Planning a trip to Porto and want to make every possible mistake? Perfect! Here’s your ultimate guide on what not to do in Porto.
How to Be Truly Unhappy in Porto
Follow this step‑by‑step plan if your goal is to turn one of Europe’s most delightful cities into a small travel disaster.
1. Follow the first walking tour you find online
Because nothing says “authentic” like joining a tour led by someone who moved to Porto last week and still relies on Google Maps to find the next stop.
2. Walk from Campanhã Train Station to the city center (with luggage)
Step off the train at Campanhã and decide to “soak in the atmosphere” by walking all the way to the famous São Bento Train Station (with your luggage, of course). Sure, it’s only a few kilometers uphill, and nothing pairs with jet lag quite like regret.
3. Visit São Bento Train Station at 6 PM
You’ve heard about the stunning azulejos, the hand‑painted tiles that tell Portugal’s history. Too bad you’ll only see other tourists’ backpacks if you come during peak hours.
4. Queue an hour for Lello Bookstore just for one photo
You’ve seen it on Instagram a thousand times, so why not wait in line for hours to take your own blurry shot of the same staircase everyone else has? And just so you know, J.K. Rowling never actually wrote here (though the Lello Bookshop truly is a beautiful place).
5. Mix everything Portuguese on one plate
Order a Francesinha, pair it with Port wine, then top it off with a pastel de nata (also with Port wine). Your liver will thank you!
6. Go for a run on wet cobblestones
A rainy morning run on the calçada portuguesa is a fast way to add “twisted ankle” to your itinerary. Those slippery stones are beautiful… but walk carefully.
7. Cross the Dom Luís I Bridge without checking your fear of heights
Go ahead! Halfway across is the perfect spot to realize vertigo, isn’t it?
8. Ask locals where to find “real Portuguese tapas”
Watch your waiter smile politely while quietly wishing you’d said petiscos instead. (Learn the difference between Petiscos and Tapas on our Downtown & Bolhão Market Food Tour!)
9. Spend sunset in Ribeira complaining about crowds
Finally, end your day by complaining that Porto is too crowded while sitting right in the middle of Ribeira at sunset. Don’t forget to tell everyone how “authentic Porto used to be”.
Bonus tip: Ignore local experiences entirely
The quickest route to missing the real Porto — and the fastest route to disappointment — is skipping the city’s people, flavors, and stories.
What to Do Instead in Porto
If you actually want to fall in love with Porto, skip these classic mistakes. Join a Porto Food Tour on your first day to taste authentic dishes, meet locals, and discover the city beyond the usual tourist spots. You’ll leave with full stomachs, great stories, and zero regrets. After all, a Porto Food Tour is one thing that definitely doesn’t belong on the “what not to do in Porto” list.
With love,
Your Foodie Friends in Porto
