If you're looking for a long weekend away filled with food and port wine, then Porto has to be one of your top European destinations. Porto is a very vibrant city without the threat of too many tourists. Why not take a visit before everyone starts to flock there?
Places to eat:
O diplomata (Tuesday-Saturday 10:00-20:00, Sunday 10:00-16:00).
O diplomata is a breakfast gem in Porto. If you're looking for pancakes, bacon, smoothie bowls and Oreo hot chocolates, then this is your place! Not only is the food perfectly presented but it's delicious. Expect to find a queue around the corner early in the morning, but trust me it's worth waiting in.
The pancakes are really the show stopper at this cafe, some of the fluffiest I've ever eaten. What great about this place is there is also a lot of vegetarian and vegan options to choose from.
Price: €10-15 (Super cheap for big portion sizes).
2. RUA Tapas and Music Bar (Monday-Sunday 19:30-01:00)
If you're looking for an evening meal with some atmosphere, I'd recommend heading over to RUA Tapas. Tapas dishes vary in price from €4-11 but still extremely affordable, whilst being able to get a flavour of the local music talent.
Price: €4-11
3. O Afonso (Tuesday-Sunday 12:00-15:00, 19:00-23:00)
Porto is extremely famous for it's dish known as 'francesinha'. If you're looking to eat authentic francesinha then O Afonso is the place where locals will go to.
Francesinha is a Portuguese sandwich made up of meat and cheese. Initially, it might not look incredibly appetizing but it is delicious. Plus you've got to try the local delicacies when you're in town.
Price: €6-18, (standard francesinha €10)
Things to do:
1.Free city walking tour with Portowalkers
To really get a flavour of the city and all of the things you can do in Porto, I'd recommend taking a walk with Porto walkers. They point out some great places to eat and additional attractions worth visiting.
Tour time:10:45 everyday (3 hours)
2. Port wine tour in Gaia
Porto is the home to Port wine. Not only do Porto Walkers offer a classical walking tour but they offer a Port wine time. However, the tour actually happens in Gaia, just across the bridge. You'll even get to enjoy the colorful street art as you pass through the streets of Gaia on your way to your tastings.
The tour takes you to a historical (but operational) wine cellar, a small wine producer and you finish in a tasting room. If you would like, you can head on up to Terrace Lounge 360 (perched on top of Espaço Porto Cruz) to enjoy the best views of Porto and the Duoro river.
Book in advance- You can either do this on their website or book in advance with one of the Porto Walker tour guides at the end of the walking tour.
Duration: 4 hours
3. Head to Clerigoes tower (view the whole of Porto)
To experience some of the best views in Porto, you can walk up 225 steps to the top of Clerigoes Tower.
Price: Tower and Clerigoes Tower - €6
Tower and Clerigoes Tower + Church - €6.50
4. Rent a bike and cycle to the beach.
Rent a bike underneath the Dom LuÃs I Bridge and cycle to Praia do carneiro or cycle through Parque da cidade do Porto.
~€10 for about 4 hours
Why not stop off and get a spot of lunch at Praia da Luz?
5. Take a day trip to Averio
Board a train from Porto São Bento and take a day trip to Averio. Averio also known as the 'Venice of Portugual'. Why not take a trip in one of the small boats around the series of canals? Or why not explore Parque Dom Pedro Infante?
If you're looking to get off the beaten track you could even stop off at Espinho on the train ride back and watch the sunset.
Price: Per Ticket ~€7-€15 (dependent on time of day and length of journey). Total price ~€14-€30.
Accommodation:
I'd recommend staying in Gaia if you're looking for a cheaper alternative to staying right in the heart of Porto. There are some lovely apartments options on Airbnb.
Some of my favourites include:
@beau.travels