Looking for the must-visit in Porto? Most travel guides will tell you what to see. Far fewer will tell you what to ignore. But if you want to truly experience the city (not just tick it off a list), you’ll need to make a few conscious choices.
So here’s a different kind of guide: a take on what’s truly must-visit in Porto… and what to turn your back to if you’re after the real thing.
Must-visit in Porto
1. When in Porto, turn your back to multinational chains… walk into tradition instead
Yes, you’ll find familiar names like Starbucks scattered around the city. But Porto’s soul doesn’t live there. Instead, step into Café Guarany, one of Porto’s oldest cafés, open since 1933, right in the heart of Avenida dos Aliados. Writers, musicians, and locals have gathered here for decades. And yes, we’ll share those stories with you along the way on our Vintage & Port Wine Food Tour (also a must-visit in Porto).
Must visit in Porto tip: choose places with history, not just convenience.
2. Turn your back to imported sweets… taste what’s local
You didn’t come all the way to Porto for Dunkin’. Walk into Confeitaria Moura instead. This is a very famous pastry shop, open since 1892, owned by the Moura family, and a perfect place to get your sugar levels back up while discovering pastries rooted in century-old tradition.
3. Turn your back to fast food… Discover Portugal’s version
There’s a McDonald’s on Avenida dos Aliados that tourists love to photograph, but that’s where the story should end. Instead, dive into the real version of Portuguese fast food: juicy, flame-grilled piri-piri chicken. Served simply, eaten slowly, and best shared at Pedro dos Frangos.
Must visit in Porto tip: follow the smoke, not the sign.
4. Turn your back to souvenirs… Find real craft
Forget the touristy souvenir shops, mass-produced magnets, and factory-made tiles. Head to Rua de Miguel Bombarda, Porto’s art block. Here, independent galleries, artists, and makers shape the city’s modern identity. We promise: you’re not just buying something. You’re taking a piece of Porto’s present with you.
5. Turn your back to supermarket wine… Step into a Garrafeira
Portuguese wine isn’t just something you drink. It’s something you talk about. Skip the supermarket shelves and walk into a local wine shop. Ask one simple question: “What should I drink tonight?” Trust the answer!
6. Turn your back to Hotel breakfasts… Start your day like a local
Buffet eggs are the same everywhere. Instead, begin your day at Brites Padaria & Pastelaria Artesanal, a place where mornings feel personal (and our latest obsession). Coffee, something freshly baked, maybe a quick exchange across the counter.
7. Turn your back to Tour Buses… Walk the city
Porto isn’t meant to be seen through glass (unless you’re holding it, and there’s something delicious inside).
- Walk its streets;
- Climb its hills;
- Get lost between Ribeira and Vila Nova de Gaia;
- Stop when something smells good;
- Ask questions and let curiosity lead.
Must visit in Porto tip: the best routes aren’t planned.
8. Turn Your Back to Safe Choices… That’s not why you came
You didn’t travel to Porto to repeat what you already know. You came for discovery, for the unexpected glass of wine, the unfamiliar dish, the story behind a family-run place that doesn’t exist anywhere else. That’s exactly why this kind of experience is a must visit in Porto.
Ticket to Porto already bought?
The real must-visit in Porto? The experience itself. There isn’t a single place that defines Porto. It’s the combination of flavors, people, traditions, and small, unplanned moments that turn a visit into something meaningful.
If you want to go beyond the obvious – to taste the wines, meet the people, and understand the stories behind it all -, then come and explore with us. Join our Vintage & Port Wine Food Tour and discover Porto the way it was meant to be experienced: slowly, locally, and with a glass in hand.
With love,
Your Friends in Porto
