How to Explore Porto – A Complete Guide

Porto, the second largest city of Portugal and sometimes affectionately referred to as the “northern capital of Portugal”. It is usually on any traveler’s list when they visit Portugal. The city is highly renowned for its amazing architecture, culinary delights, shopping, night-life and so much more! If you’re looking to explore the best spots in Porto, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, we will be taking you on a journey of a lifetime and cover everything you need to know about exploring Porto.

History of Porto

Porto is situated on the mouth of river Douro and was founded in the 4th century by Celts. It then was conquered by Romans and other European countries in the following centuries. In 1147, it was taken back from the Moors and declared as an official city by then King Alfonso Henriques. Throughout the centuries, has seen various wars and conquests which led to Porto becoming a part of Portugal; its modern-day culture is therefore a concoction of different influences from the past.

Things to do in Porto

When visiting Porto for a few days, there are plenty of things to do in the city. Depending on your interests we have compiled a list of activities that you can enjoy in the city. So let’s dive right into it!

Visit Casa da Musica

The multi-level Casa da Musica is situated in the center of Porto and includes a concert hall, exhibition spaces, a library and rehearsal spaces. This venue often has musical performances as well as electronic shows that will get your heart pumping. You can also enjoy multi-sensory experiences such as a live audiovisual performance or visit a lecture series at Casa da Musica. Whether you’re a fan of classical music or modern music, this place is definitely worth a visit while in the city.

Explore Villa Nova de Gaia

When visiting Porto, Villa Nova de Gaia is one of the top places to explore. Located across the river Douro, this place calls itself the “porters city” because of its famous port wineries and sparkling vintages that have made it famous throughout Europe. It has plenty of breathtaking views, as well as old castles to explore. There is also a selection of restaurants, bars and shops to keep you occupied throughout your visit to this side of the city. To get here you can take a ferry from Matosinhos or Porto.

Ribeira Square

Ribeira Square is one of the most visited squares in Porto. Located near the Douro River it has been a major landmark for many centuries in the city. It has now become symbolic for tourists coming to visit the city. You can take a nice stroll here or enjoy the many restaurants, cafes and bars that line up on the square. It’s also a great place to shop around as it has plenty of shops selling knick-knacks and souvenirs.

Attend 1D Porto

The famous 1D Porto Concert is held each summer and attracts many music lovers throughout Europe. This outdoor event held in June is an excellent way to listen to some amazing music within a beautiful setting. Apart from great music, there will be plenty of food stalls to choose from and other activities that you can take part in throughout your experience at 1D Porto Concert. All in all if you want to enjoy some great music and atmosphere then this is definitely one event that you cannot miss while in Porto!

Enjoy a guided Pub Crawl

If you’re looking for an exciting way to discover the night-life in Porto then why not take part in a Guided City Pub Crawl with Club Entry? This is the ultimate opportunity to explore different bars, pubs and clubs while discovering some amazing places with your fellow explorers. Most pub crawls occur on Friday and Saturday nights with some classes on Thursdays as well. The tour guides will take you around some iconic and hidden gems around the city’s nightlife scene and will also provide club entry as part of their package. Plus, with this guided tour you don’t need to worry about getting lost in an unfamiliar neighbourhood as your tour guide will be with you throughout your journey so you can truly immerse yourself into the culture and atmosphere of Porto’s nightlife scene. GetYourGuide’s “Porto Guided City Pub Crawl with Club Entry” tour, which usually takes place in the evenings between Thursday, Friday and Saturday, provides an excellent way for travellers to get stuck into the city’s atmosphere whilst not having to worry about getting lost of finding their way back home.

Take a Tour & Visit Churches

Porto is known for its abundant churches and monuments that line up throughout the city so taking a tour while visiting Porto is highly advised! Many tours offer cathedrals Church visits as part of their packages or from independent companies so make sure you take some time to go through all available options if you want to explore some of these iconic monuments during your visit. A popular church to visit is Sé Cathedral which built in a Romanesque style architecture in 1070 and is highly renowned for its beautiful interior design. Other popular crypts and monuments such as San Francisco Church, Franciscan Monastery and many other places are definitely worth visiting while exploring the city of Porto!

Visit Livraria Lello

The iconic Livraria Lello bookstore first opened its doors in 1906 and ever since it has become a pilgrimage site for book lovers around the world. Described as one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world due to its breathtaking interior design; it consists of gorgeous wooden carvings, marble staircases and spiral balconies that make for stunning views for visitors. So if you are an avid reader then this place should definitely be at the top of your list when visiting Porto!

Where to stay in Porto?

When choosing where to stay in Porto one can take their pick from variety of accommodation including hotels, apartment rentals, hostels or even camping sites depending what type of experience they are looking for while visiting this great city!

Hotels

Porto offers numerous hotels that suit any budget. Hotels are an ideal choice if you are looking for something comfortable and close to most attractions in the city centre. When choosing a hotel make sure you look at options such as Yeatman Hotel which features amazing views over the Douro River or Infante De Sagres which is within walking distance from some of Porto’s top attractions such as Clerigeres Church or Livraria Lello bookshop amongst many others!

Apartment Rentals

If you are looking for something more homely then perhaps Apartment rentals are something worth considering when choosing your accommodation in Porto. Airbnb is incredibly popular within the city offering different types of individual apartments and entire homes as rental units depending on your preferences!

Hostels

If you are looking for a budget option then hostels are definitely something worth considering! Although most may consider them a bit noisy due to shared washrooms, kitchenettes and public spaces; they offer cheaper options that come with great perks such as free Wi-Fi, free breakfast & travel advice so do consider them before booking any other accommodation option! Some hostels worth checking out include Yes! Porto Hostel, Isla Bonita Hostel and many more!

Camping Sites

Last but not least if you’re looking for something more adventurous then camping sites may just be it! Although there are not many camping sites located within walking distance from cultural attractions within Porto there are some located right by beaches such as Praia de Ofir or Campismo Estaleiro that offer camping facilities such as showers, toilets and BBQ among other soothing activities such as daily hikes or fishing opportunities which can be incredibly enjoyable if that’s something you’re interested in trying out!

Conclusion

All said and done exploring Porto is always an enjoyable experience filled with all kinds of exciting activities from visiting stunning bookstores or iconic monuments to attending musical performances or simple taking a leisurely stroll around Ribeira Square marvelling at all its breathtaking views! So pack your bags and be ready for your trip to this amazing city! Take a walk down ancient pathways, gaze up at grand cathedrals, marvel at old bridges over breathtaking rivers – this is what life should be filled with so turn your dreams into reality by planning your trip today! And don’t forget – join GetYourGuide’s “Porto Guided City Pub Crawl with Club Entry” tour, for an exclusive insight into Porto’s vibrant night-life scene!