5 activities you don’t want to miss in Porto

A few years ago I traveled Portugal, visiting the bustling city of Lisbon and the warm beaches of the southern coast. But last month I had the opportunity to visit Porto, and it’s by far my favorite city in Portugal. More architecturally interesting and authentically Portuguese, it’s a romantic and inspiring destination that can’t be missed. Here are the 5 activities you don’t want to miss in Porto.

A note on When to visit

The fall is the perfect time of year to visit Porto. Since the weather is cooling down, there are fewer crowds. The city also offers plenty of gorgeous cathedrals and fascinating museums, which are perfect activities for a rainy day.

There are many delicious Portuguese pastries, but the most famous (and most delicious) ones are Pastel de Nata. No trip to Portugal is complete withour trying one. You may also see then called pasteis for plural, pronounced “pass-tay-sh” in Portuguese. I ate them every day (multiple times!), and the best spot I found was Fabrica da Nata.

Rua Santa Catarina is the main pedestrian thoroughfare in Porto. It starts at the famous blue tiled church, the Igreja dos Congregados. It’s filled with tons of local boutiques as well as chain stores, all ranging in price, so you’re sure to find something you love. The street is also home to the stunning & historical Cafe Majestic.

One thing I almost didn’t do on my most recent trip was cross the Dom Luís I bridge, but it’s one of the top activities you shouldn’t miss in Porto. It offers the best vantage point of Porto. Being in the city is incredible, but viewing it from across the river is breathtaking!

One of my favorite things to do in a new city is visit the local bookstore. Some of my favorite places around the world are bookstores – like Bart’s Books in Ojai, or Atlantis Books in Santorini. You’ve probably seen Livraria Lello on social media. It’s become quite Instagram famous, and is one of the most popular sights in Porto. Because of that, I recommend buying tickets on their website in advance. Unfortunately we didn’t have the opportunity to go this time, but we are definitely planning on visiting next year.

The Douro river separates the busy Porto barrios from Vila Nova de Gaia, which is just across the Dom Luís I bridge. Yet another reason to cross the bridge is to visit the port wineries and tasting rooms in Vila Nova. We had a great time at Espaço Porto Cruz. They have a rooftop with an amazing view, where we ran into the host from our favorite restaurant, Casario (a great spot for dinner along the river).

I hope you enjoy your trip to Porto – be sure to tag me on Instagram if you end up trying these activities!

Dark floral dress | leather jacket | similar suede boots