Discovering Porto, Portugal: A beautiful, historic city with interesting food
We woke up tired in Porto. But tired or not, we were determined to explore this amazing city. Rain was coming and going throughout the day, which meant we’d be dodging into buildings and staying flexible with our plans. You can still have an amazing time in the rain, even without a great night’s sleep.
Our plan was ambitious. We had about a dozen places on our list and hoped to see as many as possible. First order of business was finding an umbrella downstairs, then hitting the streets.
Sweet Start to the Day
Walking through Porto’s streets, we noticed orange trees in people’s backyards, which felt charming and quintessentially Portuguese. Then we spotted a restaurant cafe with very buttery, flaky croissant-like pastries in the window. We tried to restrain ourselves, but that didn’t last long. For 1.80 euros, we grabbed one to share.
The pastry was incredible. Buttery and sweeter than we anticipated, it reminded us of a King’s Hawaiian roll in croissant form. It wasn’t a flaky French croissant but more like a sweet bread. The texture and flavor were perfect for dipping in coffee or hot chocolate. This sweet bread became our delicious introduction to Porto’s food scene.
Our first official stop was Porto’s city hall, a beautiful building overlooking the Douro River. The older buildings in this area create a stunning backdrop, though that’s when the rain officially started.
We then made our way to Mercado do Bolhão, a covered market in the center of Porto just a short walk from the courthouse. Inside, we found exactly what you’d expect – lots of fruits, vegetables, potential souvenirs, and market-style food options.
The atmosphere reminded us a bit of the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, except people weren’t shouting at you to come look at their wares. Everything sold itself quietly. The market felt a little pricey compared to other areas of the city, maybe about 20% higher than average, but the experience was worth it.
Then we discovered something unique. White strawberries. They’re supposed to taste like pineapple, and we had to try them. Biting into one, it tasted mostly like a regular strawberry but with a hint of pineapple tang. They were very good and definitely unique. If you’re in Porto, try the white strawberries.
The market is actually pretty good sized. They sell all kinds of fruits and vegetables, meat, fish, sweets, and lots of pastéis. On the third floor, you’ll find some sit-down restaurants. There aren’t tons of options, but it’s definitely worth checking out.
Porto’s Number One Attraction?
After leaving the market, we headed to what TripAdvisor claims is the number one tourist attraction in Porto. The area around it was surrounded by construction, which is happening all over downtown Porto right now. It’s a bit sad to see, but they’re clearly trying to make the city more beautiful and easier to walk around. In 5 or 10 years, it’s going to look amazing.
The attraction is São Bento Station, Porto’s main train station. We went inside to see why it earned the top spot. The tile work inside is absolutely beautiful. The station has a Grand Central Terminal vibe, just miniaturized. The azulejo tiles covering the walls are stunning and historically significant.
We weren’t entirely sure why it’s still considered the number one attraction, though the tile work is impressive. It’s possible TripAdvisor is actually referring to the Time Out Market behind it, which is basically a food hall with freshly prepared food. Everything is cooked on the stove from scratch right in front of you. It’s pretty impressive, though also very expensive. They have a spiral staircase leading to an upper level where you can eat, have drinks, and enjoy the atmosphere and music. Maybe that’s why this area earned the top ranking.
Rua das Flores: The Street of Flowers
We walked down Rua das Flores, which translates to the Street of Flowers. On this street, you’ll find everything from soup kitchens to two Michelin-star restaurants, along with many other dining options and shopping.
We made our way to what one of us thought was an Episcopal church, but it’s actually called Paço Episcopal, the former residence of high-ranking bishops and clergy. Even if you’re not interested in the bishop’s house itself, the views from up here are incredible. It’s worth the visit just for the panoramic scenes of Porto.
Inside, it costs 4 euros to enter either the palace or the church, or you can get a combined ticket for 6 euros. We grabbed the combo ticket. The ceiling of the palace is impressive, especially for what’s essentially a pastor’s house.
The palace was built between the 12th and 13th centuries and serves as an excellent example of Baroque architecture. The main feature is the beautiful Baroque staircase. It functions more as a museum now, but not a boring one. They have actual furniture, artwork, and elements from the bishops that you can look at and appreciate without just reading plaques the entire time.
With our combo ticket, we got access to the church, the cloister, the chapel, and a beautiful tile mural. We also climbed the tower, which turned out to be quite a workout.
Those steps were a serious quad burner. But even if you’re not into churches or museums, you should pay the four to six euros to climb to the top of the bell tower at Porto Cathedral. The views are amazing. You can see the entire city of Porto, the Douro River, and Vila Nova de Gaia across the river. It’s very pretty up there.
We weren’t done with Porto and the surrounding area yet. The next day, we planned to cross the Douro River and explore Vila Nova de Gaia.
Porto charmed us with its tile work, sweet pastries, unique produce, and incredible viewpoints. The city has layers to discover, from its grand public spaces to quiet corners with stunning architecture. Even on a gray, rainy day, Porto shines.
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