There are certain things that jump out when you visit Porto: the burst of blue and white from the endless azulejo (painted glazed tiles) facades, the Douro river shimmering at sunset, and the sweet taste of port aged in century-old cellars on the opposite bank. It’s a city that draws creatives: the artists exhibiting their work in galleries and neighborhood markets, musicians jamming on the streets, and photographers lured by the misty mornings and bright neon signs.
These top Porto experiences capture the city’s quintessential sights but also those cultural activities that will make you feel a part of the scene.
1. Hunt for the city’s best tiles
You could easily spend a whole day spotting Porto’s iconic azulejos. Start downtown at Capela das Almas, then follow Rua de Santa Catarina until you stumble upon Igreja de Santo Ildefonso. Its blue-and-white tile facade was designed by Portuguese artist Jorge Colaço, who is also behind the 20,000 tiles adorning the interiors of the São Bento train station, a few steps away.
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Other highlights include Igreja do Carmo and Banco de Materiais, a pioneering materials bank featuring samples of tiles ranging from Spanish-Arabic models to the 20th century.
Detour: Join a tile-painting workshop at Gazete Azulejos to learn more about Porto’s tile heritage, or get your hands on some ready-made pieces at Fleurdelis.
2. Party with the locals at Festa de São João
If there is one event that brings people together in Porto, it’s Festa de São João. Every year on the evening of the June 23, folks hit the streets for a big outdoor shindig.
Music echoes all around you, as does the sound of the squeaky plastic hammers used to hit passersby (in a friendly way). But what really stops you in your tracks are the Chinese lanterns that light up the skies along the Douro River.
Local tip: Head to the Fontainhas district on the east side of town to witness the best bash.
3. Take in the modern architecture
Porto’s architecture is surprisingly varied. Beyond the historical buildings, you’ll find contemporary structures envisioned by award-winning architects like Eduardo Souto de Moura and Álvaro Siza Vieira. Projects range from the city’s sleek metro network to art institutions such as Serralves and Casa da Música (by Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas) to Michelin-star restaurants like Casa de Chá da Boa Nova.
Detour: Casa da Arquitectura in Matosinhos hosts regular exhibits around architecture as well as walking tours and the Open House Porto, a festival that welcomes you into some of Porto’s most striking buildings.
4. Embrace Porto’s alternative music scene
Many of Portugal’s rock icons came from Porto. Bands like Ornatos Violeta, Táxi and GNR are part of the city’s musical heritage, which continues to this day.
Record shops like Socorro double as alternative concert venues, of which there are plenty, including Radioclube Agramonte and Mouco, a hotel where every room comes with its own record player. DJs also spin records at Fiasco, one of my favorite hangouts in the Bonfim district.
Local tip: If you want to catch bigger acts, come for the Primavera Sound Festival in early June.
5. Explore the city’s most iconic churches
Among the city’s oldest buildings is the Sé do Porto. The 12th-century cathedral is split into a church (free access) and the cloisters, which had a tile makeover in the 18th century.
As Porto’s religious entities grew, so did its collection of churches. Some stand out for their tile facades; others beckon you inside, like Igreja dos Clérigos with its grand paintings and sculptures, and the Igreja de São Francisco and Igreja de Santa Clara with their opulent gilded altarpieces.
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Local tip: Igreja dos Clérigos welcomes regular concerts and an immersive multimedia show called Spiritus, which brings a splash of color to the church’s walls.
6. Enjoy a feast of sandwiches
Sandwiches are one of Porto’s biggest obsessions. Beyond the iconic francesinha – the multilayered meat, melted cheese, and spicy sauce sandwich, which you’ll need to tackle with a knife and fork – there are many places that specialize in meat on buns. Casa Guedes, Casa Expresso, and Conga do variations of pork sandwiches, Venham Mais 5 makes a juicy beef sandwich, Cervejaria Gazela serves Porto’s staple hot dogs, while Casa dos Presuntos Xico is famous for its cured ham selection.
Local tip: You’ll find some of the best francesinhas at Café Santiago. For a vegan version, head to Kind Kitchen.
7. Taste fresh produce at Mercado do Bolhão
Mercado do Bolhão is a great example of how you can modernize a food market but still embrace the past. Here, long-standing fishmongers display their catch alongside new vendors selling sashimi and ready-to-eat oysters. Charcuterie stands slice sausages and cheeses right in front of you, and fruit sellers turn their produce into fresh fruit juices of your liking. The only downside? Not enough seats. If you want a proper sit-down meal, you’re best off heading upstairs to one of the restaurants serving anything from codfish to suckling pig and veggie-friendly treats.
Local tip: Learn about the history of the market and its resident sellers by booking a guided tour.
