Is Porto Worth Visiting? And How to Avoid the Crowds

Guest contributor Mike Jensen is a self-proclaimed adventure junkie and travel blogger. Here, he shares his experience visiting Porto, Portugal’s second-largest city.

---

Are you wondering: Is Porto worth visiting on your trip to Portugal?

Yes… So long as you don’t have to choose between Lisbon or Porto. (Because then I’d recommend Lisbon.)

If you have time, why visit Porto?

In short, Porto is a gem for history buffs, those who enjoy the charms of a picturesque smaller city, foodies, wine enthusiasts and, of course, Harry Potter fans.

Is Porto worth visiting? Reasons to go

Porto is one of the most popular cities to visit in Europe right now.

Beautiful Old Town

One reason Porto is so popular?

Its historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with centuries-old architecture and deep historical roots. Its stunning Old Town straddles the picturesque Douro River, complete with six bridges.

You’ll find amazing Beaux-Arts-style buildings, Baroque churches, beautiful palaces and much more. Many buildings are decorated with lovely azulejos (blue-and-white tiles).

Great food

Then there’s the food. Porto has some of Europe’s best chefs and freshest seafood, caught right off the Portuguese coast.

Great wine

Porto is also home to its namesake port wine. Vila Nova de Gaia cellar tours offer insights into the production of this sweet fortified wine, along with ample tasting opportunities.

The world’s most famous bookstore

The city has a special connection with the Harry Potter series, largely due to J.K. Rowling’s time spent here in the early 1990s.

There are several spots in Porto believed to have inspired settings in the Harry Potter books – the most famous being the Livraria Lello bookstore (more on this later).

Pleasant weather and friendly people

Combine this with the almost year-round stunning weather and welcoming locals, and you have a very attractive small city.

The only problem with Porto?

The downside to being so popular is that Porto can at times get too crowded for its own good.

As for those annoying tourists (obviously, I’m not one of them!), I’ll offer some tips at the end of this post on how to enjoy the best of Porto – away from the crowds.

9 Top things to do in Porto, Portugal

1) Get lost in the Ribeira (Porto Old Town)

The historic Old Town of Porto is found in the heart of the city – the Ribeira district.

It’s crisscrossed by narrow cobblestone streets brimming with 18th century townhouses. Covering a huge area on the northern side of the Douro River, the streets wind their way across multiple hills.

Many of the Porto sights covered below are found in the Ribeira area.

Don’t just walk along the main streets near the river or alongside the Clerigos Tower like most tourists. Choose any and every side street and see where it may lead.

We found countless buildings with beautifully ornate facades, fantastic coffee shops and restaurants, and a store where we couldn’t resist buying some new coffee mugs!

2) Climb Clerigos Tower

Perhaps the easiest landmark to spot in the city is the Clerigos Tower.

Built between 1754 and 1763, the tall bell tower is part of the Baroque-style Clerigos Church.

It towers above the Old Town on the “hill of the hanged men,” where executed prisoners were buried.

You’ll no doubt pass the tower countless times on your Porto visit. But don’t just walk by. Pop inside too.

It’s 225 steps to the top of the 250-ft-high tower, but you’re rewarded with a spectacular 360-degree view of the city.

Afterward, you can tour the House of the Brotherhood (a museum) and its infirmary, where sick priests and other clergy were nursed.

3) Admire Sao Bento Station

Located right in the heart of downtown Porto is one of the bigger train stations – Sao Bento Station.

If you take the train from Lisbon to Porto or leave Porto by train, you may very well end up at this beautiful station. And if not? Peek inside anyway.

Opened in the early 1900s, the Porto train station depicts Portugal’s rich history in a museum-worthy display of azulejo tiles.

Azulejo is a form of Portuguese-painted ceramic tilework.

Some 20,000 tiles cover almost every wall of the station’s foyer – portraying the battles, victories, pilgrimages and royal weddings of Portugal’s past.

When walking around Porto, you’ll be struck by how many of the buildings are covered in these magnificent blue-and-white tiles.

You see these tiles on churches, cafes, even run-of-the-mill apartments… These tile displays are everywhere.

But the most eye-popping work of azulejo art is inside the Sao Bento train station.

Simply enter the train station from the front, camera at the ready, and try to take it all in.

