed by my awkward, misplaced enthusiasm.
Read More: I Went All The Way To Porto, Portugal For Kitchen Tile
Find Peace At Igreja do Carmo
I’ve always loved churches. Igreja do Carmo is a gorgeous church located near a lot of tourist sites (including the bookstore). Great for a quiet afternoon.
Read More: Good Vibes At Igreja do Carmo
Eat Duck Fried Rice
Hungry? Check out Tapas 65 and pig out on crispy, slightly toasted duck fried rice. They have daily specials, so you'll always have a lot to choose from.
Read More: Duck Fried Rice In Portugal
Shop Second Hand
Armazen is a great vintage store. It's full of old steam trunks, tins, and other hidden treasures. There's also a bar inside and outdoor seating.
Read More: Shopping For Vintage At Armazen
Get Bummed At Livraria Lello
Despite my salty nature, I do not like slamming tourist traps. Livraria Lello is one of the most popular sights in Porto but unfortunately, it's also one of the most disappointing.
Read More: Livraria Lello Is A Bummer
Rent An Apartment
This is not the time to cheap out on accommodations. Happy Porto Hostels and Apartments is one of the many places that you can snag a riverside studio.
Read More: Crashing In A Riverside Studio
Photograph São Bento
Train ticket optional, camera required. The São Bento Train Station is one of the most beautiful sights to see in Porto.
Read More: Snappin' Pics At The São Bento Train Station
Buy Fruit At Bolhão Market
You won't know what most of it is. Bolhão Market is a great local spot for grabbing fresh produce and flowers. You can also grab some tapas and a glass of wine at a vendor, or sift through colorful fruit (like I did.)
(Bonus points if you make a weird video of you eating that said fruit. Scroll to the bottom to check out that disaster.)
Read More: Wandering Through Bolhão Market
Watch The Sun Go Down
A cliche, yet absolutely recommended way to spend an evening here. Take a walk up and down the Douro. Romantic daydreams optional.
Read More: Pictures I Took In Porto, Portugal At Dusk
Take An Afternoon Stroll Around Porto
On my first night in Portugal, I took a long walk through Porto's winding streets, camera in tow.
The neighborhoods seem to go on for days and days.
Read More: Take An Afternoon Stroll Around Porto
Make An Obnoxious Video
Here's a video I made whilst eating a lot of weird fruit from the market. I think I have a real future in making annoying YouTube videos.
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