8. Peruse the city’s art galleries and museums
Porto has a pretty active creative community. You’ll see it in the artists working away in ateliers across the Bonfim district and the numerous exhibits along the galleries of Rua de Miguel Bombarda.
Then there’s the big hitters: Museu Nacional Soares dos Reis (Portugal’s first public art museum) with its collection of statues and naturalist paintings, and Serralves, a cultural institution featuring a contemporary art museum, an art deco mansion, and vast gardens scattered with modern sculptures.
Local tip: Time your visit to Serralves em Festa around late May, to catch one of Portugal’s biggest art festivals and tour the Serralves park for free.
9. Sip your way through port and more
Cross over the river to Vila Nova de Gaia and you’ll soon find yourself surrounded by port wine houses. The city’s namesake wine has been aged here for centuries, and you can taste it straight from the cellars by booking a guided tour.
In a rush? Porto Augusto’s tour gets you up to speed on port wine styles in just 20 minutes. Have time to linger? Try Niepoort (which also makes natural wines) or Cockburn’s, one of the few places that still has a cooper’s team (tanoeiros) in-house.
Detour: If you fancy diving deeper into Portuguese wine beyond Port, Rafael de Lima hosts small group tastings at his bar in downtown Porto.
10. Photograph Porto’s changing light
Porto’s eye-popping tiled facades are the perfect backdrop for a photoshoot. But there’s much more to capture if you know where to aim for. Wake up early, and you might catch a thin veil of mist wrapped around the double-decker bridge Ponte de Dom Luís I. At sunset, seek out viewpoints like Jardim do Morro to witness the city glistening in the golden light. And as darkness takes over, look for the neon signs from the likes of Cinema Batalha or the Coliseu theater.
Detour: Feast your eyes on the collection of vintage cameras at Centro Português de Fotografia and catch the museum’s latest photo exhibit.
11. Be dazzled by Palácio da Bolsa
Built over the ashes of a former convent, the Palácio da Bolsa is Porto’s former stock exchange palace. Thinking of stock markets today, it’s hard to imagine trades were made under the impressive iron and glass dome of the Hall of Nations, adorned with 20 coats of arms of countries Portugal liaised. And if that blows your mind, just wait until you see the Salão Árabe (Arabian Room), where 18kg of gold leaf has been put together to recreate a Moorish-style interior.
Local tip: Guided tours last 30 minutes, and the language is chosen based on the order of arrival.
12. Browse through historic shops, markets and thrift stores
You can source unique souvenirs at the city’s historic shops. Buy fragrant soaps wrapped in vintage-like packaging at Claus Porto, handmade brushes at Escovaria de Belomonte, and don’t miss the bookshops with special editions, such as those at Livraria Lello.
Then there are the neighborhood markets, where designers and artisans come together to show off their crafts. Mercado Porto Belo, River Market, and the Urban Market are all great spots to browse through for jewelry, clothing, and art prints.
Detour: If you’re more into thrifting, look out for the Humana second-hand chain stores.
13. Find a quiet spot amid the city’s parks and gardens
Porto’s parks and gardens are well maintained, so much so that a few of them have earned the Green Flag Award. In 2025, this included the Jardins do Palácio de Cristal, the Jardim Botânico do Porto, the Jardim do Passeio Alegre, and Parque da Cidade, Portugal’s largest urban park, featuring cycling lanes, lakes, and plenty of picnic spots.
But even those without the accolades are well worth a visit. Explore the maze in Parque de São Roque, the terraced slopes of Jardim das Virtudes and the hidden Parque das Águas overlooking the Douro River.
Detour: If you feel the call of the sea instead, the beaches of Foz do Douro are just a short walk from Jardim do Passeio Alegre.
14. Stroll, cycle or paddle along the Douro River
One of the city’s major landmarks is, without a doubt, the Douro River. Take in the waterfront views with a drink in hand at Wine Quay. From here, you can walk towards the seaside in about 1 hour and 30 minutes, or rent a bike. If you’d rather sit back and take in the sights, a river cruise on a restored barco rabelo (the ones that used to carry wine up and down the stream) might be more up your alley.
Local tip: You can paddle along the Douro River in a Hawaiian canoe with Douro Vaa.
15. Witness Matosinhos’ fishing industry
The seaside district of Matosinhos used to be the heart of Portugal’s fish canning industry. Today, only a few factories remain, like Conservas Pinhais. Book a tour to go behind the scenes of this 1920s factory and finish off with a delicious sardine tasting.
Rather stick to fresh fish? Head to Rua Heróis de França to find various seafood restaurants or stop by the Mercado Municipal to see the fishmongers in action.
Local tip: Keep an eye out for Out of the Blue, a gastronomic event featuring guided chef tastings and masterclasses.