Porto

A Complete Travel Itinerary and Top 25 Things To Do in Porto, Portugal

The coastal city of Porto, Portugal is a culturally rich and vibrant destination. It is known for its colorful buildings, bridges, and port wine production. While it has many similarities to Lisbon, about 200 miles south, Porto’s unique blend of riverside charm and old world culture, make it an instant draw for those looking for an authentic Portuguese experience in a more compact, walkable area.

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Truthfully, I wanted to see it all on a grand tour of Europe’s westernmost country. With just nine days in total though, some priorities and decisions had to be made. If you are about to embark on a similar planning exercise, the big decision will be whether to focus on the beaches and adventures of the Algarve and Madeira, or the cities and cultural landmarks of Porto and Lisbon. We went for the latter and incorporated a road trip between the two cities so we could visit the UNESCO World Heritage sites along the way.

Porto was the perfect starting point for our immersion into Portugal. Over the span of two full days we were able to see an impressive number of landmarks, take a boat ride on the Duoro River, and sample the local food & wine scene.

Above photos: A slice of life in Porto

We traveled in early September, at the end of peak summer tourism and the beginning of the shoulder season. The summer crowds had thinned and the temperatures had cooled. We had the most perfect weather with the exception of a light rain shower that lasted just long enough to duck into a couple shops.

After visiting many of the well-known landmarks and discovering lesser-known gems, this post details my top recommendations for the very best things to see and do in Porto.

Where we stayed in Porto

I love fancy hotels. Even better, I love fancy hotels that have history or are cultural landmarks themselves. So, when we started looking for hotels in central Porto, I narrowed down our choices to those that fit this description. We picked The Torel Palace Hotel.

The Torel Palace is the former Palacete Campos Navarro. It was built in 1861 and is one of the most impressive and distinguished examples of romantic architecture in Porto. The mansion was re-imagined as a literary retreat boutique hotel. From the moment we walked through the front doors, booked-themed art installations and portraits of writers and poets left no doubt of its tribute.

Above photos: Torel Palace Hotel

This hotel, y’all. Easily in my top 5 favorite hotels ever. Our junior suite room was stunning! The massive floor-to-ceiling alcove windows, the view overlooking the pool, and the rainfall shower were so romantic.

Above photos: Torel Palace Hotel

The on-site restaurant and other amenities were equally beautiful. I only wish we could have spent more time here. Alas, we did have a lot of ground to cover in Porto. Thankfully, the location of The Torel Palace Hotel was within walking distance to most of the attractions on our itinerary, making it easy to pop-in for breaks from time to time.

Above photos: The Torel Palace Hotel

Top 25 things to do in Porto

We usually hit the ground running with a well-researched and detailed itinerary in-hand. But…stuff happens and we often make adjustments. I had ambitious plans for Porto and was fairly certain we would have to axe off quite a bit. Surprisingly, we didn’t. The only thing we didn’t get to (due to a rain shower delay) was the Museu C. Eléctrico, a tram museum located further away from many of the other main landmarks. I kept it on the itinerary below just to show where we had planned to fit it in.

Reflecting back on our time in Porto, our itinerary would have been better spread out across a third day (or longer) to afford more time to enjoy each of these things at a slower pace. If you only have two days, you can definitely pack it in. But, if you are still in the planning stages and wondering how much time to allow for Porto, I recommend three full days.

Day 1 in Porto

Church of Saint Ildefonso

Praça da Batalha s/n, 4000-101 Porto, Portugal | Website

The Church of Saint Ildefonso is a well-photographed and recognized 18th-century church located near Batalha Square in Porto, just around the corner from our hotel and hence, our first stop. The azulejo tilework on the facade wasn’t added until 1932. It is possible to go inside the church, but you will need to time it right. The doors are open to the public for a few hours in the morning, and again for a couple hours in the late-afternoon.

If you miss the opportunity to go inside, as we did, not to worry. As you will realize by the end of this post, there are so many churches to see in Porto that missing one or two does not detract from your experience.

