Maybe it doesn’t have the same good press as Lisbon or its international acclaim, but the beauty of this city overlooking the River Douro is totally captivating. Porto has a certain British air to it due to the settlement of English wine merchants in times gone by and in recent years has become a top European city destination. Contemporary and modern architecture, a wine with the Porto Designation of Origin, history… it has it all, and we’re going to tell you about the city’s top tourist attractions.
For decades, rivalry with Lisbon has fuelled the spirit of excellence and growth of the city, the second-largest in Portugal. Many stories of grievances and atonement exist, but the reality is that there’s a well-known saying all over the country that says: “While Lisbon has fun, Coimbra studies, Braga prays and Porto works”. You can draw your own conclusions from that one.
Porto is relatively easy to get around in, it’s not very big, nowhere near the size of Madrid or London. Its historic centre was recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1996, and you’ll have plenty of time to visit the city’s most emblematic sites in just a few hours.
One of the city’s secrets lies in its particular decadent and somewhat “British” charm. Food is undoubtedly one of its strong points and cod is definitely its star dish, in fact, the people of Porto claim to know 1001 ways of cooking it.
Wine is one of the city’s big draws, yes, that one, the one called after the city itself. Port is an internationally renowned sweet red wine that’s typically served with desserts or after a meal. The best brands of Port wine are Sandeman, with its iconic logo of a mysterious caped man, Ferreira and Graham’s.
All these wineries have interesting guided tours and tasting sessions, but you might find yourself having to change cities to enjoy them. Many people believe the city extends to both sides of the Douro, but the most famous wineries are actually in Vila Nova de Gaia on the other side of the river.
But let’s continue with the places you can’t afford to miss. A stroll around the Ribeira is an absolute ‘must’ to witness the beauty of the city’s most iconic image, Dom Luis I Bridge. It was designed by the German engineer Théophile Syrig, Gustave Eiffel’s business partner, so don’t be surprised to see some structural similarities to the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
Porto Cathedral is also worth mentioning, as is the Clerigos Tower, and the panoramic views from the top are spectacular. Livraria Lello is just a short walk from the tower, the famous bookshop is a point of pilgrimage for all fans of the Harry Potter saga. Its author, J.K. Rowling, lived in the city for a few years, and it’s said that much of the aesthetics from the Harry Potter books came from the city’s university. Two of Porto’s most fashionable streets are also nearby, Rua de Miguel Bombarda and Rua Santa Caterina, which also leads on to the Bolaho Market.
When it comes to food, you have to try the cod, mussels, baked octopus or the seafood ‘cataplana’. The city’s classic of classics is Francesinha, a sandwich with sausage, steak or roast meat, mortadella, cured ham, etc. and covered with melted cheese and a hot thick tomato and beer sauce, but be warned, you might want to give it a miss if you’re watching your cholesterol! However, if you’re tempted, Café Majestic on Rua Santa Caterina is a great place to try one and top it off with a Portuguese egg tart pastry for dessert.
