Set along the steep hillsides of the Douro River, Porto is a city that holds its own. It may have lived in Lisbon’s shadow for a while, but it’s built up its own rhythm—less polished, more grounded, and full of character. These days, it draws people in with its layered history, thriving creative scene, and an everyday pace. Here’s our pick of the best things to do in Porto, to help inspire your next trip.
The Serra do Pilar Monastery sits high on the south side of the Douro, just across from Porto’s historic center. From up there, you get some of the clearest views of the river, the old town, and the city’s bridges—including the Dom Luís I Bridge, which frames the view perfectly.
Built in the 16th century, the monastery has a circular church and cloister, which is pretty unusual for this kind of building. The symmetry makes it feel calm and contained, and the acoustics inside are surprisingly strong. It also has a military past—during the Peninsular War, it was used as a lookout and fortress, which makes sense when you see how strategic the location is.
If you're up for the walk or drive, it's a good place to pause and take in the view, and s ometimes there are concerts held inside.
Porto, Portugal © Shutterstock
Mercado do Bolhão is one of the more grounded, everyday places in Porto. It was originally built in the 1800s and went through a big renovation before reopening in 2022.
On the main floor, you’ll find fresh vegetables, seafood, meat, cheese, and flowers—most of it run by long-standing vendors. A lot of Portuenses still do their regular shopping here, and the conversations between stallholders and regulars give it a kind of rhythm that’s nice to witness.
Upstairs, there are cafés and places to grab a quick bite.Don’t miss the bolinhos de bacalhau—fried salt cod snacks that are everywhere in Portugal.
It’s best to go earlier in the day if you want to see it when it’s busy and full of life. You don’t need to spend hours there, but even a short walk is one of the best things to do in Porto.
The Crystal Palace Gardens are one of Porto’s more relaxed green spaces—an easy place to hang out if you want a break from walking around the city. They sit on a hill overlooking the Douro River, with winding paths, ponds, and lots of shaded areas to sit.
The original crystal palace was taken down years ago, and there’s now a round pavilion in its place. But the gardens themselves are still the main draw.
You’ll find themed sections like the rose garden and aromatic plants, and sometimes you’ll see peacocks wandering around. It’s a nice place to bring a snack, read, or just take a slow walk. Sunset is especially good here, and there are occasional events or performances throughout the year.
Porto, Portugal © Shutterstock
Being on the Douro gives you a totally different perspective on Porto. The river cuts right through the city, and from the water, you pass under all six main bridges while floating between the colorful Ribeira district and Vila Nova de Gaia. If you're looking for more time in nature, there are some great Portugal hikes here.
There are short cruises—about 50 minutes—that give you a quick overview of the city. Most are on rabelo-style boats, modeled after the ones that used to transport port wine barrels.
If you want something more active, you can rent a kayak and paddle at your own pace. It’s usually pretty calm, so it’s doable even if you don’t have much kayaking experience. See our guide to how many days to spend in Porto if you're not sure if you have enough time for the day trip.
From the outside, the Church of São Francisco looks like a typical Gothic building—plain stone, simple lines. But inside, it's packed with gold-covered baroque wood carvings that cover almost every surface.
The church was originally built in the 14th century, though most of the decorative work inside came much later. The carvings are detailed and dense, showing biblical scenes, cherubs, and symbolic patterns. One of the most impressive is the Tree of Jesse, which maps out Jesus’s family line in sculpted form.
There’s also a set of catacombs underneath the church. They're dimly lit, quiet, and open to visitors. Some tombs are visible through glass panels in the floor—mostly former monks and some wealthy locals from centuries past. Visiting them is one of the best things to do in Porto.
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If you want to hear real fado in Porto, skip the flashy shows and head to a small tasca like Taberna Real do Fado. These are the kinds of places where fado still feels personal—just a few tables, wood-paneled walls, and no microphones. The singer might be just a few feet away, wearing traditional black, backed by the soft, bright sound of a twelve-string Portuguese guitar.
It usually gets going late, after 10 PM, and pairs well with a glass of port. You don’t need to understand the lyrics to feel it—it’s all about saudade, that deep Portuguese sense of longing. This is one of the best things to do in Portugal.
Francesinha is one of those dishes that sounds a little wild until you try it—and then it makes total sense. It’s Porto’s answer to the French croque-monsieur, but much heavier and fully its own thing.
It's a layered sandwich built with steak, linguiça sausage, and ham, stacked between slices of bread, covered in melted cheese, and soaked in a rich, spicy tomato-and-beer sauce. Most places add a fried egg on top and serve it with a pile of fries to help mop up everything on the plate.
The sauce is where restaurants really get competitive—everyone has their own take, and locals have strong opinions about who does it best. Café Santiago and Brasão are two names that come up a lot in those debates (see our list of the best restaurants in Portugal for more). Taking on one of these sandwhiches is very easily one of the best things to do in Porto.
Livraria Lello is a functioning bookstore, but it’s the building itself that draws people in. Open since 1906, it’s a mix of neo-Gothic architecture, carved wood, stained glass, and a dramatic red staircase that winds through the center like something out of a movie. And yes, J.K. Rowling did visit while she lived in Porto, which only added to its fame.
There’s a timed ticket system now because of the crowds, but once you're inside, it’s easy to see why it's so popular. If you're into books, head to the upper floor for a quieter view of the space and check out their collection of Portuguese classics. It’s busy, but worth a visit—just treat it like a bookstore, not a museum, and try to buy something if you can.
