Porto, with its colourful structures and trendy bars and restaurants, has long been overshadowed by Lisbon. For those on a budget, the Yeatman provides one of the best views in Porto.
So, how to best utilise this amazing metropolis? Here’s a guide to having the correct 48 hours, which naturally includes lots of eating and drinking…
Day One
You’ve arrived in Porto, taken the train from the airport, and the sun is shining – well, not for us, it rained for the first 24 hours, but we still enjoyed our stay.
After dropping your bags, proceed to one of Porto’s no-frills tabernas to lunch with locals and enjoy authentic Portuguese home-cooking before exploring the town’s ramshackle mountainous alleyways.
With bright lights and TVs in the nook, these eateries are an inexpensive way to sample local specialties like “Tripas a moda do Porto,” a tripe dish of various meats and beans. However, we liked Restaurante Irmos Linos.
Diego Garca on Unsplash
After refuelling, stroll through the narrow alleys, enjoying the vibrant azulejos (painted ceramic tiles) that cover Porto’s buildings and boutique shops. If you walk past the famous Livraria Lello, you must take a photo on the elaborate picket staircase.
Stop by Touriga Vinhos de Portugal, a wine shop that specialises in small-batch local wines. Charming Davide will gladly guide you through your Douros and provide samples – if you really like the local velvety red, you can have some mailed home from this store. Restock a few bottles on your Airbnb, they’ll come in handy later.
Make your way to the idyllic Cais da Ribeira, surrounded with restaurants and tascas. It’s a little more touristic down here, but it’s still a great rest stop. The Dom Luis I bridge over a vinho verde is admired.
When you’ve had enough wandering, return and clean up. Get your gladrags on and head out for some petiscos (Portuguese tapas) at Cantina 32, but please name ahead of time. The industrial-chic décor of this eatery on the pedestrianised Rua das Flores attract the stylish crowd.
After a hectic first day of indulgence, you’re probably ready for bed, but if you’ve got the energy, stop for cocktails at Baixa Bar or The Gin Home to sample Downtown Porto’s burgeoning nightlife.
Day Two
Begin the day admiring the 20,000 exquisite azulejos on the So Bento train station walls. Then travel to Café Santiago for a belly-busting francesinha, said to be the best in town.
The francesinha is said to cure hangovers, so if you drank too much port last night, this may help. It’s made out of chunks of bread, cured ham, Portuguese sausage, and sirloin drowned in melted cheese and a special sauce, topped with a fried egg.
Now it’s time to walk it off and see the port cellars in Gaia, across the Douro. Take your time crossing the famous Dom Luis I bridge.
Taylor’s may be the most well-known port lodge, whereas Caves Ferreira is the only large port residence still surrounded by Portuguese palms.
After the cave tour, indulge in a taste. Profit from Taylor’s patio for even more breathtaking views of Porto.
If you choose, you may build up an appetite by walking down the riverfront for 45 minutes to the picturesque fishing hamlet of So Pedro da Afruda (you may catch a ship again to Porto). Enjoy a pastel de nata at a padaria or sardines and breams cooked on an outdoor grill at Taberna So Pedro.
On the other side of the Douro, in Matosinhos, on Rua Heróis de França, you can have excellent outside grilled fish.
You may wish to return to rest for a little sooner than starting your night with sundowners and one of the greatest porto tonicos at Aduela Taberna Bar. If you’re still hungry after your fish meal, this is the place to go.
If you’re a meat lover and wish to conclude your adventure on a high, come to Reitoria’s restaurant for some of the greatest steaks in town.
See the gallery above for more must-see places in Porto.