4) Livraria Lello

The now-famous Art Nouveau bookshop, Livraria Lello, is usually on most people’s “Porto must-see” list.

Considered one of the world’s most beautiful bookstores, its crimson double-spiral staircase is a showstopper, as is the stained glass skylight that illuminates the store.

These days, you have to pay for a ticket and line up to visit the bookshop. This sometimes takes 30 minutes to over an hour, depending on how early (or late) you go.

5) Majestic Café

If you’re on the Harry Potter trail, you may also want to stop for a cappuccino at the very popular Majestic Café.

In the 1920s, it was the go-to hangout for politicians, writers and intellectuals.

Rowling also reportedly penned an early draft of “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” at one of the white marble tables.

6) Stroll Cais da Ribeira

If you wind your way down to the riverside in Porto, you’ll eventually reach Cais da Ribeira.

The mostly pedestrian street runs along the waterfront. It’s one of the most popular places to visit in Porto – and rightfully so.

This lively riverside promenade is perfect for taking a leisurely stroll along the Douro River.

With its many cafés, bars and restaurants, Cais da Ribeira is also a great spot for lunch, dinner or even just a drink.

Most of the restaurants fill up quite quickly, so be sure to get there early!

7) Cross the Luis I Bridge

Now that you’ve immersed yourself in the riverside of Porto, you’ll be itching to get up close and personal with that arched bridge that commands your attention overhead.

The double-deck Luis I Bridge (or Dom Luis I Bridge) is a remarkable piece of engineering. It was designed by a student of Gustave Eiffel – yes, of Eiffel Tower fame.

Eiffel’s influence can be seen in the Victorian wrought iron architecture, reminding you of the famous tower in Paris. This is especially evident as you cross the lower deck.

At the time of its completion in 1886, it was the longest arch bridge in the world, spanning 564 feet (172 meters).

You can also walk on the upper deck of the bridge, where the local trams run. You’ll get a bird’s eye view of the whole city up there.

If you’re not up for climbing between the two levels, cheat and take the 19th century Funicular dos Guindais up from the Cais da Ribeira end.

8) Ride a bike along the River Douro

Hankering for a little adventure and perhaps some exercise?

Then a bike ride along the Douro River – north to the sandy beaches of Foz and Matosinhos – is just the ticket.

The ride is almost 100% flat and on separate bike paths, with only a few inconvenient sections on the road.

If you love seafood, time your ride so you hit Matosinhos for lunch. The 7-mile ride will take about 45 minutes.

Along with its beach, the small fishing town of Matosinhos is famous for its fish restaurants – not surprising, given that fishing in Portugal is so popular! Many fishing boats pull up right in the Matoshinhos harbor.

Just follow your nose to the string of restaurants lining the main road. Here’s you’ll find fish barbecued outside on open-air grills.

Don’t worry about which resto to pick – they’re all supposed to be good (and they all looked good to us).

9) Take a Porto wine tour

You probably know that the city of Porto is famous for its port wine.

The grapes are grown upstream from Porto in the Douro River Valley. They’re then processed, aged and shipped to various places along the river.

If you’re looking for the port wine action, it’s all on the opposite side of the Douro River from Cais de Ribeira – in the Vila Nova de Gaia area. Dozens of cellars offer port tastings and winery tours here.

We chose one of the oldest and most renowned port wine houses – Graham’s 1890 Port Lodge.

The family-owned business is further up the hill from many of the other port houses.

It has an incredible view from its balcony – one of the reasons we wanted to go here.

It has a huge collection of port bottles. Held in the cool dark cellars, some (covered with mold) date as far back as the 1800s.

You can choose to do a tour alone or with port wine tasting. (Good port tastes bold and sweet, but not cloyingly sweet.)

There are different levels of tastings as well, from classic to vintage and tawny ports. Some are aged upwards of 30 years. 

A combined tour and tasting takes about two hours.

Afterward, check out the shop. You might want to pick up a bottle of fine port to take home!

More Porto sightseeing

The experiences above just scratch the surface. There are many other interesting places to see in Porto and activities to enjoy.

Unfortunately, we didn’t have time to take in all the Porto highlights. It can be difficult during the high season, as some places have long lines.

When you’re planning what to do in Porto on your visit, you might want to also include the following:

Other Porto churches

Even though Clerigos Church, with its iconic tower, gets the most attention, Porto’s Old Town is full of impressive churches. There’s also the Church of Sao Francisco, Porto Cathedral and Igreja do Carmo.

