COOL THINGS TO SEE IN PORTO

by YouShouldGoHere
February 26, 2017
in Eat Here, Go Here, Stay Here
2

[PORTO, PORTUGAL] — I was only in Porto for two nights, on my way up the Douro River, and one of those nights was in bed with a brutal flu bug, so my time was short. But I did see some cool thing, here are my top sites in Porto. The best things to do in Porto.

When I came to Porto in Spring 2015, it was a completely different city than today. Many of the buildings were boarded up or in need of repair. Now nearly everything has been redone and the city is alive and jumping, rivaling Lisbon.

Best things to do in Porto — *Porto is pretty much and up-and-down city, much like Lisbon. Much of the nicer areas seem to be on top of the hill, by the big cathedral. But the Ribeira and other areas are now pumping with activity.*

When I came to Porto in Spring 2015, it was a completely different city than today (as is all of Portugal). I was just there one night, before heading up the Douro Valley. It was still in an economic recovery, low in population, many buildings were boarded up in the main center by the Douro. I remember walking around going “Wow, all these amazing buildings are just abandoned. Somebody should fix them up.” And they did.

When I was there, this was mostly boarded up.

Now, if you look at current times, Porto is a thriving bustling city. New hotels are opening up. Buildings being restored. Absolutely amazing what a few years can do. Consider this a lookback to 2015, but many things remain as cool as they’ve ever been. You can do Porto in 2-3 nights, four if you’re coming in late. Tour the port bunkers and climb around the town.

Porto is actually pretty small, so it only takes a couple of days and you’ve seen most of it.

Walk Across The Dom Luís I Bridge

The Bridge is everything in Porto. It looks like the Eiffel Tower on its side crossing the lazy Douro River — which makes sense since it was designed by Gustave’s company. It’s hard to believe that this beast has been carrying traffic since it was built in 1886. At that time, it was the largest bridge span in the world.

Porto at night — *The Dom Luís I Bridge, from my room at the Pestana Vintage Porto.*

Woke up early one morning and looked outside my window to this eerie scene. Like a Jack the Ripper movie.

Can you see the bridge?

The Douro has long been the lifeblood of this city, the receiving end of all the great wines and ports of one of the first true export vineyards in Europe, shipping boatloads of claret to all the pink cheeks in England. All the famous port lockers sit on directly across the river where they were stored before shipping off to Great Britannia. Today, it’s all still there for our amusement.

Tour the Port Caves in Gaia

V new of Gaira at night — *All the famous port lockers sit on directly across the river in Gaia.*

I didn’t have time to tour the port caves from all the famous centuries-old port makers, but I did get go to an amazing meal at the Graham’s cellars, in their restaurant Vinum. Amazing views over all of Porto and great food. Unfortunately, I got the flu going right up to the meal, huge fever and cold sweats, I felt like throwing up. So I literally had to leave right when they brought a bounty of lamb and Douro Valley red. I was so looking forward to the meal.

“This looks wonderful, may I have the check?” They were stunned, for obvious reasons. As I was. Had to leave the entire meal there. Very embarrassing. But you should make reservations here, try to get there for a cocktail before sunset. Check out these views from their website:

Vinum Restaurant Porto — The Vinum restaurant has killer views all over Porto. Go there for a drink before sunset. You need reservations. Ask for a table by the windows. (This is from their website)

view of Gaia in clouds Porto — *Gaia on a foggy morning.*

Cruise ship over Douro River — *The Douro River, upriver.* From Porto, you can base your adventures to tour the stunning, world-famous wine region on the upper Douro River, which I’ve posted before. You can even book a day-long wine tour with the lovely Ana and her husband Marco from Douro Exclusive wine tours. There’s a lot of driving, so would suggest you actually stay out in the valley, but you can have an awesome day-tour for Porto and then head upriver and stay at Ana and Marco’s amazing new guest house, or at this cool hotel in the vineyards.

Run Up and Down the Hills of Baixa and Ribeira

Every street has its own character. It’s a small city, so easy to just randomly walk block by block, stumbling on great little corners of surprise.

Check Out the Gorgeous Cathedral District

Dive into the Dreamy Art Deco

Please Leave Livraria Lello Alone

When I was there in early 2015, Instagram was just getting started and TikTok hadn’t been invented, but the poor Livraria Lello bookstore — admittedly the prettiest bookstore ever — was already being overwhelmed with selfie-takers. Now it has become insane, I was in horror watching the lines and rude behavior of people wanting just to get a picture and run. I read the owner once was considering closing because everyone would clog the store for photos, but nobody was buying any books, just scaring away paying customers. Just be thoughtful.

LIVRARIA LELLO stairs — Livraria Lello is one of the most photographed bookstores in the world. A little jewel box of a bookstore that’s been open since 1908. Unfortunately, it has become so jammed with Instagrammers, I don’t think anyone is actually buying anything. I feel so bad for them. I had to get out of there. Bought a travel book and left. 🙁

LivrariaLello entrance fee — Update: Looks like they now have to sell entrance tickets to the library, the silly Instagram demand has been so overwhelming. You have to buy online in advance. I don’t know, maybe the store is making more money now. So good for them.

