Jane’s guidebook
Restaurants
There are so many restaurants to chose from in Porto and of all types. For a great steak, go to Vaccarum. They partially cook in the kitchen and then bring the hot plate to the table to keep the steak HOT (and cook more if you don't like it too rare). I'd also recommend Rib Beef & Wine Oporto on the Ribeira for great steak and stunning views of the river. Fish is a very common dish in Porto and there are many places to get a great seafood dish. Or perhaps you want to try something more Portuguese, such as Francesinha.
The food and service are excellent.
The wine is also excellent and the staff are very professional and know what wine compliments each dish.
6 recommandé par les habitants
Vaccarum
839 Rua de Fernandes TomásThe food and service are excellent.
The wine is also excellent and the staff are very professional and know what wine compliments each dish.
Whether you are dining as a couple or a group, this restaurant is great. The steak is great quality and very tasty and the wines compliment each dish. The ambience is soothing and if you dine outside, you get the view of the Douro. Staff are welcoming and very friendly too.
Rib Beef & Wine Oporto
1 Cais da EstivaWhether you are dining as a couple or a group, this restaurant is great. The steak is great quality and very tasty and the wines compliment each dish. The ambience is soothing and if you dine outside, you get the view of the Douro. Staff are welcoming and very friendly too.
WOW! If you love steak then this is a must! Great food, wine, and atmosphere!
48 recommandé par les habitants
Muu Steakhouse
149A Rua do AlmadaWOW! If you love steak then this is a must! Great food, wine, and atmosphere!
This lovely little restaurant is tucked away down the side of Sao Joao train station and has an excellent selection of seafood. The cocktails are also amazing!
142 recommandé par les habitants
Tapabento S.Bento
221 R. da MadeiraThis lovely little restaurant is tucked away down the side of Sao Joao train station and has an excellent selection of seafood. The cocktails are also amazing!
Casa Guedes
130 Praça dos PoveirosCheap lunch, try the pulled-pork sandwich, yum!
For you veggies and vegans, this place is amazing! Yummy buffet lunch for around €7-8. Take a plate and fill it as many times as you want! Organic wines, teas, coffee, smoothies and the tastiest chocolate cake you'll ever eat!
163 recommandé par les habitants
daTerra Baixa
249 R. de Mouzinho da SilveiraFor you veggies and vegans, this place is amazing! Yummy buffet lunch for around €7-8. Take a plate and fill it as many times as you want! Organic wines, teas, coffee, smoothies and the tastiest chocolate cake you'll ever eat!
Tours
I love getting lost in the streets of Porto and working my way down hundreds of steps to end up at the Ribeira, stopping to take hundreds of photos on the way, but if you want something more structured then go for a tour. There are many - walking, bus, tram, vintage car, tuk-tuk, boat. I suggest the tuk-tuk - informative, not too long, run by locals who know the city inside out and great in any weather conditions.
Typically Portuguese, these lovely little 'tuk'tuks' can be seen all over Porto, touring people around the city. They are great fun and you should definitely have a ride.
Tuking People
Typically Portuguese, these lovely little 'tuk'tuks' can be seen all over Porto, touring people around the city. They are great fun and you should definitely have a ride.
Rooftop bars
With views over the river and a glass of wine in your hand, what else could you need?
This modern roof top bar with 360 degree views over the River Douro is a 'must'. You can try all types of local wines from the region and compliment them with different types of cheeses/chocolates. Holiday heaven!!
108 recommandé par les habitants
Espaco Porto Cruz
23 Largo Miguel BombardaThis modern roof top bar with 360 degree views over the River Douro is a 'must'. You can try all types of local wines from the region and compliment them with different types of cheeses/chocolates. Holiday heaven!!
PortoBello Rooftop Restaurant & Bar
427 Av. de Rodrigues de FreitasPretty views and great food and wine. What else do you need?
Beach
Who'd have thought it? Great city and also an abundance of beaches on the doorstep. There is so much variety in Porto which is what makes it such a great city.
Fancy an afternoon out of the city? Get yourself down to Matosinhos praia. They have some funky bars and restaurants, a huge beach and lots of water sports.
Popular for surfers, you can get a surfing lesson including equipment hire for around €20.
Why not hire a bike to get you down there or take a local bus.
Matosinhos Praia station
Fancy an afternoon out of the city? Get yourself down to Matosinhos praia. They have some funky bars and restaurants, a huge beach and lots of water sports.
Popular for surfers, you can get a surfing lesson including equipment hire for around €20.
Why not hire a bike to get you down there or take a local bus.
