In this guide we ensure that your stay in Porto is an unforgettable experience, and we are sure to show you the beauty that this famous city hides in its narrow streets.
Porto, an undefeated city on the Douro River, is the second largest city in the country and is already one of the biggest tourist destinations in Europe . Its history, multiculturalism, beautiful landscapes and good food are signs of hospitality, as evidenced by the fact that it has been awarded three times as the Best European Destination by European Best Destinations .
Letheshome , present in Porto since 2007, on Rua Sá da Bandeira, has a strong and natural connection with the city and its people. Its beauty has inspired some of the brand's collections and led to a recent, highly successful project with Letheshome Apartments, something we will talk about later.
In this guide we ensure that your stay in Porto is an unforgettable experience, and we are sure to show you the beauty that this famous city hides in its narrow streets, which UNESCO has declared a World Heritage Site .
Review by Fernando Melo: Brasão Cervejaria Foz, in Porto (evasoes.pt)
The best restaurants to try the famous Francesinha
Brasão Cervejaria . Located next to the Coliseu do Porto and with capacity for 250 customers, this place specializes in its oven-baked Francesinha and dozens of craft beers to accompany it. For vegetarians, Brasão also has the option of the Vegetable Francesinha and Stuffed Eggplant.
O Afonso . Considered by many to have the best Francesinha in the city, this restaurant is also famous for its mini-museum Ayrton Senna, where the Formula 1 legend is a prominent figure throughout the space.
Café Santiago . With ingredients sourced directly from Bolhão, everything in this francesinha is handmade and made to please all types of customers. And, according to its owner, Isabel Ferreira, “the secret is in the sauce”.
Lado B. Here we have a Vegan Friendly space. To ensure the experience is pleasant and inclusive for everyone, without exception, Lado B serves, in addition to the traditional francesinhas, vegetarian and even vegan options of its famous dish. The sauce is also vegetarian.
The best restaurants to try Tripas à Moda do Porto
The Leader . According to Manuel Moura, the owner, "the animal's cap and stomach, cow's foot, white beans, carrots, sautéed with onion, bacon and fresh bacon, chorizo, good olive oil, salt, pepper and cumin", none of this can be missing from the recipe.
O Buraco . Also known for its fresh fish, tripe is by far the main dish at this restaurant, which has over 40 years of history and won over customers.
Flor dos Congregados . An old restaurant converted into a welcoming restaurant where meat is the highlight. In one of the oldest restaurants in Porto, with over 160 years of history and “1001 ancestral recipes”, in addition to tripe, you can choose from chanfana, oven-roasted goat or rojões à Minhota.
Flor dos Congregados | Restaurant, Porto | All About Portugal
The best bars and cellars for Port Wine tasting
Wine Quay Bar . A 10-minute walk from São Bento Station, this small bar is located next to the Luiz I bridge, opposite the Gaia wine cellars. In addition to Port wine, there is a special selection of Portuguese wines from the Douro, Vinho Verde and Alentejo. Prices range from €2.50 to €7 per glass.
Tasting . In the same area we have a perfect place for a date. In addition to its carefully selected wine list, cheese is a must-have accompaniment and the intimate atmosphere helps create the ideal atmosphere for an unforgettable date.
Cave Calém . One of the best-known Port wine cellars. The experience includes a visit to an interactive museum, a group tour of the cellars and ends with a Port wine tasting in the main room or on the terrace.
Graham’s Cellar . Another renowned Port wine house, Graham’s offers a visit full of elegance, glamour and tranquility. Ideal for those who want to avoid the hustle and bustle and have a more relaxed experience. The visit to the cellars ends with a wine tasting in the main room, with a privileged view of the Douro River.
Restaurants classified in the Michelin Guide
For a more luxurious and gourmet experience, these places are known for their culinary excellence and for preserving the region's typical cuisine, while some types of cuisine also focus on showcasing new cultures and flavors. Here is a selection of restaurants that have received the most honorable mentions worldwide:
- Avillez's Corner
- Cave
- Euskalduna Studio
- Antiqvvm
- In Different
New restaurant in Porto is owned by a woman of arms (evasoes.pt)
Café Majestic: a piece of the Belle Époque in the heart of Porto - Porto Secreto
Historic Cafés in Porto
Majestic . The most visited and photographed café in the city, open since 1921 on the ever-bustling Rua de Santa Catarina. In addition to its unique architecture, the place is famous for its French toast and teas of various origins. We can read on its website: “ More than a café, Majestic tells the story of Porto. The Porto of the twenties, of political gatherings and debates of ideas. The Porto of the 'Bélle Époque', of writers and artists ”.