Ribeira is the old riverside neighborhood of Porto, and it’s probably what you picture when you think of the city: narrow streets, tiled facades, and balconies strung with laundry. It’s a bit touristy now, but it’s still full of life—especially in the early evening, when locals and visitors all seem to head down toward the water. This is a great area to stay in Porto.
You’ll find little squares, historic fountains, and some great views of the Douro as you wander around. Down at the riverfront, Cais da Ribeira has plenty of restaurants and bars where you can sit outside and watch the sun set over the hills.
If you happen to be there during São João in June, expect a full-on street party, with dancing, music, and plastic hammers tapping people on the head well into the night. It's by far one of the best things to do in Porto.
Café Majestic is one of those places you go more for the experience than just the coffee. It’s been around since 1921 and still looks the part—ornate woodwork, big mirrors, marble tables. It’s formal, but not in a way that feels stiff.
There’s a story that J.K. Rowling used to come here while living in Porto, which gets mentioned a lot, but the café’s reputation goes way beyond that. For decades, it’s been a meeting place for local artists, writers, and thinkers.
These days, it’s more of a heritage stop than a local hangout, but it’s still worth visiting. There’s often a pianist playing in the background, and the waitstaff wear classic white jackets.If you go, try the rabanadas—it’s a Portuguese take on French toast—or just sit with a bica.
Vila Nova de Gaia, just across the river from Porto, is where most of the port wine cellars are. This is what to do in Porto if you're really nito wine. You’ll see the big names—Sandeman, Taylor’s, Graham’s—painted on the rooftops as soon as you cross the bridge. These are the places where port has been stored and aged for generations.
Most cellars do tours where they walk you through the basics: how port is made, why it’s fortified, how the aging process works. It’s pretty straightforward and usually ends with a tasting. The cellars are cool and dark, filled with massive wooden barrels, and they still smell like wine-soaked oak.
Each house has a slightly different approach. Taylor’s has a nice garden area to sit outside. Graham’s tends to focus more on aged and premium wines. Sandeman leans into its branding a bit, but it’s fun. See our guide to getting around Portugal if you're not sure how to get there.
Porto, Portugal © Shutterstock
Azulejos—the hand-painted ceramic tiles you see all over churches and buildings in Porto—have a long history here. At Oficina Cerâmica, you can try your hand at making one yourself. The workshops are run by local artists who walk you through traditional techniques that go back centuries.
It’s not just about painting a tile, either. You’ll learn where azulejos came from (they were influenced by Moorish design), how the styles changed over the years, and why they became such a big part of Porto’s buildings.
It’s a nice pick if you like creative activities or want a more hands-on way to connect with local culture. You don’t need any artistic skills to take part—just curiosity. The workshops are beginner-friendly and short enough to fit into a day of sightseeing, and is even a nice thing to do in Portugal with kids.
Plus, you get to take home whatever you make, which is a much better souvenir than anything you’d find in a shop. This kind of workshop can be done in Porto or Lisbon.
This iron bridge connects Porto with Vila Nova de Gaia and is one of the most recognizable structures in the city. It was designed in the 1880s by a student of Eiffel, and it definitely has that industrial look to it.
There are two levels. The top is mainly for the metro but also has a pedestrian walkway, and the lower level handles cars and foot traffic. If you're on foot, the upper level is where you'll get the best views. You can see the tiled buildings of Ribeira, the wine lodges across the river, and the boats on the Douro below.
At sunset, it’s especially nice, and you’ll usually see people just hanging out, taking in the view. In summer, you might even spot a few locals jumping into the river from the rocks below—it’s a tradition that’s been around for years, though not exactly encouraged.
Porto, Portugal © Shutterstock
About an hour outside Porto, the Douro Valley is a good break from city life. The drive (or train ride) takes you through steep hillsides and river bends lined with terraced vineyards that have been worked for thousands of years.
The Douro is one of the oldest regulated wine regions in the world and home to the country’s famous port wine. There are also some great reds and whites from local grape varieties. A lot of the wine estates—called quintas—are still run by families and feel low-key. Some welcome visitors for tastings, often by appointment, and you’ll get a look into how port has been made for generations.
Spring and autumn are especially nice times to go—green vines in spring, and fiery colors across the valley in the fall. This is one of the best road trips in Portugal.
You’ll see Clérigos Tower before you even realize what it is. At 249 feet (76 meters), it’s hard to miss. Built in the 18th century, this baroque bell tower was once used as a landmark for ships sailing into Porto. It’s attached to the Clérigos Church, which is also worth a quick look inside if you’re already there.
Climbing the 240 steps gets you to a wraparound viewpoint where you can see the whole city—rooftops, the Douro River, and even across to Vila Nova de Gaia. It’s narrow and a bit of a workout, but there are platforms where you can pause if you need to catch your breath. This is what to do in Porto if you're looking to get some exercise!
The museum inside gives some background on the church’s history and shows religious artifacts, but the main draw is the view. It’s especially nice early in the day before the crowds roll in. For more advice, see our Portugal travel tips.
Porto, Portugal © Shutterstock
The Serralves Museum of Contemporary Art is one of the key places to see modern art in Portugal, and it’s set in the middle of a huge 44-acre (18-hectare) park. The museum itself is a clean-lined, white building designed by Álvaro Siza Vieira, and it hosts a rotation of exhibitions from both Portuguese and international artists.
But it’s not just about the art inside. The grounds are part of the experience too. You’ll find formal gardens, shaded woodland paths, and large-scale sculptures tucked throughout. At the center is a pink Art Deco villa.
The gardens were designed by Jacques Gréber and have this layout that creates little outdoor “rooms” as you go—so it’s fun to just explore without a set plan.
written by
Dre Roelandt
updated 03.06.2025
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