Just a short distance from the city where the river meets the Atlantic sea, this stretch of beautiful beaches are amongst the best in the world. Watch the sunrise and sunset with unobstructed views, sunbathe, fish, picnic or enjoy some watersports. These beaches are often not too busy and always clean.
437 recommandé par les habitants
Foz do Douro
Just a short distance from the city where the river meets the Atlantic sea, this stretch of beautiful beaches are amongst the best in the world. Watch the sunrise and sunset with unobstructed views, sunbathe, fish, picnic or enjoy some watersports. These beaches are often not too busy and always clean.
Parks
Get away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre and absorb some nature! There are many beautiful parks in Porto, particularly Jardins do Palácio de Cristal which has absolutely stunning (almost birds eye) views of the Douro River. There also many events hosted during the summer months, such as music, yoga, and other sports.
Here you have stunning views over the River Douro, play park for kids, chickens and peacocks roaming free, cafes, ice-cream shops and so many lush green trees and beautiful flowers. Breathe in some nature :-)
1180 recommandé par les habitants
Jardins do Palacio de Cristal
Rua de Dom Manuel IIHere you have stunning views over the River Douro, play park for kids, chickens and peacocks roaming free, cafes, ice-cream shops and so many lush green trees and beautiful flowers. Breathe in some nature :-)
Covering 4 hectares, this is a captivating place for plant lovers, with endless species of beautiful plant and flower. Author, Sophia de Mello Breyner Andresen refers to this park in several of her books. There is also a gallery within the park definitely worth a look.
193 recommandé par les habitants
Jardim Botânico do Porto | Museu de História Natural e da Ciência da U.Porto
1191 Rua do Campo AlegreCovering 4 hectares, this is a captivating place for plant lovers, with endless species of beautiful plant and flower. Author, Sophia de Mello Breyner Andresen refers to this park in several of her books. There is also a gallery within the park definitely worth a look.
Beautifully kept gardens. Fun for all the family. Lovely restaurant and hidden cafe. Also has lots of regular events, museum and arts.
326 recommandé par les habitants
Parque de Serralves
210 R. Dom João de CastroBeautifully kept gardens. Fun for all the family. Lovely restaurant and hidden cafe. Also has lots of regular events, museum and arts.
Shopping
Who doesn't love a bit of shopping? Well, there's no shortage of shops in Porto, that's for sure! Stroll on down to the most famous shopping street in Portugal - Rua Santa Catarina and feast your eyes on the many shop varieties on offer.
The world famous shopping street in Portugal. You have to experience this for yourself.
1060 recommandé par les habitants
Rua de Santa Catarina
Rua de Santa CatarinaThe world famous shopping street in Portugal. You have to experience this for yourself.
One of my favourite places. This is just so cool.
There is literally everything in this store and even if you don't buy anything, you have to check it out. Its right by the Natural History Museum, so if you're checking out a bit of Natural History, then you should definitely pop in here.
14 recommandé par les habitants
Armazem
93 Rua de MiragaiaOne of my favourite places. This is just so cool.
There is literally everything in this store and even if you don't buy anything, you have to check it out. Its right by the Natural History Museum, so if you're checking out a bit of Natural History, then you should definitely pop in here.
Sightseeing
Igreja dos Clérigos (www.torredosclerigos.pt; £4.30) is located on the highest point of the old town. This eighteenth-century church sports a 75-metre tower that offers a spectacular panorama of central Porto.
1226 recommandé par les habitants
Clérigos Tower
Rua de São Filipe de NeryIgreja dos Clérigos (www.torredosclerigos.pt; £4.30) is located on the highest point of the old town. This eighteenth-century church sports a 75-metre tower that offers a spectacular panorama of central Porto.
The Portuguese Centre of Photography (www.cpf.pt; free) is housed in the city’s imposing former prison. The centre displays temporary exhibitions in the huge, former cells on the ground-floor, as well as hosting a permanent exhibition of quirky photographic memorabilia. Climb the stairs to the top-floor single cells (once reserved for VIP prisoners) and you will be rewarded with another amazing view of the city.
174 recommandé par les habitants
Portuguese Centre of Photography
Largo Amor de PerdiçãoThe Portuguese Centre of Photography (www.cpf.pt; free) is housed in the city’s imposing former prison. The centre displays temporary exhibitions in the huge, former cells on the ground-floor, as well as hosting a permanent exhibition of quirky photographic memorabilia. Climb the stairs to the top-floor single cells (once reserved for VIP prisoners) and you will be rewarded with another amazing view of the city.