Porto, Portugal: The Best Things to Do, From Wine Tastings to Trying the Francesinha Sandwich

21.08.2024 - 00:35 / cntraveler.com / Nova De-Gaia / Conde Nast

As interest in visiting Porto only grows stronger, visitors are finding even more things to do in the city. What was once seen for many as a short trip is becoming a longer break, with exploration outside of the city centre and into neighboring areas. Porto may be Portugal’s second largest city—after Lisbon—but it did give the country its name from the Roman Portus Cale. Centuries later, the city became famous for port, its “divine nectar of the Gods,” tastings of which are highly recommended in any of the port lodges lining the riverside in Vila Nova de Gaia. From there, look across the Douro at Porto’s colorful jumble of medieval houses, soaring church towers, and glossy blue-and-white tiled façades. Here, our selection of the best things to do in Porto can help you weave your way through the city, dipping into its sights, sounds, tastes, and smells to better get under its skin. To be sure, Porto will get under yours too.

A version of this article originally appeared in Condé Nast Traveller UK.

Azulejos are the hand-painted ceramic tiles that dress so many of Porto’s buildings. They were introduced into Portugal by the Moors when they occupied much of the Iberian Peninsula, but became widespread after King Manuel I brought the know-how back to the city after a trip to Seville in 1503. Mainly blue and white, many of the tiles in Porto tell the lives of saints or portray Portuguese history.

To see the azulejos in all their glory, start at the early 20th-century railway station of São Bento, in the city center, where 20,000 hand-painted tiles by Jorge Colaço show scenes of daily life and significant moments in the country’s history. Just a short walk away is the Church of Santo Ildefonso, where 11,000 tiles—also created by Jorge Colaço—were added to the exterior of this Baroque church in 1932. Try and catch it when framed by a cloudless blue sky for the greatest impact.

Standing near the busy shopping street of Santa Catarina, Capela das Almas is probably Porto’s most photographed church. Its exterior is completely covered with tiles depicting the lives of Saint Francis of Assisi and Saint Catherine of Alexandria to dramatic effect. Porto Cathedral’s dark Gothic cloisters are also worth visiting for its tiles, as is the Igreja do Carmo. Its beautiful blue and white tiles were added to the exterior of the 18th-century Baroque church in 1910.

Porto’s well-photographed bridge is what most think of when they picture the city, so why not head there to look across the city and the Douro River? You can walk from one side of the river to the other using the bridge via either the lower level (which is also accessed by cars) or, for those without a fear of heights, the upper level (which also takes trams