It is also worth taking some time to wander through the market stalls set up in Batalha Square. Local arts and crafts vendors fill the square on most days, selling all kinds of things including jewelry, bags, textile crafts, and art.

Above photo: Church of Saint Ildelfonso

Chapel of Souls

Rua de Santa Catarina 428, 4000-124 Porto, Portugal

From the Church of Saint Ildefonso, it is a straight 7-minute walk down (and then up) Rua de Santa Catarina to the Chapel of Souls, another one of Porto’s most beloved landmarks. On the way, you will pass the Majestic Cafe, a gorgeous Belle Epoque-era cafe. If you have a the time, this is great place to stop in for coffee or a bite to eat.

The Chapel of Souls, also known as Chapel of Santa Catarina, is a late 18th-century building adorned with extensive azulejo tilework on the exterior, about 16,000 tiles to be more precise. Because of its location on the corner of narrow city streets, it isn’t the easiest to photograph. The church is a popular attraction amongst visitors and almost always crowded for a good reason. It is stunning!

Above photos: Chapel of Souls (Capela das Almas)

The interior of the church is neoclassical in style. There are more azulejo tiles, along with religious art and a chandeliers hanging from its barrel vaulted ceiling. The church is open and free to visitors daily, and also has regular mass services.

Above photo: Interior of the Chapel of Souls (Capela das Almas)

Mercado do Bolhão

Rua Formosa 322, 4000-248 Porto, Portugal | Website

The next part of our itinerary was a walking route that would take us past several other notable landmarks. We briefly stopped in the Mercado do Bolhão just to see what it was all about. This two-story marketplace was bustling for the lunch crowd.

The neoclassical market building was originally built in 1914 and served as a central marketplace for fresh produce, meat, fish and flowers. It recently underwent significant restoration works and was re-opened in 2023. While fresh produce and meat vendors still operate from here, other restaurants and shopping merchants have been added to cater to the influx of visitors to Porto.

The marketplace is open-air, but mostly covered. If you are looking for back-up activities to fill a rainy day, this is a true gem and a great place to wander around!

Above photos: Mercado do Bolhão

Porto City Hall & Porto Sign

PC GEN Humberto Delgado, 4049-001 Porto, Portugal | Website

Porto City Hall is an interesting building to lay eyes on. Its tower is 230 feet high (70 meters), providing a striking focal point at the end of the Avenida dos Aliados. Porto City Hall is not open for tourism visits, but the building is definitely worth a walk-by. There is also a Porto sign in front of the building that is a popular photo spot, if you’re into that sort of thing.

There are a lot of grand buildings and stately architecture to admire along Avenida dos Aliados as you make your way towards Praça da Liberdade, a city square with a statue of Dom Pedro IV. At this point, we had made a giant loop and were just about a 5-minute walk away from where we had started.

Above photo: Porto City Hall

The Church of St Anthony’s Congregation

Rua Sa da Bandeira 11, Porto 4000-433 Portugal | Website

Just around the corner, we noticed a beautiful church with a baroque facade and knew it was something special. The Church of St Anthony’s Congregation, Igreja de Santo António dos Congregados in Portuguese, dates to the 17th century and is beautifully decorated with azulejo tiles. The interior was equally spectacular with an ornate altar and murals depicting scenes from the life of Saint Anthony, demonstrating the deep devotion to the patron Saint of Lisbon.

A little itinerary note: The São Bento Train Station is directly across from The Church of St. Anthony’s Congregation, making it a great stop either before or after. Since we had planned to see the train station the following morning, we continued on and made our way up to Porto Cathedral. If you won’t be able to make it back to this area, you’ll definitely want to stop in to see the station before continuing up the hill to the cathedral.

Above photos: The Church of St. Anthony’s Congregation (Igreja de Santo António dos Congregados)

Porto Cathedral

Terreiro da Sé, 4050-573 Porto, Portugal | Website

The walk up the hill to Porto Cathedral is about 6 minutes from the train station according to Google Maps. Word of warning, it is an uphill walk and we took our time. Besides, the views kept getting better and better. At the top, you’ll want to pause to take in the view and probably snap some photos of the courtyard.