Use Google Maps and be prepared for a bit of walking!

Jardins do Palacio de Cristal

If you’re looking for free things to do in Porto, check out the Crystal Palace Gardens (Jardins do Palácio de Cristal).

These free botanical gardens are located high on a hill overlooking Porto.

Smell the flowers in the rose garden (and the fragrances in the aromatic plant garden). Watch peacocks strut about. And delight in the sculptures, fountains and views of Porto.

The gardens are also a quiet place to escape to – not many visitors find their way to them.

There’s a cafe, restaurant and children’s playground. The garden is open from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm.

A little bit of everything in Porto

Douro Valley day trip

To truly immerse yourself in the port wine experience, visit the Douro Valley. It’s one of the best day trips from Porto – a journey into the soul of Portugal’s famous tipple, where every sip tells a story.

You’re spoiled for choice, as there are several great tour options for visiting the Douro wine region. Here are two of the top ones:

Best restaurants in Porto

For me, Porto is one of the best places to eat in Europe.

Fresh seafood straight from the Atlantic Ocean? Chefs who seriously know how to cook? Love it!

We visited a range of restaurants, many based on tips from friends who also run a travel blog. The following are three of our favorite Porto restaurants:

Oozing charm, Mistu is a small eatery tucked away in the back streets of Porto’s historic center.

It serves some yummy dishes and desserts, with a hint of Asian, South American and Portuguese flavors. We loved their hump steak and tiger shrimp with cuttlefish risotto.

Dishes are meant to be shared, and it’s worth sampling as big an assortment of food as possible.

TapaBento

The small and cozy place serves a variety of local dishes – from foie gras and fish soup to pork cheeks. But for us, the prawns and tuna were the best.

Their desserts are also to die for! But hey, I have a sweet tooth, so I’m probably biased.

As it’s extremely popular and affordable, be sure to contact Tapabento for a reservation. They’re open 12 noon to 3:00 pm for lunch, then 7:00 pm to midnight for dinner (they’re closed on Mondays and Tuesdays). 

Manteigaria

No trip to Portugal is complete without eating at least a few pasteis de nata.

These small sweet tarts are made with flakey pastry and filled with vanilla custard.

It’s best to get them warm from a place dedicated to making only these tasty treats.

My favorite pastel de nata bakery in Porto (and Lisbon) is Manteigaria. They have two shops in Porto, one right down the street from the Clerigos Tower.

Porto food tours

Want to sample everything from Portuguese Bolinhos de Bacalhau (codfish cakes) to sweet custard tarts? And taste local Portuguese wine too?

Where to stay in Porto

From boutique and luxury hotels to Airbnbs, there are many inviting places to stay in Porto.

Eurostars das Artes Hotel

PortoBay Flores

If you want to kick things up a notch, both in terms of convenience and luxury, the new PortoBay Flores is the hotel to book.

Formerly a 500-year-old palace, this 5-star hotel is located right in the city center. It has 66 sophisticated rooms, a heated indoor pool and a wellness spa with hammam.

PortoBay Flores: Check rates and availability

The Rebello Hotel & Spa

For an escape from the hustle and bustle of Porto’s historic center, cross the Dom Luis 1 Bridge and stay at this new luxury hotel on the Gaia side of the Douro River.

Studios and one- and two-bedroom suites at The Rebello Hotel & Spa have kitchens and offer gorgeous views of Porto. And the staff are super friendly.

The Rebello Hotel & Spa: Check rates and availability

Airbnb

Best time to visit Porto

In the last five years or so, both Porto and Lisbon have become extremely sought-after places to visit in Europe.

They’re both vibrant historic cities with lots to see and do. They also enjoy beautiful weather for far longer than most other European cities.

The problem is, like many other much-loved European destinations (hello Venice!), you’re likely to rub shoulders with hordes of other people. That’s why you should plan wisely.

This is also the peak tourist season, so we’d recommend avoiding July and August.

And don’t visit on a holiday weekend! We found this out the hard way. We went on a long weekend in May, when much of northern Europe was on vacation. Not the best idea!

We managed to avoid the crowds (most of the time) – but we mostly stuck to the less-popular-yet-still-good attractions. 

