Our Travel Place

cafe

“The one I'm showing you now is Confeitaria do Bolhão, which is the oldest pastry shop in the city and has a ton of delicious sweet and savory options.”

experience

“Just a 3-minute walk from Bolhão Market is the 18th century Chapel of Souls, which is completely covered in blue and white tiles. Hopefully, you can tell from these clips that it's well worth a short detour.”

experience

“If you went on the walking tour yesterday, you probably saw the fortress-like cathedral from the outside, but I would recommend returning this morning to see it from the inside. The highlights for us was the Gothic cloister covered in blue and white Portuguese tiles depicting religious scenes.”

experience

“Take a 30-minute tour of Palácio da Bolsa, originally built in the 1800s as Porto's stock exchange. You'll be shown some amazing rooms with the Arab Room being particularly impressive.”

experience

“For one of the best views in Porto, walk across the top of Dom Luís I Bridge. Just watch out for the metro. The views over the Douro River and the colorful Ribeira district are fantastic and it's a great spot for photos.”

experience

“If you do book the World of Wine combo tickets, follow your museum visit with a tour and tasting at Taylor's. It's self-guided, so you can explore at your own pace before sampling a white, tawny, and a vintage in the beautiful garden.”

hotel

“Tripas-Coração: https://booking.tpx.gr/F1lhePhv”

shopping

“For lunch, head to Mercado do Bolhão, Porto's oldest and most famous markets. Wander the bustling stalls and grab small bites of food from different vendors. Pair it with a fresh juice or a glass of green wine...”

experience

“That evening, go to a traditional fado show. Fado is the style of Portuguese music that's all about emotion and storytelling. It's a big part of Portugal's national identity, so in Porto, you'll find loads of places offering performances from classic fado houses to dinner shows.”

day trip

“For your third day, I'd really recommend out to the Douro Valley because it was one of the highlights of our trip.”

experience

“Spend the rest of your afternoon exploring the colorful Ribeira neighborhood. You'll have had a taste of it during the walking tour, but make time to wander at your own pace and see what you find.”

experience

“By now, you might be flagging a bit and the Six Bridges River Cruise is the perfect excuse to have a sit down. You'll cruise along the Douro, enjoy the views, listen to the audio guide, and probably wave manically at every boat that passes you, which I'm pretty sure is tourist boat's law.”

experience

“Gaia is also home to the World of Wine complex, which has several museums dedicated to wine, chocolates, cork, and regional history. We chose a ticket that included Taylor's Port Lodge and tasting plus entry to one museum of our choice. The World of Wine staff we spoke to recommended the Wine Experience, so that's the one we went for. It's pretty interactive, walks you through how wine is made, and there's even a short tasting demo at the end. I would recommend it.”

experience

“Make sure you stop by Praça da Ribeira, one of the oldest parts of the city and historically the heart of Porto's river trade.”

experience

“Get your first feel for Porto on a free walking tour led by a local. They'll guide you through the historic streets, show you some of the sights, share folk stories, and give tips on where to eat and drink.”

experience

“End your day at Jardim do Morro. It's my favorite viewpoint in Porto with a fantastic view across the Douro towards Ribeira and the colorful buildings climbing up the hillside. In the evening, the atmosphere here is usually really lively. You'll often find live music, groups of friends and family gathering on the grass, and people settling in to watch the sunsets.”

experience

“Once you've crossed the bridge, you've actually left Porto and entered Vila Nova de Gaia, the area directly opposite the city and home to the famous port wine cellars.”