44 amazing things to do in Porto right now

What is it? One of the most iconic bookstores in the country – and the world – it is right in the centre of Porto and is a big part of the city's historical heritage.

Why go? Founded in 1906 at number 144 Rua das Carmelitas, this architectural marvel – with its distinctive neo-Gothic architecture, carved wood, gilded columns, and ornate ceilings – has remained there ever since. But this historic building is not just for admiring; around 300,000 books are sold each year from the tall shelves spread across its two floors. Entrance costs €8 but the amount can be deducted when purchasing a book.

Don't miss: It’s best to visit at the end of the day to avoid crowds – this place gets busy.

What is it? This is one of the city's greatest landmarks – if not the greatest – and a visit to Porto isn’t complete without seeing this monument.

Why go? The design for a Baroque bell tower was presented by architect Nicolau Nasoni in 1753. Construction began the following year and took nine years to complete. In the end, the inauguration took place in 1763, after the iron cross was placed at the top and the image of Saint Paul was installed in the niche above the door. Kudos to the artist.

Don’t miss: One of the best views of the city is from the top of this 75m tower, but to enjoy it, you’ll need to climb 225 steps. It’s worth it, we promise. 

What is it? People of all ages and professions flock to Snack-Bar Gazela, where you’ll find Porto’s best cachorrinhos (small hot dogs).

Why go? Because for over 50 years, the art of making cachorrinhos has been perfected in this place. Just to give you an idea, on a normal day, 300 cachorrinhos are served. The bread is thin and crispy, the linguiça sausages are high quality, and the cheese is melted to hold the fillings together. As a final flourish, everything is brushed with butter and spicy sauce.

Don’t miss: At just €4.50 for a cachorrinho, you’ll have plenty of change left to spend on a couple of well-chilled beers.

What is it? Claus Porto is a soap and fragrance brand whose three-storey Porto shop made our list of Porto’s best shops. But it’s not just the products that make it worth a visit: at 130 years old, this place has quite a history, and has survived monarchies, republics, dictatorships, and revolutions.

Why go? On the ground floor of this space (which once housed the Porto Puppet Museum) is the shop, where you can buy all the brand’s products, from classic soaps to body creams and colognes. Up on the second floor, there is a gallery that tells the story of the brand over four generations, through hand-drawn illustrations, lithographs, photographs, and newspaper clippings.

Don’t miss: On the third and final floor, workshops are held where you can learn how the brand's products are made. Additionally, there is a traditional barbershop service, but make sure to book your appointment here in advance.

What is it? One of the best traditional Portuguese restaurants in the city, where the dishes are made with old-school care and expertise.

Why go? There are many reasons, but the friendly service (in true Porto style), the popular and unique terrace that spills down the São Nicolau steps, and the proximity to the river are some of the features that make this restaurant a true success. It's no wonder Adega São Nicolau made it onto our list of the best restaurants in Porto.

Don’t miss: The freshly fried bolinhos de bacalhau (codfish cakes) that arrive at your table as soon as you sit down, the octopus fillets with octopus rice, and the famous stewed ox tongue with peas. But really, everything here is great – the hardest part is choosing what to order.

What is it? One of the oldest and most beautiful areas of the city. The views of the river and the rabelos (traditional boats) on the water are enough to stop both tourists and locals in their tracks.

Why go? Lose yourself in Porto’s narrow, hilly streets, complete with colourful houses and quirky nooks and crannies waiting to be discovered. Make sure to charge your camera and phone: you’ll want to capture everything you see here. There are also great restaurants, bars, and shops worth visiting.

Don’t miss: Visit the Casa do Infante to learn more about the historical evolution of this area of Porto, or stop by the stunning Palácio da Bolsa.

What is it? One of the best parks and gardens in Porto, the Jardim do Passeio das Virtudes is located behind the Palácio da Justiça. 

Why go? The terraced landscaping makes the most of the views across the river and city, and this park also happens to be home to the largest ginkgo tree in Portugal, which stands around 35m tall. As the day starts to wind down, locals of all ages head to this popular park to catch up with friends, play musical instruments and admire one of the most beautiful views of the Douro River.

Don’t miss: Grab one or two friends, order some beers from the nearby bars, and enjoy the beautiful sunset. The photos will be a hit on social media.

What is it: A treasure trove of vintage clothes.

Why go? There’s a lot to covet here, including colourful shirts, jumpers, jewellery, jackets, parkas, scarves, skirts, sunglasses, and even swimsuits (we won’t judge you for buying one of their bikinis in December – it’s not every day you stumble across finds this good!). Mon Père owner Mariana Araújo decided to ‘stop being an internet geek’ and transform her online store into a physical space, where she sells the items she buys at vintage fairs, from global suppliers, and during her travels around Europe. Bonus: the prices are very reasonable.

Don’t miss: The promotions that happen from time to time: you’ll find everything from affordable jewellery to reasonably priced jackets.

What is it? A project centred around yoga and healthy food, MANNA Porto is located in the heart of the city, but functions as a kind of refuge for those seeking a bit of peace amidst the daily hustle and bustle. It’s an excellent spot for a relaxed breakfast or snack, or to unwind both body and mind, as yoga classes are held here in a spacious room filled with natural light.

Why go? The kitchen here is guided by ahimsa, a yoga principle that promotes non-violence, serving only vegan or vegetarian food. The MANNA menu is relatively short (which helps minimise food waste) and changes frequently due to the focus on seasonal and locally-sourced products, but you can expect comforting dishes like lentil and split pea dahl with Portuguese carolino rice and green chutney. To drink, there is speciality coffee, craft beers, natural wines, and organic teas from Chá Camélia. For snacks and breakfast, they serve granola, wholegrain rice porridge, and cheese with toast and seasonal jam.

Don’t miss: Book a hatha, vinyasa or ashtanga yoga class online or in person 24 hours in advance. You can buy individual classes or opt for a monthly membership.

What is it? For our money, this is one of the best places in the city to eat francesinha, the much-loved Porto-style sandwich.

Why go? We get it – this sandwich can be slightly terrifying for newcomers to Porto. But it’s actually the city's delicacy, and if you get it at the right place, it’s delicious. The francesinha is filled with sausage, steak and ham, covered in a special beer sauce and topped with a fried egg and cheese. Oh, and surrounded by fries. Avoid peak times or risk waiting in long queues, and make sure to schedule in time for a nap afterwards.

Don’t miss: If you’re ready to graduate beyond the entry-level option, the Francesinha Santiago is made with mortadella, fresh sausage, linguiça sausage, steak, ham, cheese, egg, and hand-cut fries. And of course, it's drenched in that famous sauce.