Porto Travel Report — Portugal's most beautiful city?

Porto surprised me. To be honest, I'd expected Lisbon to be Portugal's coolest city—and dismissed Porto as just a "nice stopover." What a mistake. After three days in Porto, it was clear: this city is a diamond in the rough. Rawer, more authentic, and more photogenic than Lisbon, with an energy you can feel immediately.

In March 2024, I explored Porto and its surroundings with a drone and camera—from the narrow streets of the Ribeira district to the iconic port wine cellars and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Bom Jesus do Monte in Braga. In this travelogue, I share my highlights, insider tips, and all the practical information you need for your Porto trip.

Porto's Old Town — a UNESCO World Heritage Site with character

 

Porto's old town (Ribeira) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site—and it shows. The colorful, slightly dilapidated houses are stacked on the steep slopes above the Douro River, connected by narrow alleys, steep staircases, and hidden squares. It's chaotic, loud, vibrant, and absolutely wonderful.

Unlike Lisbon's Alfama, which has become heavily gentrified, the Ribeira still retains its authentic local character. Laundry hangs over the alleys, street musicians play on every corner, and locals sit alongside tourists in the small tascas (taverns).

Must-see in the old town:

• Dom Luís I Bridge: The iconic double-decker bridge. Walk on the upper deck for panoramic views, on the lower deck for photos at river level.
• Cais da Ribeira: The waterfront promenade with its colorful houses — THE photo opportunity of Porto
• São Bento train station: The entrance hall features 20,000 hand-painted azulejo tiles. One of the most beautiful train stations in the world.
• Carmo Church: The facade completely covered with blue azulejos — breathtaking in sunshine
• Torre dos Clérigos: The bell tower offers the best 360° view over the city (240 steps, well worth it)

Vila Nova de Gaia — Port wine cellars with a view of the Douro

 

On the other side of the Douro lies Vila Nova de Gaia — the mecca for port wine fans. Dozens of cellars store their barrels here, and almost all offer tours with tastings.

My top 3 wineries:

Graham's: My favorite. Located slightly higher up, with a terrace and panoramic views over Porto and the Douro, which alone are worth the visit. The premium tasting tour (€15) is excellent—you learn the difference between Ruby, Tawny, and Vintage Port.

Taylor's: The largest and most famous winery. Impressive barrel cellars, good audio guide system, great tasting on the rooftop terrace. Admission €15–20.

Sandeman: The one with the man in the black cloak. Theatrically staged tour, but the vintage ports are excellent. From €12.

Tip: Go in the late afternoon when the light over Porto turns golden. A bottle of Tawny Port on the terrace at sunset — it doesn't get any better than that.

Livraria Lello — The most beautiful bookstore in the world?

 

Livraria Lello is often called the "most beautiful bookstore in the world" — and the ornate staircase, Art Nouveau wood carvings, and colorful glass roof are indeed impressive. J.K. Rowling is said to have found inspiration for Harry Potter here (she lived in Porto in the 1990s).

Entry: €8 (credited towards book purchase). Worth a visit in the morning if you want to photograph the stairs without 50 selfie sticks. Opens at 9:30 — arrive at 9:00.

Day trip: Braga & Bom Jesus do Monte

 

55 minutes north of Porto Braga — and the breathtaking pilgrimage site Bom Jesus do Monte. The baroque staircase, which winds its way 116 meters up the hill, is one of Portugal's most iconic buildings and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Bom Jesus looks even more spectacular from the drone: the white staircase, nestled in dense green forest, with the basilica as its crowning glory—a truly unforgettable sight. My drone photo of Bom Jesus is one of my absolute favorite pictures from Portugal.

You can walk up the stairs (about 20 minutes, good for fitness) or take the historic water lift — one of the oldest hydraulic lifts in the world, in operation since 1882.

Braga itself It's a charming university town with a lively old town, affordable restaurants, and the oldest cathedral in Portugal. Perfect for a half-day trip.

Day trip: Peneda-Gerês National Park

 

Portugal's only national park lies 1.5 hours northeast of Porto and is a completely different Portugal. Instead of coast and cliffs: granite mountains, waterfalls, turquoise reservoirs and sleepy granite villages that look as if nothing has changed in 200 years.

The Cascata do Arado and the Cascata da Portela do Homem These are the most spectacular waterfalls. The bridges over the reservoirs offer drone views reminiscent of New Zealand — turquoise water surrounded by green mountains.

Gerês is perfect for a day trip or—even better—for an overnight stay in one of the quintas (country houses). The peace and quiet after the hustle and bustle of Porto is therapeutic.

Food in Porto — Frangesinhas and more

 

Porto is one of the best food cities in Europe — and one of the most affordable. Its culinary identity is down-to-earth, meat-heavy, and absolutely delicious.

Must-Eat:

• Francesinha: The Porto dish. A sandwich monster made of toast, ham, steak, and sausage, topped with cheese and drowned in beer and tomato sauce. Sounds crazy, tastes amazing. Best place to eat it: Café Santiago (€8–12)
• Bacalhau à Gomes de Sá: Salt cod gratin with potatoes, onions and olives — Porto's Comfort Food
• Pastel de Nata: Not just Lisbon! Porto has great pastéis — Manteigaria is excellent.
• Bifana: Thin pork sandwich with mustard. Sounds simple, but it's addictive. From €2.50

Restaurant recommendations:

• Cantina 32: Modern Portuguese food in a cool industrial atmosphere
• O Paparico: Fine dining, Portuguese style — if you want to treat yourself
• Casa Guedes: The city's most famous Bifana. The queue is worth it.
• Mercado do Bolhão: The historic market — freshly renovated, great street food

Porto by drone — My best spots

 

Porto is a drone paradise — with limitations. The old town is located in a no-fly zone (near the hospital), but there are some legal spots with spectacular results:

• Jardim do Morro (Gaia side): Drone over the Douro with Porto skyline — the classic motif
• Foz do Douro: Where the Douro meets the Atlantic. Coast, lighthouse, surf.
• Bom Jesus do Monte (Braga): The staircase from above — absolutely stunning!
• Peneda-Gerês: Reservoirs and mountains — no restrictions in the national park (but respectful treatment of nature!)

Always observe EU drone regulations and check the DJI app (geofencing) before flying. More details in my Drone Guide.

Practical tips for Porto

 

FAQ — Frequently Asked Questions about Postage

 

Is Porto better than Lisbon?
Different. Porto is smaller, rougher, more authentic, and cheaper. Lisbon is bigger, more cosmopolitan, and has a better nightlife. For a first trip to Portugal: ideally, combine both. If I had to choose just one city: Porto.

How many days will it take for postage?
Minimum 3 full days. Including Braga, Gerês and the Douro Valley: 5–6 days. Porto is also worth a long weekend.

Is postage expensive?
No. One of the best value-for-money options in Western Europe. A full meal with wine: €15–25 per person. Accommodation from €30–40 per night for a double room.

Is it possible to explore Porto on foot?
Yes — but with a caveat: Porto is extremely hilly. Good shoes are essential. Alternatively: the historic tram (Line 1) or Uber for steep sections.

Do I need the Porto Card?
Only if you're planning to visit many museums and attractions. For most travelers, it's not worth it—the best experiences in Porto are free (old town, bridge, riverfront, azulejos).

Porto was the starting point of my Portugal Road Trips — from here we continued to Braga, Gerês, Lisbon and on to the Algarve. You can find all my Portugal articles here on the blog.