The 10 best things to do in Porto
Here is how to fill your weekend in Porto with its best experiences and top attractions, from vibrant marketplaces to cruises along the Douro.
All our recommendations below have been hand selected and tested by our resident destination expert to help you discover the best things to do in Porto. Find out more below, or for more Porto inspiration, see our guides to the region's best hotels, restaurants and bars.
See Porto's tiles
Count the Squares
Of all the tile-clad cities in Portugal, Porto reigns supreme. Start your treasure hunt at São Bento Railway station, where some 20,000 azulejos line the walls. Continue on to the church of Santo Ildefonso, where 11,000 blue and white tiles grace the exterior. But don't miss Capela das Almas, the Chapel of the Souls. A beautiful 18th-century church whose exterior is totally covered, and a sight to behold.
Insider's tip: Trace the history of tiling in Portugal (known in Portuguese as azulejos, meaning small, polished stone) to when the art form was first introduced to the country by the Moors. It became widespread after King Manuel I brought back the know-how from a trip to Seville in 1503.
Church of São Francisco
All that glitters may be gold
Gold, brought from Brazil in colonial times, holds an important place in Porto, both in jewellery shops where traditional gold filigree is displayed in every window and in the city's churches. Step inside the Church of São Francisco to see the heavily gilded interiors, including the Tree of Jesse – 300 kilos of gold dust were used in creating the tableau.
Insider's tip: Gold in Portugal is of very high quality, normally 19.2 carats. Typical here are gold filigree hearts, known as the Hearts of Viana, as they originated in nearby Viana do Castello. With a recognisable asymmetric shape, they represent eternal love.
Opening times: 9am-7pm
Price: £
Mercado do Bolhão
The locals' market
A great place to start the day is the recently renovated Mercado do Bolhão. Going strong since 1914, this market is very much for the locals and famous for its produce, from goose barnacles (percebes) to tripe. Here you can also explore the world of Portuguese cheeses or snap up some ready-prepared sushi from the fishmongers.
Insider's tip: If you find yourself there near lunchtime, head to locally loved Café de Dona Gina on the third floor, which moved into the market after its renovation.
Soares dos Reis National Museum
Art, past and present
There is a range of museums to suit all tastes in Porto. Those interested in the ancient world should head to the Soares dos Reis National Museum. Founded in 1833, it was the country's first art museum and houses 10 objects officially classified as national treasures. Look for the beautiful O Destarrado (The Exile) carved in Carrera marble by 19th-century sculptor Antonio Soares dos Reis, after whom the museum is named.
Insider's tip: Lovers of contemporary art will find a visit to Serralves Museum, designed by Pritzker-prize winning local architect, Siza Veira, more up their street.
Quinta do Bomfim
Dally on the Douro
Outside the city centre, vineyards cascade down to the magnificent bottle-green Douro River – a must visit on any trip to Porto. You can take the tiny train from São Bento that chugs along the water's edge and hop out at Pinhão for a wine tasting at Quinta do Bomfim, just a short walk from the train station. Disembark at Peso da Regua too, for a visit to a fascinating wine museum.
Insider's tip: A good place for lunch is in the old Railway Station at Castas e Pratas – try the partridge ravioli with morels.
Livraria Lello
Books for wizards
JK Rowling, who lived in Porto while writing the first of her Harry Potter books, apparently modelled the staircase at Hogwarts on the grand staircase in Livraria Lello. It is a lovely bookstore and has now become famous as a place to visit because of the Potter connection, with queues often backing up along the street.
Insider's tip: Book a ticket online to avoid the queues, which can be redeemed against a purchase in the store. If you do not speak Portuguese, fear not, there is a large collection of English language books.
Casa da Música
Musical chairs
Casa da Música was Porto's first concert hall when it opened in 2005 (delayed from its first commission in 2001 when Porto became a European Capital of Culture). Designed by Rem Koolhaas, its extraordinary shape provides an auditorium with much natural light using transparent acoustic curtains. Twenty years later it is still pulling the crowds with its excellent programmes.
Insider's tip: If you are travelling with a baby in tow, ask to be let into the sound-proofed Purple Room, softly let with stars. It is designed so that parents can listen to music without worrying about little ones disturbing the audience.
World of Wine
Wine and chocolate
Designed as a cultural hub in Porto, World of Wine (WOW) is a vast complex immersing visitors in wine and chocolate, as well as exploring the history of Porto, cork and traditional drinking vessels. It blends child-friendly interactive exhibits with in-depth knowledge of the city and its greater world of wine for adult visitors.
Insiders tip: WOW hosts blind chocolate tastings, pottery workshops, wine tastings and lectures on how to pair wine (or port) with food. Check the program online ahead of your visit.
The World of Discoveries
A step back in time
The World of Discoveries is aimed at families with its fun, interactive take on Portugal's Golden Age of Discovery. Children can imagine being a great navigator in the 15th century, charting unknown oceans and discovering spices. Learn about the great Portuguese explorers Vasco de Gama and Ferdinand Magellan in more than 5,000 square feet of sensory experiences, including a three-dimensional terrestrial globe, as well as models of the boats explorers sailed in and the tools they took with them.
Insider's tip: Although the World of Discoveries is quite small, allow a few hours for children to soak up all the information.
Clérigos bell tower
Get high
A climb up the beautiful baroque Clérigos bell tower is the best way to see Porto from above. A landmark in the city, it was built by Italian architect Nicolau Nasoni in the 18th century. There are 240 steps and six storeys to the 75-metre tower, which will probably take around 30 minutes to climb.
Insider's tip: Reward yourself with a pastel de bacalhãu after your climb. Nearby Casa Portuguesa do Pastel do Bacalhãu offers a unique twist on normal codfish cakes, with the addition of cheese from the Serra da Estrela mountains.
How we choose
Every attraction and activity in this curated list has been tried and tested by our destination expert, to provide you with their insider perspective. We cover a range of budgets and styles, from world-class museums to family-friendly theme parks – to best suit every type of traveller. We update this list regularly to keep up with the latest openings and provide up to date recommendations.
About our expert
Mary Lussiana
I have lived in southern Portugal for over 20 years. When in Lisbon, you can find me chatting with the chef at the latest culinary hotspot, checking out a new rooftop bar or sampling the newest hotel on the block.
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