Porto

Porto is a colorful, attractive and welcoming city. It is located in the North of Portugal, on the banks of the Douro River, at its mouth with the Atlantic Ocean. Very touristy, it is visited each year by millions of people from all over the world, captivated by its rich history which is expressed through remarkable architecture, without forgetting its gourmet gastronomy and its quality wines. Porto is a city for epicureans, it awakens all the senses and vibrates with a multitude of activities to discover!

Discover Porto and its surroundings

Stroll through the cobbled streets of the historic center: it is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site! Porto is a painter's palette with shades of ocher, yellow, an amalgam of cut stones, pink tiles and (in recent years) numerous scaffoldings because the beauty is in perpetual improvement and renovation (and it is a good news !). Porto is also blue… The famous Azujelos (traditional ceramic tile mosaics) which adorn the facades. These are interior wall coverings of great beauty, which extend from floor to ceiling in religious architecture as much as in working-class neighborhoods.

Porto city center

Porto also offers sumptuous panoramas... To be discovered in any season, day or night. The city is sure to give you a workout on your calves. Go with good shoes to explore this human-sized city on foot, spread out on the hill that welcomes it, plunging towards the Douro on both sides of the river. Stairs, steep streets, bridges, alleys that are flush with the roofs, everything is an excuse to look far away at the colorful facades and the incredible views offered by the river winding its way towards the coast.

The identity of Porto is the Douro, a sparkling artery that attracts all eyes... Let yourself be charmed by the Rabelos boats, a type of flat-bottomed barge or barge, which was once used to transport goods, Port wine barrels in particular. Embark on a cruise along the river (1 day or 1 hour) to enjoy a new view of the city from the waters.

Porto is the ideal city for lovers of visits and heritage. Numerous religious monuments, emblematic buildings, museums, parks, wine cellars... You will need several stays to appreciate the cultural richness of this endearing city. You like to party? Porto also knows how to satisfy fans of trendy nightlife, with bars and clubs for rhythmic evenings of all styles...

A gastronomy full of flavor and sunshine

Porto is renowned for its culinary scene. Taste local specialties for a subtle journey for the taste buds! You can find all kinds of specialties there, local but also from elsewhere. You will discover all kinds of addresses ranging from chic/gastronomic to the simplest street food. It is through the simplest dishes with numerous recipes using cod in all its versions, marinated vegetables and grilled fish, generous cold meats and donuts of all kinds that the gourmet heart of Porto is hidden... On the quays of Ribeira and on the other side on those of Vila Nova de Gaia, you will find comfortable addresses, with dishes described by images (which are worth more than 1000 words, right?) to whet your appetite. the mouth! Like everywhere, there are tourist addresses, but they are also qualitative (only more expensive, especially because of their location!). In the alleys, the small restaurants compete in imagination to serve you their cod specialties. It is truly, with sardines, squid (octopus) and cold meats, the essential part of Portuguese gastronomy.

You won't miss the Francesinha (that would be a shame). It’s an iconic Porto sandwich! It is composed of several layers of meats, such as ham, sausage, beef steak, all covered with a characteristic orange sauce of melted cheese and spices, made from tomato and beer. It’s a pretty hearty and delicious dish. Plan a short nap after…

Cod fritters (Bolinhos de Bacalhau) are popular throughout Portugal and of course in Porto, they are made by mixing crumbled cod with potatoes, onions and herbs. We then fry this dough until we obtain a crispy texture. They are often served as an aperitif or snack. You will find them all day long in bakeries.

Taste the Tripas a moda do Porto: a stew made with pork tripe, white beans, sausages, smoked meats and spices. It is a rich and hearty dish, perfect for lovers of traditional cuisine and offal.

Charcuterie has a special place in the culinary traditions of Southern Europe. In Porto you will taste Presunto, a Portuguese cured ham, similar to Spanish Iberian ham. It is served in thin slices and is appreciated for its delicate taste and melting texture. Chouriço is a Portuguese smoked sausage, prepared from pork and spices. It has an intense flavor and there is a very nice version for an aperitif, flambéed with brandy! We will bring you a small fondue pot at your table: the Bombeiro which is a fun and delicious culinary experience to do in Porto. Little tip: Cut into slices, Chouriço gives a little Portuguese flavor to tomato sauces and sauce dishes! Hmmm, bring some back in your suitcases!

