A long weekend in Porto was exactly what the doctor ordered for this Aussie girl, during a very grey and rainy English ‘summer’. Wrapping itself along the edge of the Douro River, Porto is one of the oldest cities in Europe and has become well known for many things – the delicious port wine produced in the region, stately bridges crisscrossing the river and lavish baroque-style tiled churches that are dotted throughout the city. Porto is full of life, while still feeling relaxed and low-key – making it the perfect place to escape to for a relaxing weekend full of good food (like seriously, such good food), great wine and picture perfect views. I’ve pulled together my tips on How to Spend A Long Weekend in Porto, Portugal so that you can enjoy this beautiful city for yourself.
Day 1
Start your day off on the right foot by heading to Mercador Café for breakfast. The interiors are absolutely stunning and I’d recommend the egg white omelette (plus a coffee of course). Porto is best seen on foot, so next on the agenda is to wander your way around the city to get your bearings and check out by the main attractions. The city is famed for the beautifully designed facades of it’s baroque churches – Santa Ildefonso, Capela das Almas and Igreja do Carmo are all absolute musts! Make sure you also swing by Sáo Bento Station to see the elaborate azulejo tiling inside, depicting some of the key moments in Portugese history.
Top left: Igreja do Carmo. Top right: Igreja de São Francisco. Bottom left: São Bento station. Bottom right: Igreja de Santo António dos Congregados
By now, I’d say you’ll be feeling a bit peckish, so make your way to Vinhas d’Alho for a light lunch. Located along the Douro River, you can sit overlooking the water while enjoying a glass of local wine and a sharing board of meats and cheese – perfection! After lunch, it’s time to try some port. Walk over the iconic Ponte Luís I and make your way to Taylor’s Port, where you can try tasters of their signature ports. If you’re lucky, you might also catch a glimpse of the iconic peacocks that call the courtyard of Taylor’s tasting rooms home.
For dinner, book a table at Puro 4050, an Italian restaurant serving up delicious pizzas and mozzarella tastings. The zucchini with smoked mozzarella was to die for, and you can’t go wrong with a bottle of house vinho verde.
Top left: Vinhas d’Alho. Top right: Mercador Cafe. Bottom left: Taylor’s Port, Bottom right: Porto street.
Day 2
Today’s activity is one you’ll definitely want to have booked in advance – a full day winery and wine tasting tour of the Douro Valley (we booked our tour through Get Your Guide and it was fantastic). The tour will take up pretty much all of your day, lasting for around 9 hours including travel to and from the Douro Valley. You’ll get to visit 2 different vineyards and sample a selection of their wines, one smaller family run business and another much larger operation that supplies wine to some of the biggest names in the port industry. A delicious lunch is included (with free-flowing Portugese wine, of course), as well as a boat cruise along the Douro river. The Douro Valley does get ridiculously hot in summer (39° on the day I visited in mid-August), so come prepared with lots of water and breezy clothes. Despite the heat, it really is a perfect day out.
End your day with dinner at Adega Sao Nicolau, this place is popular (and for good reason) so once again, make sure you book in advance. They only take bookings over the phone or in person. Try the grilled Lagareiro style octopus, the prawns with garlic sauce and a bottle of vinho verde *chefs kiss*. After dinner, amble over to Candelabro for a nightcap or two, the square is lively and full of locals, plus the drinks are very reasonably priced so you really can’t go wrong.
Day 3
After an action packed day of wine tasting yesterday, it’s time to take it easy and get to know Porto better. I love booking in a free walking tour when visiting somewhere new to learn about the cities’ history and pick up some local tips. Many walking tours in Porto meet in Avenida dos Aliados…grab a coffee from Do Norte Cafe as you make your way there.
While you’re exploring the city, make sure you try a Portugese must…pastel de nata! I could honestly eat these custard-filled delicacies every day and not get sick of them, they’re that good. Manteigaria make their pastel de nata fresh each day and have a few store locations throughout Porto.
Once you’ve walked (and eaten pastel de nata) to your hearts content, make your way to Gaia on the south side of the Douro River for a port tasting at Burmester. You need to book in advance either online or at the cellars themselves, with the Classic Visit costing just €13 and including 2 port wine samples. You’ll get to learn all about the cellars themselves, the history of port making in Porto and see the historic city centre at a different angle from the patio at the back of the cellars.
One of the best places to be as the sun starts to set is Jardim do Morro. You’ll be treated to, in my opinion, the best view over the historic centre of Porto on the opposite bank. Take a few bevvies up with you and find a comfy spot to sit and take it all in…absolute bliss! To round out your day, head to Belos Aires Restuarante for a mouth-watering Argentinian dinner – I highly recommend ordering the octopus with chimichurri and grilled beef steak.
Top left: view from Burmester Cellars patio. Top right & bottom left: views from Jardim do Morro. Bottom right: streets of Porto.
Day 4
Sadly, all great trips must come to an end, but if you’ve managed to nab an afternoon flight, there’s still time to squeeze in a few more Porto sights. After fueling up with breakfast at Floresta Cafe, it’s time to head to one of the many beaches surrounding Porto to spend a few hours soaking up the sun.
For your last Porto lunch, I’d highly recommend booking a table at Taberna dos Mercadores for fresh and flavoursome seafood.
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