Above photos: Chafariz do Anjo (left); Views from Terreiro da Sé (center and right)

The Porto Cathedral, Sé in Portuguese, is the most important church and monument in the city. It was built in the 12th and 13th centuries with extensions and cloisters added on over the years. From the outside, I wasn’t super impressed by its rather plain walls. I got over those feelings quickly the second I stepped through the door.

Above photo: Porto Cathedral (Sé)

Every chapel, altarpiece, alcove, nave, tower, crossing, and transept is exquisite. We were wandering around inside for a good hour, maybe more. Central to the city and to the heart of its people, it is something that every visitor must see.

Above photos: Porto Cathedral (Sé)

My favorite part of the cathedral was the Gothic cloisters that were added in the 14th century. There is something so romantic about the arched openings and the shadows being cast across the stone walkways. Oh, and plenty of azulejo tiles to see here too! The views from the top of the cathedral were our first glance of the Luís I Bridge and the Monestary of Serra do Pilar on the opposite side of the Duoro River.

Above photos: Porto Cathedral (top and bottom left); View from the top of the Cathedral (right)

Immediately adjacent to the Porto Cathedral is the Episcopal Palace of Porto where the bishop resided. We did not have time to tour the inside, although from other sources I’ve heard it is beautiful.

Above photo: Episcopal Palace of Porto (left); Porto Cathedral (right)

The Church of Santa Clara

Largo Primeiro de Dezembro, 4000-404 Porto, Portugal | Website

The Church of Santa Clara, Igreja de Santa Clara, was super tricky to find. It is not especially well-marked and our GPS guide was confusing. The church is set back behind a wall that is difficult to see from the street. If you reach the city walls, Torres da Muralha Fernandina, you’ve gone too far.

Above photos: Church of Santa Clara

The Church of Santa Clara is spectacular! Its claim to fame is one of the largest examples of national gilded woodwork. The construction of the church dates to 1416. When you see the level of craftsmanship and pair that with the tools available in the early 15th century, it is truly exceptional. Don’t miss the stairs up to the choir where you can get a higher view over main sanctuary and altar.

There is a small fee to visit The Church of Santa Clara, but its worth it. There are fewer crowds here, which is also really nice, albeit surprising given the exquisite interior.

Above photos: The Church of Santa Clara

Rua das Flores

The main pedestrianized shopping street in Porto is Rua das Flores. In addition to the shops and cafes, there are also numerous other historic buildings and gorgeous architecture to see. There were quite a few street artists here, too, selling mostly watercolors. We didn’t do much shopping, but really enjoyed the stroll!

Above photos: Rua de Flores

Miradouro da Vitória

Rua de São Bento da Vitória 11, 4050-265 Porto, Portugal

Miradouros are viewpoints offering scenic, panoramic vistas over the city. There are many miradouros scattered throughout Porto, some more popular than others. The most crowded viewpoints are often located next to a historic landmark or church, while quiet ones are hidden in residential neighborhoods or on private property. However many you get to see, the breathtaking effect is similar.

We took the most indirect, squirrelly route from Rua das Flores up to Torre dos Clerigos that no one seemed happy about at the time, mostly because it was an uphill effort and we had already been walking for hours. So when we ended up finding the Miradouro da Vitória, there was at least that silver lining.

Above photos: View from Miradouro da Vitória

Immediately next to the viewpoint is the Parish Church of our Lady of Victory, Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Vitória. This small church sits within the neighborhood that once belonged to the Jewish community. I later learned that it dates to 1539 and also served as a convent. Lucky for me, it was open and I was able to take a peek inside. The Blessed Virgin Mary sculpture, Nossa Senhora da Vitória, in the altar is by Soares dos Reis.

Above photos: Parish Church of our Lady of Victory (left) and homes along Rua de São Miguel (right) in the Jewish neighborhood of Porto

Across the street are a series of other notable landmarks including the Teatro de S. Bento da Vitória, Mosteiro de São Bento da Vitória, and Igreja de São Bento da Vitória. None of these were part of our planned itinerary, but proved to be great ad lib finds.

