Porto in winter, a pleasant and tourist-free destination

Temperatures are dropping, the cool weather is setting in and the pretty colours of autumn are slowly fading to make way for winter, a season that remains mild and pleasant in the capital of Portugal. Take the opportunity to discover the riches of the city at your own pace without the crowds of tourists who are fewer in Porto in winter, we give you some ideas so as not to stay indoors!

Have a nice stay!

Visit a winery and taste the famous port wine to warm up in winter

Whether in the city centre of Porto or on the other side of the Douro in Vila Nova de Gaia, a cellar tour is one of the city's must-sees. Accessible all year round, they are most often offered as a self-guided tour or as a guided tour if you want to discover all the secrets of this famous drink. Finish the discovery by tasting a glass of port and leave with the one you prefer. Some cellars accompany it with a few tapas to nibble on, and have a terrace with a breathtaking view of the Douro.

Explore the city of Porto

The mildness of winter allows you to walk without suffering from the cold, a perfect opportunity to discover Porto , its heritage and its architecture. Some historical sites mark the tour circuit allowing you to admire:

• The Porto Cathedral built in the 12th century with a Romanesque style and its numerous sculptures that adorn the façade.
• The 19th century Palais de la Bourse , which today houses the Chamber of Commerce. The magnificent Salle des Nations has walls covered in frescoes and gilding.
• The 14th century São Francisco Church with its mix of Baroque, Romanesque and Gothic styles and its gilded interior.
• São Bento Station , a work of art in itself with its immense azulejo frescoes.
• The famous Catarina Street for shopping and a few coffee breaks.

The list is exhaustive of course, but gives you some pointers to start the visit.

Shopping at the markets in Porto in winter

Do you like the friendly atmosphere of markets ? Enjoying specialties and meeting local artisans ? Grab your basket and take a tour of the markets in Porto. Spread across several districts of the city, they are always well stocked and allow you to spend a lovely morning ending with an aperitif, or a delicious lunch:

• The Bolhaõ market with its generous and gourmet stalls installed in a magnificent building divided into 2 parts.
• The Bom Sucesso market is divided between producers' stands and a food court with its many restaurants.
• The municipal market of Matosinhos where you can drink, eat and have fun.
• The small but full Foz Do Douro market is lively with concerts in summer.
• Beira-Rio Market with a food court and a space dedicated to cultural events.
• The Ferreira Borges market with its magnificent wrought iron architecture.

All you have to do is choose your favorite!

Taste Porto specialties at the restaurant

Without a doubt, francesinha is the one to try during your winter stay in Porto. Made with slices of toasted bread, hot meats and melted cheese with a delicious sauce, this is a comforting dish when the cold weather is just around the corner. Served in most restaurants, it competes with bacalhau (cod), seafood recipes, cozido (a kind of Portuguese stew), suckling pig or caldo verde , a tasty soup made with vegetables. Book your table in one of Porto's restaurants and let your taste buds feast.

Take a cruise on the Douro

This little tour in a rabelo , a traditional flat-bottomed boat that was used to transport port to the cellars, is ideal for appreciating all the beauty of the capital. Choose a day without rain to sit outside and take a cruise on the Douro, passing under the city's 6 bridges. Lovers love to escape to the river on Valentine's Day to admire the magnificent sunset over the Douro.

Visiting the museums of Porto

The capital of Portugal has no shortage of cultural buildings where you can take refuge if the winter greyness sets in. Fun, historical, educational and always interesting, they are scattered throughout the city centre and in Vila Nova de Gaia :

• The WOW is a must-see in Porto, a unique cultural district that brings together no less than 7 museums, 12 restaurants, 1 wine school, bars, cellars and hotels. Wine museum, chocolate museum, cork museum or even stained glass museum, the WOW invites you to the heart of Porto's culture.
• The Tramway Museum presents a unique collection of old car models.
• The Porto Museum of Mercy is made up of 7 rooms where paintings, sculptures and religious objects are exhibited.
• The Hospital Center museum takes you through 2 centuries of history.
• The Infanta Museum saw the birth of Henry the Navigator in 1934, discover his story.

And so many others that it is impossible to name them all...

Listen to Portuguese Fado

The birth of fado is told in several ways depending on the stories, but always remains a melodious song that is lived, that is felt. Fascinating, sweet and powerful , it does not leave you indifferent between the music played by the 2 Portuguese guitars and the harmonious voice that sings love and sweetness. Emotion is there during a fado concert that can be listened to in a restaurant, a bar, a cellar or a music school.

Enjoy Bolo Rei at Epiphany in January

The Portuguese version of the Galette des Rois is a round, golden and shiny cake filled with dried fruits and candied fruits, with a large hole in the center. Served on January 6th according to custom (it is the day of the Kings), it can have various flavors. Be careful when cutting it, a bean is hidden inside, allowing the lucky privileged person to have a gift , and to offer the bolo the following year.

Participating in the carnival in Porto in winter

The temperature rises quickly during the Carnival of the City , a traditional festival held in February or March a few days before Lent. Music, dances, caricatures and extravagant costumes, experience an unforgettable moment to the rhythm of the carnival that animates the streets of Porto every year. Enjoy this friendly and colorful festival for 2 weeks before returning to the calm of winter in the capital of Portugal.

You won't be bored in Porto in winter with all these ideas!