Porto and the Douro Valley: What to See, Taste and Where to Stay
- The best view is from the Dom Luís I bridge and from the Serra do Pilar monastery on the opposite bank.
- The port wine cellars are in Vila Nova de Gaia, not in Porto itself - you walk across the bridge.
- Give the Douro valley at least a day - by train along the river or by boat, it is wonderful.
- Food is cheaper here than in the rest of Western Europe. Try a francesinha, but on an empty stomach.
- The Yeatman - luxury in Gaia with a view across the river to Porto, a wine spa hotel. For one special night.
- Torel Avantgarde - a designer boutique hotel above the Douro, quiet with great views.
- Ribeira district - if you want to be in the middle of things right by the river (this is where I stayed myself, at BF Apartments Porto - rated 4.8 on Google Maps, 98 reviews).
Porto is my favourite. The Douro River, the bridges, port wine in the cellars on the other bank and sunsets you don't want to walk away from. I've been here several times and I discover something new every time. Here is everything I'd tell you, even if you only have two or three days.
What to see in Porto
You can walk around the centre, and the main sights are close together. Start down by the river in the Ribeira district - colourful houses, narrow lanes and cafés right on the water. From there it's a short walk to the bridge.
Dom Luís I Bridge
A two-level iron bridge, and you can walk across the upper level between the trams. The view of both sides of the river is the best in Porto. Cross to the other bank in Gaia and turn around - the panorama of Porto from there is the postcard you already know.
Livraria Lello
Probably the most beautiful bookshop in the world, said to have inspired Harry Potter. It is beautiful, but crowds come here and you pay to get in - go right when it opens, or just skip it if you're not into queues.
Other places in the centre worth a stop:
Port wine and the cellars in Gaia
The famous port wine cellars are not in Porto itself but across the river in Vila Nova de Gaia. Most of the big brands have cellars here with tours and tastings. Book ahead, especially in season.
- Tasting in a cellar in Gaia - a tour plus a tasting of three kinds of port.
- Douro cruise under the six bridges - an hour on a boat, the best view of Porto.
What to taste in Porto
Classic Portuguese food plus port wine specialities. You have to try the francesinha - a hearty sandwich covered in cheese and a spicy sauce, food for gourmets and for serious hunger alike. Add pastéis de nata (custard tarts) with your coffee and fresh fish by the river. Other typical dishes you'll run into almost everywhere:
- Tripas à moda do Porto - stewed tripe with white beans - which is where the locals' nickname "tripeiros" comes from.
- Bacalhau à Gomes de Sá - baked salt cod with potatoes, onion and egg.
- Grilled sardines - mainly in summer, simple and available everywhere.
- Caldo verde - a soup of kale, potatoes and chorizo.
To be honest, this cuisine as a whole didn't quite suit me - I'm preparing a separate article on it (what I liked in Portugal and what I didn't). What I'd specifically recommend:
Restaurants and traditional cuisine:
- Taberna Dos Mercadores - 4.5 (3,965 reviews), €20-45, a solid, pricier place.
- Casa Guedes Gaia - 4.7 (4,954 reviews), €10-35, a famous spot for francesinha.
- Dona Francesinha Porto Clérigos - 4.6 (253 reviews), €10-15.
- Cervejaria Nortada Porto - 4.3 (2,351 reviews), €10-20.
- Casa Portuguesa do Pastel de Bacalhau, the branch on Rua das Flores - 4.5 (587 reviews).
Breakfast, coffee and cakes:
- Do Norte Café by Hungry Biker - 4.9 (5,374 reviews), €10-15.
- Nata Sweet Nata - Porto 31 de Janeiro - 4.8 (905 reviews), €1-5.
- Manteigaria - 4.8 (4,994 reviews), a famous pastel de nata.
- Maria Vitoria - 4.9 (53 reviews), €5-10, few reviews but the highest rating in the whole category.
Bars and evening drinks:
- A Bifana Portuguesa - 4.9 (1,680 reviews), €10-15 - the highest rating of all the places on the list.
- Musa das Virtudes - 4.6 (770 reviews), €10-15, a beer garden with a popular view of the river.
- Bar Baixa - 4.4 (1,364 reviews), €5-10.
- Mirajazz - 4.6 (1,588 reviews), €5-10.
A trip to the Douro Valley
If I had to recommend one extra thing from Porto, it would be the Douro. A valley of vineyards, terraces above the river, picturesque towns. You can get there by train along the river (cheap and beautiful), by car, or on a full-day boat trip with wine tasting. I took a one-day cruise with a tasting and lunch - honestly it wasn't the experience of a lifetime, more a solid trip, but the valley itself is really lovely.
→ Douro Valley cruise with wine tasting and lunch (GetYourGuide)
Practical info and transport
There are direct flights to Porto from Prague (easyJet, SmartWings), and the journey takes around 3 hours 20-25 minutes. From the airport, the metro (line E, purple) takes you to the centre in about 35-40 minutes, and the best stop to get off at is Trindade. The city is great for walking, and the train to the Douro leaves from São Bento station - which, by the way, is beautiful in itself (azulejo tiles on the walls).
Fun fact: one of the Camino de Santiago routes passes through Porto, so you'll meet plenty of pilgrims with a shell on their backpack. And if you like running or cycling, the historic centre has decent paths along the river for some morning exercise before the streets fill up with tourists.
- Sé do Porto Cathedral - rated 4.6 (over 38,000 reviews), a must-see.
- Palácio da Bolsa - a historic landmark, rated 4.5 (14,359 reviews).
- Church of Saint Francis - a church, rated 4.4 (9,944 reviews).
- Jardins do Palácio de Cristal + the Torreão viewpoint - the most reviews of any place in Porto (48,639), a city park with a view of the river.
- Bolhão Market - a covered market, rated 4.5 (35,992 reviews), with local atmosphere and food.
Trips and experiences in Porto and the Douro
The bookings that fit this article best.
Lukáš Dobrovolný
Over 17 years on the road, but still with one foot in Czechia. I write about road trips, mountain hikes, cycling trips, Amazing Places and my favourite food.