Porto, Portugal Travel Guide: Best Things to Do, Food, Beaches, and Wine
Porto is one of Europe’s most charming cities with tile-covered buildings, sweeping river views, and a food and wine scene that delivers every single day. This guide pulls together everything from my earlier trip and my longer 2025 stay so you get a full picture of what to do, where to eat, and how to explore Porto like someone who actually spent time wandering the city, not just ticking off tourist stops.
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Getting to Porto: Trains, Travel Tips, and First Impressions
Porto is easy to reach by train from Lisbon or any major Portuguese city. When I first visited, my friend Jessica and I found out the hard way that you need to arrive at the station at least 30 minutes before departure. The platforms are massive and it is very easy to miss your train if you cut it close. Luckily we grabbed new tickets and hopped onto the next one. (just imagine us showing up to the train station, finding our terminal and then watching our train slowly leave - very humbling)
Portuguese trains are comfortable, spacious, and quiet. They even serve food and wine. Perfect if you are tired or hungover and want to sleep through the ride. Once you arrive, the mix of hills, waterfront promenades, and historic buildings makes it feel like you stepped inside a painting.
Where to Stay: Hostels, Airbnbs, and Social Spots
I have stayed in both hostels and private apartments and they each offer something different.
Selina Porto
I originally stayed in a mixed dorm here and it was not great. Small rooms, musty smell, and not much of a social atmosphere. If you want to stay at Selina, book one of the lofted private apartments. Those are much more comfortable.
The Passengers Hostel
This was my favorite place to stay!! As someone who has been in over 30 hostels and has worked in a hostel - I can say that this is one of the best hostels I have been to… The beds are big and comfortable, the weekly free pasta dinner is a huge bonus, and you only need to buy a three euro glass of wine to join. They also host bar crawls if you want to meet people. It is a social place without being chaotic.
Airbnbs
Good to rotate in if you want a little privacy or a break from shared spaces. Just be aware of stairs if you have a lot of luggage - great to ask before booking!
Exploring Porto: Neighborhoods, Views, and Hidden Gems
Ribeira is full of steep streets, hidden staircases, and sudden views over the Douro River, and it is the kind of neighborhood where you can wander for hours without a plan. Porto rewards curiosity, so give yourself time to get lost and follow whatever street looks interesting. From there, Crystal Palace Gardens offer a quieter pace with some of the best river views in the city, free to enter and surprisingly peaceful even on busy days, with peacocks roaming the paths. BASE ties it all together with a huge grassy space connected to an outdoor bar right in the city center, making it an easy place to pause, order a glass of Vinho Verde, sit in the sun, and slow the day down.
Other Spots Worth Visiting
Urban Market for local vendors and very strong mulled wine.
Chapel of Souls with its bright blue tiles.
Porto Cathedral for history and an overlook of the city.
Clérigos Church and Tower for views if you want a workout.
Saint Lawrence Church if you want a quieter alternative to the major cathedrals.
Feira de Vandoma for the best & biggest flea market in Porto (7am-1pm Saturday only!)
Gaia Beaches: Peaceful Coastal Escape
One of my favorite days in Porto was the walk to the beaches in Gaia. I crossed the Dom Luís I Bridge and followed the river until it opened up to the coast. The whole walk feels like a slow introduction to daily life on the Gaia side.
The beaches were nearly empty. I grabbed a crepe and an espresso from a small café nearby and sat along the sand watching the light change. Golden hour here is unreal. Everything glows. It is calm and quiet with the waves in the background and that warm, hazy light you only get at the coast.
Stay for sunset. The colors along the Atlantic become deeper and more dramatic as the sun drops. It is the kind of moment that makes you forget you are only a short walk from the city.
Jardim do Morro: The Best Sunset in Porto
If you want something livelier, head to Jardim do Morro. Arrive early because the grassy terraces fill up fast. There is live music, local artists performing, small stands selling wine and snacks, and a crowd that actually appreciates the sunset. When the sun finally dips behind Porto, everyone cheers.
The colors peak after the sun is already down, so stay until it is actually dark. The mix of bright skies and the city lights reflecting on the Douro River gives the whole area a cinematic feel.
Food That Stands Out
Porto has great food but these spots are worth going out of your way for.
Tapabento for seafood and strong flavors.
Gazela for their tiny grilled hot dogs that everyone is obsessed with.
Do Norte Café by Hungry Biker for strong coffee and comfort brunch food.
Honest Greens for fresh bowls when you want something healthy.
Manteigaria for the best pastel de nata. No debate.
My Coffee Porto right by the bridge with a great river view.
Época for thoughtful brunch dishes done well.
Subenshi Sushi for some of the best sushi I have ever had.
Wine and Douro Valley Tours
Porto is famous for wine and you should not leave without trying a few different types.
Port wine which is sweet and strong.
Vinho Verde which is light and crisp.
Orange wine which is aromatic and slightly bitter in the best way.
Ginjinha which is a strong and sweet cherry liquor
A Douro Valley wine tour is one of the best day trips you can take. This full-day wine tour from Porto visits both the Vinho Verde region and the Douro Valley, with 11 tastings, exclusive winery access, a farm-to-table chef’s lunch overlooking the river, and a private boat cruise in Pinhão. It is hands-on, scenic, and relaxed, designed to learn about Portuguese wine the fun way, glass always in hand.
Best Nightlife in Porto
Porto’s nightlife ranges from relaxed wine bars to late-night clubs.
Adega Leonor for a lively local bar experience
Bar Aduela for wine and small bites
Torto for music and a busy crowd
Hard Club for concerts and club nights
Apotecario Speakeasy for creative cocktails in an intimate setting
Plan B for dancing and late-night club music
The riverside also comes alive at night with live music and people hanging out along the water.
Practical Tips for Your Trip
Walk as much as you can since the best parts of Porto appear when you are not looking for them.
Split your stay between a hostel and an Airbnb so you get a social experience and also downtime.
Book the popular restaurants ahead of time.
Plan a wine tour if you have at least one free day.
Spend time on both sides of the river. Porto and Gaia feel completely different.
Final Thoughts
Porto is a city that rewards slow exploration. Walk the Ribiera neighborhoods, relax at BASE, try real pastel de nata, take a day trip to the Douro Valley, escape to Gaia’s beaches, and end your nights listening to live music by the river or dancing at Plan B. The longer you stay, the more the city opens up to you.
