Top 10 things to do in Porto

Activities and places not to be missed

There is a lot to do and see in Porto; a 5 day trip is perfect to discover the beauties of the city. The first thing we recommend to our guests is to stroll around the steep alleys of Gaia, Ribeira and Miragaia: the views of the city and the Douro are amazing!

Discover the 10 best things to do in Porto and book your apartment in Porto Moments.

n°1

Strolling around the alleys of Porto 

You will walk a lot in Porto but it is really worth it! No need to hold a map, just leave Ribeira and walk up the streets, have a look at the little dark streets, walk on the stairs: there is always a good surprise at the end. The Sé district around the cathedral is one of the most beautiful ones, but do not miss the Miragaia district, which is peaceful and offers many views.

A last tip: plan to bring comfortable shoes with you but don’t worry, the bedding is excellent at Porto moments! Feet relaxation is guaranteed!

n°2

Having a drink in Ribeira

The Ribeira district faces the Gaia docks,. Want to get there? Just cross the bridge in less than two minutes.

Ribeira is THE emblematic district of Porto with the beautiful Douro, the Gaia cellars and the majestic Luis I bridge, designed by one of Gustave Eiffel's students. The colourful facades are home to many bars and restaurants.

If you want a drink with a unique view we recommend the "Ponte Pensil Bar" right at the foot of the bridge and in the evening the "Peter Café Sport" bar: it offers live music in a great atmosphere.

 Book a food walk tour of Porto to learn the history of the city’s food. (book here)

n°3

Having a romantic walk at the Palacio de Cristal

Whether you are in Port with your loved one or with friends, do not miss a visit to the gardens of the Palacio de Cristal , they will delight your eyes. The setting is romantic and offers sublime views of Gaia and the historic centre on one side and the mouth of the Douro on the other. Some animals live freely in the park (peacocks, ducks and chickens) Palacio do Cristal is a haven of peace in the middle of the city.

The park has undergone some recent developments that make it possible to  enjoy ,even more,  this magnificent view from a small turret

n°4

Six bridges cruise

You cannot miss them: the boats "Rabelos" are sailing on the Douro all day long and offer visitors different points of view on the city.

From the River all is different : you can admire both shores of the city at the same time with Vila Nova de Gaia on one side and Porto on the other. In addition to the 6 beautiful bridges you will discover the mouth of the Douro, the marina and the fishing village of Afurada.

The boats were once used to transport barrels of Port wine between the Douro Valley and Vila Nova de Gaia where the cellars are located. Many houses are still aging their wines in this neighbourhood with unique climatic conditions.

You can embark on the docks of Gaia, directly down the street if you are staying in our apartments. The company offering the best fare is Blue Boats on the left of Gaia Tourist Office.

 Book your tickets online to avoid the queues! (book here)

n°5

Visiting a cellar of Porto

Our house is located right in the historic area of Port Wine Cellars, so a visit seems to be a must. The port houses are quite numerous and all produce their wines in the Douro Valley; the place is magnificent and is worth a visit. Nearly all the cellars offer visits in English, Portuguese and French; our preference is Graham's cellar, which also offers an excellent restaurant with a unique view of Porto and its famous bridge. Taylor's is also a nice place to taste wine.

Visits are free most of the time, but tasting port wines is not free of charge: (basic price € 12 / person). It is advisable to book your visit via the websites of the port wine companies.

 Book a guided tour of Cálem Cellars including wine tasting and a Fado performance ! (book here)

n°6

A cultural step at the Serralves Foundation

The Serralves Foundation museum will delight lovers of contemporary art but what makes this place unique are its wonderful large gardens with big trees, birds from around the world and an incredible fauna and flora. The initial project of the creator was carefully respected by the Portuguese State and the Foundation in charge of its maintenance.

The place is very rich and diverse. The French garden is adjacent to a real farm that will delight young and old. Artistic installations by artists from around the world can be seen in these gardens, which are the green lungs of the Foz district that borders the ocean.

 Skip the queue! Buy your entrance tickets to Serralves online. (book here)

n°7

Climbing the Torre dos Clérigos

The views of Porto are many, but the best one is certainly the Clérigos Tower;; you cannot miss it in the landscape of the city. You will see it on the other side of the River from the street or even from your window if you have the chance to stay in our apartment overlooking Porto.

The entrance ticket includes a visit to the completely renovated church nearby (most of the tourists come for the view). In good weather you can see the hills of the Douro Valley to the east and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. It is therefore the perfect place to get a good grasp of the geography of the city.

Will you manage to identify the house of Porto Moments on the shore of Gaia?

 Skip the queue! Buy your entrance tickets to the Clérigos tower online. (book here)

n°8

Buying a souvenir on a designer market

Porto inspires creators. Local designer markets are more and more numerous in the city now; every Saturday between 10:00 and 18:00 the Mercado Porto Belo on the Praça de Carlos Alberto a little further up the Torre dos Clérigos hosts many creators. Feel comfortable and enjoy music on a sunny day then walk on to Miguel Bombarda street and the small shopping centre bearing the same name which is also home to many creators.

In the same area (rua Candido dos Reis - Porto side) the Mercadinho dos Clérigos regularly offers small flea markets, the opening dates are not accurate so we recommend you check on the Facebook page of the event.

On the sea side, the Mercado da Alegria will punctuate a Sunday walk in Foz, it is usually held every Sunday in the small park bordering the Douro (Jardim do Passeio Alegre). Walk on towards Matosinhos and get to the Edifício Transparente where the Pink Market is regularly held. We advise you to surf the site of the Pink Movement for information about the date of the next edition.

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A bike ride along the Douro to the beaches

Want to discover another facet of the city? We advise you to rent bikes and go for a ride along the Douro. The course is flat (except for a slight slope just before getting to the beaches) and dotted with little treasures.

From Gaia's docks, follow the River towards the sea. Your first stop will be the fishing village of Afurada; the place is ideal to enjoy fresh fish at low price. The new marina next door is also a nice place to discover.

Ride your bike again to Gaia Nature Reserve, a conducive place for animal watching, it will be your last stop before you get to the mouth of the Douro that flows into the Atlantic Ocean. Enoy the bike path along the beaches, ride to the beach of Senhor da Pedra in Miramar and discover the most beautiful beach in the region and its chapel on the rocks.

The ride is about 1h15 (depending on the number of stops).

There is a bicycle rental in our street at number 55.

n°10

Admiring the sunset by the sea.

Either from Porto or Gaia’ riversides, the seaside offers superb sunsets. The beaches are face west and the sun disappears right in front, offering a magnificent light on the ocean.

Fancy a nice drink? We recommend the Daikiri Bar or Ar d'Mar near Gaia. Both places offer a casual atmosphere, with music and cocktails ( you could believe you are in California!) The car park located in front of the Pedra do Cao is also a privileged place at this time of the day, it may  remind you of Brittany with its granite chaos.

The terrace of Praia da Luz is a must if you are in the area of Foz in Porto; the establishment offers an upstairs restaurant; the view is fantastic although the menu prices are a bit high for Porto. The dike of Felgueiras lighthouse located at the mouth of the River is also an ideal place.

A tip : want to enjoy a nice evening at the seaside? We recommend you bring a sweater with you even in summer, because the Atlantic ocean can significantly refresh the atmosphere in the evening.