Porto, Portugal: Discover Tasty Delights and Timeless Charm
Porto, Portugal, is a charming city that beautifully blends the old with the new, offering something special for every member of the family. From its picturesque riverside to its winding streets adorned with traditional azulejos (blue and white tiles), our trip was filled with fun, flavor, and stunning views.
Friday Evening: Arrival and Dinner at Mercado do Bolhão
We arrived Friday early evening by train, taking a 3 hour Alfa Pendular (AP) train from Lisbon, and ending in the Campanha station. After checking into our hotel, we decided to kick off our time there with dinner at Mercado do Bolhão, a recently refurbished neoclassical market bursting with life. Vendors lined the halls, offering fresh produce, local delicacies, and a warm welcome to the city. We picked up a variety of snacks to create our own dinner spread. The girls chose a pasta stand in the center of the market that served up a quick and delicious plate of fresh pasta.
Saturday Morning: Port Wine Cellars and Riverside Strolls
The next morning we made our way to Cais de Gaia, the area across the Douro River where Porto’s wine cellars are located, where we had a scheduled port wine tour and tasting at Ferreira. After a longer than anticipated stop at the delectable Cafetaria Mesa 325 for coffee, pastries, and bagels we found ourselves short on time to get to the Ferreira cellar. We hopped on the metro and rode to the Jardim do Morro stop. From there the quickest option down the hillside is the Teléferico, a gondola/cable car. Given our jam-packed plans for the day we chose a one-way ticket. The cable car’s ride is brief, but offers grand views of the Douro River, Ponte Luís Bridge,and the city of Porto. Our girls looked around in amazement from the unique perspective we enjoyed 35 meters (100+ feet) in the air.
After a quick paced walk from the Teléferico we arrived at Ferreira cellar only a few minutes late. Our tour and wine tasting was wonderful; we were amazed at the history of the cellar and finished off the tour tasting three port varietals while the kids enjoyed their finest fresh squeezed orange juice.
Vila Nova de Gaia is a vibrant atmosphere, with pedestrian streets, shops, cafés, and restaurant terraces brimming the riverside. Within its streets, our oldest marveled over the Half Rabbit sculpture made of recycled materials. For lunch, we stopped at Mercado Beira-Rio, a food market offering a variety of dishes guaranteed to please even picky eaters. The adults enjoyed meat, cheese, wine and beers while the kids enjoyed Italian food.
In the afternoon, we walked across the majestic Ponte Luís I Bridge, a 19th-century iron masterpiece that frames the Douro River perfectly. The stroll offered unbeatable views of both Porto and Gaia.
Saturday Afternoon: Winding Streets and Parque das Virtudes
Once on the Porto side, we walked along the quay and took in the lively atmosphere; folks getting onto their boat cruises and others snapping pictures of the gorgeous, medieval waterfront. We wandered the winding streets up the hillside and admired the quaint old homes decorated with azulejos (tiles), a quintessential feature of Porto’s charm, and souvenir shops.
We eventually reached Parque das Virtudes, a hilltop park with breathtaking views of the city and river. It was the perfect spot for the kids to rest their feet until they recharged for some play. We were happy to discover that MUSA, a craft brewery, had a taproom beside the overlook; the adults got to refresh with a beverage and the kids refueled with a snack.
Saturday Evening: Timeless Sights and Modern Delights
The last leg of our day included some of Porto’s iconic landmarks. We admired the intricate azulejo facade of Igreja do Carmo and at the carvings of neighboring Igreja dos Carmelitas. We did not climb the Clérigos Church Tower, but don’t pass it up if you’re able to squeeze it in; it’s said to have incredible panoramic views of the city. We’ll most certainly return to Porto to climb the tower and finally visit inside Livraria Lello, which had a very long line and tight on time were unable to visit. Unbeknownst to me, one has to reserve tickets to enter. Be sure to do this, the ticket cost can be put toward your purchase and you’ll experience one of the most beautiful libraries in the world.
Luckily, Praça de Lisboa was just a minute’s walk away and distracted our disappointment. Praça de Lisboa is a sleek modern plaza featuring a grass-covered rooftop dotted with olive trees. It’s the perfect setting for a picnic with your family and friends. One can’t help but ponder over the juxtaposition; the plaza’s contemporary design amongst its Baroque and Neoclassical surroundings. The shops, cafés, and restaurants below the rooftop add vibrancy and optionality to your experience. For dinner we had worked up quite an appetite and headed ten minutes to Letraria Brewpub’s downtown location. They served up excellent pub style food and offered a laid-back atmosphere that accommodated our large group of 8.
Sunday Morning: A Tasty Farewell
On our final day, we couldn’t leave Porto without trying the city’s signature dish, francesinha. We savoured this hearty, cheesy sandwich along with a variety of contemporary versions of classic Portuguese dishes at Brasão Coliseu, a family-friendly spot that left us happily stuffed and ready to journey back to Lisbon on the AP train in the afternoon.
Try out these Portuguese recipes in your home!
Where We Stayed
On this visit to Porto, we opted for a stay at Acta The Avenue located in the Bonfim neighborhood between the Campanha train stations and 24 de Agosto subway stop. With spacious, comfortable rooms that met the needs of our party of eight, this hotel served as the perfect place to rest up each night.
Porto: A Perfect Family Destination
Porto offers a delightful mix of history, culture, and modern comforts, making it an ideal destination for families. Whether you’re sipping Port wine along the Douro, letting the kids run free in a hilltop park or plaza, or marveling at the traditional Portuguese architecture, this city has an unforgettable charm that will have you planning your next visit before you’ve even left.
