What to see in Porto, Discover Porto like a local

Discover Porto like a local with my tips

Porto is one of my favourite cities in Portugal and it is incredible! The people are very welcoming, the food is great and you have a lot to discover! I lived there for four years so I know the city quite well!

Practical Information

When is the best time to visit Porto?

Spring, Summer and autumn are the best seasons to visit Porto. If you’re in Porto in June don’t miss “São João” celebration!

How to reach Porto centre?

By Getbus, which connects the airport to the city centre in 25 minutes (you can buy the ticket in the bus and it costs 2,80€).

By subway (metro do Porto), taking the purple line direction “Estádio do Dragão” (you need to purchase an andante card and charge it with “Z4” (cost: 2€), which is valid for 1h15 min. Don’t forget to validate your card before the trip, as well as when you change to another line. Note: In every station is possible to see the number of zones that you need to charge your card.

By STCP bus (lines 601, 602, 604 and 3M (night bus departing from Avenida dos Aliados) using an andante card

Uber and Bolt are also available in the city

Where to stay?

Below are some suggestions of places to stay with the highest scores on Booking. If you’re looking for a place to stay in Porto, you can book your accommodation here.

Where to eat?

Francesinha

What to see in Porto

Discover Porto like a local

Historical Center of Porto

Porto’s Historic Centre is the oldest part of the city and was listed as a World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 1996. Here you will find traces of the medieval origins of the city.

Climb to the top of Clerigos Tower and see Porto from above

Built by Nicolau Nasoni, this is the most famous tower in Porto. Book your ticket in advance and take the chance to also see Clerigos church and the museum.

São bento train station

This beautiful train station has more than 20.000 painted tiles by Jorge Colaço, which show the history of Portugal.

Avenida dos Aliados & Rua de Santa Catarina

Many celebrations take place in Aliados.

World Citizen Stories tip: Don’t miss the chance to see the interior of McDonald’s.

Visit Bolsa palace

A historical place with 180 years of history, where is located the commercial association of Porto has a breathtaking room inspired by a Spanish palace.

Visit the Cathedral of Porto and the Episcopal Palace

Visit the Bookstore Lello

(considered one of the most beautiful bookstores in the World; famous for inspiring JKR to write Harry Potter)

Have a coffee at Majestic Café

This is a coffee from the Belle Époque in Rua de Santa Catarina

Experience the Bolhão market (recently renovated)

Capela das Almas

Carmo and Carmelitas church

Bairro da Sé

Barredo Stairs

Largo do Terreirinho

Morro de Pena Ventosa e Muralha Primitiva do Porto

Viewpoint Vitória

What to see in Gaia?

Cais da Ribeira

See the rabelos boats in Ribeira (used to transport Porto wine).

Visit the Porto wine cellars and learn about Porto wine

You can’t leave Porto without tasting Porto wine! Therefore you must visit Porto wine cellars in Gaia! I was recently in Ferreira and Calem cellars.

World Citizen Stories tip: Book your tour in advance in the language you wish to visit. Since Porto wine is part of our heritage the cellars will be having a lot of people doing a tour.

Ferreira wine cellars