Above photos: The Church and Convent of St. Benedict of Victory (Igreja de São Bento da Vitória)

The Church of Clérigos

R. de São Filipe de Nery, 4050-546 Porto, Portugal | Website

The Church of Clérigos and Clerigos Tower, Torre dos Clerigos, is a baroque-style church with a 249-foot tower that can be seen from just about anywhere in Porto. It is the most prominent and recognizable part of the skyline and offers that very best views over the city. In other words, it is an absolute must-see in Porto.

It is really important to purchase your timed-entry tickets in advance. The staff is strict about keeping to the timed-entry slots, so don’t expect to be granted entrance if you arrive early or late. The ticket includes a the church, a self-guided museum tour, and the tower.

Above photos: Clérigos Tower

The interior of the church is beautiful, but the highlight is the 360-degree views from the top of the tower. You’ll have to work for it though! The climb is about 240 steps. In addition to the views, you’ll also get to see the 49 bells that form a large carillon.

Above photo: Interior of The Church of Clérigos

Above photos: The top of Clerigos Tower

The neighborhood around Clerigos Tower is also quite interesting. We completely circled the building, taking it in from all sides, and then explored a bit more from there.

Above photos: Clerigos neighborhood

Above photo: Exterior front of of The Church of Clérigos

If you are interested in visiting the church in the evening or can make your way back, the Spiritus multi-media show that pairs light, music, and architecture in the heart of The Church of Clérigos looks amazing. I really wanted to come back for this, but jetlag won that argument.

Churches of Carmo and Carmelitas

Carmo: Rua do Carmo, 4050-164 Porto, Portugal

Carmelita: Praça de Gomes Teixeira 5, 4050-456 Porto, Portugal

A short walk away from Clerigos is another hot spot of iconic churches, the side-by-side Church of Carmo, Igreja do Carmo, and Church of Carmelitas, Igreja dos Carmelitas. Well, almost side-by-side — there is a very narrow house between the two built to maintain the appearance that the nuns and monks could not have any contact.

Above photo: Churches of Carmo and Carmelitas

The Church of Carmo is a beautiful, baroque building with Instagram-worthy azulejo tilework representing the Brown Scapular imposition on Mount Carmel. The church was completed in 1768, but the tiles weren’t added until 1912.

Above photos: The Church of Carmo (Igreja do Carmo)

The Church of Carmelitas was completed in 1628, making it the older of the two churches. It was once part of a convent, which no longer exists. The inside decoration is baroque and rococo style with gilded woodcarvings on the main altar and the lateral chapels. 

Above photos: The Church of Carmelitas (Igreja dos Carmelitas)

Livraria Lello

Rua das Carmelitas 144, 4050-161 Porto, Portugal | Website

We bookended our first day at Livraria Lello, a world-famous book store known for its neo-gothic and art nouveau design. Although it is rumored to have inspired JK Rowling, the author says that it just a myth. But, it definitely has some serious old world vibes!

Above photos: Livraria Lello

If you want to visit Livraria Lello, some advance planning is required. It is one of hottest tickets in town. Even with a ticket, you’ll have to queue outside the shop for your time-entry slot. Is it worth it? Yes! It is a really, really neat place to visit, especially given the rich literary history of Porto. Click here for online ticket information.

If you are hoping for beautiful photos of Livraria Lello without anyone else in your frame, chances are slim. It was packed while we were there, and from what I gather, it is like that most of the time. Your best bet is coming at the end of the day.

Above photos: Livraria Lello

Day 2 in Porto

São Bento Train Station

Praça de Almeida Garrett, 4000-069 Porto, Portugal | Website

If don’t arrive in Porto by train, you will still want to make time to visit the São Bento railway station. Built in the early 1900s on the former site of a Benedictine monastery (which it is named after), it is richly painted and decorated with azulejo tiles. I’ve been in a lot of train stations, and this one is definitely one of the most beautiful I have ever seen.

It is still an active station with commuters coming and going throughout the day, which makes the vestibule a pretty hectic place to stand around. I loved seeing it “in action” but would recommend avoiding rush hour if you prefer a quieter visit.

