Mystical Porto’s Must Do’s
“Porto is Portugal’s birthplace. It was there that the country was officially founded in the12th century and to this day, it remains a mystical gem.”
This second largest city in the country is bordered by the Aveiro and Viseu districts to the south, Braga district to the north and Vila Real district to the east.
The historic centre of Porto and the River Douro on the Gaia side, are now classified as World Heritage sites.
The city offers glimpses into its past with ancient churches and monuments, which seamlessly combine with buildings of modern architecture such as Casa da Música and the Serralves Museum, and fittingly, Portugal’s School of Architecture.
With its many buildings lined with bright tiles, balconies cascading with flowers, vintage trams, and famed shopping streets, Porto exudes a mystical feel which varies delightfully with the time of day and light.
That feeling has a lot to do with the people of Porto, known for their generosity and easy-going nature, and the River Douro with its many bridges.
An especially easy walking city, you can stroll winding cobblestone streets and take in 18th-century townhouses alongside restaurants offering traditional Portuguese and Porto regional dishes, chic shops, and boutique hotels.
No matter how long or short your visit to Porto is, there are some must do’s:
admire the old houses of Miragaia, very close to the Ribeira quay
stroll through the Galeria de Paris and the adjacent streets, close to the Torre dos Clérigos by day or by night
pop up to Rua Miguel Bombarda for a taste of contemporary art and design
stroll through the Parque da Cidade, down to the sea front
enjoy the great beaches and café terraces at the mouth of the river Douro
try a francesinha (a sandwich with cured ham, sausage, and steak covered in molten cheese and a hot tomato and beer sauce) one of Porto’s specialities
try some fresh fish or seafood, or some cod fishcakes
get to know a little of the coast to the north or south of Porto
explore Porto by night
Explore Porto
Walk, taste, cruise, and explore with local guides who bring Porto’s rich history, vibrant culture, and hidden gems to life. These are the experiences we love—and we think you will too.
If you happen to be there on June 24th, participate in the São João Festival.
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