Guarany . Also known as the musicians' café, Guarany is inspired by the tribes of Central/South America and its strengths are its exquisite service, its fado nights and its artistic and traditional decor.
Where sleep?
For a night in the city, we recommend Letheshome Apartments . Located on Rua Sá da Bandeira, close to everything – with Avenida dos Aliados two minutes away, and Mercado do Bolhão and the Coliseu 300 meters away – it is the ideal place to rest after your first day of visiting the city and recharge your batteries.
There are 9 apartments decorated with the finest Letheshome products, with free WiFi, parking and shopping and laundry services at your disposal. What's more, we promise that the warm bread in the morning will make you even more satisfied.
What to visit?
Livraria Lello . This neo-Gothic design space, with immense staircases and a collection of books from various different eras, attracts millions of tourists each year and is recognized as one of the most beautiful and emblematic bookstores in the world by global media outlets such as CNN, The Guardian, Time magazine and travel guide publisher Lonely Planet.
Bolhão Market . The city's most famous and emblematic market, this market dates back to 1839 and is dedicated to fresh produce, more specifically food products, which serve businesses and the local population. The space was recently reopened, with even more vendors – selected through a public competition – and shops and restaurants lining its exterior.
What to visit?
Rua de Santa Catarina . This is the city's most important shopping area and, as it is a pedestrian-only street, life is palpable throughout its square metres. Its name comes from the Chapel of Souls, or Chapel of Santa Catarina, and today it is home to shops of the most varied brands, street vendors and street artists, cafés, restaurants and all other types of shops.
Ribeira . Located, as its name suggests, on the riverbank, Porto's Ribeira is one of the most important places to visit in the city. With its decorated and colourful façades, the terraces are the perfect place to admire the Douro River, the Luís I Bridge and, on the other side, the city of Gaia, with its illuminated cellars, in a night-time setting much appreciated by tourists.
Porto: Rua de Santa Catarina, an artists' walk (up.pt)
Vision | 6 Port wine cellars to visit again (sapo.pt)
What to visit?
Port Wine Cellars . Port wine is an undeniable symbol of the region and visits to the cellars serve as both a cultural and a gustatory experience. According to Time Out, “ You can discover the history of the Douro and its centuries-old Port wine houses through bottles, oak barrels, objects, advertising posters, furniture, tiles, documents and interactive museums. Best of all? At the end of the visit, you can taste these Douro nectars .”
Carmo Church . This church, built in the second half of the 18th century in the Baroque/Rococo style, is one of the most notable buildings in the city of Porto. Classified as a National Monument in 2013, it displays the heritage of the Carmelite Order, including paintings, relics, sculptures and liturgical vestments.
For nightlife enthusiasts
Base Porto . Located next to the Clérigos Tower, this informal bar is also an urban garden where, with nature as a backdrop, we can enjoy beautiful moments with family and friends, accompanied by drinks, cocktails and, often, live music.
Galerias de Paris . The Galerias de Paris street is one of the liveliest nightlife spots in the city. Several bars and clubs provide music for their customers and passers-by, making downtown Porto a popular spot for nightlife enthusiasts.
HOT FIVE Jazz & Blues Club . If you’re in a less festive and more artistic mood , Hot Five is the perfect place for a night of good music and good vibes. Since 2006, this club has been hosting intimate concerts and offers an old-school atmosphere, full of style and class.
Cultural suggestions and conclusion
Museums : Portuguese Center of Photography, Serralves Museum, Electric Car Museum, Casa do Infante, Soares dos Reis National Museum, National Press Museum
Theaters and Entertainment Venues : House of Music, Sá da Bandeira Theater, Rivoli Theater, House of Arts, Porto Coliseum, Hard Club, Bad Habits, São João National Theater
There are plenty of reasons to visit this wonderful city. Whether it’s for its food, the hospitality of its people or the countless points of interest that deserve to be discovered and appreciated, Porto has a unique charm, where the old blends with the modern, and those who visit it always end up wanting to return. Part of Porto remains with those who know it and don’t be surprised if, later on, and in true Porto style, you want to “reward yourself”, “fill your mule” and exclaim “damn, what a special city!”.