Above photos: São Bento Train Station

Miradouro da Rua das Aldas

Rua das Aldas 1, 4050-026 Porto, Portugal

We were headed down to the river for most of our Day 2 activities, passing by a few of things we had seen previously. Once we reached Porto Cathedral, we took a new direction towards Miradouro da Rua das Aldas, a viewpoint that overlooks the riverfront buildings. It is a smaller viewing area, but the views themselves are as sweeping as the rest of them.

This miradouro is popular for sunrise watchers and has the added benefit of being close to many other attractions, such as Porto Cathedral, the Chafariz do Pelicano fountain, and the stairs leading down to The Church of St. Lawrence.

Above photo: View from Miradouro da Rua das Aldas

The Church of St. Lawrence

Largo do Colégio, 4050-028 Porto, Portugal

The Church of St. Lawrence, Igreja de São Lourenço, is another church with an interesting history and nickname. Were it not for the twin bell towers, the 16th century building might be mistaken for something else, as there are no religious statuaries or emblems indicating its purpose. The Jesuits, who built the church, were like that – a bit austere.

The locals call this place the Cricket’s Church, Igreja dos Grillos, as in the the little grasshopper-like insect. The name is so prevalently used that some maps will have it labeled as such. Before the church was built, the Jesuit priests met at a place on Rua do Grilo and folks started referring to them as Padres Grilos, or Cricket Priests. Later, a mission of Jesuits built the church, and well, the old nickname followed.

The church sits on the hillside below the Porto Cathedral such that you are practically at eye-level with the St. Lawrence bell towers when standing at Miradouro da Rua das Aldas. Once you are inside, be sure to climb to the top of the adjoining towers and look back at the miradouro and the views of Porto Cathedral.

Above photos: The Church of St. Lawrence (Igreja de São Lourenço)

The interior of the church is stunning and not what you’d expect given the unassuming exterior. The baroque style decorations are gilded in gold and wood carvings of saints flank the altar. The Museum of Sacred Art and Archeology is within the church has contains many religious artifacts and works of art.

Above photos: The Church of St. Lawrence (Igreja de São Lourenço)

Largo da Pena Ventosa

Largo da Pena Ventosa 22, Porto, Portugal

Largo da Pena Ventosa refers to a beautiful old square in the Old Town area of Porto with the backdrop of the Church of St. Lawrence. The colorful houses and cobblestone streets are nestled in the hillside and will inspire you to whip out your easel and watercolors. It is truly a hidden gem in Porto, but not a complete unknown.

We wandered around the connecting streets of Rua de Sant’ Ana and Rua da Bainharia, not entirely sure of where we were going, but generally kept to the downward incline towards the river — and made it:)

Above photos: Porto Old Town

Ribeira

Cais da Estiva and Cais da Ribeira are one and the same street that runs along the waterfront with colorful shops and restaurants on one side and the Douro River on the other. We were here on a Friday along with everyone else in Porto and could have stayed all day. It is a bit touristy, but lively and fun.

Above photo: Riberia waterfront

There are quite a few points of interest in the area, such as Praça da Ribeira, The Customs House (Casa do Infante), which houses the Porto Museum, and the Pilares da Ponte Pênsil, the granite pillars of the original bridge. I recommend a leisurely stroll down the promenade, taking time to read the historical landmark signs, watching the boats come in and out, and nipping up a side street or two.

Above photo: Riberia from across the Duoro River

Duoro River Cruise

Every visitor needs to take a sightseeing tour on the Duoro River. It is practically mandatory. The best way to do this is on one of the old port wine vessels, called Rabelos. These wooden cargo boats have been moving wine barrels from the Duoro Valley wineries to the cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia for centuries.

Above photos: “Seven Bridges” Duoro River Cruise

Our 1-hour cruise was a “Six Bridges Cruise“, meaning it went up and down the river passing under the six bridges in the immediate vicinity. It was an ideal way to see some of the farther points along the river that we otherwise wouldn’t have had time to see. The vantage point of seeing the shorelines (on both sides) from the water was incredible. The guide narration was brief, but we still loved seeing everything.