Porto in spring and fall

Is Porto a good place to visit in the spring and autumn months?

Weather-wise, we think the best time to visit Porto is in late spring. From May to early June, it’s pleasantly warm with a maximum temperature of about 68 F (20 C) – ideal weather for exploring.

September is also nice, though it can still be a bit crowded. Try October to avoid the crowds.

Just don’t expect to have Porto to yourself, as many other tourists also like to travel these months.

Porto in November

What is Porto like in November?

Well, we think there are many benefits to visiting Porto in November.

Firstly, it’s not too cold. Expect temps in the mid-50s to mid-70s F (around 10 to 20 C).

Just be prepared for rain. But then again, the sun sometimes shines for days in November!

The best part, though, is it’s out of season – so the crowds are gone and hotels are less expensive. We also think the Gothic churches and architecture look strikingly moody when the days are a bit gray.

Mind you, I think November will become more popular in future.

So I expect Porto will pop up on more travelers’ radars as people seek out warmish cities to visit this time of year.

Is Porto nice to visit in winter?

That depends on what you mean by “nice.”

The winter weather in Porto tends to be mild compared to many other European destinations.

But it’s not balmy.

From December to February, daytime temps hover in the mid-50s F (slightly over 10 C). And you should expect rain. (It sometimes gets very wet.)

On the other hand, you won’t have to contend with crowds if visiting Porto in winter.

4 More tips to avoid the Porto crowds

So, aside from avoiding the peaks of summer, school holidays and long weekends in Europe, how else can you avoid the crowds?

1) Explore the Ribeira off-the-beaten-path

The Praca da Ribeira – the Ribeira’s main riverfront square – is a favorite spot for tourists. Café tables and restaurants are packed most of the time.

But walk just a few streets away from the square, up the hillside, and you can lose yourself in picturesque twisty alleys far removed from the hustle and bustle.

2) Visit Livraria Lello early or late in the day

What’s the best time to visit Livraria Lello?

If you want to avoid standing in line for ages with thousands of other people, early is always better. In fact, try to get there before the bookshop opens – around 8.30 am is about right. 

3) Visit other bookstores instead of Livraria Lello

Chamine da Mota

Home to more than one million books in many different languages (including English), this lovely second-hand bookstore in Porto is catnip for bookworms.

You’ll find rare books at Chamine da Mota too, along with a collection of ancient music boxes and typewriters.

It’s open from 9:30 am to 7:00 pm (closed on Sundays).

Café Candelabro

Café Candelabro is a bookstore, library, café and wine bar all rolled into one. With a slightly dishevelled feel, it’s cozy and comfortable, and attracts a nice mix of locals and visitors.

Open from midday to late. 

Library and bookstore at Serralves Museum of Contemporary Art

The Serralves Museum of Contemporary Art is one of Europe’s most visited contemporary art museums.

But it’s not just a modern art museum. This unique Art Deco building also has an extensive fine arts section.

There’s also an excellent bookshop, plus some beautifully manicured gardens to stroll through.

4) Reserve in advance

Restaurants and tours, including bike rentals, should be booked at least a day or two ahead – even weeks, if possible.

This way, even if the city is busy, you can make the most of your visit and not miss out on the highlights.

Is Porto worth a day trip from Lisbon?

Porto is roughly 200 miles away from Lisbon.

Train from Lisbon to Porto

There’s a major train line connecting the two cities, with many trains running between Porto and Lisbon each day. The journey time ranges from 2 hours 50 minutes to about 3 hours 20 minutes, depending on whether you take a high-speed train or not.

The first train from Lisbon departs a little after 6:00 am (depending on the season) and the last train from Porto leaves at 10:30 am.

For train schedules and to book, see the official Comboios de Portugal site.

That means you can do a day trip from Lisbon to Porto – if you don’t mind about 6 hours of travel time.

Last words on “Is Porto, Portugal, worth visiting?”

Hopefully, I’ve cleared up any doubts on the question: “Is Porto worth it?”

With its Old Town brimming with its azulejo-tiled architecture, beautiful bookstores and gastronomic restaurants, this charming Portuguese city is a delight to explore. And let’s not forget its signature port wine and those Douro Valley tours!

---

---

---

---

Photo credits: 6, 9, 38 Mike Jensen | Hotel photos courtesy the respective hotels

---