![\"Porto](\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/portugal_porto_aerial-view-e1495031377104.jpg\")
<\/p>\nThe second largest Portuguese city, Porto \u2013\u00a0so called for its historical and present day significance as a shipping port \u2013 has a lot to boast about. Think Romanesque and Gothic architecture, a multitude of places to try\u00a0the region\u2019s delicious seafood, an array of nightlife options \u2013\u00a0and that’s just for starters.<\/p>\n
What else is there to love? Well, the fact it’s so underrated. All too often overshadowed by popular capital Lisbon, Porto is a colorful, UNESCO-listed city that offers an authentic slice of Portuguese life. The pace is much slower than in tourist-heavy Lisbon \u2013 and in that sense, it feels much more European.\u00a0Here, you feel able to enjoy an espresso by the riverfront, or wander languidly through the pretty streets, admiring shop windows. It is split by the river Douro, or \u2018river of gold\u2019, which adds to the sense of calm.<\/p>\n
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Here’s what else I advise you eat, drink and do when there:<\/p>\n
Porto is a city that’s very easy to get around. Your tour begins in the Ribeira district, the old town of Porto, which is located on the northern side of the river. The area is made up of narrow, cobbled streets set on thigh-challenging hill slopes \u2013\u00a0make sure you have a bottle of water handy for tackling them.<\/p>\n
![\"Color](\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Porto2-e1495032495964.jpg\")
Multicolored houses of Porto<\/p><\/div>\n
To see the city in its entirety, there\u2019s no better vantage point than the Clerigos Tower observation deck, which is accessed through a steep, spiral staircase inside the building. If you\u2019re anything like us, you\u2019ll wake up with sore thighs the next day \u2013\u00a0but the view is well worth the muscle aches.<\/p>\n
Then, you’ll want to visit the city\u2019s S\u00e9 cathedral, a Roman-Catholic cathedral complete with 12th<\/sup> century Gothic rose windows. From here, you must carry on to famous book shop Livraria Lello Porto, which is widely considered one of the most beautiful in the world. The book shop is famed for playing host to JK Rowling, who once taught English in Porto. Such celebrity status has, however, forced the location to charge a small entrance fee to visitors, and there is a small queue outside (something we were not expecting when we popped in for a browse, before a fellow traveler filled us in on the shop\u2019s significance).<\/p>\n SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER FOR GIVEAWAYS, STORIES, COMPETITIONS & MORE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n If you are feeling ambitious, you might want to journey to the nearby city of Braga \u2013\u00a0an hour\u2019s train journey away \u2013\u00a0to visit the famous Bom Jesus de Monte, where you have to climb a 600-stair high Baroque staircase to reach the top (unsurprisingly, this has been a historic location for pilgrimages).<\/p>\n For those looking for a delicious, low-key meal, head to Mercado do Bolhao, a bustling flea market which serves street food.<\/p>\n A wine and cold cuts shop in Porto<\/p><\/div>\n Find a table in the center (get there early to snap one up) and gorge on fresh seafood from the vendors. Try it with vinho verde, a Portuguese specialty wine; the slight fizz of the wine at first made me think it was off, but I was convinced otherwise by the sweet taste and a patient waiter.<\/p>\n VISIT PORTO’S MARKETS AND TAVERNAS ON THIS DELICIOUS 8-DAY FOOD TOUR<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Alternatively, there are a number of places selling Francesinha, a Porto speciality sandwich containing cheese and a number of different meats in a tomato and beer sauce. Try Restaurante Verso Em Pedra, which is located along the riverfront. This particular Portuguese special will probably require a few walks up and down the river to burn it off, but it\u2019s definitely\u00a0worth it. Finish off with a coffee and a pastry at Cafe Majestic, where \u2013 Harry Potter fans will be glad to hear \u2013 JK Rowling also spent a lot of time.<\/p>\n For your evening meal, enjoy an authentic Portuguese feast at Camafeu, a restaurant that consciously looks like someone\u2019s home, with mismatched chairs and shabby-chic shelving.<\/p>\n Camafeu<\/p><\/div>\n The roasted octopus is a must-have. Also worth a mention is Restaurant O Buraco, a value-for-money spot on Rua Bolhao which serves traditional Portuguese fare such as codfish, sardines and pork.<\/p>\n Wine fans will of course want to cross the Ponte de Dom Luis I bridge (which has an upper level for pedestrians), in order to visit the famous port cellars on the southern side of the river, many of which are located in the town of Vila Nova de Gaia.<\/p>\n Satisfy your creative side at the Museo de arte contemporanea de serralves, a gallery famous for its minimalist space built by Portuguese architect \u00c1lvaro Siza Vieira and its world-leading exhibitions. Wander out afterwards into the Foundation Serralves gardens, which contain a giant trowel sculpture which looks poised to fall on top of you.<\/p>\n Aside from that, well, strolling round the dreamy\u00a0streets is sheer bliss in itself.<\/p>\n Restaurants in the Ribeira riverside district<\/p><\/div>\n And if you’re looking for a place to shop, Rua Santa Caterina is the place. It\u2019s a gorgeous retail destination which has international brands such as KIKO, H&M and Zara interspersed with patisseries where you can get your hands on a traditional Past\u00e9is de Nata (custard tart), to refuel after all that shopping.<\/p>\n LOOKING FOR A DAY TRIP IN PORTO?<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n On a sunny day, there\u2019s nothing more idyllic than a trip down the Douro river on traditional Rabelos boats \u2013\u00a0head to Estiva Quay near Ribeira to enquire about a rental. Alternatively, you could take the Metro for 25 minutes to get to Matosinhos beach, where you can take a break from sightseeing to enjoy the sand and sea.<\/p>\n Porto at night is a beautiful sight \u2013 the view from Cais de Gaia is best, where you can see the whole city lit up.<\/p>\n Porto by night<\/p><\/div>\n If this inspires you to hit the Porto nightlife, begin with a laid-back drink at cafe-bookshop Candelabro (where, after 6pm, customers flood out on to the sidewalk). Gin-lovers \u2013\u00a0and I definitely count myself as one \u2013 will also enjoy The Gin House, which offers knowledgeable bartenders and more than 150 brands of gin. I enjoyed a Beefeater gin, flavoured with black pepper and lemon \u2013\u00a0delicious (although one to avoid if on a strict budget \u2013 the drinks are pricey).<\/p>\n If you\u2019re looking for commercial house music, head to the Zona Industrial by taxi (it\u2019s a little way away). Alternatively, try Foz\u2019s Trintaeum or Hard Club, which is based in Ribeira. After all that, you’ll probably want to catch a little sleep before spending another day discovering this beautiful city.<\/p>\n Fancy exploring\u00a0the stunning sights of Portugal? Check out our range of small group tours there.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\nWhere to eat in Porto<\/h2>\n
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<\/a><\/p>\nWhat (else) to do in Porto<\/h2>\n
![\"Porto](\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Porto-e1495032424868.jpg\")
![\"Porto](\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/portugal_porto_city_waters-edge-at-night-e1495031533279.jpg\")
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