Above photos: “Six Bridges” Duoro River Cruise

If you have more time, you can take a cruise to the Duoro Valley to visit a handful of wineries and then cruise back. The Duoro Valley is a UNESCO World Heritage site for its cultural landscape and its long history of viticulture. Some recommended tours to see the region are below:

Vila Nova da Gaia

As you look across the Duoro River from Riberia, you are actually looking at a distinct and separate city, Vila Nova da Gaia. It very much appears that it is just an extension or neighborhood of Porto, but it is its own city — and it is a very special place. Our Duoro River Cuise operator dropped us off right by the Tourism Office at the river taxi dock, where we began our walking tour of the area.

Above photo: Vila Nova da Gaia near the water taxi dock

Above photo: Vila Nova da Gaia

There is a ton of stuff to see and do in Vila Nova da Gaia, but most people simply enjoy walking along the promenade, stopping for lunch at one of the cafes, shopping, and popping into the port wine cellars. You will also notice the Gaia Cable Car is here to whisk you up to the Igreja do Mosteiro da Serra do Pilar, a former monastery and architectural landmark of Vila Nova da Gaia that overlooks Gaia and the skyline of Porto.

Above photos: Gaia Cable Car (left); Monastery of Serra do Pilar (Igreja do Mosteiro da Serra do Pilar) (right)

Port Wine Cellars

As the name suggests, Porto is the world’s largest producer or port wine. It stands to reason, then, that visiting port wine cellars and sampling the various vintages is a popular activity. If you have never tried port wine, I highly recommend purchasing a bottle or two before you travel. If you don’t like it, you probably don’t want to allocate much time, if any, to visiting the cellars.

In complete and full disclosure, I am not a fan (at least not yet – it might be an acquired taste). Port wine is a fortified, sweet, brandy-like wine that most people like to drink as an aperitif. For grins, we went into a couple of cellars and I ended up buying a couple small bottles and some port wine chocolate. If port wine is your thing, you’ll want to block off more time. Each cellar has tasting rooms, tours, cafes, and other special events.

Above photos: Calem (left) and Sandeman (right) Wine Cellars in Vila Nova da Gaia

Luís I Bridge, Ponte Luís

Long before we walked across the Luís I Bridge, we had seen it from the miraduoros and bell towers overlooking Porto and the Duoro River. Indeed, this iconic bridge cannot be missed, even if you try.

The Luís I Bridge was erected in 1881-86. It was designed by Teófilo Seyrig, a partner of Gustav Eiffel. The neighboring bridge of Donna Maria Pia was designed by Mr. Eiffel. Hence, the two look very similar. Porto is a city of bridges, but the Luís I Bridge is the most emblematic. It is a double-deck metal arch bridge that connects Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia, and it is spectacular!

The bridge is open to motor vehicle and foot traffic on the lower level and metro train and foot traffic on the upper level. One of the best things to do on a sunny day is walk over the bridge and admire the view over the Duoro River. If you have a fear of heights, I recommend the lower level;)

Above photo: Luís I Bridge

No. 1 Tram / Museu C. Eléctrico

Alameda de Basílio Teles 51, 4050-127 Porto, Portugal | Website

We didn’t make it to the Museu C. Eléctrico, but I decided it still deserved a spot on this list. Our slow morning and an unexpected rain shower meant we didn’t have time to do everything we hoped.

The Museu C. Eléctrico is a tramcar museum located in the former Massarelos electricity power station. The collection contains 16 electric cars, 5 trailers, and two maintenance vehicles — and tells the history of trams in Porto. It looks adorbs and really interesting. Plus, you can take the famous No. 1 Tram to get there and back from Riberia.

Mercado Ferreira Borges

Rua da Bolsa 19, 4050-253 Porto, Portugal

While we were awaiting our tour time for Palacio Bolsa, we nipped over to Mercado Ferreira Borges across the street. This large red iron building was built in 1885 and named after a famous politician from Porto. It has been used for a slew of different purposes over the years including a warehouse for military equipment, a community kitchen for the homeless, and most recently a performance venue called the Hard Club.