Cooo at the Tiles at the São Bento Railway Station

I’d read about the famous tiles in the São Bento/San Benito train station as a must-see. At first I thought “meh”, more decorative tiles. But then I saw a dramatic picture and said “Wait, where is that??” The tiles. It was there. So I went. One of the prettiest train stations I’ve ever seen. You gotta go here. It’s the best thing to see in Porto. And I never thought I’d say that about a bunch of tiles in a train station.

São Bento railway station in the morning — *Time your visit in the afternoon when the sun hits it just right coming in from the windows.*

It’s just stunning at the end of the day. The light changing by the minute. People bustling to catch a train and then bunches of tourists just to take pictures.

PRO-TIP: Don’t go to the station in the middle of the day. Go when the light is warm and good, in the morning or end of the day.

São Bento railway station sun — *Come back multiple times if it is cloudy or sunny. Morning or afternoon. You can see the difference in these pictures, I stopped in several times.*

São Bento railway station interior tiles

Where to Eat in Porto

Unfortunately, I didn’t get a chance to have many fine dinners in Porto –I just stopped into nondescript little local places on the Ribeira. And my one big meal I had to walk out of because I was so sick. But if you do go, look for these places:

Rui Paula business card — *Rui Paula is one of the best chefs in Porto and has several places here and in the Douro. Look for DOP. DOC. And I think he has one called DOM.*

Cantinho do Avillez — I found this more casual place walking around the top of Porto. Really great food and super nice people. José Avillez is one of Portugal’s best chefs, with a half dozen restaurants in Porto, Lisbon, Cascais, Alentejo, Dubai and Machau. Go to any of them and you’ll be wowed.

Here is the UK Condé Nast Traveller’s Guide on the best restaurants in Porto. Here’s another great list from my new friends Culture Trip. Solid recommendations. The KING of all things food in Portugal is Nelson Carvalheiro. Trust whatever he writes. Follow his instagram. He’s also very responsive with questions. I met him once at a travel blogger conference, super nice guy.

Where to Stay in Porto

Before booking anything, I highly recommend you check out my friends Jo&So and their fantastic hotel website and guide. They are amazing, have fantastic taste and grew up in Porto so know Portugal like the back of their hand.

I’ve heard great things about River House and for amazing views, The Yeatman. I saw Anthony Bourdain recently stay there on Instagram. The Yeatman is unusual in that it sits way on the top of Porto, so you get to look down at the city and river…. and don’t have to walk as many hills. Click on that link and look at those views! Here are some places to stay in Porto by the great Local Hideaways website, the Torel Avantgarde and the Saboaria hotel. Here’s the Mr & Mrs Smith’s guide to Porto Hotels.

The Pestana Vintage Hotel

Even though it’s really old building, the rooms are nice and modern and roomy. It sits right on the water and the views can’t be beat. A great location. Not bad.

Pestana port room view — *It’s hard to beat a perfect room right on the Douro*.

— Last visited April 2015, Post Updated October 2024 —

More Information on Porto

Here’s a link to another post I made on wine tours through Portugal’s stunning Douro Valley.

Here’s a great overview of 36 Hours in Porto from the New York Times. And another 48 hours article in The Telegraph. And the UK Conde Nast Traveller’s Porto Guide. And a beautiful website, unusual for a tourist board, from the Porto travel website. A great overview from The Guardian. And another deep guide on Porto from Travel & Leisure.

Portugal is fairly small with awesome new tollways (expensive, though) so you can easily get anywhere. Here are some relative drive times I found in my ten days there.

Portugal driving times — *Driving times in Portugal*

— Last visited April 2015, Post Updated October 2024 —

2 Discussions on
“COOL THINGS TO SEE IN PORTO”

Pingback: TAKE A TOUR THROUGH THE TERRACED VINEYARDS OF PORTUGAL'S DOURO RIVER VALLEY - You Should Go Here
Sam says:

June 2, 2026 at 5:08 am

Great article! I really enjoyed reading your guide to Porto. The way you described the city’s charm, historic sites, and beautiful views made me want to visit even more. Your recommendations are helpful, and the photos add a lot to the experience. Thanks for sharing such an informative and inspiring travel guide!

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YouShouldGoHere Cool Places. Good Food. Nice Sheets.

COOL THINGS TO SEE IN PORTO

Walk Across The Dom Luís I Bridge

Tour the Port Caves in Gaia

Run Up and Down the Hills of Baixa and Ribeira

Check Out the Gorgeous Cathedral District

Dive into the Dreamy Art Deco

Please Leave Livraria Lello Alone

Cooo at the Tiles at the São Bento Railway Station

Where to Eat in Porto

Where to Stay in Porto

The Pestana Vintage Hotel

More Information on Porto

Leave A Comment

Follow Me on Instagram @youshouldgohere

COOL THINGS TO SEE IN PORTO

Walk Across The Dom Luís I Bridge

Tour the Port Caves in Gaia

Run Up and Down the Hills of Baixa and Ribeira

Check Out the Gorgeous Cathedral District

Dive into the Dreamy Art Deco

Please Leave Livraria Lello Alone

Cooo at the Tiles at the São Bento Railway Station

Where to Eat in Porto

Where to Stay in Porto

The Pestana Vintage Hotel

More Information on Porto

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