Grilled sardines are on the menu of many restaurants, depending on the season. We particularly recommend the type of tasting of fresh grilled sardines and other fish, in Matosinhos and Foz do Douro.

Let’s talk grapes! Wine lovers will be delighted in Porto... The city is the cradle of the famous Port wine, and the cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia are home to authentic treasures. Enjoy a wine tasting in one of the historic cellars, where you will discover the secrets of their production and can taste renowned wines. Several addresses are available to you, the main difference (if you cannot choose) lies in the tour circuit. Sometimes it is a self-guided tour with an audio guide, sometimes you have to reserve a slot in advance (especially during periods of high tourist traffic, book online several days in advance if you are targeting a particular winery).

The coastline, seaside and beach of Porto

The Douro river is so present in the city's identity that we tend to forget that Porto is also a seaside resort, on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean. Grab your swimsuits (or buy one on site) and head to the coast! Easy to access from the city center (by tram or bus to Foz do Douro in 10 minutes from the center, by metro direct line in 25 minutes to Matosinhos), Porto's beaches are clean, wide, rarely crowded and bordered by a very pleasant walk. Pretty viewpoints await you over the city and the azure blue sky will allow you to sunbathe, swim, surf in the pretty waves and other water activities.

Foz do Douro is a district of Porto, it is located at the mouth of the Douro River, where it meets the Atlantic Ocean. It is an elegant area with 3 pretty green spaces, palm trees, two piers with a lighthouse (very pleasant walk, but watch out for the waves which cover these structures in case of strong swell!!). Our advice: Go on foot, by scooter or by tram from Ribeira (the city center) and head towards the coast. Early in the morning, it's very pleasant, you can stop at small cafes and continue to the ocean, all along the neighborhoods are lined with beautiful buildings and beautiful street scenes. In Foz do Douro, you can shop in quality stores, there are good restaurants and cozy cafes.

In the extension is Matosinhos. It is a coastal town, port and famous for fishing . Its fine sand beach stretches as far as the eye can see, it is a popular place for surfing and bodyboarding, you can swim and sunbathe all day long! Gourmets will not fail to go there to taste seafood and grilled fish specialties. Our advice: Ask the restaurateurs to prepare a surprise platter for you made up of their best fish to grill, they will serve it all with a good little fresh salad and olives, a good dry and fruity Portuguese wine: you are in paradise! In Matosinhos there is also an amusement park and an aquarium for families, a sea museum, a very quality fish market and for swimming, sea water swimming pools (Piscina das Marés) which enjoy very beautiful architecture. The Parc de la Cidade is large and landscaped, perfect for a green break during the day.

The beaches of Matosinhos

Discover the surroundings of Porto and the North of Portugal

If you know Porto well, give one or more days of your trip to discover the surrounding area! Jump on a train at Sao Bento station and head to the gems of northern Portugal…

Guimarães, about 50 kilometers north of Porto, has a magnificent city center with a medieval atmosphere, classified like that of Porto, a UNESCO world heritage site. Its castle, its historic center and its pretty streets make it a charming place to discover for a day getaway.

A little further north, Braga is a historic city. It is renowned for its magnificent baroque churches, notably the Braga Cathedral and the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte, with its impressive zigzag staircase. Stroll through the bustling downtown area and visit the Santa Barbara Garden for panoramic views of the city.

Aveiro is to the south, it is the “Venice of Portugal”! A coastal city, it has a network of parceled lands in its “Ria” (its bay). We explore these canals by strolling in a “moliceiro”, a traditional boat. Don't leave without tasting the "ovos moles", traditional sweets from Aveiro.

Braga and Aveiro, close to Porto

If you are staying in Porto for several days and want to escape for a few days into nature, head to Peneda-Gerês National Park. About 100km north of Porto, it is an idyllic place, a postcard with waterfalls, specific fauna and flora, grandiose landscapes... A breath of oxygen to recharge the batteries of nature lovers.

The surroundings of Porto are attractive, the north of Portugal is a less touristy destination than the rest of the country, which deserves all our interest! From Porto, it's easy to go for daily or several-day getaways by renting a vehicle.