During the day, a central aisle is used for arts and crafts vendors and a cafe provides table service with outdoor seating. There aren’t too many examples of iron architecture still standing like this, so it is definitely a cool place to see.

Above photo: Mercado Ferreira Borges

The Stock Exchange Palace

Rua de Ferreira Borges, 4050-253 Porto, Portugal | Website

The Stock Exchange Palace, Palacio Bolsa, is one of the most visited attractions in Porto, known for its neoclassical facade and ornate gilded Arabian Hall. It is best combined with a visit to the Duoro riverfront and Riberia neighborhood since it sits at the bottom of a steep hill you only want to climb back up once.

Above photo: The Stock Exchange Palace (Palacio Bolsa)

Due to its popularity, the ticket queue can get long and tour groups sell out. Consider purchasing your ticket in advance here. Or, you can purchase a Porto Card, which grants admission and discounts to various attractions throughout the city.

Built on the former site of the St. Francis Convent, the Stock Exchange Palace was completed in 1910. The domed center area where the financial markets once operated is known as the Hall of Nations, Pátio das Nações, and it keeps getting better from there.

Above photos: The Hall of Nations at The Stock Exchange Palace

Above photos: The Stock Exchange Palace

Our 30-minute guided tour took us through room after room of ornate architecture, decorations, artwork, and furnishings. The tour culminates in the striking Arabian Hall, Salão Árabe. It literally took my breath away.

Above photos: Arabian Hall, The Stock Exchange Palace

Next door, the Church of St. Francis, Igreja de São Francisco, which is the only remaining part of the convent, can be visited separately. It is estimated that over 300 kilos of gold dust were used to decorate the church’s interior. 

What we ate in Porto

If you are a travel foodie, you have hit the jackpot in Porto. This is a food-lover’s mecca! There are several food specialties to Portugal that you won’t want to miss out on while you are here.

• Sardines: Look for sardines in metal tins AND restaurants that serve grilled sardines. The grilled sardines are larger than the ones in the tins and served whole. They are very easy to de-bone, and even if you do swallow a small bone, it won’t hurt you.
• Pastel de Nata: Pretty sure these little egg-and-cream custard tarts are the national food of Portugal. They originated in Lisbon, but can be found in bakeries all over the country. We loved the ones from Manteigaria.
• Francesinha: These opened-faced sandwiches can be found at many restaurants in Porto, but the BEST are made at Cafe Santiago. This was my first meal shortly after arriving in Porto and it lived up to the hype.

Above photos: Sardines (left), Pastel de Nata at Manteigaria (center); Francesinha at Cafe Santiago (right)

As for restaurant recommendations, I just have a short list of the ones that we discovered. High marks for Rio’s Tapas Bar, our favorite meal in Porto, with Costume Bistro as a close second. My little snack of oysters and champagne at a Riberia pop-up location of Casa das Ostras was also a moment of bliss.

• The Majestic Cafe: R. de Santa Catarina 112, 4000-442 Porto, Portugal | Website
• Cafe Santiago: R. de Passos Manuel 226, 4000-382 Porto, Portugal | Website
• Rio’s Tapas & Bar: R. do Duque de Loulé 185, 4000-325 Porto, Portugal | Instagram
• Casa das Ostras: Mercado do Bolhão, R. Formosa 322, 4000-248 Porto, Portugal
• Postigo do Carvao: R. da Fonte Taurina 24, 4050-269 Porto, Portugal | Website
• Pedro dos Frangos: R. do Bonjardim 223 312, 4000-124 Porto, Portugal
• Costume Bistro: Tv. dos Congregados 17, 4000-179 Porto, Portugal | Website

Above photos: Rio’s Tapas & Bar (left), Pedro dos Frangos (center); Oysters at Casa das Ostras (right)

Other links

Below are a few other tour offerings that I found that sounded like a lot of fun! The tile painting workshop looks especially interesting if you are looking for an experience that doesn’t involve much walking. After spending most of our time on-foot, I can definitely vouch for anyone who is hoping to carve out some time for proper R&R!

Thank you for reading my post! Please feel free to add friendly comments or questions below!