An Ideal Weekend In Porto

Porto is the second most important city in Portugal, after the capital, Lisbon. It is divided into two regions: Greater Porto and the Metropolitan Area. Two days in this beautiful metropolis is very little … but you can take the opportunity to see the basics and get a general idea of ​​some of its “freguesías” (neighborhoods). We invite you to stroll through this beautiful city, ideal for a weekend getaway.

First day in Porto

To make the most of your stay in this Portuguese city,  we recommend that you start at the Baixa, right in the center. There are the Avenida de los Aliados and the Plaza de la Libertad. Behind the Sao Bento station is located Rua Santa Catarina, ideal for strolling, admiring the facades of churches, entering the shops and eating in any restaurant.

Head down to Plaza da Liberdade, the busiest place in all of Porto. From there you can cross any of the “famous” streets, among which are Rua de Cedofeita, das Galerías de París and Miguel Bombarda (where the Bairro das Artes stands).

Still in the center, go to the square called “Jardim da Cordoaria”. In its surroundings you can find many interesting places or just sit a little in the shade of a centenary tree. If you want to continue walking, you also have the possibility of passing through the different sculptures by Juan Muñoz, which represent the nostalgic harmony of the city.

One of the most important attractions in this area is the Torre de los Clérigos. Climb to the top to enjoy the beautiful views. Pass by the Lello bookstore (with its white facade) and the Museum of Photography, housed in an old jail.

In the afternoon nothing better than going to the Ribeira, the most beautiful and emblematic area, on the banks of the Duero River. The views of the Dom Luiz Bridge, the walk to the wineries and the souvenir shopping should be part of your itinerary before dinner time.

In this place you can also enjoy the typical Portuguese gastronomy and end the evening by crossing the Gaia bridge on foot and going up the Guindais funicular to reach the cathedral (at that point just to see the outside).

Second day in Porto

Although on the first day you have seen the “basics” of Porto, on this second day you can take some “additional” walks to the usual route. To begin, for example, the Plaza del Infante Dom Henrique, in the heart of the city, is ideal for a morning walk. There are two interesting monuments, the church of San Francisco and the Palacio de la Bolsa.

After lunch, the Casa da Música in front of the Mouzinho square in Albuquerque, is a very good idea to enjoy a concert or event (take a look at the calendar). The building was built by a Dutch architect and has an auditorium with capacity for more than 1200 people. If there is no event scheduled for that time, you can go upstairs to eat at the restaurant that offers one of the most beautiful views of the city.

Do you still want more? Of course there are other things to do in Porto. It is recommended to visit the Crystal Palace, near Cordoaira, in the Miragaia area. It was erected in 1865 by an English architect on the model of the one built in London and was the site of a renowned international exhibition. Today, you can visit its beautiful gardens, its modern public library, its fountains and lakes and the botanical garden.

Eat and drink in Porto

You cannot leave this Portuguese city without first having tried the tripe in the local style. This dish gives its inhabitants their name: tripeiros and can be ordered both in a restaurant and at the bar of a bar. It is about pork sandwiches with spicy sauce. They are affordable and are accompanied by a refreshing beer. Or, of course, with a delicious wine from any of the wineries in the Gaia area.

If you are not into alcoholic beverages, in Porto you can enjoy a delicious coffee in any establishment throughout the city. We recommend Café Majestic, a true classic.