Porto is a beautiful and colorful city located alongside the scenic Douro River. Everyone I met in Porto was friendly and welcoming. I enjoyed the hospitality, the Port wine, the tapas, and the abundance of street art.

Here are the top 8 things to do in Porto:

Sample Port wine

Port is a sweet dessert wine that originated in Porto. Its original and finest producers are Taylor Fladgate and Dow’s. Go on a self-guided tour of either (or both) wine cellars. After your tour, enjoy a Port tasting on the property.

Port is a little too sweet for my taste, but I really enjoyed the tours I went on. I learned that back in the olden days, the grapes were crushed by dancing! To me, that sounds like fun and games until someone finds a toenail clipping or leg hair in their wine glass. Thankfully, sterile machines are used nowadays to crush the grapes.

Admire the famous bridges

The Maria Pia Bridge was built by Gustave Eiffel, the same architect who designed the Eiffel Tower. The nearby Luis I Bridge looks almost identical to the Maria Pia and the two are often confused. But it doesn’t matter which bridge you’re closest to because both are perfect for a scenic stroll.

Luis I Bridge

I recommend walking along the bridges for some fantastic (and FREE) views. The hills and winding paths leading down to the river make for beautiful pictures. You can also take a cable car to admire the views for a low price.

Colorful buildings along the Douro River

Climb to the top of the Clerigos Church

The Clerigos Church is over 300 years old. Its bell tower is an iconic symbol of Porto. Visitors may climb to the top of the tower to enjoy a 360 degree view of the city.

Find a book at Livraria Lello

Livraria Lello is ranked as one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world. JK Rowling taught English in Porto for 2 years and visited Livraria Lello often during this time. Some Harry Potter fans claim that this bookstore inspired her vision for Hogwarts! I’m a huge Harry Potter fan, so I had to visit. The store was packed with tourists taking selfies and having impromptu photo shoots. I didn’t stay very long because of all the activity, but I’m glad I went.

Get lost looking for street art

Creative and elaborate street art

Pass through Sao Bento train station

Even Porto’s train station is beautiful! The walls are covered in white tiles that painted with shades of blue. The painted tiles depict scenes of important events throughout Portugal’s history. Artsy AND educational!

Enjoy delicious tapas

My favorite meal in Porto was a charcuterie board served with olive oil, bread, and crudites. It was so simple but so delicious.

Savor a nata pastry

These flaky pastries are petite, about 1 inch in diameter. The shell has the consistency of a croissant and the inside is filled with vanilla custard. If you don’t like pastries but still have a sweet tooth, I recommend a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice. It is divine and 1000x better than store bought OJ.

Nata pastry

Have you been to Porto? Have you tried Port wine? Let me know in the comments!

Thank you for reading! 🙂

– Travel Alli