Porto is a captivating city known for its rich history, stunning architecture, and world-famous Port Wine. If you like me, a culture lover, foodie and casual traveler, Porto offers an unforgettable experience. This city is filled with charming neighborhoods, historic landmarks, and unique local flavors.
After we spent four wonderful days exploring the city of Lisbon, we took a scenic three-hour ride to the charming city of Porto. Here are some of the top highlights we experienced while visiting Porto in Spring 2025:
The 19th and Early 20th Century Boom in Porto
During the late 19th century and early 20th century, Porto thrived as a bustling commercial and industrial center. The city’s wealth grew significantly thanks to the thriving port wine trade, maritime commerce, and industrialization.
This economic prosperity led to an explosion of construction in upscale neighborhoods with elaborately designed homes reflecting styles such as Art Nouveau, Neoclassical, Eclecticism, and Beaux-Arts that were popular across Europe at the time.
Many affluent merchants, industrialists, and port wine barons built lavish homes to showcase their status. Features like wrought iron balconies, decorative tiles (azulejos), grand staircases, stained glass, and ornamental façades are prominent. The influence of French and British styles was common due to Porto’s international trade connections.
Livraria Lello Bookstore: One of the Most Beautiful Bookstores in the World
One of Porto’s crown jewels is the Livraria Lello, frequently listed among the world’s most beautiful bookstores. This neo-Gothic gem draws visitors to its magnificent wooden staircase, vaulted ceilings, and stained glass skylight. Literature enthusiasts will appreciate its remarkable collection of books, while many fans of J.K. Rowling visit to see the inspiration behind parts of the Harry Potter series.
We loved this bookstore, and strongly believe Livraria Lello is a must-visit in Porto.
The Douro River: Lifeblood of Porto, Portugal
The Douro River is the magnificent river that flows through Porto, giving the city much of its character and charm. Originating in Spain’s Soria province, the river stretches approximately 897 kilometers (557 miles) before emptying into the Atlantic Ocean at Porto.
The Douro offers stunning views, especially from the historic bridges like the Dom Luís I Bridge, an iconic double-deck metal arch bridge connecting Porto with Vila Nova de Gaia. River cruises along the Douro showcase the beauty of the city and the lush Douro Valley upstream, renowned for its terraced vineyards and scenic landscapes.
The Douro River is truly the heart and soul of Porto, offering history, beauty, and vibrant life along its banks. It’s not just a river—it’s a defining feature of Porto’s identity and appeal.
The waterfront Promenade invited us for a leisurely walk, there were restaurants, and a unique ambiance.
Taylor Port Winery: Experience Traditional Port Wine Tasting
On the second day we walked across the Dom Luís I Bridge to the Taylor Porto Winery which is one of the oldest and most reputable port wine cellars in the region. We enjoyed a guided tour that showed us the historic wine production process.
It was followed by a tasting in the court yard of five rich and flavorful Port wines. Sampling port wine at Taylor’s was essential to experience authentic Porto wine tasting and learning about Porto’s wine making heritage.
Unique McDonald’s in a Historic Building
Porto boasts a surprisingly charming McDonald’s restaurant housed in a historic building—a unique blend of fast-food culture and traditional Portuguese architecture.
This McDonalds, IMO the prettiest in the world, is an interesting spot to observe modern life coexisting with Porto’s revered architectural heritage. It made it a quirky pitstop during our city explorations.
The Azulejo Tiles at São Bento Central Station: An Artistic Masterpiece
Nearby The McDonalds is the São Bento Central Station. We stepped inside and observed one of the most extraordinary displays of Portuguese tile art (Azulejos). The blue-and-white tiles beautifully depict important moments in Portuguese history, from medieval battles to rural daily life.
This historic train station offers a cultural and artistic welcome to Porto, perfect for history buffs and photographers alike.
Mercado do Bolhão: Porto’s Traditional Market at its Best
After breakfast we walked to the lively Mercado do Bolhão, the city’s traditional market filled with fresh fruits, vegetables, seafood, and local delicacies.
The market is a sensory delight, bustling with friendly vendors and authentic Portuguese flavors, ideal for exploring Porto’s gastronomic culture.
Santo Ildefonso: A Blend of History and Street Art
Discover the Santo Ildefonso neighborhood, a vibrant artistic hub known for its historic church and dynamic street art scene. Wander its colorful streets, admire murals, and enjoy cozy cafés and shops to get a taste of contemporary Porto culture blended with tradition.
