And they were kind enough to cut the sandwich in half for us to share. After licking our plates clean, we walked up the street for another Porto specialty: the Francesinha.
This multi-meat sandwich is covered in melted cheese and a tomato beer sauce, with a side of fries to soak up the flavorful liquid. It was a struggle to eat even half of a Francesinha after splitting the Sande de Pernil, but the discomfort was totally worth it. Both of these restaurants are extremely popular, so I recommend getting here no later than 11am.
Most people visit European cathedrals for their elegant interiors or stained glass windows. And while the Porto Cathedral has an opulent, gilded nave and altar with intricately carved pews, I think the exterior really shines. Second, the northeastern facade is covered in azulejo tiles and beautiful arches. And finally, the view of the cathedral and its walls from near Sao Bento station is stunning, and reminded me of Salzburg Fortress or Edinburgh Castle. But we decided to try something new in Porto: a guided bike tour!
Our Baja Bikes tour along the Douro River and ocean coast was incredible. In 3 hours, we saw everything from colorful Foz do Douro houses to crashing waves at Felgueiras Lighthouse. And our guide, Gil, was so knowledgable and friendly.
At the end of the tour, he even gave us a map with his personal recommendations for what to do and where to eat in Porto! After a morning of climbing steep hills, it was incredibly refreshing to glide along with a cool breeze in my hair.
See the complete route and book your Porto bike tour here. Your Porto bike tour should end right next to the Luis I Bridge, a double-decker beauty that connects Porto to Gaia across the river. Gustav Eiffel was one of the main architects who worked on the bridge. Head across the bridge to reach Gaia. And if you stop to take a few photos, be careful of the other pedestrians. Once you reach Gaia, wind your way up the hilly streets to reach the Jardim do Morro.
There are multiple drink carts near the garden, including a small bar that sells frozen margaritas and beer. We enjoyed a freshly squeezed juice after our long day of Porto sightseeing. Just east of the Jardim do Morro is the Mosteiro da Serra do Pilar, an old monastery with round towers.
You can get even higher views from the top of the towers, though you will need to pay a few euros for admission. Along with the Igreja do Carmo, the Livraria Lello bookshop topped my list of things to see in Porto. Maybe this place was magical five years ago. But in the age of Instagram, Livraria Lello was basically a photo shoot free-for-all.
Instead of marveling at the beautiful carved wood ceiling, stained glass skylight, and towering shelves, I was dodging dozens of selfie-takers.
One woman was there in a full ball gown with her young son and a pro photographer, completely monopolizing the famous red staircase which is the only way you can go between floors. We were in line 30 minutes before opening on a Tuesday in shoulder season. Despite everything I just shared, part of me still liked Livraria Lello and its gorgeous architecture. You need a ticket to enter the bookshop.
To make the most of your time, I suggest buying your voucher online you need a Paypal account to do this.
Another trick is to have one person stand in line while another person goes to buy tickets at the counter, which opens 30 minutes before the shop. The counter is just a bit past the main entrance, towards the street corner. Queues can get long on weekends and dury the busy season, so I recommend getting a fast track ticket in advance.
In addition to house-made chocolates and cakes, they serve a simple lunch menu with sandwiches, toasts, and lasagna. Meandering through the narrow alleys of the Ribeira was so fun, I nearly forgot how tired my legs were from all the stairs. However, do your best to work from north to south, as that will limit how many steep hills and steps you need to climb.
There are several must sees in the area, including the jaw-dropping, gilded interior of the Monument Church Of St Francis , the nearby garden, and the old, worn facades along the Rua da Bainharia. Continue working your way down until you reach the riverfront square near the Bairro da Ribeira. I also recommend walking west along the riverfront until you reach the World of Discovery building.
A short getaway will allow tourists to spend a day exploring the historic Porto City Centre and a second within the famed Port producing city of Vila Nova de Gaia, with its stunning riverfront. This itinerary, coupled together with the ease of a well connected airport, which is served by low cost airlines, makes this a viable year round destination. For a suggested 2-day Porto itinerary, please click here. A long weekend, three day break, allows tourists to discover the above sites but also take a further excursion.
For a suggested 3-day Porto itinerary please click here. Douro River cruises sail deep into the heart of the Port vineyard growing region and provide tourists with beautiful vistas and a relaxing experience.
Porto is situated close to a coastline of golden sandy stretches, and it is only a short train ride to the beautiful beaches of Espinho. Lastly, Aveiro, perched on a peaceful lagoon boasts flamboyant architecture, and design that is unlike any other Portuguese city. For more detail on these day trips please click here. There is very high demand for accommodation during the peak season, we advise to book your hotel rooms now before they sell out.
To check current prices and availability enter your holiday dates in the search box below:. Porto is also a perfect base for a longer holiday spent exploring the beautiful surrounding region, due to its excellent transport links and excellent tourist amenities. Beyond the city, there are wide ranging day trip options for all tastes and ages. Further excursions include; the religious town of Braga, the charming canal town of Aveiro or University City of Coimbra.
For those wishing a more relaxing holiday, it is also possible to stay near Aveiro at the stunning beaches of Costa Nova or Espinho. Porto is one of the most fascinating cities in Western Europe and is an enjoyable alternative holiday destination.
Tourists can escape the crowds, dine in style and stay in luxury for significantly less than other more well known European destinations.
For a guide to a week in Porto please click here. When planning to visit Port as part of a tour of Portugal, it is recommended to allow at least two days exploring the city and Vila Nova de Gaia. Those just passing through will not do justice to this fascinating and captivating city. The list goes on and on! Check out these 16 awesome day trips from Porto to plan your own adventure from the city. How many days in Porto do you need to unwind and reset your energy levels? Here, a week may be just right!
Porto is full of luxury hotels and spas ready and waiting to pamper you. The Pestana Palacio do Freixo is an absolutely stunning 18th century palace with a terrace, spa, and infinity pool overlooking the Douro river. Or, consider a stay at The Yeatman hotel where you can dine at a two-starred Michelin restaurant and sleep inside a port wine barrel shaped bed! Cheer on the local team at a soccer game. Visit the club website to see the schedule and book tickets for a match during your stay.
Porto is packed full of museums covering a wide range of topics from military to pharmacy to contemporary art and everything in between. Sometimes you just want to do your own thing. GoCar tours are GPS-based so you can go at your own pace. Rent them for one hour or up to a full day and explore the historic downtown, seaside, port wine lodges, and so much more with this one-of-a-kind activity. Step back in time at the catacombs.
Browse the shelves at Livraria Lello.
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